How to Keep Your Dog Safe on Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is undoubtedly one of the most exciting holidays in the US, full of patriotism, barbecues, pool-side parties, and fireworks. Though Independence Day celebrations are packed with fun and entertainment, the days surrounding July 4th are often an anxious time for dogs. In fact, according to Animal Control statistics, more pets go missing during the July 4th weekend than any other time of the year. While owners may want their furry friends to join the fun, the majority of dog experts, including veterinarians and trainers, recommend that dogs sit Fourth of July celebrations out. With summer right around the corner, follow these tips to keep your dog safe and comfortable on Independence Day.

Beware of Cookouts and Food Scraps

Keep your dog away from barbecue grills, charcoal, matches, and lighter fluid, and don’t allow guests to feed your dog table scraps. Many foods for humans, including onions, garlic, chocolate, and alcoholic beverages are highly toxic for dogs. Additionally, other foods like corn on the cob and cooked bones are choking hazards for dogs. While guests may want to treat your dog to some delicious food, lack of knowledge or simple forgetfulness about the dangers of many human foods to dogs can be dangerous to your pet. If you are not confident in your guests' ability to keep your dog safe, it is best to not take your dog to cookouts and instead leave them home or board them at a trusted facility.

Keep Your Dog Inside in a Safe Space when Fireworks Go Off

Potty your dog during the day before fireworks start and make sure to keep your dog leashed at all times. We highly recommend crating your dog on the night of the 4th of July as well as on other nights when fireworks may be going off. Make sure to properly prepare your dog for crate stays through training, ideally beginning the process well before the big day. If you need to take your dog out, keep him on a leash and supervised. Additionally, secure doors and windows in your house to avoid bolting escapes. If possible, keep your dog crated in a quiet, relatively isolated room. This will help keep the space properly secure and help reduce exposure to firework noises. Regardless of how confident you may believe your dog to be, remember that fireworks can be very scary, inexplicable, and unpredictable to dogs. We cannot reason with animals and explain the nature and relative safety levels of fireworks. Instead, give your dog a quiet, secure space to spend the night in while the fireworks are going off.

Up-to-Date Microchip and Collar Tags

In the unfortunate case that your dog went missing, being microchipped and wearing identifying dog collar tags can make the difference when it comes to your dog finding its way back home. A 2009 study published by the American Veterinary Medical Association showed that microchipped dogs were returned to their owners at more than double the overall rate for all stray dogs (both microchipped and not microchipped). Make sure to record your dog's microchip number in case you have to contact Animal Control about a missing dog. Additionally, it is recommendable that all dogs wear flat collars with identifying tags. You may also consider investing in a quality GPS collar to track your dog's whereabouts. These devices can be lifesaving in many cases. Regardless of your dog's level of training and confidence around loud sounds, proper identification is an easy step to keep your best friends safe, no matter the time of year.

Get Professional Help‍

If your dog has severe anxiety, contact a reputable dog trainer to work on noise desensitization, reliable recall skills, identifying stressors, crate training, and creating an action plan around the summer festivities. Effective dog training will always improve your dog's life, regardless of the time of year, and training to adequately manage and keep your dog safe during the 4th of July is no exception. Moreover, if you decide to not take your dog to 4th of July celebrations and need reliable, safe boarding accommodations for your furry friend, a reputable trainer may be able to board your dog or refer you to a trusted boarding facility. If you are seeking professional dog training help in the Denver metro area, contact Chomps Dog Training today to learn more about how we can help prepare your dog to have a fulfilling, safe summer.

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