Every year around this time many of my friends go missing. At first, I thought it was one of those weird alien things where they went off into space somewhere or something strange like that as some of them never returned to their humans! WOOF!! WOOF!! BARK. Well, that may be a bit of an exaggeration as I don’t know all the dogs who go missing every year.
Paws, did you know that the time period around the 4th of July and its celebrations is when more dogs go missing than any other time of the year? BARKS! Fireworks, loud noises, and bright flashing lights are not your dog’s best friend - not even a close distant cousin!
Remember to your dog, the noises and light flashes of fireworks are unlike other loud noises such as thunderstorms because they are closer to the ground, louder, brighter, and have burning smells. Barkingly, thunderstorms come on gradually with related signs, fireworks do not. Since dogs experience the world through their nose, eyes, and ears, fireworks can be a pawsitively overwhelming time for them! WOOF!! These frighten dogs causing them to run and hide.
A bark or two of preparation will help keep your dog safe, sound, and happy! Barks, my humans plan to be home with me on the 4th making sure I have pawlenty of treats, snacks, and water. We’ll watch music concerts or TV shows which will not have any loud booming noises from 4th celebrations. Sometimes, I curl up in my crate not far from my humans. Other times, I curl up with them. If they can’t be home, and they cannot take me with them, they arrange for my uncle Ed or his pawsomely beautiful wife to sit with me! Barkingly, Doggie Day Care could be an option for your dog too. If you have to make arrangements unfamiliar to your dog, take him there a few days ahead to visit and sniff around. Paws, this will help him be less anxious on the day.
Barks, another pawsome idea is to create a safe room for your dog. Make sure the room is well-lit, you turn on some music or TV to help block the firework noise, and place your dog's favorite toys, blankets, and pillows in the room. Barks, a T-shirt or two with your scent on it is helpful too. I always remind my human to buy me the bestest treats and a new toy or two for me!
WOOFs! My human will let me out in the backyard and take me for walks earlier than normal on the 4th. Sometimes, the loud noises of firecrackers and fireworks will make dogs jump fences or take off running so to be prepared, he watches over me. So pawsome to have a human who loves me!
Barkingly, putting a comfortable, tight-fitting T-Shirt on your dog is a pawsome way to help them
feel secure. Paws, you can buy a Thundershirt which has proven to be a pawcellent method for helping dogs relax.
If your dog seems to have a barkingly rough time with the fireworks, paw with his Veterinarian for solutions. A Veterinarian can offer sedation methods and ideas which would help the dog relax. These methods should be checked out ahead of time so you’ll both be prepared and there will be no surprises.
Barkingly, if you expose your dog to these noises in a positive manner at an early age, like
3 weeks to 3 months, you may be able to de-sensitize them. I recommend asking a dog trainer for ideas to assist with this.
BARK! The most important thing you can do for your dog is to stay relaxed! Don’t fuss with your dog during fireworks as it just reassures them it’s a time to be afraid or apprehensive. Accept the situation and do your best to make your dog happy and comfortable.
The 4th of July, and the days before and a few or so after, are my leastest favorite days of the entire year! Paws, it is an impawtant part of dog ownership to remember is to ALWAYS keep your dog’s ID collar and microchip current! WOOFS! Yes, I recommend the ID collar along with a microchip as it could allow your dog to be ID’d faster and quickly returned to you.
Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!
