Fourth of July Dog Safety

Independence Day is right around the corner!

Ari is ready to grill!  Don't worry, he would never
hold a firecracker, only Mommy approved items!

Do you have exciting plans for the Holiday?  Do they involve either you going somewhere to celebrate or people coming to your home to celebrate?  Sounds fun!  What is your dog going to be doing?  I am sure you already have a safe place set aside for your four-legged buddy to relax while all the scary noises and smells occur, but just in case you may have a friend or two that hasn't planned ahead for the canine(s) in their life, here are a few points to remember.

If you are going to be spending several hours away from your dog, or have friends over to celebrate, make sure to prepare properly (and I don't mean just being sure everyone has a hat to wear): 

Bully Tested's patriotic bullies
Check out their antlers at www.bullytested.com

     -Spend extra time exercising them so they will drowse contently while you party hardy.  The longer they sleep, the less time they have to be awake wondering why there are loud booms while you are not home.   

     -Leave something for them to chew on that will not become a choking hazard, so they have an option to help them relax.  When dogs are stressed, chewing can help them calm down.  When you are not present however, being frightened can make a usually reliable dog mistake your favorite shoes, couch, or living room wall for an acceptable chew item.  Be proactive and make sure to leave them something else.  (Brutus and Grace love antlers or bones to gnaw on)

     -Make sure they are in a safe place so if the loud noises startle them, they cannot get outside and run away.  A crate or dog proofed area that the dog is already accustomed to is ideal.  Any outdoor area, even if it is fenced in is NOT recommended.  Did you know most animals shelters' populations balloon a whopping 30% in after July 4th festivities?  Make sure your dog is not one of these numbers!

     -Be sure you have a safe place for your dog to go.  Yes, I just wrote that a few sentences ago.  It is important, especially if there are other folks going in and out of your home, opening and closing the door.  Even the most stable dog can get overwhelmed after a couple hours of happy people walking all around, followed by loud noises, or strange smells.  

Sophie loves to party, but her Mom also has a safe place ready for her to rest.

   
If you know that your dog is frightened of loud noises, you may want to consider taking more steps to help them get through all the mayhem that they can hear from (literally) miles away.  Here are a few more options you may want to consider for the short term.  (If you want to teach your dog to relax without relying on aids, feel free to contact me at pawsthenplay@gmail.com.)


     -Thundershirts:  ThunderShirts are a snugly fitted garment which applies a gentle pressure to the dog's body.  It has a soothing effect for the animal, but must be used in a temperature controlled area, since it is essentially like wearing a blanket!

     -Homeopathic Treatment: There are many supplements available to help relieve stress in canines.  Having some on hand for next weekend may not be a bad idea if you are not sure how your pup will react!  One place I love to go to for information and options locally is a Holistic pet shop called Pawtique in south Charlotte.  They have several options (flower essences, supplements, etc.) and will help you select the best option for your dog.

     -Pheromone products: These products are designed to mimic the pheromones a mother dog would emit to soothe a pup.  They can be packaged as plug-ins, collars or sprays.

Busy Dogs!

     A big part of what makes our furry companions so lovable is their playfulness!  However, at times their energy can seem inexhaustible!  A recurring question I have encountered as a professional trainer is "What dog toy can I get that will last longer?"  This question is usually accompanied by a list of destroyed  items and hyperactivity.
   
     The sad truth is that NO TOY IS INDESTRUCTIBLE!  Now, I will attempt to soften that blow.  There are active steps owners can take to teach their dogs how to enjoy the toys and not be destructive.  The first step is understanding that ALL toys are designed to be interactive to a certain extent.  They are designed to be used with a human at least watching over.  Some toys make it obvious how to interact: ropes are tug toys, balls are to be fetched, etc.  Other toys are designed to be challenging for the dog: puzzles that require them to move or manipulate the structure to earn rewards.  None of the toys I have seen are designed to withstand a dog just laying down and chewing on them.

     Dogs chew not because they want to annoy you, but because it feels good.  It releases endorphins (feel good chemicals) in the body.  It is a natural behavior that burns energy and helps to relax the dog.  The next step is to provide your dog with items that they are allowed to chew.

     At my house, I use raw knuckle bones and shanks (NOT the basted ones with the gooey flavor painted on them).  Some of my students also use these bones, or for lighter chewers nylon, flavored bones, or heavy duty rubber chews.  Choosing objects such as old shoes, old socks, or discarded baby toys are not good choices for several reasons.  There are small, sharp or indigestible pieces on some shoes or baby toys, and socks (and other fabrics) ingested sometimes must be surgically removed to save the life of the animal.  From a behavioral perspective, the dog is gaining the idea that it is okay to chew on a human's shoes, socks and toys.  Even when choosing correct items for chewing, the owner needs to be aware of how quickly the objects are getting worn down, and take them away from the dog when small enough to present a choking hazard.

     In short, it is unrealistic to expect a dog to understand the first time a toy is placed in front of them that some are for chewing, and some are for playing.  Every dog learns a bit differently.  If you have a question on this topic relating to your own dog, please feel free to contact me!