While the Fourth of July is a fun time for us, our pets might not enjoy it as much. The noise, smells, and bright flashes that accompany a fireworks display can cause fear in many dogs.
Prepare Well
If your dog is left outside, it might be scared enough to escape its pen and attempt to run away from the noise. The best thing to do is to prepare well and keep your dog or puppy inside the house. It’s also a good time to make sure that your dog has a good ID collar or tag on, just in case.
Exercise Your Dog Before the Fireworks
Long before the fireworks start, try to get some of the nervous energy out of your dog by spending vigorous playtime with him or taking him on a long walk. A tired dog is usually a calmer dog.
Keep Your Dog Inside During Fireworks
An hour or so before the fireworks, bring your dog inside. Choose an interior room in your house to keep your dog. If he or she is crate trained and tends to get very nervous, it might be a good idea to put your dog in his crate and cover it with a sheet or blanket, ensuring that he gets enough air and doesn’t get too warm.
If you’re comfortable with just keeping him in the room, then put some toys in there to distract him and make sure all windows are shut, if there are any.
Reduce the Noise as Much as Possible
You could even try using white noise from a fan, TV, or radio to help cover the noise of the fireworks.
For dogs with severe anxiety, which you are probably aware of during thunderstorms, the use of a thundershirt or medication may be necessary.
Keep Calm Around Your Pet
Finally, keep calm around your pet. If you get anxious or stressed, this will only increase their fear or anxiety. It’s natural for your pet to be afraid of loud noises, unless you have spent time conditioning them. So just reassure your pet, but don’t over-baby him/her during this time.
After the fireworks are over, keep an eye on your dog for signs of stress and be careful leaving him outside alone until you are sure he has recovered.
Belle’s 4th of July
Belle will definitely be inside most of the day today, as our neighborhood kids like to shoot of firecrackers during the day too. She is definitely afraid of fireworks and other loud noises, so I’ll be keeping her cool and calm inside the house. Once the fireworks start, I’ll put her in her crate to keep her safe and comfortable.