Keep your dog safe during 4th of July celebrations
Thursday, June 26, 2014
By: Deborah Kern
Most dogs do not like fireworks
Many people will be gathering for barbeques and 4th
of July celebrations in the next couple of weeks and while it’s tempting to
want to bring your entire family, we encourage to leave your furry friends
safely at home.
“We see an increase of lost/stray dogs come into the shelter
every time a holiday or event includes fireworks or even loud noises,” said
Karie McMahon, HSHV Animal Intake Manager. “Dogs can panic, jump fences, chew
through leashes and will look for an escape route just to get away from the
sounds. It’s not uncommon for dogs to travel a great distance out of sheer
fear.”
There are some things you can do to make sure your dog enjoys
this time of the year as much as you do.
- Leave your dog at home inside, and if it’s warm
leave the AC on. Taking a dog to a fireworks display is never a good idea.
- Find a comfort zone that your dog likes. If they
like their crate and feel safe, that is an appropriate option.
- If your dog is comforted by the presence of
people and needs a lap or petting to feel safe, see if someone can stay home
with them.
- Give them something to play with or a special
treat like a Kong filled with peanut
butter to keep them occupied.
- There are other calming products that you can
try like, DAP
collars, Thundershirts
and Bach
Flower Essences and in some cases for dogs with a sever phobia, medication
might be best. Please consult your veterinarian before using any of these
products.
- Make sure your dog has an appropriate fitting collar
and up-to-date ID tag.
- Microchip ID’s are the best option for all
family pets. HSHV provides them for a very affordable fee. Call us at (734)
662-4365.
- Some families begin desensitizing
their dogs over a period of time with sound therapies.
If your dog does slip away, call your local humane society
or animal control facility right away.
If you live in Washtenaw County, Plymouth of Canton, you should call us
at (734) 661-3545.
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