A Dog’s Guide to a Happy Independence Day: Roxy’s Top Five Tips

 

Hey there, fellow doggo! Roxy here…

Let’s talk about Independence Day. What are the humans trying to do to us? Those things called fireworks and firecrackers are heckin’ scary but my mom has found a few ways to help get me through the day safely and calmly. I wanted to share them with you so call your parents over and read this together!

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1. A tired dog is a more relaxed dog

Going on a good long walk, a run at the park, or an afternoon playing in the surf and sand can help me relax, which means it’s more likely the following tips will work really well.
 

2. White noise

Turn on a loud fan or play white noise or nature sounds loudly. My mom has found these sounds on YouTube or on Amazon Prime Music. Make sure your parents put them on repeat so there’s no break in the sound.
 

3. Make a den

Have your parents choose one room to be home base, then pull the blinds, use blackout curtains, and close the doors… they need to do whatever they can to eliminate the visual flashes of the fireworks and create a space that feels safe.
 

4. Watch a loud movie

It’s pretty common for my mom and dad to watch movies with lots of loud noises so they just choose an extra-loud one and turn the volume up a little higher than normal (warn your neighbors, if you need to). My mom said she can hear the fireworks over the movie but I honestly can’t distinguish between what is happening outside and what is on TV so I sleep through all of it.
 

5. Stay home together

If you’re like me, you like it when your whole pack stays together. I’m fine at home by myself but I much prefer being with my mom and dad. On nights like this, I really prefer them to be with me, just in case I get scared. 
 

Bonus tips from my mom

Hello pet parents! This is Terran, Roxy’s mom. 4th of July can really be rough for our four-legged companions. I just wanted to add a few more tips…

• Make sure your dog’s microchip information is up-to-date.
• Double check at the vet that the microchip still scans (most vets will do this for free).
• Even if your dog doesn’t normally wear a collar and tags, put them on today. The tags should include your dog’s name along with your current address and phone numbers.
• Secure your home and yard by closing windows, doors, and gates.
• If all else fails, run away to the mountains for the night and soak in all the natural noises of nature.

 
Stay safe, happy, and healthy this Independence Day!