Tips for the Fourth

 

by Melinda Johnson, Click Training for Birds

Summer 2002

Just a friendly reminder that 4th of July is always traumatic for our pets. Shortly after the 4th every year, newspapers tend to be full of lost dog/cat ads. It's such a shame and it's unnecessary.

So where can training help us?

When the first firecracker (or crack of thunder in a storm) sounds, I clap my hands, act all happy and excited and shout, "Yay! Fireworks!" (or "Yay! Thunder!") and give all my critters yummy treats. This way they learn to LOVE and look forward to the noise.
It's important to catch the FIRST one if you can, but doing it several times is good too. Try making a happy party out of it -- it works!

If you're going to be away from home for the 4th, it's a good idea to lock up your dogs/cats/birds and leave on a fan (not aimed on your birds), radio or TV -- something to block out the noise. Don't cover your birds for this, as that's likely to add to any potential anxiety.

If you anticipate BIG problems with any of your critters, it might be a good idea to speak with your vet ahead of time about "calmers" such as the Bach Flower Remedy "Rescue Remedy" (though I think training is better than meds whenever possible). Also, if the noise really terrifies your dogs, you might try twisted bits of cotton
balls stuffed in their ears. You might have to replace them frequently at first, but after awhile they can learn to ignore them.

Oh, and when my kids were younger and lived here, I always told them noismakers were limited ONLY to the 4th -- not the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, etc., because so many animals have problems with them. Sparklers and other non-noisy things were sometimes fair game at other times of the year under parental supervision only. I wish all parents would do this, don't you?

Happy and safe 4th to everyone and all their pets!

Melinda