More pups go missing on July 4th than any other day of the year! We share this not to scare, but so puppy parents can be aware and prepare to make this holiday the happy, fun and celebratory day it’s supposed to be! In this blog we’re sharing some easy steps you can take to prep your pup for the 4th of July festivities and ensure their safety!
The Puppy Academy student: Georgia!
As we mentioned, more pets go missing on July 4th than any other holiday. Pups who are generally afraid of loud noises such as thunder like garbage trucks will most likely be susceptible to being anxious with fireworks. The sounds, flashing lights can and even the smells pose sensory overloads for our puppies. But preparing beforehand, especially with a new puppy that has never experienced fireworks before, can make a world of difference.
So how do you keep your puppy calm during fireworks?
Through desensitization
Creating a safe space
Providing comfort
Planning for emergency situations, and
Taking extra precautions so you will be ready to keep your puppy calm, happy, and safe during the festivities!
Let’s get into each of these!
Puppy Training for Desensitization
A practical method to help your puppy learn not to fear fireworks, and other loud noises, is through desensitization training. This is part of our training with all our puppies at The Puppy Academy and we get incredible feedback from their owners!
This desensitization training entails building your pup’s confidence around startling noises by introducing them slowly and practicing training routines around them with your pup. As your pup does better and becomes more comfortable, you can increase the volume of the noises during your sessions.
If you don’t live near our school in Hermosa Beach, CA, our Online Puppy Training School can walk you through these routines step-by-step and will provide a variety of effective training techniques you can practice at home to help you.
Desensitization does take time and patience, so it’s important to begin doing this far in advance and build on your pup’s exposure gradually prior to the 4th of July or other activities.
For more information on our puppy training help with desensitization, visit the The Puppy Academy Online School!
Keep Your Puppy Away from Fireworks
As much as we want to include our puppies in all our festivities, it is fairer to your pup and safer for them to remain at home, where they can be comfortable and monitored under the care of a family member or pet sitter. Having your puppy with you around fireworks can put them under unneeded stress and anxiety, and increase the chances of them getting loose and running away.
Create a Safe Place For Your Puppy
The safest place for your puppy during fireworks is indoors, at home. Many puppies will instinctively seek out tight-fitting spaces when they are anxious, like under the bed, couch, or between furniture. If you’ve already crate trained your puppy, their crate can provide a great safe escape from the commotion.
Along with using the crate, block out as much visibility and sound to the fireworks as possible by covering your pup’s crate with towels or blankets (make sure to allow for some airflow), and lower the shades. Creating a “zen room” for your puppy in a separate room of the house that can be closed off to reduce outside noise, and has their crate in there for extra security and comfort, can be a great help for this! Playing white noise, like the TV, fan, or other sounds like calming music or even podcasts for the comfort of conversation can help keep your puppy calm during fireworks.
Exercise and Walk Your Puppy
Another great way to help keep your puppy calm during fireworks is to give your puppy enough time to walk, play, and do their business prior to the fireworks! By providing your puppy both mental and physical activity prior to the fireworks, you’re helping to stimulate their brain which in turn will help get them tired and make it easier for them to settle down.
Do training routines, take your puppy for a walk or have outdoor playtime with them while it's still daylight, to reduce the risk of fireworks startling your puppy while you're still outdoors. If your puppy needs to go out to potty when it's dark, keep them on a leash to take them out and ensure their harness, leash, and your yard are all secured in case your pup tries to dash! Try to settle your puppy down in their crate before the fireworks start so they have some quiet time to really calm down, get comfortable, and feel safe.
The Puppy Academy students: Cosmo and Cassie!
Secure the Exits
Make sure to double-check that all entrances and exits (doors, gates, fences, windows, etc.) are securely closed and locked. Anxious puppies will seek out shelter from the noise and can easily bolt out of an open exit if left unchecked. Puppies have even been known to tear through screen doors and jump over tall backyard fences to escape in a panicked state, so take the steps to make sure your home is as secure as possible before fireworks even begin.
Provide Your Pup with Comfort
Your presence or that of a trusted person will provide your puppy with a world of confidence and help keep them calm during fireworks and other loud noises. Help your puppy cope with their anxiety by just sitting with them nearby, or practicing some easy commands with them to get their mind working on something positive!
Avoid coddling or over-petting your puppy, which can feed into their fear and anxiety. Instead, use an upbeat tone with single clear words to encourage them, as if you’re in training mode! Say “Good!”, which can be accompanied by a treat or a quick pat of affection. Think of yourself like a coach, instead of a coddler. Your own energy will directly affect your pup.
Prepare Your Puppy’s I.D.
Lastly, because more pups go missing on July 4th than any other day of the year, we can’t stress enough that before any fireworks displays begin in your area, make sure that even if your puppy remains at home, their tags are all up to date and secure to their collar.
If they are microchipped, double-check that the listed contact information, address, and veterinarian information are all in order. Intense sounds such as fireworks can instigate the primal flight instinct in many dogs, causing them to do whatever it takes to flee an area and look for safety. In the event that your puppy does run away and try to hide, having these simple IDs will increase the chances of your puppy being found and returned to you!
Remember with most things in life, preparation whenever possible is key! Take the time beforehand to prep your pup and everything you'll need to make 4th of July celebrations as calm and as safe as possible for your pup. Check out our short video for even more helpful tips:
Have more questions about what to do if your puppy experiences anxiety with loud noises like fireworks or how else to desensitize your pup to them? Ask our trainers LIVE every Wednesday at 1 pm PT on our Instagram @thepuppyacademy during our Ask A Puppy Trainer Show! All replays are posted afterward, and you can catch up on our last ones on our YouTube channel or Podcast.
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