4th of July and your K-9... Not a good combination for most...

It's just around the corner, the day where some of our K-9's look for places to hide, push themselves up close to their Guardian's looking for that little extra security of protection, shake nervously where they lie and even one of the highest times when our K-9's come up missing.  It's Fourth of July.  Our K-9's hearing is 10 times more sensitive than a human’s, so the fireworks are likely to cause your dog some anxiety, stress and fear. In general, fireworks are typically set off twice a year, maybe more in some areas, and these loud explosions (to the K-9 ear) could possibly catch them off guard, confusing them and/or making them nervous and on edge for rest of the evening and even worse, their Fright/Flight response could kick in resulting in their escaping and becoming lost.

Here are some tips if you would like to have an enjoyable evening out during these events:

If you are thinking of bringing your K-9, you may want to reconsider for fireworks are not only set off in a controlled setting, others around you may be setting of their own fireworks as well.  This could be a hazardous situation for your K-9.
July is typically when the weather becomes hot, so if you are thinking of bringing your K-9 with you and leaving them in your car while you enjoy the fireworks thinking they will be safe from the loud noises, repeated flashes of bright lights and the excitement from the crowd, PLEASE RECONSIDER.  Not only is the temperature going to rise in the car, and although you have your windows cracked it still gets hot in there. Shutting your K-9 off in a small, confined area without you next to them could cause them to have severe anxiety and increases their stress more than it already is when they start hearing the explosions of 4th of July, 
not to mention strangers passing by.

Many of us live in an area where the fireworks are displayed close to home, and we want to go outdoors to view them or walk into town to be part of the community in celebrating the Independence Day with friends. It would be better for your fur friend to remain at home not only to protect their sensitive hearing an already anxious K-9 will become even more anxious.  It is always better to keep them indoors without access to the outside until you return and the activities have quieted down.  You will want them to be in a safe place within the home where they feel comfortable be it in a crate, if they are crate trained or in a room they feel the safest in and by doing this, the least amount of harm will come to them or even your home.  Take them for a nice long walk prior to the events, this will expend some of their energy, making them a little more tired and make them less likely to over exert themselves when the excitement of the outdoors begin.  While they are home alone during these activities, you will want to lessen their anxiety by closing the curtains which will help muffle some of the loud sounds of the fireworks, turn the lights on to help decrease the bright flashes and turn on either the radio or television and raise the volume slightly higher than you would if you were home, this will help block the loud "bangs."  You could even go as far as putting in earplugs or cotton balls in their ears to help decrease the sound.

The best option to help decrease the anxiety of K-9's are for you to be at home with them.  This way, you will be in the room to monitor them during the festivities and just your presence will help decrease the nervousness they may be feeling.  If they start to become nervous and fidgety, try not to comfort them for this may instill in them it is ok to be afraid.  Instead, be cheerful, and calm, have an activity ready in case you start noticing a change in their mood.  Keep their favorite toy handy, play ball or have a Kong stuffer filled with their favorite treats such as 
House Wolf K-9 Dog Biscuits.

Some dogs may never have issues with loud noises when they are younger, however these same dogs as they get older may suddenly become terrified of sudden flashes, bright lights and loud noises and this is due to changes in their hearing so ALWAYS BE ON ALERT AND GUARD.  Let both you and your Best Fur Friend have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July.

Your K-9 Loving Friends at House Wolf K-9 Dog Biscuits where....
Passion is in our Biscuit Treats, Our Love is for the DOG...
www.HouseWolfK-9DogBiscuits.com and our Face Book Page at House Wolf K-9 Dog Biscuits