Getting Ready for the 4th of July
Getting Ready for the 4th of July
Most of us really enjoy the 4th of July, but our pets may really suffer on the 4th. We were the family that always had huge parties on the 4th of July. Lots of BBQing, adult beverages, snacking, desserts and maybe even a band with dancing. Yes, it really happened. However, I was always running in the house after it got dark to check on the dogs because they hated the 4th of July. They loved the food and friends, but after dark, the fireworks were scary for them. We ended up in a closet somewhere, trying to blast the T.V. to drown out the loud booms. It seems when we had puppies, they were fine, but after a few years, they gradually became more sensitive to the noise.
I recently listened to a popular dog trainer on a social media site who said we need to start desensitizing them now to prepare for the loud noises on the 4th. I’m not quite sure I buy into this, but it really made me think. Maybe they react the way they do because it is such a freak noise they hear for only a short amount of time. Still, making random loud noises in the house to desensitize my dogs seems like it may do more harm than good. He also said not to baby them by sitting with them, petting them and giving them extra attention. I don’t know about anyone else, but if my dog is shaking, barking and salivating, I'm not about to tell them to suck it up buttercup, I’m going to try to comfort them. He says this only makes it worse.Hmmm. I don’t know if I’m going to do this and find out.
Many of you know I have a fairly new puppy who is 7 months old. We recently adopted her and she is still getting used to the noises around the house - like the garbage truck, street sweeper, creaking and settling noises in the house and even the neighbors talking outside. I hope she is consolable on the 4th. At any rate I will be at home with her, making sure she is safe and comfortable.
Besides the consoling thing, there are other ways to prepare for the 4th of July. Because of the noise and anxiety it causes in so many dogs, it is one of the days of the year when the largest number of dogs run away. It is so important to have a lock on your gate so there is no chance of your dog bolting. Also make sure your pet is microchipped and that the information is up to date. It would also be a good idea to write your phone number directly on his or her collar and/or have a tag attached with their name and your phone number. We never think it will happen, but just simply opening the front door may be an opportunity for them to run if they are scared due to the loud booms of fireworks. Just be ready for the unexpected. I am always sad on the 5th of July to see all of the social media posts from local shelters with the huge influx of (mostly) dogs that they get on the 4th and in the days following that. We also NEVER let our cat out on the 4th of July or on Halloween. These are the 2 nights I feel it is unsafe for cats. She goes out most nights - if it isn’t raining - but those 2 are the exceptions.
At any rate, be safe and pay special attention to your pets’ needs on the 4th of July. Some of them have a really hard time.
