Keeping Your Dog Calm During Holiday Fireworks

Hello Everyone,

It's not the fourth of July yet but the fireworks have already begun bringing fear to many dogs. Last year, I was babysitting Sam and Hannah as Cary and Erin went out of town to visit family and I soon realized the fear that fireworks brought to some pets. Sam didn't mind the fireworks display, in fact he sat outside and enjoyed them with me on the patio. Hannah, on the other hand, was absolutely terrified! I could not get her to go outside to use the restroom and she would pace back and forth constantly.

According to Dog Star Daily, veterinary offices are filled with people looking for drugs while humane societies report a steep increase in the number of dogs wandering at this time of year.

To keep your furry friend from becoming a statistic this holiday weekend author Lisa Spector offers these tips:

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

2. Keep your dogs inside during fireworks, preferably with human companionship.

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.

4. If possible, keep the windows and curtains closed.

5. Make sure all your dogs are wearing ID tags with a properly fitting collar. Microchips are ideal in case they get lost.

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

7. Train with counter classical conditioning. Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., CAAB, has a very clear definition and tips here.

8. Sound Therapy: play music to calm your canine companion.

These tips are useful with sound phobias such as thunderstorms as well. Hopefully these tips will make the holiday enjoyable for you and your pet!