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Avoiding July 4th’s Puppy Pitfalls 

Avoiding July 4th’s Puppy Pitfalls 

Avoiding July 4th's Puppy Pitfalls/ Image via Happy Hound

Dogs are often frightened of sudden, loud or unpredictable noises. July the 4th definitely isn’t the best day for our furry family members to have a long evening walk. Today, trainer Denise Herman of Empire Of The Dog shares her dog survival tips for firework nights!

Avoiding July 4th's Puppy Pitfalls/ Image via Happy Hound
Avoiding July 4th’s Puppy Pitfalls/ Image via Happy Hound
  • An evening of fireworks in the park is not an ideal place to snuggle & bond with your puppy. Don’t take your dog out to the fireworks.
  • If you are able to stay home with your pup, try to stay in a safe, interior space where you can muffle the sound of fireworks with a television, air purifier or air conditioner.
  • If your pup is home alone, use a television or air conditioner as sounds muffling, and confine him to an interior room or crate with SEVERAL delicious chew toys to keep him happy and distracted throughout the commotion.
  • Restrict or avoid dog walks from dusk until after midnight to avoid the bulk of neighborhood “surprise” fireworks.
  • Use a 2 point safety system when walking your dog to insure your dog is safe and secure. Many dogs escape their collars when suddenly startled during the July 4th holiday.
  • An overnight at dog daycare is ideal for playful dogs who can play with their friends and remain happily oblivious to the noisy chaos outside.
  • Some dogs find relief with a combination of over-the-counter calming aids like CBD oil, Melatonin, Composure® or a swaddling vest like The Thundershirt®

If your dog is experiencing extreme noise phobia, consult your veterinarian for advice on additional options.

Empire of the Dog has been training NYC’s friendliest pet dogs for nearly 2 decades. They specialize in science-based, expedient solutions to everyday dog problems.  Owner-operator Denise Herman  recently gave her first dog training lecture overseas and is currently putting together a class to teach Instagram-worthy dog tricks and tips. 

HOW TO HELP PETS BEYOND YOUR OWN ON JULY 4:


If you’re not in Los Angeles, contact your local shelter and offer to foster or volunteer – you are so needed!

Every year around the Fourth of July, Animal Shelters fill beyond capacity with terrified, lost pets. In 2017, six LA City animal shelters took in a combined total of 823 dogs and cats from July 2 to July 6. The loud sounds of July 4th fireworks frighten dogs and cats. If they get out of the house or yard, they run in fear. Then these frightened dogs and cats can’t find their way home and end up at shelters. This means that available shelter space can be the difference between life and death for animal guests who have been past the required hold period. You can make that life-saving difference by fostering a pet for four days or more or adopting. Shelters need your help right now to create life-saving space.

Your local shelter likely has hundreds of wonderful dogs and cats of all ages, breeds and sizes waiting to be your temporary companion or best friend forever. By giving an abandoned pet a new home or letting them stay with you for a short time, you are saving two lives, the one you are caring for and the one who now has room at the shelter.

Adopt or temporarily foster a shelter pet before July 4th. Every LA Animal Services pet is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to be placed in a good home. View Los Angeles pets available for adoption or foster here.

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To volunteer to foster, print your application or go to your nearest animal services center and ask for a Foster Volunteer Application. Please drop off your completed form to your nearest center as soon as possible. You can pick up a pet to foster right away or we can reach out when they need the most help.

LA Animal Services Centers are open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m/ closed on Mondays and the Fourth of July.

Together, we can save more lives! Our heartfelt thanks will be nothing compared to the lifetime of memories and unconditional love you will get from your furry friend.