Here we go again: July 4th: Is your dog afraid of the noise?

Posted by dogblog

Posted: July 2, 2009 - 10:36 am

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Here's a handout from Animal Care and Control for protecting your dogs on the Fourth:

I bring this up this topic up every year because it is probably Eddie's worst phobia. I will say that he seems to have improved in the last year.

In the past, some of the best advice I've seen here is to crank up the TV and try to distract a dog fearful of fireworks. Some recommend Rescue Remedy. Coddling has been generally discouraged, but some people disagree. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer, but it's nice to hear different theories.

A Yorkie owner recently told me she put a tight shirt on her dog during a thunderstorm, and it instantly cured the fear. She thinks it has something to do with controlling the static electricity in the air, but others have said it works on a variety of noise-related fears.

I Googled a little bit and found out there is such a thing as an an anti-anxiety coat.

Frankly, that's an idea I would have laughed off if I had not since heard from several people who say the idea is sound and works.

I'm going to go with a snug shirt, some Rescue Remedy and distractions this year. Maybe if I keep trying enough, something will work. The good news is he's doing much better lately. There were a few pops on our walk last night that he ignored.

Any other ideas?

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