07/04/2024
Happy 4th! Most of you know there will be fireworks tonight. A lot of you will call me because your dog has gone missing. Here’s some tips and tricks to help your dog, and you.
1. Kenneling your dog is not a punishment. Use that safe space. Keep your dogs in your home. It isn’t cruel to make sure your dog is safe.
2. Running and screaming your dogs name can actually make it worse. A dog running while fireworks are going off is scary for you, but your dog is running around panicking. Treat them as if they have dementia. Do not chase your dog or scream. They can’t (mentally) hear you, no matter how much they love you. They can travel up to 10 miles per day.
3. Turn your tv up. Turn your Alexa up. Turn fans on. Make some noise so they can’t just sit and fret.
4. Everyone who calls says that their dog panicked and just ran out the door when they cracked it. It isn’t unusual at all, even if they never do that.
5. You can leash your dog in your house. Please. Please do.
6. Collars should never ever ever ever be able to slide over your dogs heads. Tighten them. If your dog does get out, the collar can get stuck on things. It’s a safety issue, not a comfort issue.
7. WRITE YOUR NAME AND NUMBER WITH SHARPIE ON YOUR DOGS BELLY. Dogs lose collars. Dogs slip collars. Label your dog as yours.
8. Every dog can fear bite. When scared, they probably aren’t acting like you’re dog. They’re on edge.
9. Do not sit and pet your dog and baby them. It is comforting to humans. You are reinforcing your dogs fear. Act like nothing is going wrong and go on with your day/evening. Dogs are not human children. They don’t communicate like humans.
10. DO NOT ASSIGN HUMAN FEELINGS TO DOGS. They are dogs for a reason and let’s stop treating them like people. Remember you brought a predator home with you to live in your house rent free. Love the species, respect the species. Let them be dogs. Communicate to them how they can understand. That’s how to love your dog.
Lastly, your dog will never wake up and think “WOW, it’s the 4th of July. I can’t wait to see fireworks.” They’re bright, loud explosions in the sky. Your dog doesn’t care that it’s the 4th of July. They don’t want to go see fireworks with you. Leave them at home. Make them feel safe. Love your dog in a way they understand.
I teach humans how to speak dog. I do not teach dogs English. Adapt to them. Fireworks will go off all weekend. You invited a dog into your human lifestyle. Learn their language. Keep them safe. Be kind to dogs.
