Dogs & Fireworks!
Dogs and Fireworks: A Top Ten Survival Guide
RufF lOve dOg traiNIng knows that with the upcoming Fourth of July weekend, certain dogs across the country will react with fear and anxiety to all the firework celebrations.
“The noise of fireworks can be extremely stressful for dogs,” said Alice Marino, a member of the IAABC, IACP & APDT and Founder and Director ~ Holistic Certified Professional Dog Trainer/Coach of RufF lOve dOg traiNIng in Staten Island, NY.
“I recommend these top ten strategies to all dog owners, to help them through the Fourth of July weekend.”
- DO expose your dog to loud, unexpected noises on a regular basis; especially leading up to an event that includes firework celebrations. Drop pot lids, drop your keys, toss a soda can away from your dog with a few pennies in it, slam a door: anything to get your dog accustomed to being startled and treat them for not being reactive, so they can practice recovering quickly.
- DO NOT bring your dog with you to a fireworks celebration.
- DO provide your dog with a safe, comfortable place that will help them feel more secure amid the scary sights and sounds. Close the blinds to keep out the flashes of color in the sky, and turn up the television or some music to help muffle the sounds.
- DO NOT put your dog in a crate; a panicked, frightened dog can easily injure himself in a crate.
- DO seek a natural herbal remedy from your Holistic Dog Trainer or Holistic Integrated Veterinarian such as CBD oil from a recommended company with third party lab testing or a prescription sedative may be appropriate for your dog in extreme cases. I personally recommend CBDDogHealth.com for their CALM CBD oil in these cases.
- DO consider giving your dog a highly valued chew toy before the fireworks celebration begins, which may help to keep her mind off the disturbance.
- DO attach a “house leash” to your dog, to act as an extra long handle, should your dog try to escape or run away.
- DO NOT comfort or “baby” your dog if he is afraid. Dogs take their cue of how to behave from their owners/pet parents; if you are acting “strange” by offering soothing words and gestures, your dog may interpret your actions as praise for being frightened, or as confirmation that the fireworks are truly scary.
- DO act as normal and as “matter of fact” as possible; to help your dog understand that there is nothing to worry about.
- Most importantly, DO ensure your dog is wearing proper identification in case he manages to escape.
“More dogs escape during holiday celebrations than at any other time,” said Alice Marino”. “With a little preparation and an understanding of how to help dogs through their fears, dog parents can help prevent them from becoming a statistic this July Fourth weekend.”
Alice Marino of RufF lOve dOg traiNIng offers One-on-One Personal Training in the privacy of your home as well as outdoors or via “aLOT” (aLive Online Training) for you and your dog(s). She offers a large variety of options, all of which are “personally” designed for your household. Her Personal Training approach is what sets her apart from all the rest.