Ad
Ad

Dogs and fireworks: an uneasy combo

Add a comment to this page

For humans, Independence Day generally means fun... or at least a barbeque and time off from work. But thanks to fireworks, the Fourth of July can be the scariest night of the year for dogs. The sudden, deafening sounds (what's loud to us is ear-piercing to them) and bursts of light in the sky can elicit serious anxiety, if not downright terror.

So to avoid sending your pets trembling with fear, hiding in remote parts of the house, or even running away, check out these tips for keeping them feeling safe and secure:

  • Keep your dog inside, and if possible, don't leave him alone in the house.
  • Drown out the noise of the fireworks as much as possible. Close your windows and turn on the radio or television.
  • Make sure he has access to his crate or "safe place" during the show, and casually toss him a treat once in a while.
  • Act normal! Talk to your dog in an upbeat voice and go about your usual activities. Coddling or babying isn't advised: your dog takes his cues from you, so if he senses that you're confident and unafraid, he'll be more likely to respond in a similar manner.
Not surprisingly, many fireworks-phobic dogs also exhibit fearful behaviors during other times of the year as well. Lightening and thunderstorms, for example, can be particularly scary. If you think your pup is experiencing regular anxiety, get help. A reputable trainer or behaviorist can help you both work through these issues.


Add a comment to this page

Ad
Road to Rescue
Help shelter dogs and puppies through Save a Dog on Facebook



Add a comment


newest topics:
Behavior
Subscribe to Behavior 228 topics, 906 posts
Button_topic_start topics replies views last post
Aggressive 7mo Old Puppy

Help! I have an aggressive 7mo old shepherd/lab. We rescued her from the shelter at 4 1/2mo and were drawn to her calm be... (continued)

4 113 2 days ago by calmassertive
view
Car anxiety?

I have a year old cocker spaniel mix. She has gone on car rides with me since she was 9 weeks old, it is nothing new. She... (continued)

2 89 Feb 5, 2010 7:18am by calmassertive
view
Aggressive lab ... eats any and everything ... pls help

Hi, my neighbours have a beautiful and healthy black lab, Scoobloo, who is about a year old. Although the family is a dog ... (continued)

0 98 Feb 3, 2010 12:15am by Smriti
view
Behavior problems with other family pets and others

I have a 14 month old Saint Bernard X, and are having problems with her with the other dogs and cats and birds in the house... (continued)

3 172 Feb 2, 2010 6:21am by calmassertive
view