Fourth of July Pet Safety & Sanity Reminders

Fireworks may have already begun at your house, or they may be just around the corner.  To help your dog make it through the weekend, be sure he is micro-chipped (talk to your vet) and has a current ID tag on his collar.   These two precautions can help your pet find his way home if he becomes frightened and escapes during fireworks.   (More dogs are lost on July 4 than any other holiday).  Take several current color photos (head and side) so you can quickly create a “Lost Dog” ad and posters if needed. 

Never take your dog with you to fireworks displays.   There’s just too much going on and your attention will be on the festivities rather than your dog.

When pre-holiday fireworks go off in your neighborhood, put your dog inside the house.   If he’s crate trained, give him a special chew bone and crate him in a room with a loud radio or television playing to help block out the noises.  Be sure to close the drapes so he doesn’t see the bright flashes through the window.   Even the most stable, reliable and steady-as-a-rock dog can become frightened, so don’t take chances.

On the 4^th of July, give your dog extra exercise during the day.   Wear him out, feed him dinner and put him in his crate before the fireworks begin so he’ll be more apt to sleep through the banging, booming and popping.   If your dog is not crate trained, find a place in the house where he’s comfortable and you can create a safe haven.   Be sure to check on him periodically, or even stay with him while fireworks are going off.

If your dog has shown signs of noise sensitivity in the past, or if you want to be thoroughly prepared just in case, call your veterinarian NOW to discuss prescription medication and/or over-the-counter options appropriate for your dog.   Don’t wait until Friday afternoon to contact your vet!

When it’s all over, walk every inch of your yard and pick up all the cardboard, sticks and other items that fell from the sky.  Don’t allow your dog to play with or eat those items.  Dispose of them safely.

Happy Fourth from all of us at Family Dog!

"Take Your Dog to Work" Day: June 24

For Kadee, every day is "take your dog to work" day because she is owned and loved by Barb, our office manager. If your dog is lucky enough to be invited to your work place tomorrow, June 24, the following reminders will help your dog (and you, and your coworkers) have a great day: Make sure your dog is well-groomed. Take a crate..., baby gate or x-pen to help confine your dog in your office or cubicle, along with your dog's blanket and a few chew toys, water bowl, poop bags and treats.

When out and about in the common spaces, be sure to have your dog on leash. Practice loose-leash controlled walking with lots of Sit for Greetings! Don't allow your dog to jump on people. Take care if you allow your dog to interact with other dogs as all the canines will be very excited with all the new experiences. It's okay to politely decline invitations for your dog to play with the other dogs, if that's what's in your dog's best interest. Tricks and treats are a good way to reinforce good behavior, so be sure to take some along.

Maintain your training philosophy and rules for good behavior. Just because someone else thinks it's okay for dogs to jump up, bark, whine or otherwise misbehave, doesn't mean you need to let your dog run wild! Be fair to your dog and be consistent.

Not all dogs are comfortable in highly stimulating, new environments. If it would be too stressful for your dog to join you at work for the entire day, perhaps your schedule could accommodate a lunch-time visit. For some dogs, it's best to maintain the work day routine and not accompany you to the job...and that's okay, too!

If your Family Dog goes to work with you on Friday, snap a photo and share your story!