Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
As summer kicks into full-gear, American's everywhere prepare to fire up their grills, stoke up their inner patriot, and get the fireworks ready for the Fourth of July. This holiday is celebrated every year despite the intense heat or threat of rain, and is a favorite for many to celebrate with their families.
But this celebratory weekend is also infamous for pets going missing. In fact, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), more pets go missing during the July 4 weekend than any other time of the year. With all of the excitement of planning your family's holiday festivities, there are some key factors for Fido that you may not have thought of that may lead to him to fleeing his home in fright.
The first is that he doesn't understand what a holiday is. He doesn't know why everyone is gathering or why there are so many strange people he has never met in his home. He is not a patriot, nor will he ever know what patriotism is. He won't understand why there are so many loud children running around, or so many strange and scary decorations like flapping flags or balloons everywhere. No one has ever explained to him that the explosions and bright flashes of light and loud color in the backyard are safe and intentional. And even if someone did sit him down on July third and give him a full briefing as to what to expect during the celebration, he still wouldn't understand. There is no way to explain to your dog what is happening. He will never be fully prepared. It is important to know your dog and to see the situation from their point of view.
Another factor that may contribute to Fido leaving the nest during the holiday is that he is not trained to be calm and level headed when the backyard is exploding with fire, sparks, screeches and booms. Fireworks are not for dogs. Dogs have highly developed senses, much stronger than our own. The scent of the smoke left behind contains hazardous chemicals, and can be largely uncomfortable for your pets to be around. Add that to the effect of the loud fireworks on your pet's sensitive hearing, and your animal companion will not want to stick around. There are dogs that have been trained to be around gunfire, bombs and explosions, but that's probably not your dog. Those dogs have endured extensive training by expert professionals to be okay around that sort of extreme stimulus, and the chances are, Fido has never undergone that sort of training, and will not be okay when the chaos begins.
What is fun for us can be stressful for them! Children love dogs, and if you are a responsible pet owner, you have properly trained your children on the “dos and don'ts” of what is appropriate in regards to encounters with family pets. You have taught them not to climb, hit, harass or be rough with pets, and not to chase a frightened pet, or to pull its ears or tail. But just because you have taught your children well does not mean that the people you are having over for a Fourth of July BBQ have done the same. Keep an eye on any visitors in your house, and make sure to be firm about respectful treatment of your animals. You don't want to be distracted by the festivities while poor Fido is cornered in fear by a bunch of loud, rough-and-tumble children who won't understand that his warning for them to give him space is not actually “a smile.” Ensure that Fido has a safe and secure place to get away from guests if he gets overwhelmed, and that will not only give him peace of mind, but will help to prevent any accidents caused by unknowing children. Remember that children do not know better unless you teach them. A stressed or cornered dog can be dangerous for an unsuspecting child, who does not understand that the dog is not having a good time. A bad situation can become even worse when you add loud flashes and crashing booms to the mix. It won't be Fido's fault, and it won't be the child's fault, but someone could get hurt, and no one wants that.
You are your dog's whole life. While you leave home for work, recreation and socialization, your kindred canine remains at home, watching the same cars go by outside, playing with the same toys, and lying in the same place each and every day. They play in the same yard, and eat the same food. Much of their life is based on routine and predictability. In a lot of ways, every day is the same. Holidays can easily become overwhelming to a pet that is used to a routine. While holidays can certainly be exciting and fun for pets, with the possibility of tasty treats dropped from plates and lots of guests to greet and play with, they can also be exhausting. It's important to give your pets a safe place to escape from all the commotion so that all the fun doesn't become stressful.
With increased foot traffic through your home, there is also an increase in escape opportunities that your pets can take, and with all the preoccupation that comes with planning a party, no one may notice if some furry little someone sneaks out the door while people come and go. Once outside the security of their home, a pet can become disoriented and frightened, especially once fireworks begin. Remember that pets are only truly safe when they are home indoors. Roadways, strange animals in other yards, devious individuals and wildlife can pose a real threat to your domesticated friend, not to mention the risks of prolonged exposure to the elements and a lack of substantial food or water.
There are several ways to ensure the continued safety of your pet, even during chaotic holidays. Keep a form of identification on your pet, with updated contact information for how to reach you if they get lost and found by a stranger. Keep your pets inside while enjoying fireworks at home, and refrain from taking them along when attending public fireworks displays in your community. Give your pet a safe, quiet place in your home that they can find solitude if the festivities become overwhelming, and be mindful about how you allow guests to interact with them. Keep human food consumption to a minimum, and do not leave fireworks and decorations in places where pets can find them and chew or eat them.
We all love a good holiday, and having all of our loved ones close as we enjoy the celebration is an important part of what makes them special. But try not to romanticize situations that may come at your furry friend's detriment. They aren't looking forward to the fireworks show like you are, and in reality, they don't need to be there. What may be amazing and memory-building to you can leave them frightened, sick, lost or worse. Love your pets in the way that they need. And enjoy your holiday knowing that man's best friend is safe and sound.