Fourth of July. For us humans this day is filled with everything Americana. Corn on the cob, burgers, pie, ice cream, beer, parades, and to finish it all off, the glory and sparkle of fireworks crackling from the sky. Unfortunately for our four legged friends, nothing can be more harrowing than the sound and site of "The rockets red glare". If your pup suffers from the anxiety of this summertime holiday here are some tips for getting him or her ready for all the crazy that happens once the lights go down.
First thing first.
- Check your pets collar and ID make sure the tags are legible and are secured on their collars. Isabella's insurance provider, VPI, suggested using a clear coat of nail polish over tags to keep them bright and legible. If your animal has not been micro-chipped consider making an appointment with your vet to make that happen. Pets can sometime run off in flight when caught up in the noise and in the confusion it can cause. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
- Set up a safe haven area inside your home. If your dog is comfortable in a crate get it ready. You can chose to leave the door open or not, but keep their area small and in the quietest room in the house. Curtains/blinds closed and low lights.
- Have a couple of Kongs with kibble and cream cheese in the freezer to give them when you leave. Have music playing. Leeds and Wagner developed music specifically to calm dogs. It is very helpful and can be found at this link, Through a Dogs Ear.
- I have heard some very positive feedback from using the Thundershirt. Animal behaviorist, Patricia McConnell PhD writes, "The theory with wraps (originally developed by Linda Tellington of Tellington Touch) is that in a general sense, swaddling provides a sense of comfort and safety. More specificaally the speculation is that the continuous neuronal stimulation of the wrap on the dog's body at minimum distracts him from his fear (a process often called "overshadowing," in which one stimulus modality dominates an animal's nervous system) or at best, creates the production of endorphins that de-activate the amygdala and create a sense of calm". It stands to prove that we all feel better after a hug.
- Rescue Remedy is another good tool. It is the trademarked name of a combination of five Bach flower essences intended for use in emotional or psychological emergencies. It contains the essences of star of Bethlehem, rock rose, inpatients, cherry plum, and clematis. It is by far the most popular of the Bach preparations, and is available as a cream as well as in liquid form for internal use. A few drops an hour or two before the fireworks start can work wonders to keep your furry friend calm.
- If your dog enjoys the company of another dog make arrangements for that dog to come over and hang out. Studies show that dogs derive more comfort from their own kind in stressful situations. Things are always better when you have someone to share them with.
- Remember to never leave your dog outside on the night of fireworks!
- In extreme cases check with your vet for medication. The most important thing is safety, so do what you have to do to keep your dog safe.
If this still proves to be a stressful time for you and your dog, consider doing some counter classical conditioning to get ready for next year. You can find out more about this training on Patricia McConnell's site.
Okay now that we have all of that out of the way. Let's have some fun!
Get started early to wear your dog out! If you have the ability to spend the day doing fun and different things, perfect! The more senses you can engage the better. If you are unable to do that, hire a professional dog walker or find a reputable doggie day care. The idea is to have mental as well as physical stimulation throughout the day so by the time night falls and those fireworks start cracking your dog is just too tired out to care. A perfect day (so Isabella tells me) is picking up a couple of friends and heading out to the park or beach. Run, play, play, run. Repeat! Head out to your favorite spot and grab a Frosty Paw for Fido and a cappuccino for yourself, you'll need the extra boost, then off to the parade. Go to another park, more run, more play. Go to the pet supply store get a bath (Isabella doesn't like that part) and get some bones with the marrow in it, or a chewy. Go for a leash walk in a new (safe) neighborhood. Nothing like lots of new smells to get that brain engaged and tired. Home in time for dinner, into the safe room with treat filled Kongs, bones, music and a nice soft bed. If another dog is coming over, best not to leave food out unless they will be crated. We don't want any arguments over that nasty meaty bone!
A quick shower for you and your ready to head out for the evening festivities. That is if your not too tired out as well!
