06/28/2023
At this year’s Fourth of July celebration, you can be certain that there will still be fireworks—and dogs across the country are bound to still experience stress and anxiety because of them. (Sorry, doggos!)
To help ease your pup’s Fourth of July fears, we spoke with Summit Earhart, head trainer at Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranch’s Shelter to Service Dog program in Jupiter, Florida, to understand why dogs are afraid of fireworks and how you can help them feel safe, calm and comfortable—without totally putting a damper on your own celebration.
Why are dogs afraid of fireworks?
First, it’s important to understand why dogs are afraid of fireworks. Earhart says the most common reason is because most dogs have never had a positive—or even neutral—interaction with the sounds, sights, smells and feel of a blast.
“Firework blasts are not something a lot of our pooches at home encounter on a regular basis. Therefore, they become startled at the sudden light, loudness, power and smell of gunpowder in the air,” he explains.
How do I know if my dog is scared of fireworks?
Body language is everything. Earhart says to be on the lookout for things like pacing, hiding, panting, tucked tail, excessive drooling and/or abnormal aggression.
But if you’ve never been around your dog when fireworks have been going off, you may not know if they’re afraid of them. Earhart suggests seeking out a professional dog trainer or behaviorist who can do a “test run” with some of the same stimuli, like flashing lights or louder-than-normal noises, that may make your dog nervous—but in a safe and controlled environment. If your pup responds well, great! If not, you’ll know to take proper precautions.
Is it OK to take my dog to a fireworks show?
If your dog has shown that they’re comfortable around crowds (even socially distant ones) and fireworks, go for it! Just be sure that you’re headed to a dog-friendly outdoor space, and that you keep your pup on leash with a well-fitted collar. Earhart also suggests having a back-up plan in case your dog begins to show signs of stress. Be comfortable with missing that grand finale, pack your pooch up quickly and head out.
