Best Dogs Ever would like to wish you and your pup a Happy Fourth of July!!!
Fourth of July can be VERY frightening to dogs. If this is your first Independence Day with your dog, please do not leave them alone when the fireworks are going off. Panicked dogs can badly injure themselves or run away if left alone.
Make sure your dog is nice and hungry by the time fireworks start - a small breakfast and no dinner. Prepare a bunch of *very* high value treats - cooked chicken, steak, cheese, hot dogs, whatever.
When the fireworks start, start working your dog through all their commands, giving them lots and lots of opportunities to earn those treats. (Sit, down, touch, speak, shake, etc.) Do the tricks at a very easy level and help them out if they're distracted. Plus tug and lots of play. Do your best to show your dog that all those loud noises really mean is that they get to have lots of fun with the humans around them.
We recommend not taking your dog to a fireworks display if this is your first Fourth with them - it's too likely to overwhelm them on their first time. Also, it's a good idea to separate your dogs if you have a multi-dog household. If one dog is particularly fearful, that fear can be contagious to the other dogs. Try to have one human per dog if possible.
Have a safe and fun Independence Day!
