Happy 4th of July! We all know that the 4th of July is the time for BBQs, family and friend gatherings, and, of course, fireworks! Although the fireworks are very exciting for us, it can be a stressful time for dogs. The constant booming and flashing lights of the fireworks can make dogs anxious and fearful. In fact, more pets go missing on the 4th and 5th of July than on any other day of the year. This statistic is shocking and also a little bit scary, so it is very important that you are prepared for this holiday.
Here are some things you need to understand about your dog:
Firstly, it is important to understand why our dogs are so afraid of fireworks. Fireworks are very similar to thunderstorms and even replicate the same type of sounds. Dogs usually think that fireworks are thunderstorms and this is why they get scared. In fact, dogs become confused because they see humans excited about the fireworks, but do not have the same reaction when a thunderstorm occurs.
It is also very important to remember that when dogs are fearful, they revert to one of the four survival method instincts which are fight, flight, avoidance, and surrender. The flight survival method explains why many dogs run away from their homes on the 4th and 5th of July. Dogs engage in “flight” mode when they do not feel safe in the environment they are placed in and as a result, sometimes will run away.
Here are 2 tips to prepare your dog for the 4th of July:
Take your dog on a long walk
Taking your dog on a long walk on the 4th of July provides them with a large amount of exercise and mental stimulation. By doing so, it’ll allow them to relieve some of their energy so that they can hopefully relax better throughout the rest of the day/night. If you cannot squeeze in a long walk on the 4th of July, try speeding up your normal walk to a faster pace in order to tire your dog out more. Oftentimes, dog owners do not exercise with their dogs enough before the fireworks take place. However, with some exercise, your dog will be way more tired and potentially calmer when the fireworks occur.
Prepare your dog for what the fireworks sound like
It is important to familiarize your dog with the sound of fireworks before the event actually occurs. You can do this by playing firework sounds through a speaker or by playing videos of fireworks on a phone, computer, or tv. Once your dog has become acquainted with the firework sounds, it is important to feed your dog treats. Feeding them treats will help distract them from the loud noises and eventually your dog will associate food and waiting with fireworks.
Try these tips out with your pup to ensure that your 4th of July goes smoothly!
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