The 4th of July is coming fast, and with it fireworks. A beautiful and enjoyable occasion for humans might be a frightening and noisy occasion for your dog. When the holiday season comes around, try to gauge your dog's reaction to loud noises. If your dog acts scared, you might need to keep a close eye on it once the 4th of July rolls around.
Keeping Your Dog Calm
Here are some tips to keep your dog calm during the celebration.
1. Keep A Lookout
If you keep your dog outside, be sure to keep an eye out for hoodlums that might try to scare him. People have been known to throw firecrackers near the fence to get a reaction, which can have a negative effect on your pet.
2. Bring Your Dog Inside
It might be best to keep your dog indoors during the celebration. It will put your dog at ease, and reduce the risk of him jumping the fence and running into the streets.
3. Turn On The TV Or Radio
This will not only help to muffle the bangs and booms going on outside, but a constant source of noise might also calm the dog. Soothing music works best. Try playing the music a couple of hours before the festivities start, so your dog can begin to associate it with peace and comfort.
4. If The Dog Hides, Let Him
If your dog gets scared enough to hide under a table, or beneath a bed, don't attempt to pull him out. This might stress the dog further, resulting in a more negative association with the fireworks.
Sometimes a cover, such as a blanket, will help calm the dog down. It can help him feel more comfortable and protected.
6. Give Him A Treat
Giving your dog a treat or his favorite toy after a particularly loud noise can help him associate the noises with positive things. Just don't overdo it, or the dog might exhibit bad behavior to get attention.
7. Keep The Windows, Doors, And Curtains Closed
Keeping everything closed will muffle noise and keep your dog from seeing flashing lights that might scare him further. Avoid setting any fireworks off close to the house.
8. Give Him Exercise
Try walking or exercising your dog earlier in the day, before the festivities begin. If the dog has less energy, he'll be less prone to panic during the night.
9. Stay Calm
Be sure to stay calm when you're around the dog. A dog will naturally react to your behavior, so acting panicky or excited around the dog will only make matters worse. If you're having a lot of people over, try keeping the celebration outside.
Following these steps will help to soothe any panic your dog feels during the 4th of July. If your dog is still extremely panicky or irritable, it's possible to buy mild tranquilizers from the local veterinarian. There are also over-the-counter herbal remedies available to help your dog make it through the night.
So do you have any tips for keeping your dog calm during the holidays?
