Fireworks Season

Independence Day is upon us. Time to celebrate the founding of our Nation. We all love the 4th of July, but our dogs do not. The tradition of fireworks and the 4th of July is pure hell for many of the 4-legged members of our family. While there is little that can be done once your dog is trembling under the bed and there are no 100% cures, there are some things to remember.

  1. Never correct your dog for being scared. They are doing nothing wrong and “punishing” will only make it worse.
    Do not reinforce the anxiety.
  2. Giving affection while your dog is in panic mode will only tell that this is the state of mind that you want them in. Remember dogs do not understand, “it’s OK”.
  3. Remain calm and don’t react to the fireworks, your dog looks to you for directions on how to react to things that are happening.
  4. When you start to hear the fireworks and your dog is not reacting too much, it is a good time to play his/her favorite game. A good game of fetch, hide-and-seek, or tug can distract your dog and even teach them that fireworks, or thunder for that matter, means time to play.
  5. As a last resort, and you know that your dog is so traumatized by the fireworks, talk to you Vet. As medication may help get your dog through the tough times.
Posted in Dog Health, Fearful and tagged , .

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