How To Help Your Dog During Fourth of July Fireworks This Summer
With the Fourth of July coming up, fireworks are sure to be covering the sky. As fun as watching fireworks can be, your dog may not feel the same.
Dogs have an instinctual response to fireworks because they mimic the noises and flashes of thunderstorms, that evolutionarily mean danger and unpredictability. Dog’s don’t know that fireworks aren’t harmful — there’s flashes in the air, loud booms, and they’re unpredictable just like thunderstorms.
Which pups are affected?
Not every pup will be affected by fireworks, but for first-time pup parents its important to look for key behaviors. If your pup gets easily frightened by loud noises, they may be associating loud noises with danger. If your pup has a history of aggression, it may be best to keep an eye on them during fireworks, their anxiety and stress level may rise and aggressive behaviors may be heightened. Be sure to separate your more aggressive dogs from any other dogs or children that are in your house.
How you can help your pup
If your dog is fearful of fireworks, do NOT punish them. Your pup can’t help reacting aggressively or fearfully, and punishing them will ultimately make this worse so they will then associate more negativity with fireworks. Instead, provide comfort to your pup and engage in their favorite activity. Whether they love chasing after a ball, snuggling in their bed, or chewing a new toy, these can be fun activities that will help your pup make a positive association towards fireworks. You can also use other noises to block out the fireworks, like squeezing their squeaky toy and blocking out any flashing lights outside by closing your curtains and blinds.
Key tips for first time puppy parents
Young pups haven’t been through many or any thunderstorms, so make fireworks a positive experience for your pup; this will help break their involuntary response to these flashes and booms. Every pup is different, but it’s important to try to get ahead of things before a problem has already developed.
When to call the vet
If you think your pup will have anxiety related to the fireworks, speak to your veterinarian in advance to discuss management options. Your veterinarian will also be able to recommend medications if necessary, as many dogs with severe phobias to thunderstorms and fireworks end up needing medication to calm them down. These should be given an hour or two before the event occurs. Only a veterinarian can determine if medication is the right option and prescribe it if necessary. If further management is needed, it is a good idea to consult with a veterinary behaviorist (a veterinarian board certified in behavior).
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