July 4th Safety Tips for Dogs
The following tips will help you keep your dogs safe this Fourth of July.
The Fourth of July is filled with fun, festivities, fireworks, and fantastic food! However, this holiday can be anything but celebratory for your dog(s) especially if they have a fear of loud noises. Listed below are some tips and techniques to help your dog cope and stay safe.
The 4th of July is the busiest time of year for animal shelters and rescue organizations. Dogs who panic at fireworks overwhelm the shelters, while rescue groups scramble to save dogs whose owners don’t claim them.
Here are some tips to keep your dog safe.
Keep Your Best Friend at Home
While it may seem like fun to bring your dog to a parade, party, or to watch fireworks, most dogs benefit from the calm, cool, and comfort of their home. Many dogs feel extremely nervous around crowds, blasts, booms, and loud noises from fireworks that can be extremely frightening for them.
While your best friend is resting and relaxing at home, you can focus on having fun. You can make lifetime memories with your family without worrying about your dog being in tow.
Create a Relaxing Respite Away from the Excitement
Noise phobia is a real condition for many dogs. If your dog becomes fearful when the blasts and booms of fireworks begin, you’re not alone. Fortunately, you can help them cope with all the noise from the fireworks while providing some comfort.
One way many dog parents help their dogs cope is to create a zen-den for your dog.
Here’s how:
Make sure your dog is in a secure, escape-proof area! Keep him or her inside the house, in his or her own familiar home, where he or she feels secure.
Select an area where your dog already feels safe.
Create a cozy place where your dog can rest.
Your dog’s bed
Extra pillows
Puzzle toys with your dog’s favorite snack
Your dog’s favorite toys and chew bones
Close the Curtains, Blinds and shutters; you can also use Blackout curtains or window coverings which help buffer out the lights of the flashing fireworks.
Keeping the lights low helps buffer out the flashing fireworks.
Turning on the radio, such as white noise, calming music and or the TV on loud to drown out the scary sounds
Use calming pheromones designed for dogs. Plug in a dispenser or air freshener with the scent of calming essential oils (e.g., lavender) or D.A.P. (dog appeasing pheromone.)
Check on them a few times throughout the night, but not so often that your dog cannot relax.
Tire him or her out late in the afternoon before the fireworks begin.
Exercise him or her in the late afternoon or early evening for a long walk, play fetch or games or let him or her play with a dog friend. This will help your dog release some of their excess energy and give them an opportunity to relieve themselves.
Plan on an Early Dinner for Your Dog
Feed your dog dinner after the evening walk and or exercise in the early evening before the fireworks start. Add some cooked white rice to his meal. A tummy full of carbs can help him or her rest. Feeding an early dinner also helps with your dog refusing to eat due to nerves after fireworks begin. It also provides them with enough time to digest their dinner before the evening’s excitement starts. If you’re having guests over, your dog’s full tummy may reduce their appetite and the begging for handouts that can come along with an empty stomach.
Take him or her outside to go potty before the fireworks start.
Make sure he’s wearing his collar and ID tag! If he or she does get lost, post ads on lost dog forums and contact your dog’s microchip registration company.
July 5th is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters across the U.S. This is because the chaotic noise sends many dogs into survival mode which can mean running away. Making matters worse, many dogs that become frightened and run off become disoriented and lost.
Updating your dog’s ID tag increases the odds of their safe return. If your dog becomes lost, their ID tag is the first thing a person will look at to help your dog find their way back home. Additionally, your dog’s ID tag could keep your dog from requiring a trip to the shelter the following day or the overnight wait for a microchip scan.
Stay home with him or her – your presence will make him feel more secure.
Remember that they will pick up on your mood.
Stay calm! Be cheerful! Show him or her that nothing’s wrong.
Try to ignore fearful behavior. Reward calm, relaxed behavior with pets and treats.
DO NOT:
Let him or her outside in the yard during fireworks!
Take him or her to a fireworks show (Do Not Leave him or her in the Car.)
Leave him or her alone
Fuss over him or her and try to reassure him or her– it will reward his or her fearful behavior and make him or her more likely to continue.
Keep All Doors Closed
Before the festivities begin, remind everyone to keep all doors to the outside closed and secure. If your dog does get out, remember that they may be hunkered down in a shrub or vehicle.
This information is brought to you as a public service by Value Dog Training, In Home Dog Training. For more information, contact us at 916-201-7080.
Value Dog Training. Mission is to improve the quality of life for dogs, and the people who love them.
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