It’s going to be loud on July 4. Here’s how to keep your dog calm during fireworks
Independence Day celebrations are one of the most uniquely American holidays. It’s also the most exciting holiday for many people with typically beautiful weather, family and friends, good food and fireworks.
But while the humans are soaking in the sun and enjoying the day’s festivities including setting off explosives, some close friends of ours may not be enjoying it as much:
Dogs.
Fourth of July celebrations can be difficult for dogs, who can get easily stressed or scared by the loud bangs, large crowds and constant noise.
McClatchy News talked to Devin Martin, a trainer at Positive Pets Dog Training in Idaho, about signs that your dog is stressed and ways to calm them down.
How to notice your dog is stressed and what not to do
While loud music and large crowds can certainly agitate a dog, the sudden whizzes and bangs of fireworks can get a dog seriously worked up.
Panting can be a sign of excitement in a dog, Martin said, but it can also mean the dog is stressed — panting is associated with an elevated heart rate.
Some tell-tale signs that your dog is stressed rather than excited are ears laid all the way back and their tail tucked between their legs. Another indication is that a confident dog will get low to the ground or slouch rather than standing upright and showing their chest.
July 4th is the number one time of the year that dogs run away, according to PetSmart. A big reason for that, Martin says, is that many pet owners think leaving their dogs outside in the backyard will help them be less stressed.
In fact, it’s safer for them to be kept indoors in a secure location.
“You want to make sure that everything’s secure and the dogs are secure,” Martin said. “Because you don’t want to let them out in the backyard when the fireworks are going off, and then they get scared, and they end up going through the gate or jumping the fence.”
There are other stresses dogs face on the 4th, like hot weather.
Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of the animal welfare non-profit American Humane, reminded people in a letter to McClatchy News not to leave dogs in hot cars. On an 85-degree day, it only takes ten minutes for the inside of a vehicle to reach 102 degrees, even when a window is cracked, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Within 30 minutes, the temperature in the car can be as high as 120 degrees.
“If you see a distressed animal inside a parked car—or left outside in the sun on a warm day alone—immediately call local animal control or law enforcement,” Ganzert said. “Taking responsible action could save a pet’s life.”
Techniques to calm down your dog
While dog toys and other physical objects can help distract a dog from loud noises like fireworks, Martin recommends training before anything else.
“You can teach the dog what to do in those situations,” Martin said. “By doing (training), instead of them being worried about what to do, you’re giving them this outlet of ‘hey, this is what I want you to do.’ And then when they do that, you can reward them for confidence.”
Martin warned dog owners not to reward a dog for being distressed. If a dog shows signs of distress and the owner comforts or coddles it, the dog can instead interpret that as a reward for being stressed and do it more often.
A better option is to preoccupy the dog with training commands, such as sitting or shaking hands (and paws).
“You’re keeping their mind active, and you’re rewarding them for doing these good things,” Martin said. “Then that’s what they’re going to be focusing on, and less about the stress of the sounds that are happening.”
Other ways to calm down your dog
If training isn’t working, or if you don’t have time before this year’s festivities, there are some other ways to help calm down a dog.
Many dog owners use thunder jackets, which Martin said act as a weighted blanket for a human in helping calm the user down. Thunder jackets can be bought for dogs of all sizes at local PetCo and PetSmart stores.
Martin also recommended the HomeoPet Anxiety Relief medication or an Adaptil collar, which is a collar that releases calming pheromones. Both items can be purchased online on Amazon or locally at PetCo and PetSmart.
“(Adaptil collars) basically produce the same pheromones that are found in mother’s milk, which act as a calming agent,” Martin said. “So, for some dogs, that helps.”
What if fireworks scare your dog away?
If your dog can’t remain calm no matter what you’ve tried, it’s possible they’ll try to escape the sound of fireworks by making a run for it. If your dog gets out and beyond your grasp, there are options depending on where you are.
Most areas in Washington state are covered by at least one animal control officer. Check your county’s website for animal control information.
Animal control officers are trained to use force in increments and won’t use hurtful tools on your dog if they’re friendly. Call animal control and describe your dog, any identifiers and the area around where they got out. An officer may find your dog themselves, or someone else might see your pet and report the loose dog to animal control, who can match the description to your report.
If your pet left to escape the sound of fireworks, they’re likely experiencing some level of shock. Check areas your dog is familiar with and places below ground level. It’s instinctual for dogs to try and get low to hide from loud noises like fireworks.
Yelling after your dog probably won’t get results. If they’re frightened and waiting to return to a calm, safe environment, try leaving comfort items in the front yard to signal that everything is okay. When they’re ready, they may return home on their own.
You can create a missing pet report for free online with Pet FBI. The website encourages people to share pictures of their dog on social media and local lost animal pages. It also suggests to hand out physical flyers and post them where you can.
This story was originally published June 29, 2023 at 12:08 PM with the headline "It’s going to be loud on July 4. Here’s how to keep your dog calm during fireworks."
