Here is why your dog hates the 4th of July firecrackers

 Independence was declared in the backdrop of the Revolutionary War and perhaps some explosives were present at the time. However, those ‘bombs bursting in the air’ were not exactly a cause of celebration at the time. 

Yet firecrackers remain intrinsic to any national celebrations. 

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But these loud booms and flashing lights are not fun for your dogs and here is why- 

1:Dogs have a more acute sense of hearing which is different from humans. The loud noises featured in fireworks are alarming to dogs. 

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2: The unpredictability of fireworks can also tick dogs off. Fireworks are expected at national celebrations hence we are accustomed to them. However, for dogs, this is just another day but with fireworks shooting up in the sky with no warnings. 

3: Dogs have a fight-or-flight response to triggers they perceive as a threat. The unexpectantly and extravagance of the fireworks may scare your dog. He may show signs of anxiety, restlessness, panting, pacing or whining. 

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4: Once the dog decides that there is no fighting a firework their next response is to run. Often, there is no place to run as the loud booms can be heard indoors as well outdoors even from miles. 

We know that dogs fear fireworks and they are at a flight risk in such situations. Fortunately, there are some ways to keep your dog safe as the fireworks explode outside- 

1: Fireworks will eventually stop. Until then keep him in an environment where he cannot run away when he is feeling scared. It is a dog’s instinct to run away in such situations and we have to work against that. 

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2: In situations where it does manage to run away, it is crucial that he has a name tag so that you can be contacted. Furthermore, you can get them microchipped so that it is easier to find them later. 

3: People are not going to stop burning firecrackers anytime soon. Hence you can train your dog in advance and desensitize them to the loud noises. Start small by playing firecracker sounds at a low volume and slowly increase it. 

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It is important that you understand your dog and have a connection with them so that they feel safe with you no matter what is happening outside. Moreover, it is crucial that you stay calm in such situations so that your dog can pick up on it and eventually not make a big deal out of firecrackers.