07/04/2026
🎆🎇🎆🧨 🇺🇸
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!
Celebrating 250 years!
The Fourth of July is here!
Are you and your dog prepared for it?
Every year it’s the same.. owners angry post because fireworks stress out their dogs and owners want a ban to fireworks. This is an unfortunate issue. Not only do people want to take away a day of celebration, but the year has come and gone again and instead of getting the proper training in place many owners would rather toss their hands in the air, complain and just get the day over with.
The problem with that is, in many areas fireworks start a week or even two weeks before! People are excited and happy to celebrate the Fouth of July. It stands for so much. They have a right to celebrate. This is not a day that should be banned.
This would be like me coming over to your house because you are having a big party, a celebration with lots of guests, food and music. However, I have a headache and the smells of food makes me nauseous and the loud atmosphere pounds against my head. So I ask you to be considerate of me and put away the food and turn the music off.
Pretty rude and inconsiderate of me huh?
Instead, I should stay home and take some aspirin, close my windows and curtains and go to an area of the house where its quietest.
When it comes to dogs and fireworks, the fact of the matter is the fourth isn’t going anywhere. (Hopefully!)
I agree, certain fireworks should not be allowed to be shot off in city limits and there really ought to be a time frame when fireworks can be set off.
However, people are going to people.
So instead of posting on how people need to stop shooting off fireworks, work on setting your dog up for success!
Training is ALWAYS and should ALWAYS be an option.
There are programs where you can desensitize your dog to things that scare them.
Some dogs may require medication in order to help them, and there is no shame in that.
However, it's important to understand that medication is not a cure and does not help solve the root of the problem.
Not all dogs will react well to medication. Some dogs can end up in a more stressed out and confused state because while their body wants to "shut down" and relax and sleep, their mind is still in a state of panic and due to being groggy, they can end up making poor behabioral choices while in this state of panic. Sometimes, this can lead be a dangerous situation not just for the dogs but for the people around them too.
Many owners want their dogs to join in on the festivities and while that’s fun for us, it can be scary for our dogs.
So never push your dog into a scene where it’s going to be noisy and heavy foot traffic. This is a disaster waiting to happen.
Instead, keep your dog safe and keep them at home.
A crate can create an excellent space for our dogs where they can feel safe and secure. Perhaps a blanket on top of the crate to offer additional comfort.. just make sure they can’t pull it in the crate with them. Turn the tv on to a channel that you know is calm and soothing without having any surprises pop up. Perhaps a calm DVD that can replay or even set up a playlist for your dog on YouTube or your iPod or what have you! You can create hours of soft jazz or other soothing sounds for your dog in order to help drown out the celebratory noises of the Fourth of July.
If your dog is a runner, make sure they are wearing proper identification tags and never take them outside without a leash.
If you’re staying in this year, play some fun training games with your dog. Keep them focused on you while playing or training. Make sure any training and games are ones your dog already knows.
This time of year is not good for experimenting on your dogs social skills or confidence building in public.
So don’t push your dog. Instead set them up for success and don’t wait another year for their anxieties to kick in. Work on the desensitization process now!
Message me today for more details on how you and your dog can get started in right direction for success!
I hope everyone has a blessed, safe and Happy 4th of July!