We humans tend to be enthralled at the sight and sounds of 4th of July fireworks.
It can be another story for our dog friends, who might even become aggressive out of fear and put themselves in danger by running into cars or through glass doors in an attempt to escape the loud noises.
Here is how to calm your pet so that both of you can at last enjoy Independence Day...
together! Firstly, and quite simply indeed, the best thing to do for your dog is to keep him at the best place possible on that night: your home.
Your pet will feel more secure inside and will avoid the bright flashing lights, the squealing of children, and the overall general excitement.
Once inside be aware that the loud sounds still may affect your four legged friend.
You should close all doors, windows, curtains, drapes and blinds to lessen the sound and avoid the flashing lights caused by the fireworks.
If your house is well isolated your pet might not even hear the fireworks.
In order to attenuate all sound that might come anyway into your best friend's ears, put on a relaxing CD such as classical music, birds sounds, noises of the Amazonian forest, etc.
Apart from creating a peaceful atmosphere and covering the noises from outside, it will also produce a distraction for your dog and help to reduce his nervousness or anxiety.
You can also distract your dog by playing with his favorite toys and giving extra undivided attention to him.
Staying indoors with your dog while fireworks pop and crack is ideally the best thing you can do.
If you can hear the fireworks never act fearful because your dog will interpret your behavior as a reason to be afraid.
If your dog is behaving fearfully, do not anything to reassure your pet.
Ignore your pet's fearful behavior and act as though nothing abnormal is occurring outside.
Just act normally and interact with your dog and other family members just like any other day.
If your dog does get nervous notwithstanding all the efforts you have made to act as if there are not fireworks happening, then it is time to start an easy and fun training session.
Use easy, basic commands that your dog already knows such as sit, shake hands, down, roll ever, etc.
This will distract your dog from the external noises and force Fido to concentrate on the commands.
Use yummy treats and verbal praise for each completed command or trick.
Your dog will soon forget about any scary noises occurring outside.
If your dog has an extreme phobia of noises, you can ask your vet for light medications or even alternative medications that will help him relax through the situation and sounds triggering the anxiety.
Finally, if you are planning to take your dog with you to a 4th of July fireworks show, you should start desensitization right away.
Download from the internet an environmental audio file that has fireworks sounds on it.
Start off playing the audio at a very low volume.
At the same time, do some games, play or training with your dog to keep him distracted from the audio sounds being played.
Then, gradually increase the volume over the weeks or months, in such a way that your dog will barely notice the increase in volume.
Continue to distract your furry friend while playing the audio.
If your dog shows signs of nervousness, fear, or anxiety decrease the volume and proceed more gradually until your dog has become totally accustomed to the noise.