06/28/2023
At this yearâs Fourth of July celebration, you can be certain that there will still be fireworksâand dogs across the country are bound to still experience stress and anxiety because of them. (Sorry, doggos!)
To help ease your pupâs Fourth of July fears, we spoke with Summit Earhart, head trainer at Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranchâs Shelter to Service Dog program in Jupiter, Florida, to understand why dogs are afraid of fireworks and how you can help them feel safe, calm and comfortableâwithout totally putting a damper on your own celebration.
Why are dogs afraid of fireworks?
First, itâs important to understand why dogs are afraid of fireworks. Earhart says the most common reason is because most dogs have never had a positiveâor even neutralâinteraction with the sounds, sights, smells and feel of a blast.
âFirework blasts are not something a lot of our pooches at home encounter on a regular basis. Therefore, they become startled at the sudden light, loudness, power and smell of gunpowder in the air,â he explains.
How do I know if my dog is scared of fireworks?
Body language is everything. Earhart says to be on the lookout for things like pacing, hiding, panting, tucked tail, excessive drooling and/or abnormal aggression.
But if youâve never been around your dog when fireworks have been going off, you may not know if theyâre afraid of them. Earhart suggests seeking out a professional dog trainer or behaviorist who can do a âtest runâ with some of the same stimuli, like flashing lights or louder-than-normal noises, that may make your dog nervousâbut in a safe and controlled environment. If your pup responds well, great! If not, youâll know to take proper precautions.
Is it OK to take my dog to a fireworks show?
If your dog has shown that theyâre comfortable around crowds (even socially distant ones) and fireworks, go for it! Just be sure that youâre headed to a dog-friendly outdoor space, and that you keep your pup on leash with a well-fitted collar. Earhart also suggests having a back-up plan in case your dog begins to show signs of stress. Be comfortable with missing that grand finale, pack your pooch up quickly and head out.