4th of July Safety

• Make sure your dog is wearing current ID complete with phone number
• Start taking your dog out ON LEASH for all potty breaks, when startled many dogs will bolt through an electronic fence, or jump a fence they have never tried to jump before
• Don’t shoot fireworks off with your dog outside with you
• Set up a safe place for your dog to be during the height of fireworks noise:  In a crate in the lowest level and most interior room of the house works best. (another great reason to crate train)
• Set up either a tv or radio as background noise to help cover outside noise
• Change the bulk of your outside exercise time to be early morning where fireworks are the least likely to be set off, physical exercise can also make anxiety more manageable
• Have a fan blowing directly into your dog’s crate, the white noise as well as the air current can help block fireworks noise as well as be soothing
• Pre-freeze a high value Kong as chewing can be a great stress reliever
• Lavender Essential Oils can be put on the inside of ear flaps, sprayed onto fan blades, or diffused into the room to help calm your dog
• Consider boarding your dog over the holiday weekend, many boarding facilities have sound-proofing so THEY are good neighbors but that helps muffle fireworks noise

Red White and Blue Kong Recipe

Ingredients:

Peanut Butter

Plain Greek Yogurt (can sub beef broth)

Strawberries

Blueberries

Mix Peanut Butter with Strawberries so stick to bottom of kong

Layer Greek Yogurt

Mix Peanut Butter with Blueberries to stick to top of Kong

Freeze