Ep. 55 🎆 Holiday Fireworks & Dogs: Calm Through the Chaos

If your dog shakes through fireworks or hides during thunderstorms, you are not alone. In this ProblemSolvHer podcast holiday special, Chloe and Dagmar bring back master dog trainer Jeff Nelson of Palm Beach Dog Academy to talk about dogs, holidays, fireworks, and how to keep everyone calmer – including you.

You’ll hear simple, practical ways to prepare your dog before the chaos hits, what to do when you’re caught off guard, and how your energy as a dog mom shapes your dog’s behavior. Think of it as nervous-system regulation for both species.

Topics We Cover:

•  Dogs and holiday stress
•  How to prepare your dog for fireworks in advance
•  Using sound (and YouTube) to desensitize your dog
•  A simple “metal bowl” test for noise sensitivity
•  What your dog’s “guilty look” actually means
•  Why consistency beats “hoping for the best”
•  Crate training and house training during the holidays
•  Thunderstorms, leashes, and keeping control
•  Guest etiquette: how people should greet your dog
•  Dangerous holiday foods and what to avoid

In this episode, you’ll hear:

•  The difference between proactive and reactive dog parenting
•  How your stress level directly affects your dog’s behavior
•  Why rewarding fear makes anxiety worse
•  “leave it” and “place” commands for busy homes
•  Why calm, steady communication builds canine confidence

Timestamps & Chapter:
00:00 Intro
01:25 How holidays and fireworks impact pets
03:40 Preparing your dog for fireworks
08:10 The metal-bowl test
11:20 Desensitizing fearful dogs
13:40 Thunderstorms, leashes, and staying calm yourself
17:30 Giving yourself grace as a pet parent
24:20 “Guilty” dogs, house accidents, and timing
28:50 Crate training
33:10 Phones, leashes, and safety on walks
36:10 Calm breeds, herding breeds
40:10 Dog-proofing your home for the holidays
42:30 Holiday food safety
44:20 Final tips

Guest:
Jeff Nelson, master dog trainer and founder of Palm Beach Dog Academy.
DM on Instagram at @muttsandjeff
TikTok at @DogTrainingMastery.

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🔎 Resources

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Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It reflects personal experiences and opinions, and is not intended as medical, mental health, legal, or financial advice. Please consult a licensed professional for advice specific to your circumstances.

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