8 Dog-Safety Tips for the 4th of July

July 4th is around the corner, along with the fireworks that inevitably come with this holiday. Almost all humans with dogs in the United States declare this day the worst day of the year for them. Veterinarians say that July 3rd is usually the most-trafficked day in their offices, with clients coming in to get drugs for their dogs. A few years ago, I found a lost dog on the 4th of July. He was obviously a well-fed, groomed, and trained dog that escaped his yard when he heard the fireworks. When I called our local Humane Society, I was informed that it is the busiest time of the year for them, as more dogs are found wandering loose on July 4th than any other day of the year in the U.S.

Tips for providing a safe July 4th for your Canine Household:

1. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day.

2. Keep your dogs inside during fireworks, preferably with human companionship. If it’s hot, air conditioning will help. Bringing your dogs to a fireworks display is never a good idea.

3. Provide a safe place inside for your dogs to retreat. When scared of sounds they can’t orient, dogs often prefer small enclosed areas. (I once had a dog who climbed in the bathtub during windstorms.) If your dog is comfortable in a crate, that is a good option.

4. Keep the curtains closed, and if possible, also the windows.

5. Make sure all your dogs are wearing ID tags with a properly fitting collar. (Dogs have been known to become Houdini around the 4th of July.)

6. Leave your dog something fun to do – like a frozen Kong filled with his favorite treats.

7. Sound Therapy: Through a Dog’s Ear is specially designed classical music clinically demonstrated to calm canine anxiety issues. The Calm your Canine series has even replaced drugs for thousands of dogs on July 4th.

8. Desensitization combined with Sound Therapy: The Canine Noise Phobia series includes the above mentioned music along with progressive sounds of fireworks and positive reinforcement training protocol by Victoria Stilwell.

Wishing you and your canine and feline households a safe holiday. How have they reacted to fireworks in previous years? Thanks for sharing ways that you’ve made it easier for Fido and Fluffy.

Have you seen the new Adoptable Pets page on Care2? Check it out here! Please also share with your friends. We’d love your help in finding homes for these adorable animals!

Receive a FREE DOWNLOAD from the Through a Dog’s Ear: Calm your Canine Companion Music Series

Simply click here, enter your email address and a link to the free download will be delivered to your inbox for you and your canine household to enjoy!

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Camilla V.

10:09PM PDT on Apr 28, 2013

thanks people should care more about their animals, it is awful that the animals always has adjust just take everything

April 28
send a green star

paul m.

6:08AM PDT on Apr 13, 2013

Noted

April 13
send a green star

Marianne G.

4:55AM PDT on Apr 13, 2013

Thanks for sharing.

Pat A.

1:57AM PDT on Apr 13, 2013

I have just had (I hope and think) a moment of inspiration - to stop our animals fearing these things, we could record the noises they fear (such as fireworks, or electronic noises) and play them at a Very Very Much Reduced Level - almost inaudible to start with, when feeding our animals and playing with them (ie when they are already happy) then introduce the almost inaudible noise (and remain positive and calm ourselves and just ignore the noise and carry on with what we were doing) then over the weeks very gradually increase the sound - till the time of fireworks arrives and they will be calmer. It undoubtedly will take quite some time if done properly - but the benefits could be amazing!

I do agree though - we must keep our animals inside and protected and stay with them to make sure they are alright - absolutely vital!

Lydia W.

1:33AM PDT on Apr 13, 2013

Fireworks are bad. They are very loud and sudden, and only come once or twice a year. Birds become terrified, as well. They jangle everyone's nerves. Most people with any sense worry about their neighbors setting the roof on fire with their bottle rockets, and pets pick up on that, as well. They are also accompanied by a strong sulfur smell, which is similar to that of bad storms. Play music, and if your pet can stay in a kennel cab, that helps a lot. Give him or her a blanket to snuggle into, and cover the kennel with one, also. This gives the feeling of being in a den, where instinctively they feel safer. If you leave the kennel exposed, they often simply feel trapped. Never leave your pets home alone on 4th of July. They have been known to get caught by the collar and hang themselves, and also jump through the glass of windows.

Melania P.

9:43AM PST on Jan 23, 2013

Thanks! Great tips