7 Tips for a Safe 4th of July with Dogs
All dogs, and especially your Rover dogs, need extra care to keep them safe and calm during Fourth of July celebrations. Use these tips to help make this holiday a good one for your canine guests.
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Use best practices when outside. Individuals often set off smaller fireworks before and after the holiday, and the sudden noise can cause a dog to panic. Don’t leave a Rover dog alone outside! Because dogs can pull out of a collar, use a harness with their leash, even in your yard. Of course, Rover dogs should be wearing a tag at all times.
- Keep dogs inside during fireworks. A dog’s instinct is to get away from the frightening noise, and if a Rover dog is already experiencing separation anxiety, this increases the risk of the dog escaping your care. Keep Rover dogs inside during fireworks, and if at all possible, be home with them. Have plenty of fresh water nearby, as anxiety increases thirst.
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Fight noise with noise. Unexpected loud noises unnerve dogs, so try to mask the booms. You can play rock music at high volume or hang out in your laundry room while tennis balls bounce in the dryer.
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Make a safe cave. Give dogs a confined place to hide when they’re feeling anxious. Closets and showers are good doggie dens and can be made more cozy with a few blankets for burrowing. If your Rover dog has a ThunderShirt, make sure the owner brings it at drop-off and that the dog is wearing it during the noise.
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Beware of extra health risks. Holiday celebrations can mean hot barbecues, lighter fluid, alcoholic beverages, chicken bones, chocolate, grapes, enticing trash cans, and other dog hazards. Be mindful of what’s within reach and keep Rover dogs from ingesting toxic substances or foods or getting burned.
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Secure dogs away from visitors. If you are expecting visitors, either keep Rover dogs under your direct control or secure them in a safe room with a sign on the door that reads, “Dog inside. Escape artist. Do not open.” With folks coming and going through doors and gates, the risk of an anxious dog getting loose is high. Don’t expect distracted guests to keep your Rover dog safe!
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Help dogs sleep through the stress. A tired dog is a relaxed dog. If possible, safely exercise your canine guest earlier in the day so that by the time the fireworks start, with the help of the above tips, they’re more inclined to snooze through the noise.
Finally, remember that if you need advice or encounter any health or safety issues, Rover Support is available 24/7. Don’t hesitate to call us at 1-888-453-7889.