Holiday Fireworks -- Helping Your Pet Cope
The following tip is timely with Fourth of July just
around the corner.
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Humane societies and shelters typically take in more
stray animals during the Fourth of July holiday
because many pets are scared off by
fireworks. Below are some tips to help pets cope with
outdoor noises.
Holiday fireworks and other fanfare are often
frightful experiences for dogs. The loud noises can
hurt their sensitive ears.
Frightened dogs have different reactions: some
tremble at their owners' feet, others retreat to a
hiding place, some try to run off (traveling for
miles), and others display bizarre behavior.
According to behavior specialist Dr. Elizabeth Shull,
low-frequency, percussive noises
such as fireworks and summer thunderstorms trigger
wild fear in about 20% of dogs. Under such
circumstances, ordinarily well-behaved pets may
become aggressive, destructive and/or unpredictable.
Here are some precautions you can take to help your
pets:
* Exercise utmost caution when taking a dog into new
environments.
* Make sure all pets always are wearing well-fitted
collars and securely fastened ID tags. Microchips and
tattoos are great ID techniques, too.
Even a back-firing car or shot in the woods can be
enough to incite a dog to run off, so avoid taking any
chances.
* Don't take pets to events with fireworks.
* If fireworks are being set off nearby, or if you're
having guests over for a holiday celebration, find a
quiet, secure place to keep your pets. Darkening the
room can help. Crating is also a good idea -- place
the crate in the quietest part of the home. Make sure
you put safe chew toys in the crate to occupy and
distract the pet during the event. You can close the
curtains and turn up the radio, CD player or TV to
drown out noise.
* Do not leave pets outside, even in a fenced yard,
anytime when fireworks might be set off in the
distance.
* Rather than cuddle a frightened dog, try to
distract the dog from the disturbing noises with
physical activity such as playing ball.
* Remember that scolding or coddling a scared dog
will not help. Scolding will scare and confuse the
animal, and coddling serves to reinforce fearful behaviors.
Instead, assume your pack leader role and act
confident and unbothered by the noise and activity
outside. You can give your pet a gentle massage, or
use Tellington Touch techniques (see the T-Touch Dog
Tip on the PAW website) or even just place your hand
calmly on the pet's head.
* If the sounds and lights of fireworks frighten your
dog, here's an innovative technique from the most
recent issue of "Unleashed! The Pet Care Forum's
Newsletter for Dog Lovers"
(www.vin.com/PetCare/Dogs.htm). Make an "anxiety
wrap" using an adult or children's T-shirt. Put the
dog's front legs through the arm holes, then knot the
hem over the dog's back. This technique is related to
the massage and Tellington
Touch therapy approaches. Wrapping fabric around an
animal can give the pet a feeling
of greater security.
* Vets can prescribe tranquilizers for frightened
dogs. Also, some people find that non-prescription
remedies such as Rescue Remedy or Serene-um calm their
dogs.
* If you're going out of town for the holidays,
entrust the care and feeding of pets to an adult
friend or a boarding kennel you know very well.
* If you know someone whose pet escaped, advise that
they call their veterinarian and other local
veterinarians, local emergency animal
clinics, the local shelters and animal control
offices. The owner can post a description and picture
of the lost pet or search the Pets 911
database at www.1888PETS911.org (or call toll-free
1-888-PETS911). Another
good resource is www.petfinder.org.
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For more Dog Tips about pet
care, adoption and the work PAW does, visit our
website at:
Partnership for Animal Welfare, Inc.
www.paw-rescue.org
P.O. Box 1074, Greenbelt, MD 20768