The 4th of July is a fun time with lots of exciting places to go and things to do. It is also a day and night with Fireworks. Fireworks may be magical and enjoyable for people, but for most dogs they are terrifying. So take some advice and do not take your dog to any fireworks displays. If you want to go, try and have a family member, friend or pet sitter stay home with the dog. The loud noises can set some normally calm dogs into a frenzy. They will hide under beds and behind furniture, bark or yelp, and sometimes try to get over a fence, break through a window or door to try to escape the loud sounds.

For some dogs, a specially designed garment that wraps the dog snugly, called a Thundershirt, can make him feel secure and safe. The best advice is to stay home and close the blinds or curtains. Put on the TV or music to mask the noise and keep your dog occupied during the display by playing a game and interacting with him. Having a safe and happy dog on this Independence Day should be a number one priority.