Puppy paw-ty can distract dogs from fireworks noise

My dog is having friends over on the Fourth of July.

Widdle invited Murphy, Hercules, Oliver, Grace and Frankie for chicken chew treats, bowls of water and whatever drops off the grill.

They’ll chase, swim and sniff one another’s nether regions.

All that activity may be enough to distract them when the fireworks go off.

Most big firework displays have been canceled because of the pandemic, but that won’t stop folks from shooting off their own.

They must hate dogs.

Dogs have an acute sense of hearing, so those booms, crackles and whistles are alarming, said Jenny Dagnino, behavior manager at the Arizona Humane Society.

Dogs don’t know to expect fireworks, or how often they’ll go off. That unpredictability is upsetting.

Dagnino suggests distracting your dog with something they enjoy — a game of fetch, a chew toy or, yes, a puppy pool party with five friends.

Not all dogs are afraid of fireworks, but it’s safer to bring them inside, Dagnino said.

If dogs are scared, Dagnino said, create a quiet, comfortable space away from windows. Use a crate if that’s where your dog feels safe.

Turn on a fan or put on a movie to mask the sounds.

Wear them out, maybe with a walk.

“If they’re already tired, it may not be as stressful,” Dagnino said.

Comfort your dog if it helps, Dagnino said. If they’d rather not be touched, stay nearby, talking soothingly.

You can desensitize your dog by playing fireworks sounds on low while playing and giving treats. Slowly turn up the volume. Over time, dogs learn to associate the sounds with play and treats.

Most important, Dagnino said, keep calm. Don’t scold if dogs bark or cry.

“Your best bet is just to be really Zen about the whole thing,” Dagnino said.

Maybe have a party.