FIREWORKS!!! Why dog owners hate the 4th of July

C'Mon 'Merica- it's time to CELEBRATE!  

But all I'm seeing these days are social media posts from dog loving friends who dread not only this holiday, but the weeks preceding it, because everyone is shooting off fireworks.
And let me tell you, I understand!  As the owner/operator of a dog that loses her entire set of marbles over the slightest hint of an air disturbance- whether it be thunder, gun shots, (we live near a firing range) or heaven forbid a fire cracker, I've seen her panic and misery during the BOOM BOOM holiday.

Of course my first and best remedy is Valerian Root.  I give my 65# dog 2 capsules of this all natural supplement, an hour before any expected turbulence.  I also put her in her crate where she feels the most safe.  I keep lights in the room turned on so flashes in the sky are not so noticeable.

Some people have good results using the tight body wrap type shirts or other remedies.  Personally, I refuse to give drugs that have side effects for an issue which has none.  Fear passes.  Liver damage does not.  But that's just me.

But my advice for you is the word RECOVERY.  How quickly YOU move on from your dog's stress and trauma directly effects how quickly your dog will.

Last weekend, I was competing at an outdoor event.  I had taken along my fearful dog because I enjoy her company and special time with her.
 She was laying at my feet when a groundskeeper pulled up literally 6 feet away from us in a gator.  He shut the thing off and went and did groundskeeping things and came back and started it up.  When he did, it BACK FIRED so loudly that many of us dropped to the ground- it sounded like a bomb went off.

My competition dog began trembling in his crate, and my poor worry wart dog, about had a heart attack.  But guess what... NONE of us were injured in any way.  As soon as I assessed the situation and gave the groundskeeper my meanest stink eye, I went to my cooler and pulled out some scrambled eggs- which is my dogs' favorite training treat.  I had them sit, and gave them a couple of other familiar obedience commands.  They got eggs.  They got rewarded verbally and energetically.  This is what we do at home all the time.  So suddenly the unfamiliar became very familiar despite their fear and apprehension.  I took this picture just minutes after the incident.  My very fearful dog was resting peacefully, once again, enjoying our girl time.

My dogs RECOVERED!  Of course, I was angry and frustrated that they had been upset, but adding my negative emotions or sympathy to their distraught would help NOTHING!

So my advice here may seem over simplified, but lets face it, life is full of unpleasant surprises! 
So stop hating your neighbors who are just having a good time.  Go eat a hot dog, drink something cold, have some ice cream and enjoy this lovely Independence Day.

My best advice is to focus on RECOVERY as quickly as possible.  Your dog may be wild eyed and panting, but put that leash on him and put him to work.  The quicker you return to business as usual, rather than "Oh you poor poor baby!" the sooner he will get over it.

And if obedience practice is NOT normal and familiar, then perhaps it should be.  Find a trainer.  Find a class.  Find a blog.  And train your dog- (hey that rhymed!)
 it will come in real handy by July 4, 2020!