Pre Holiday Post

Well, it's almost that time again!

For those of us with furry family members that are afraid of fireworks, the July 4th celebration is a source of stress for pets and their families.  There are plenty of resources suggesting how to keep your pets safe during this holiday, but here are some taken from dog trainer Victoria Stilwell's blog Positively.

• Exercise your dog earlier in the day.
• Dogs should be kept inside with a human companion if possible.
• Make sure the dog has a "safe space" to retreat.  (Whitman was able to escape to his crate last night when the neighborhood started the pre celebration last night.)
• Keep the windows and curtains closed.
• Insure your dog has a microchip and that it is updated with the correct contact information and a properly fitting collar with updated ID tags.
• Use sound therapy such as music to relax your dog.

Other suggestions:

• Do not set off fireworks near or next to your dog.
• Try to desensitize your pet prior to the festivities using training tools.
• Use the radio or TV to try to help drown out the noise of the fireworks.
• See your vet for sedatives or other tranquilizers if needed.
• Visit your neighborhood pet store for natural calming aids.
• Act normally versus petting or reassuring your pet when he or she is nervous this will just reinforce the nervous behavior.
• Give your pet something else to do such as a stuffed kong or puzzle toy.

Whitman's safe space

July 5th is reported to be the busiest day for the Humane Society and other shelters as there are more dogs lost during the July 4th holiday due to fireworks.   The ASPCA also suggests there are other hazards for your pets such as alcohol, lighter fluid (for BBQs), and Tiki torch fluids typically present during holiday celebrations, so keeping these out of range for your pet is important!

So, as we are heading for this holiday, please remember our pets are not always as enthusiastic about fireworks!

What are your practices for keeping your dog safe during the 4th of July?