Noise induced anxiety in dogs is pretty obvious. The telltale signs are an anxious, nervous dog who may shake, hide, or engage in some pretty nervous behavior, like chewing through things. This behavior can be seen in dogs during thunderstorms or firework celebrations. It’s somewhat easier to deal with firework anxiety since these are usually part of predictable celebrations. It’s a little harder to anticipate thunderstorms, but once you know the routine, you can help your pooch out in a hurry.

If your dog exhibits symptoms of stress, here are a few suggestions to help your dog deal with noise anxiety:

• Create a safe haven for your dog, Fido needs a place where he can feel safe and secure. Find an enclosed safe, cozy part of your home that is insulated from the outdoor sounds of fireworks. Laundry rooms and bathrooms work great for this! Place Fido’s bedding or crate in the room so that he has his soothing creature comforts with him. Leave his favorite toys and a rawhide chewie around also, so that Fido has something to channel his anxiety toward. Make sure he's in a room where he can't harm anything (which is why laundry rooms work great), or if necessary, place him in his crate. When festivities are underway, put a radio in the room and turn on the volume so that the noise of the fireworks is minimized.

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  Take Fido out for one last potty time before the festivities begin. Anticipate the start of fireworks and take Fido out before it becomes scary for him. You want to avoid having to take Fido out until the fireworks have stopped. Many locales have ordinances that proscribe the time that fireworks are acceptable, typically midnight. When you do take Fido out, you will probably want to use a leash. This is a precaution in the event a few unexpected few stragglers go off, which could cause Fido to bolt.

• Tire Fido out during the daytime. If you anticipate fireworks in the evening, take Fido out for a good, long romp in the afternoon. By tiring Fido out in the daytime, it may be easier for Fido to relax in the evening when the fireworks ramp up.

• Leave plenty of water with Fido. Keep your dog's water bowl filled with fresh, clean water. Even though you may take precautions to minimize the stress on your dog, it is very likely that Fido will still be anxious, nervous or upset, which means that in his frenzied state, he may required a lot of drinking water to help calm him down.

• Check with your vet about tranquilizers for the evening. If Fido is ultrasensitive about fireworks, you may want to check with your vet about recommending a tranquilizer for the evening. Some people have been known to use Benadryl, but you should check with your vet before using any medication. Your vet might also have some other helpful tips.