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Fireworks, your dog and the 4th of July
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`www.SitK9Sit.com Dog Training and Fireworks
The 4th of July is right around the corner. Plans are in the works for most people as it is one of those holidays that means getting out for a BBQ with friends, some beach time and of course at the end of the day checking out a fireworks display. Unfortunately for those with dogs, this is not a holiday that is all that comfortable on the ears or the nerves for our best friend family member the dog.
Dogs hear things 10 times louder than humans. That fact added to fireworks are not something a dog is exposed to but once a year has been the cause of many dogs developing anxiety around the sound of the sudden blasts going off around them only a few days out of the year.
Professional dog trainers recommend desensitizing training as way to get your dog to loose the anxiety and become comfortable with these type of noises. This type of training works well though it takes time.
If the 4th of July is less than two weeks away and you are aware that your dog is fearful, you don’t have enough time to get the proper training time in. However you can start the process with the assistance of a good training program.
In the meantime, there are precautions you can take to alleviate anxiety during the holiday, and then plan to continue some training for next year so everyone including the dog can have a better time.
•If you plan to go out to a fireworks display it’s best to leave your dog at home.
Preferably keep your dog in your own home. A friends home is not the same and the anxiety can build due to new surroundings combined with the loud noise.
•Leave your dog in a crate at home.
Dogs left out to roam the house can damage themselves as well as your physical belongings. Its best if you do some crate training before the holiday. A new crate is yet another new situation that could add to the anxiety of your dog.
•Don’t leave your dog outside in the yard.
Even a fenced secure yard isn’t safe for a dog who has fear of fireworks. Dogs tend to run and can get so crazed they can get out of the yard in ways you never thought possible.
•Make sure your dog is wearing identification tags.
In the horrific case your dog did get loose the chances of recovering your dog go down astoundingly so without identification tags.
•Don’t leave your dog in a car while you are watching fireworks.
Same as your home, your dog can do some serious damage out of fear and there is a chance your dog could get loose and run in a completely unfamiliar area.
•Exercise your dog to the extent you see fatigue sets in.
It goes with the dog trainers creed, “A tired dog is a good dog!” When you are tired physically things do not disturb you mentally in the same way at all. The heightened sense of awareness dulls and the need to react dissipates.
•Leave the TV or radio on at normal volume level.
Give your dog some “normal” noise to focus on. Turning the volume up louder will only add to anxiety since your dog does hear thing louder than we do. Keep the environment as normal as possible.
•Use a dog appeasing pheromone diffuser or natural calming remedy.
Many local San Diego pet stores carry natural products for calming your dog. If your dog shows slight signs of anxiety give Tranquility Blend by Animal Essentials at try.
•For severe anxiety cases contact your local San Diego vet and ask for one of the prescription doggie downers available.
If your dog has high anxiety over fireworks do not hesitate on this option. The calmer you can keep a dog with severe symptoms, the more likely you will be able to train successfully for it in the future.
Dog tips on Twitter fun to follow. Jt Clough posts creative thoughts and ideas about dog training daily. Fireworks, dogs and how to get everyone to stay calm are also covered in live training events at K9 Coach Facebook.
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