07/03/2024
With the holiday weekend almost here, many owners are anticipating a stressful few days for their pets who are noise sensitive. Please consider these tips for handling the 4th:
⚠️Safety First! ⚠️
✔️ Ensure your dog is wearing a well fitted collar that has either tags or your phone number printed directly on it, even if your dog is microchipped. This ensures your dog is returned to you as quickly as possible if they slip out.
✔️ Use gates or other methods to block your dog from accessing your door, especially if you have guests present. This is a very common way for dogs to get out, as your guest will be less aware of your dog than you.
✔️ Consider crating or directly tethering your dog to you.
💡Calming Tips💡
✔️Engage your dog in some of their favorite activities like play or training, or offer a special item such as a stuffed Kong, puzzle toy, snuffle mat, or raw bone. This ideal for puppies experiencing their first 4th. Make it positive!
✔️ Use ambient background noise.
✔️ Act normally! Your dog takes cues from you. If you respond to their fear with excessive fawning and a high pitched voice, your dog does not read that as comfort- they often read it as nervousness from you. Convey calmness and confidence to your dog.
✔️ Address behavior, not emotion. If your dog is normally not allowed to climb into your lap on your couch, that rule should still apply. If your dog is holding a stay or a heel in spite of visible concern, reward them! If they are listening to you, even while startled, they are a good dog. Reinforcing good behavior does not reinforce fear.
🎆Be proactive about 2021🎇
✔️ Noise sensitivity can often be mitigated or entirely eliminated with training, based on your dog’s age, history, and temperament.
✔️ In cases where training or conditioning has low efficacy, discuss other calming options with your veterinarian.
Remember, our dogs’ responses and security are ultimately our responsibility. Set your dog up to be safe and successful!
