How to Prepare Your Dog for July 4th
If fireworks send your dog into frenzy, take a little time now to prepare your dog for the upcoming loud celebration. With some strategic planning, you may not have a quivering critter in your lap or under the bed. (The dog in the picture was so frightened, he cowered under a blanket.)
Here are four tips to calm the skittish beast:
1. And the thunder rolled. A Thundershirt is designed to calm your pet using gentle constant pressure. It’s the same concept as swaddling a cranky baby and works well for 80% of the pets that try it. Manufacturers back their product with a 100% money-back guarantee. Click here for more information on the Thundershirt.
2. Fearless-around-the-collar. AdaptilTM collars and diffusers are new products now available at Town ‘N’ Country. When the AdaptilTM collar is in snug contact with the dog’s skin, the dog’s body temperature warms the collar and encourages diffusion of pheromones. AdaptilTM is a synthetic copy of naturally occurring pheromones, the hormones released by lactating mammals to comfort and reassure their offspring. Suitable for adult dogs and puppies. Interested? There’s a rebate right now.
3. Taking music to the dogs. Playing music or having the television playing can be a good distraction from random loud noises. (Dancing is optional but always recommended.)
4. Once-a-year treatment. If once-a-year fireworks is the greatest stress in your dog’s life, talk to us about medication that could be given infrequently to help him cope. Medication should be tested at home prior to when it’s needed.
Unfortunately the number one cause of euthanasia in the US is behavioral issues. While every pet may have idiosyncrasies, fear can fuel many less-than-desirable reactions. If you can intervene early, it’s always preferable to address a reaction before it becomes a bad habit.
If you know that your dog is nervous about loud noises and fireworks, give us a call. Let’s talk about the best way to soothe and comfort your pet when she’s a little jumpy.
