Keeping Your Dogs Safe On The 4th Of July (Part 2)

Well, the 4th of July is coming up, and it’s coming up fast. While we’re still under quarantine, we don’t know what the situation will be like in July, and some people just might go ahead and get the fireworks going.

While it might sound fun for humans, let’s understand, it’s not fun for our pets, and it’s not safe for the environment. Dogs usually howl, bark excessively and get extremely anxious during fireworks, and the worst part is that Independence Day is when the highest number of dogs run away… fleeing for their lives. Even when they’re loved and cared for in their families. Here are some ways to keep your dogs safe on the 4th of July. Here’s Part 1, in case you missed it.

1. Comfort Them

If you can stay at home with your dogs during the fireworks show that will help them calm down too. Jenn Stanley, certified behavior consultant and professional dog trainer says, “You absolutely can and should comfort your dog if he’s afraid. The key here is in how you do so. It’s important to remain calm and use a soothing, even tone. Petting them can be comforting — long, slow, firm strokes along the length of their body are typically very soothing.”

2. Walk Them Before The Show

If there’s one way to tire them out so they can sleep through the fireworks is to walk them or play with them. Make sure that when you go out for a walk, that you leash your dog properly so that you have control if they get startled.

3. Desensitize Them

Reverse psychology, anyone? If you think your dog will freak out at the sound of fireworks, try and introduce them to the sound to desensitize them to the real fireworks. However, keep the volume down. Stanley adds, “The volume should be low enough that your dog can notice it, but does not show signs of stress like panting, pacing, leaving the area or trying to hide. We call this keeping the dog ‘below threshold,’ and it makes it possible for learning to take place. If the dog is overwhelmed, they’re looking to escape the situation and are not going to be nearly as capable of learning that it’s not a threat.”

4. Talk To Your Vet

Judy Morgan, DVM says, “If you have a dog that is bad enough and you haven’t done any prep work, and you know your pet is going to be in panic, try true therapeutic treatment.”

How do you manage your dogs during the 4th of July celebrations? Let us know in the comments.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay