Are you a prepared dog owner for 4th of July???

Time flies! The 4th of July is in one week. Do you have plans to BBQ with friends and family? Maybe even some fun time at the lake or a river? Going tubing? Put in your grocery order to avoid the crowd inside the store? What about your furry friend? Have you made any preparations there? 
Did you say you are not sure what preparations to make? Keep on reading. I’ve got a check list and some strategies for you to make this a safe 4th of July for your dog.


First and foremost:
Is your dog’s microchip registered to your name? Have your address and phone number on the registration been updated? Are there emergency contacts listed? 


The good stuff:
If you know that your dog is anxious during storms, it’s also safe to assume that your dog will be nervous during the fireworks. Now is the time to make an appointment with your vet to get some calming medication for your dog. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend any OTC calming aids from the pet store; they are just not strong enough to deal with a dog’s anxiety during an event like fireworks. I am also very skeptical of thunder shirts, the cradling effect that these shirts supposedly provide seems to be far-fetched. Dogs don’t cradle each other. 


Safe space:
Create a safe and sound-proof space for your dog inside your house, where it is mostly shielded from noise and light shows. A closet with soothing music, a basement spot, or something similar to put your dog’s crate would work well.


A schedule:
Don’t be the kind of person who takes their dog out in the middle of the fireworks. Please, just don’t! Work out a schedule from the last feeding to the last potty break to avoid having to take your dog outside during the peak time for fireworks. Be smart, make a schedule, and know your dog’s bowel movements. 


Can’t get away from fireworks?
Make your dog a reservation at an excellent boarding facility that doesn’t encounter many, if any, fireworks (shameless self-promotion here). Your dog will thank you. Often, boarding places that are further out do not experience a high volume of fireworks like other facilities within suburban areas. 


Want to desensitize your dog to fireworks?
Here’s a strategy: you still want the noise to be muffled but audible for your dog. Make firework time, happy time. Inside the house, play with your dog, engage with your dog, and have a really awesome time so that the fireworks will become just background noise. Once you have accomplished that, you may do the same thing outside. Still a bit shielded but more exposed. Once that works well, you may let your dog see the light show, but you still will need to engage in play and such with your dog. This strategy does require you to be present; you will not be able to enjoy the fireworks if that is what you wanted, but you can enjoy some you-and-me time with your dog.

​Happy and safe 4th of July. Let me know if you have any questions!