It is that time of year again when friends and neighbors make the trip to the local fireworks tent and buy large quantities of fireworks so they can make big bangs. At least that is the way it works in my neighborhood. While the big bangs are fun for people, they can be scary for dogs. Here are my tips for surviving the 4th with your dogs.
Exercise Before The Big Bangs Start
We always make sure the dogs get plenty of exercise before the big bangs start. Usually we get them out to do some field training, but long walks or hikes also work well. A tired dog is a calm dog.
Close The Windows-Flip On The Air-Turn On The TV Or Radio
We try to muffle the sound of the big bangs by closing the windows, flipping on the air conditioning and the tv or a radio. I do this for fireworks and anytime something loud is happening outside such as close by construction or a thunderstorm. Music in particular seems to help calm anxious dogs.
Essential Oils May Also Help To Calm An Anxious Dog
I was skeptical of the benefit of essential oils until I received a sample of Canine Calm Spray to try as part of a subscription pet box review I did a couple of years ago.
When the big bangs started that year, I figured what the heck and applied it topically to the dogs’ fur as directed on the label, reapplying every few hours. To my utter amazement, it did have a calming effect on the dogs. As soon as I applied it, the dogs stopped pacing and panting and even laid down. I have used it ever since.
Disclaimer: I received this product free to try a couple of years ago. I am not being compensated to talk about it now but wanted to share it with my readers because I still use it.
Go About Your Business
One thing we have never done with our dogs is make a big deal about things that happen which are out of the ordinary. So when the big bangs start, we follow the above tips, but that is it. We do not highlight them by giving the dogs treats or even attempt to train while they are ongoing. Anxious dogs have low attention spans and you may inadvertently reinforce the anxious behavior if you highlight it with treats or rewards. Usually our evening is spent just hanging out watching tv.
Be Smart
My last tip is to be smart about your dog. Many dogs are lost over the 4th of July because they are frightened by fireworks. Our dogs are hunting dogs and have been shot over many times, but that sound is quite different than the sound of a loud firework. Don’t take your dog to a fireworks display unless you are positive your dog will not be frightened, (and realize most will be scared by them so most are better off at home). Keep your dog on a leash when outside if you are in an area where people are shooting off fireworks. Put a collar with a tag on your dog just in case it gets out of your house or your yard. The leash is to prevent your dog from bolting. The tags are to help you be reunited should that happen.
Hopefully these tips will help you and your dogs survive the 4th.
Do you have any tips?
This is such an interesting read, especially as I’m just writing about my own experience with my rescue pup who is terrfied of fireworks! This post actually gave me an idea I haven’t tried yet – essential oils! I’ll totally look into it, thank you for sharing! 🙂
Let me know how the essential oils work for you.
We live in a state where WAY TOO LARGE fireworks are not only legal, but there are Walmart size fireworks stores on many corners. It’s rather ridiculous if you ask me… so it’ll be a stressful week!
I know exactly how you feel. We have the same things here too. I will have to keep the dog in come Friday despite the nice weather.
All great tips, thank you for sharing! Our big girl, Nike Jayne, is terrified of fireworks bangs, thunderstorms, etc. This is such a stressful time of year for her, but we use lots of your tips to help get her through it.
I hope you and Nike have a safe and relaxing 4th. Sometimes I am relived if we get rain on the holiday. 🙂
Mom pretty much does everything you do too! Fireworks are really bad here in the city not to mention they’re illegal. And they’ve been setting them off for weeks already. And one went off on our walk this afternoon. So there’s only so much you can do. I wear a Thundershirt which helps me a lot too. Love Dolly
I wish fireworks were illegal here too, but you can buy fairly large ones at stores too.
Great tips! We are always saddened by how many pets are lost on firework-y holidays.
Going about things as normal is what usually works best for us. Barley goes into hiding–usually the bathroom or under the bed–and I might occasionally scritch her or leave a few treats for her to find, but for the most part I just go about my business and read or watch tv or cook and if she wants to join me, that’s great, but if she wants to hide that’s ok, too. We usually wake up early and do a good 4 or 5 miles. The biggest problem is her before bed potty because she refuses to leave the house, even on a leash for just a few seconds if she hears fireworks, so I have to time things just right! Hope your pups handle things well this year!
All good tips! I really wish our state would do away with the fireworks that people purchase. Those are the ones that create the most havoc in my neighborhood. 🙂
We pretty much do the same things that you do, except we use the calming collars instead of a spray. I might try that spray sometime too though. We’re hoping things will be quiet at our new house, fingers crossed!
Great tips, storm you don’t look amused.