Tips for a Dog Friendly Fourth of July

By Joan Hunter Mayer

Fourth of July is almost here! So, I wanted to take a quick moment to share highlights from previous posts and other hot tips to help make holiday celebrations positively pawfect for you and your pup. I hope you enjoy this short recap.

How to Help Keep Dogs Safe While You Enjoy Holiday Celebrations

As our thoughts turn to barbecue menus and colorful theatrics in the sky, they might also include gentle reminders about pet safety tips:

• Focus on prevention. For a Pawsitively Super Santa Barbara Summer, set yourself and your dog up for success by focusing on prevention and management. Arrange your dog’s environment for optimal safety.
• Create a safe haven for your pet. The safest place for pups is where they feel most comfortable- usually inside your own home or a friend or family member’s home, a place of familiarity. When setting pets up in their own areas, make sure they have access to water, food, and their favorite toys.
• Keep an eye out. If you or another responsible person decides to keep your inquisitive canine in tow, make sure he or she is safe from explosives and hot grills, as well as unfamiliar foods.
• Think pet friendly. Depending on your plans, you might ask yourself, “Is the kindest, safest option to make other arrangements, such as doggy daycare or a puppy playdate?”
• Dress (your pet) for success. Make sure your dog and/or cat is wearing a collar with ID tag that has your current contact information. If your dog or cat is microchipped, make sure that information is up-to-date as well.

Advanced planning and preparation are the keys to harnessing summertime fun together. And, that advice goes double when living with a pet struggling with noise phobia (or sensitivity), especially this time of year.

Helping Dogs Who Struggle with the Sound of Fireworks

The sounds of summer, including loud noises such as fireworks, thunderstorms, and loud music can put a pup on edge, even after the offending stimuli have stopped. Help prevent canine stress triggers from stacking up and becoming overwhelming:

• Dog guardians can use training and management to create pleasant associations and help dogs feel more relaxed around various stimuli.
• It’ll be best to work with a qualified trainer or behavior consultant, especially if you would like to use counterconditioning and desensitization to desensitize dogs to loud noises such as thunderstorms and fireworks- or other stressors.
• For animals who are very sensitive to specific stimuli (such as certain sounds), if the anxiety is too much for your dog to handle, talk with your veterinarian about options for antianxiety medication, if indicated.

Requesting help or guidance from a qualified professional is likely to enhance the bonds you have with your dog, and help make the world a friendlier place for inquisitive canines.

Wishing inquisitive canines and their families a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July! 

The Inquisitive Canine was founded by Santa Barbara certified canine behavior consultant and certified professional dog trainer Joan Hunter Mayer. Joan and her team are devoted to offering humane, pawsitive, practical solutions that work for the challenges dogs and their humans face in everyday life. Joan offers coaching both in-person and online. If you are feeling inquisitive and have dog training questions, we invite you to contact The Inquisitive Canine for A Pawsitive Approach for Positive Results ™.