This week’s post from celebrity pet trainer Harrison Forbes is all about Fourth of July safety for dogs. With family and friends visiting, fireworks displays, and constant interruptions to your dog’s normal routine, this can be a stressful and potentially dangerous time for your dog. Harrison has some advice to help keep your dog safe this weekend.

Fourth of July Safety for Dogs from Harrison Forbes

Fourth of July is upon us once again and as pet parents, it brings anxiety to many of us.

Countless dogs are lost on the Fourth of July and while most people associate that with fireworks, I would say that just as many pets are lost due to doors /gates open with people at homes and back yards that are not used to the routines or confines of your pet.

When you have friends and neighbors over it’s easy for gates to be left open or for someone not to understand that Fido was supposed to stay in the house and not let him out in the backyard. For this reason my number one tip for Fourth of July that eliminates the exposure to flight and fireworks is to create a safe zone in your house in a special room like a bathroom or laundry room.

Fourth of July Safe Room for Dogs

Have a radio playing to drown out some of the noise of partying and fireworks, have some of your dogs favorite toys and pet bed in the room so they feel comfortable. It’s important to start this process several days before so the dog already has a comfort level even if it’s just spending a minimum amount of time in the safe room. Save some great treats and fun busy toys for the time during peak fireworks and partying.

Avoid Pancreatitis Day (July 5th)

Also, if you ask any vet they will tell you that 5th of July is “pancreatitis day”. This normally occurs when we give our dog high fat foods such as extra hotdogs or hi fatty meats that are maybe left over from the grill. Most times we think, “Oh this half a hotdog won’t hurt him,” but you might have five other people at the gathering that think the same thing! An inflamed pancreas can be very serious causing diarrhea and in some cases even death, so stick to your pet’s normal food and don’t allow guests to feed him extras.

Fourth of July Safety: Fireworks Fears

Use of a compression shirt like a thunder shirt can be helpful if your pet has a lot of noise anxieties, however you need to familiarize your pet with wearing the shirt several days before the fourth.

The bottom line here is keep your pet confined, safe and comfortable and you’ll make it through the fun Fourth of July without having to worry about him and he won’t have to worry about the mysterious loud booms and all the strange people at the house!

 

Remember, scared or stressed dogs can tunnel under fences, break chains, or even chew through walls to escape. Always keep an eye on your dog for his or her safety if they appear stressed or afraid during holiday activities. CALM ME can be a safe and effective way to help your dog relax and enjoy the party. Try it today.

Always keep a collar and ID tags on your dog during festivities and consider getting him or her microchipped so they can be easily returned home sooner.

What tips do you have for keeping dogs safe over the Fourth of July? Share your tips in the comments to help other pet parents this Fourth of July.