The 4th of July is a day of celebration for many, of course, but it’s not necessarily going to be as enjoyable for our pups.
It’s no secret that dogs don’t enjoy fireworks, making special occasions like Independence Day altogether more stressful for them. Whatever your own views on fireworks, we can’t stop fireworks displays. But, what we can do is help our dogs to cope with them, and make the experience a little easier – you won’t need much, even just a few of the best long lasting dog chews can be a great help.
Certified dog trainer Melissa Goodman of Mission Pawsitive has offered some advice in a recent Instagram post, just in time for the 4th of July. We think it’s really useful!
“Have plenty of enrichment ready to go,” urges Goodman, who describes the 4th of July as arguably the worst day of the year for dogs, “Like toys you can stuff with food and freeze, and longer lasting edible chews that your dog really likes!”
Long-lasting chews double up as a reward for hearing the fireworks, too, so it’s a win-win.
She also recommends keeping fans on, as well as “blasting” the TV, to help mask the noise of the fireworks. A white noise machine can help, too, as well as anything else you can think of that might help.
“If you can,” Goodman continues, “Going out of town to an area with much fewer fireworks is another option.” She explains that she’s taking her dog, Aspen, out of town to the mountains, and recommends both mountain towns and beach towns as good options – money permitting, of course!
She advises getting in touch with your vet to discuss medication if your dog gets extremely stressed and panicked by fireworks, ideally just before the 4th. And, remember to ensure your dog has an ID tag on – just in case they get spooked by the fireworks and run off – avoid leaving your pup home alone if you can.
Your own behavior can go a long way to making your dog feel more at ease, too. If you’re relaxed, it’s more likely that your dog will be chilled as well. When the fireworks are going off, react to them calmly, using a soothing voice, so your dog can learn that even though they might sound scary, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s also worth knowing how to read dog body language so you can better understand how your pup might be thinking.
Something you might want to do leading up to the 4th is make a note of any fireworks parties or displays in your area. You can then make sure that you let your dog go to the toilet before and after the fireworks, and ensure that you don’t decide to take them on a walk when the fireworks are expected to start.
Finally, don’t forget to check out our 10 ways to calm your dog during fireworks.
