We all love fireworks, right? Well, maybe not so much if you have ever had a dog petrified of the noise. Here are some tips that we hope help you to keep your dog calm and safe during the fireworks throughout this holiday weekend.
Prepare your dog to stay calm during fireworks
In the next few days, consider methods to desensitize your dogs. One method is to search firework sounds on YouTube and play them in the background. While doing this, give your dog a bone or favorite toy so they make a positive association with the sounds
Dogs love their exercise…and it is critically important for your dog to get plenty of exercise in the afternoon. Fireworks may not have the same effect on a tired dog.
Also, remember that people start fireworks in the early evening. In addition, you should expect multiple days of fireworks over the holiday weekend.
Firework-proof your house so that your dog can stay calm
Make sure to remove distractions by closing all the blinds and curtains before your dog can see any fireworks. In addition, these will buffer the sound slightly.
Figure out your dog’s favorite toys and bones and have them on hand before the fireworks start. They will help keep your dog calm.
Turning on the radio or television provides another distraction that can help keep your dog calm during fireworks. If you decide to remain home, snuggle up with your favorite movie and your dog!
Dogs love a safe space. These might include a crate, in a corner, under a table, or lounged on the couch. Identify this area early and give your dog comfy bedding so he can remain calm when the fireworks start.
Update contact information
Finally, make sure you have updated tags and your dog has a collar on during the evening. Furthermore, make sure if you have a microchip, all of your contact information is updated.
A frantic dog could bolt when a door is opened. So, we recommend having clear identification to avoid a bad situation.
And one other thought. Fireworks are an infrequent, but inevitable event. When you find out what works to keep your dog calm during a fireworks display, we recommend that you document it. And, at Equine Simplified, we want to help. You can create activities related to fireworks, add notes, add to the dog’s whiteboard…all so that you can figure out in the future exactly what you did last year to keep your dog calm during fireworks.
To learn more, please explore Equine Simplified.
Good luck and Happy Independence Day!
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