Summer summer summer time! If you love relaxing outside in the sun or swimming in a pond – and anything in between – this is the season for you. And the beginning of summer is almost always heralded by one steadfast tradition: fireworks! They’re exciting and amazing and beautiful… if you’re a human. If you’re a dog, they’re loud and unexplained and terrifying. While some dogs are indifferent, it’s not uncommon for dogs to go from uncertain to downright petrified when fireworks are going off. In fact, July fifth is one of the busiest intake dates at shelters, as dogs frequently get frightened and bolt from their homes and yards. But you don’t have to worry and your dog doesn’t have to be afraid! Here are some tips and tricks to help you both get through the holiday hoopla safe and sound.
You may think that preparing your dog for fireworks begins a few hours before the festivities, but there are actually steps you can take starting right now! First, find a recording of fireworks, something like this. Play it at a very low volume for about ten minutes. If he responds positively (which is by not responding at all) then provide your dog with whatever their favorite downtime activity is. Maybe he likes to chomp on an antler, or perhaps he prefers a Kong stuffed with peanut butter. Repeat this every other day or so, raising the volume just a tiny bit over the course of time. This is called “counter-conditioning”: teaching a dog that something fun happens during a stressful event, thus making the event less stressful! Remember; if at any point your dog shows signs of being distressed, stop the soundtrack for the day and start again the next day. You want to set your furkids up for success!
As it gets closer to showtime, you may want to consider investing in some products that will make your pup’s life a little easier. From ear muffs made just for your dog to shirts that swaddle your pup with deep-tissue anxiety relief, there are a multitude of items made to help your dogs weather the storm, both literal and rhetorical. There’s something to be said about natural remedies, as well. Rescue Remedy is a well known herbal supplement that many people have reported helps with anxiety in both people and dogs. Essential oils like lavender, geranium, bergamot, and ylang ylang have all been commonly used for calming aromatherapy. And of course, make certain your dog has an ID that clearly states their name and easier way to contact you! If worst comes to worst, and your pup runs off into the night, you want to make certain they come back home as quickly as possible.
So you’ve done all your preparation and the fourth of July is upon you. Early in the day, take your dog for a nice long walk or play a good long game of fetch. A tired dog is a happy dog, and it’s harder to be stressed about fireworks when you can’t keep your eyes open! If your dog is fond of Kongs, stuff one with peanut butter and freeze it (frozen peanut butter takes longer to eat!). Put on some calming music to help drown out the sound of the fireworks, like classical or smooth jazz. Whatever you do, though, don’t bring your pup to the show! No matter how much more comfortable you think he might be with you, he certainly will be more comfortable in his own environment. It’s hard to see our furry best friends so stressed out by something that gives us so much joy. But taking the steps to ensure that your pup is safe and sound will make this time of year more enjoyable for both of you!
Teaching your dog to accept and enjoy grooming begins very early. As soon as your little bundle of fluff joins your family, it’s important to teach them that handling is fun and rewarding. Play with their feet, their ears, their faces and their bums. Give lots of treats and praise – make it fun! Put your fingers in between their toes, lift one leg at a time into the air (being careful not to pull their leg outside of it’s normal range of motion), rub in between their eyes and rub the opening to their ear canal.
If your dog has hair in between their eyes that will need to be trimmed, you can begin acclimating the to the process by gently rubbing the back of the comb (not the teeth) in between their eyes. Having a strange object there can be scary! If your puppy has long hair and will eventually need an all over haircut, you can begin to desensitize them to the clippers using an electric toothbrush. Use the vibrating handle to gently rub your puppy, beginning near their rear end and working forward. The goal is to be able to rub your puppy all over – including feet, in between the eyes, and around the ear canal openings – with the vibrating toothbrush handle.
Many owners give their young puppies baths at home at first (puppies like to get dirty!). The same rules apply – go slowly and give lots of praise. Make sure the water is comfortably warm (not hot), and be prepared that the puppy may not accept having it’s face washed (avoid the eye area, even “tear-less” shampoos tend to sting!) , or being dried by a hand dryer. Be sure to thoroughly comb your puppy after his bath to prevent tangles.
Don’t forget to give them lots of treats and praise! It’s important for your puppy to make a positive association. Don’t give up if your puppy struggles, but don’t push them past their limits either. Go slowly and if your puppy seems stressed or very afraid, back up to the last thing they were comfortable with so you can end the session on a good note. Puppies have a short attention span, so working for only a few minutes at a time is often best. Teaching your puppy to accept and enjoy being groomed will take time and patience, but your puppy will thank you every time he goes to the groomer!
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