Keep Your Dog Calm and Safe This Fourth of July!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

We hope you have a fantastic time celebrating Independence Day with friends and family. However, we know that many Fourth of July celebrations involve FIREWORKS, which can be fun for you but can cause potential issues for your dogs.

A Word of Caution

Unnatural, loud, and surprising noises can cause noise sensitivity in young dogs. Common sounds that trigger this sensitivity include thunderstorms, vacuum cleaners, blenders, and, of course, fireworks. While noise sensitivity doesn't necessarily mean your dog will be gun-shy, it can affect their response to gunfire in the field. Fireworks, closely resembling gunfire, can be a concern for anyone with a gundog in training.

A Recommendation For Gunfire Introduction

If your dog hasn't been formally introduced to gunfire, as outlined in our Gunfire Introduction video in the Gundog Academy, they are at risk. Gun-shy tendencies can be very challenging to correct, and prevention is always better than cure. (To check out our Gunfire Introduction video, sign up for the free Preview module and explore week 28!)

Gun Conditioning Alone Isn't Enough

Even if your dog is older and has been introduced to gunfire, fireworks can still cause issues. Dogs left outside with the family during fireworks might get nervous over the constant booms and flashes of light. Nervous dogs may run off, risking injury. Even dogs who love fireworks might take off looking for the "mark," also putting themselves at risk.

Tips To Prevent Issues

Every year, we hear several unfortunate stories involving dogs and fireworks. Here are a few tips to help prevent both current and future issues that fireworks can cause:

1. Know Your Neighborhood: Be aware of who plans to shoot fireworks and get a heads-up on the start time.

2. Create a Safe Space: Move young puppies and noise-sensitive dogs to the center of the house, away from windows and doors.

3. Use White Noise: Block out firework noise with a fan, noise machine, or even a radio or television.

4. Distract with Play: Keep your puppy occupied with indoor games during fireworks.

5. Keep Older Dogs on a Lead: If your gunfire-introduced dog shows signs of nervousness or excitement, keep them on a lead and remove them from the situation.

What NOT To Do

Prevention is key. Don’t wait until the fireworks start to take action. If you find your dog nervous during unexpected fireworks, here are a few recommended do's and don'ts:

• Do: Calmly remove your dog from the situation. If you're outside, head inside quickly. Add distracting noises and activities to take your dog's mind off the fireworks.

• Don't: Comfort or console your dog if they get nervous. While it may seem natural, comforting a nervous dog reinforces their behavior.

• Don't: Force your dog to "get used" to the noise. Gunfire introduction should teach a dog that the "boom" leads to the "reward" of a retrieve, done in a controlled environment. Fireworks are not an appropriate alternative.

Plan ahead, discuss it with your family, and ensure this Fourth of July is enjoyable for both your family and your dogs!

BuildFromHere,

Barton Ramsey

P.S. If you want a proven plan to train your retriever successfully, our Complete Retriever course is perfect for your journey. Click here to learn more.