Stephanie Taunton | Tips to pet safety during fireworks : 4th of July
The 4th of July is already knocking and everyone can’t wait to have some fun and dive into the celebration with fireworks popping in the sky. Wait. Except for one member of the family- your pet! It’s that time of the year where animal shelters are home to lost frightened dogs. With their acute sense of hearing, pets tend to be very frantic and perturbed with the constant noises coming from nowhere. Dogs just like humans will do anything to run away from anything scary. Such as cleaving on their owners, biting, emotional meltdown, shaking, hiding in the corners, even to jumping the windows to escape. Stephanie Taunton, a certified California State dog trainer with 20years of experience shares helpful tips to help pet owners keep their dog save while being patriotic.
Preparation before 4th of July Get them accustomed to firework sound before the Independence Day
Include behavioral modification of dogs to respond to various external stimuli while getting them trained- says Stephanie Taunton. Play video s with terrifying sounds such as thunderstorms or fireworks softly to get them used to these sounds until it becomes normal. This will reduce the level of fear on that day.
Ensure your dog wears an updated ID collars or microchips
Frantic behaviors of fearful dogs entail jumping the fence or windows or bolt free instantly while outside to escape. To avoid losing your friend, ensure they are wearing ID collars and microchips. More importantly, phone numbers and addresses should be updated for an easy reunion if they get lost.
Ensure your environment is secured
You don’t light fireworks, what about your neighbors? Close all doors and check out for any holes on the fence or anywhere your dog might use as a means of escape.
Preparation on 4th of July Take them out for a walk for the celebration
Take a walk with the dog before the booming and fireworks noises for a more tiring and relaxing feeling. Exercise will calm the stress and reduce tension associated with the noisy environment.
Going out for celebration is fun but not for your pet
Resist the urge to take your pet along for the festivity. They are terrified of fireworks while at home, what will happen if they are outside. Put them in an enclosed, safe, familiar place at home before going out. Close all curtains to prevent them from seeing the sparkling light of fireworks outside. Moreover, taking your pet along is the last thing you want to do.
Play calming sounds or music
It might be impossible to drown out the noise outside, but it can be reduced by playing some calm music or sounds. This will help to calm the dogs and distract them from the noise.
Let them wear thunder shirt
A thunder shirt or vest that fits their body nicely produces a calming effect that is great during the fireworks display. This does not mean the dog can be left alone because it is wearing one. Thunder shirt will only lessen the stress or anxiety.
These tips shared by Stephanie Taunton will help you to have a fun celebration free of nightmares with your four-legged buddy.
Originally published at https://cszgov.com on November 28, 2019.
