It's summer. You're all set to go out to enjoy the beautiful weather and July 4th festivities with your friends. Guests will be arriving at any moment and you hear a slurp as your dog laps up the last bit of water in its bowl and wags at you for some help.
Your pal doesn't know what is coming, but you've got their back. Even if you are fully prepared, this can be a stressful time of the year for so many dogs. We've collected some tips and tricks that hopefully allow you to get prepared for your canine companion's upcoming challenges and prepare the best you can to face them together.
What are some of the biggest challenges that your dog will face on Independence Day?
- Fireworks
- Summer parties and picnics
- Being left alone.
Fireworks and your dog or "We're under attack!"
Loud noises can be disorienting, if not traumatic, to many dogs. The concussive force of a nearby loud explosion can be just as scary as the sudden eruption of the snap, crackle, and pop from fireworks going off in your neighborhood. If your dog is deaf, the impact might not be as drastic to them. That said, the concussive force that we feel with the fireworks explosion is still something that your dog might feel, depending on how close they are.Deaf or not, the smell of gunpowder can also stress out your dog.
What if your dog isn't affected by fireworks?
That's great. Some dogs aren't or learn to not be reactive to fireworks. Others never lose that fear when they feel firecrackers bursting in the distance. Even if your dog isn't reactive, it doesn't mean that there aren't other dogs that are adversely affected. Keep an eye out for stray dogs during this time to ensure your dog is safe and protected.What can you do to prevent your dog from being afraid of fireworks?
The best you can do is to keep them indoors and ensure all exits are secured. A surprised dog will find a way to escape what they fear, be that by pushing their way outside past people entering and exiting your house or through a screen or over a fence if they are terrified.Have a safe place to retreat indoors or keep them sequestered in an area with room to move around and water to drink. Check on them on occasion to make sure that all is well.
Soft music will help to soften the persistent sounds of bottle rockets or guests arriving one after another. This trick also works well if you live in an apartment complex and have people walking by your door regularly. The Senior Poochs in our household prefer Bob Marley to Heavy Metal, but your mileage may vary.
Having people over for summer parties or "Who is coming to visit and bring me snacks?"
Dogs, especially small dogs, are never far from underfoot. While they may have figured out the walking patterns of your family, they may need to be better versed in how to avoid getting stepped on by your guests. Crating or keeping them in a back room might be your best option to ensure they are only out when you can supervise their interactions with others.Make sure that your guests understand the rules of engagement for meeting and, if allowed, playing with your dogs. Clearly stating the rules for interacting with your canine companions will keep everyone safe and stress to a minimum. Educating guests on restrictions, such as your dogs needing to stay in a particular area or no human food, will minimize the chance that they'll be treated differently than you intend.
Going out or "Oh no! They've left me!"
If you intend to go out to a summer party, whether on Independence Day or not, it's best to leave your dog at home. This is not to punish them. If you let your dog loose in a place where they are not being supervised, should they get lost, they will not have the know-how that you might have taught them during your walks to find their way home. The sudden blast of fireworks or being challenged by an unfamiliar animal might cause them to temporarily forget their training and adopt a reactive stance to fight or flee.At home, secured, and with plenty of water, your dog can chill out and not have to deal with the challenges of a strange environment.
If you're going to be gone for more than one day, having a neighbor, pet walking service, or kennel care for your dog are other options that offer both security and companionship for your canine roommate
Planning ahead for an escape attempt
You may have done everything that you can to ensure that your dog is safe inside, but maybe they've made their escape:- Pushing past a guest coming inside for a drink
- Jumping over a fence or finding a loose picket that they can squeeze past
- Pushing out a screen window and jumping to freedom
Make sure you get your dog microchipped with plenty of time to spare before July 4th, as some services can take several weeks to get your information into their systems.
Sometimes it pays to talk to a professional
Check with your veterinarian to see if they have any recommendations for how to keep your dog calm. There are some dogs who are inconsolable when left alone because of separation anxiety or from being in unfamiliar territory with the sounds of fireworks exploding around them. There may be pharmaceutical solutions that they can prescribe and checking in with plenty of time before they are stressed out is the way to go.
Thundershirts (available at your favorite pet store) are another solution that we've had a lot of success with separation anxiety and on Independence Day. The shirt provides security by feeling like a hug for your pooch.
In summary:
- Keep your dog indoors and under supervision when possible - This applies to the day and the night.
- Ensure that your dog's identification is worn - This includes indoors as well as out. Collars with tags are one form of identification. Microchips and even airtags are others that will aid in returning your dog to you should they escape.
- Ensure that guests understand the ground rules - In particular, when you have some guests that aren't familiar with your dog, ensure that all guests understand that your goal is to protect them and ensure they're not going to escape and not because they are being punished.
- Check with your vet -They may have pharmaceuticals or other recommendations to calm even the most anxious pet during this time of year.
What solutions have you found most effective during this time of the year?
