02/07/2025
How to Keep Your Border Collie "Dog" Calm & Safe This 4th of July. Fireworks, Thunderstorms, Gun fire, anxiety in dogs is a real issue. The loud booms and bright flashes can lead to panic and stress. Because these give off no warning sign before they explode and they come from out of nowhere. Dogs do not understand this type of behavior. And you have to remember that no matter how trained or loyal your dog is or you think they are, they can and will run away from you and home when frightened. You need to plan to keep them safe and secure. And ALWAYS ON LEASH WITH YOU AT THE OTHER END. And also remember that even when the fireworks are over....they aren't over there is always someone with a Boom Boom ready to set it off day and night throughout the month of July. So Keep all Dogs on Leash and beside you for the next month. Dogs bust through doors, windows and screens or scale fences to run away when frightened. It is their God-given instinct to survive "fight and flight" kicks in and there is no such thing as a reliable CALL BACK on a terrified Dog. There are Four Fear Responses in Dogs and each is their way of saying "I"M AFRAID HELP ME" Flight...Fright...Fidget....Freeze. Fear is an emotional state created by a trigger and on the 4th of July that trigger goes BOOM!!! If you are not going to be beside your dog, put them in a room with closed doors and windows and no objects for the dog to harm him/herself on, then put a Thundershirt on them, pop a Valerian Root 400mg pill down them and place them in a safe crate and make sure you lock both the top and bottom correctly. Cover the crate or close off all the outside light. Put nothing in the crate except edible treats and turn up the TV or Music and a fan to keep them cool. OK, Grandma Summers will now get down off her soap box and let you read the rest of the story......
Recognize the Signs of Fireworks Anxiety in Dogs Before you can help your dog, it’s important to recognize the signs of anxiety. These may include: Shaking or trembling Panting or drooling Hiding or trying to escape Barking or whining excessively Pacing or acting restless If your dog shows any of these behaviors, it’s time to take action. Create a Safe Space Before the Fireworks Begin To begin with, set up a quiet, comfortable spot in your home. This should be a familiar area where your dog already feels secure. Use a crate or a small room with your dog’s bed and toys Play calming music or white noise to mask the sound of fireworks Dim the lights and close the curtains In addition, be sure to check in on them regularly throughout the evening. Use Calming Aids and Techniques Pheromone diffusers or sprays (like Adaptil)Natural calming treats or supplements Anxiety wraps. Thunder Shirt White Noise...Music...TV.....Radio Keep Your Dog Indoors at All Times Above all, keeping your dog inside is one of the most important safety measures. Dogs can bolt from yards or leashes when startled. Secure all doors, windows, and gates Walk your dog earlier in the day before festivities begin Block out flashing lights with blackout curtains By taking these steps, you’ll greatly reduce the risk of your dog escaping. Provide Fun Distractions While fireworks are going off, try to keep your dog engaged with something positive. For example: Offer a puzzle toy filled with treats Practice simple training commands Provide a long-lasting chew or frozen Kong As a result, your dog may focus less on the noise and more on the reward. Make Sure Your Dog Has Proper Identification Even with all precautions in place, dogs sometimes get loose during fireworks events. Therefore, make sure your dog is easily identifiable: Ensure their collar has an ID tag with up-to-date info Consider using a GPS tracker or Air Tag Get your dog microchipped if they aren’t already This extra step can make a huge difference if your pet gets lost.
