Helps dogs during Fourth of July fireworks

Published 6:49 am Wednesday, June 29, 2016

The Fourth of July is on us, and starting Friday the sky will be full of fireworks and, depending on where you live, gunfire.

It is a festive season meant to celebrate the birth of a nation, but has become a starting point for summer activity as well.

But while Americans are having fun turning the world in to a ka-boom town, dogs are not having a good time.

Whether a puppy, a house pet or a seasoned bird dog, the constant banging and percussion scares dogs. For those with puppies they intended to turn into hunting dogs, it can forever make them gun shy. It can even set back the skills of a trained dog.

Since the party is not going to stop, it becomes prudent for dog owners to do something to help their pups make it through the night. It starts with getting the dogs inside for much of the night.

Here are some other tips from Gun Dog Supply owner Steve Snell that might also help.

Keep your dogs as far away from fireworks as possible.If possible, bring your dogs inside in a closed-off, interior room.

Block out the noise with a TV, radio, or white-noise maker.

Check with your neighbors about their fireworks plans.

Ask for a phone call before they start.