Tis the season for fireworks. While it may seem like the perfect opportunity for an outing with your dog, keep in mind that dogs ears 10 times more sensitive than ours. Depending on how close you are to the fireworks display, the booming noise of the fireworks could actually harm your pet’s hearing.
On top of this, fireworks also tend to scare our furry friends. The noise and the bright, erratic lights cause the pet to become stressed, anxious, try to escape, and possibly become aggressive out of fear. There are usually lots of people around at fireworks displays, which could also stress out your pet. Even social dogs can become overwhelmed when surrounded by so many people. This is especially true for dogs that have natural herding instincts and/or like to be in control of their surroundings.
For those pet owners who live near where they set off the fireworks, leaving your pets at home may not be enough. If this is the case for you, consider taking the following steps to help your dog or cat stay calm and stress-free.
* First, bring your pets inside. There have been reports of fearful pets ending up with hurt paws because they have tried to dig under a fence to escape. Also, the insulation provided by the house will lessen the noise impact.
* Second, keep the blinds and curtains shut if the bright and random flashing of the light from the fireworks causes stress or fear to your companion.
* Third, if your dog is used to being created, keep him or her in the crate during the fireworks display. Not only will this provide extra shelter and comfort, it will prevent escape attempts through doggie doors or windows.
* Fourth, distract your dog or cat from the fireworks by playing a video or music that will deaden the noise of the fireworks.
* Fifth, work with your pet before hand to train him to not be scared when there are loud noises. To do this, start with some music playing on a slightly louder than normal volume. While the music is on, do something with your buddy that he enjoys such as tug-or-war or fetch. Turn the volume up a little louder and continue playing. Do this as long as the dog is comfortable. If he shows any signs of being scared or uncomfortable, turn the volume and proceed carefully.
With this tips, you should be able to keep your dog relaxed during the fireworks. If you have any other tips or tricks, let us know in the comments section below.
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About the author:
Kayleigh has always loved animals and has spent time volunteering at the local dog shelter. The love of her life is her four year old Rottweiler, Lizzie. She enjoys writing for YeePet.com since it combines her love of animals with one of her favor...
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