Fireworks can drive canines crazy

Caitlin Hudgins

Tuesday, June 29, 2004 | 9:26 a.m.

If dogs get scared when a car backfires, it's easy to imagine how frightened they must feel when they hear the multiple explosions of fireworks during Fourth of July celebrations.

Animal shelters see an influx of dogs around the holiday weekend, Lied Animal Shelter Vice President Diane Orgill said.

"The smell and sound of fireworks are very worrisome to dogs," she said.

As fireworks sales begin today, experts are warning pet owners to be aware of the effects the noise can have on their animals, and they are encouraging precautions to keep pets from running away.

Dogs have an acute sense of hearing and a phobic reaction to sudden noise, according to the veterinary topics archive of the Department of Energy's Web site, newton.dep.anl.gov.

Even dogs who have never run away before can be tempted to dig under fences or break through glass windows or doors in an attempt to escape the stressful noise of fireworks.

"It (a dog) will find a way to dig under or jump over (a fence); if it's tied up, it will find a way to chew through the leash," Orgill said.

If a dog is prone to trembling, pacing, hiding or howling on July Fourth, there are some measures owners can take to ease their pets' worries.

If owners can't stay home with their pets, Orgill recommends leaving dogs indoors with a TV or radio to provide distraction from the fireworks outside.

Familiar objects or games are also helpful: toys, treats, or a bout of tug-of-war can provide comfort to a nervous animal.

"When a dog acts out of instinctive behavior, the mind and body are strongly immunized against fear and pain," according to the Web site of the Veterinary Information Network, an industry resource.

If a pet has an extreme phobia of fireworks, veterinarypartner.com suggests training the dog to get used to the noise.

First, owners should let a dog see someone set off fireworks at some distance. Connecting the noise to a cause helps dogs "take the mystery out of" fireworks, according to the Web site.

After the dog develops a minimal comfort with the noise of fireworks, the pet owner should start by playing familiar games far away from the action, slowly moving closer to where the fireworks are being ignited.

By progressing toward the noise at a comfortable pace with their owners, dogs may become accustomed to fireworks and might not be as surprised when the real shows start.

Some more radical remedies also exist.

New on the market is Comfort Zone, a AC-powered device that emanates a synthetic pheromone that mimics the hormones of a lactating female dog. The aromatherapy provides a signal of comfort that calms anxious pets, according to the Web site of Farnam Pet Products, farnampet.com, which sells the device and other pet products.

Sedatives are another option.

Healthy pet's Web site also has some pointers on how owners should behave around their pets on Independence Day.

If owners are going out for the night, they shouldn't make a big deal about leaving their dog alone. A pitying voice or sympathetic touch can give dogs a reason to be afraid, the Web site said.

And just in case, owners should check to ensure that their pets have collar tags with up-to-date information about how to contact their owners.