Fireworks are Coming! Oh No!!!

[Janie Lerner]

Uh oh… The 4th of July is drawing closer. I can visualize my dogs on that evening. As the fireworks blast, Beverly (AKA Bevi) is fine, but Harriet is a whole different story. When she hears loud noises the panting starts, her tongue is out, and her eyes practically pop out of their sockets. She trembles on my love seat which makes sitting next to her feel like an experience with a cheap coin-operated vibrating bed in trashy old motel rooms long ago. When Harriet hears a sudden loud noise she freaks out.  She runs for cover into a closet or seeks refuge in the bathroom behind the toilet.

Pet anxiety makes dogs feel vulnerable, frightened, and helpless. Pet owners often feel powerless as many don’t have any tools or know-how to provide our dogs with the security and comfort that they need.  I have used two products that I have fallen in love with. I am so sorry that I didn’t publish this article earlier.  In my Fireworks Article I suggested two AMAZING homeopathic remedies. One I use for Harriet's fear of loud noises and the other wone for Beverly's motion sickness issues.

It is helpful to desensitize your dogs to loud noises so that when Independence day comes around, the drama will be reduced. Exposure to noises that are not so scary and giving treats and then increasing the stimuli little by little. This training takes time to build.

Try to be aware of YOUR behavior when your dog reacts to fear. Do NOT feed into it the drama. You might just be reinforcing the dog’s fears which is very difficult to undo.

Try to mask loud scary sounds with music. Use common sense. Do NOT play Riders on thee Storm by The Doors!!! Play calming music.

Exercise your dog! Exercise allows a dog to get rid of excess energy that might contribute to nervousness later on.