13 weeks of Summer: Week 2

Looking to celebrate 4th of July with your dog this year?

Being that the 4th of July is on a Friday, this could be a great opportunity for a 3-day getaway.  But even if you are staying in town this weekend, there are still lots of things you can do with your dog to celebrate.

No matter where you will be this coming Friday, there is no escaping the loud "Boom, boom" of fireworks.  As such, 4th of July is not a favorite holiday for most dogs since the alarming noise can be very upsetting.  

Giving your dog exercise and stimulation during the day, can help decrease the anxiety most dogs experience that night.  If you are looking for an activity that will give your dog more stimulation than an everyday walk, consider taking your dog out for one of the many local 4th of July parades.  The parade will not only give your dog exercise (walking around) but will also give your  pup lots of new sights and smells to check out.

Some parades going on this Friday include:

Anaheim Hills Parade: Festivities begin at 8 a.m., including a Yankee Doodle Dog Show (starting at 10 a.m. at Canyon High School) which features different dog contests that your dog can participate in. The parade starts at 5 p.m. and will run along Santa Ana Canyon Road from Imperial Highway to Pinney Drive.
     
You can walk with your dog along the Newport Harbor and watch the Newport Beach Old Glory Boat Parade at 1 p.m.

Or enjoy a bit of the costal breeze at the Lake Forest 4th of July Parade or the 4th of July Parade & Pier Festival in Huntington Beach.


Or, if you have plans with family or friends, and you don't want your pup stuck at home all day, bring him or her over for a day of daycare.  Let your dog tire himself out so he will be nice and relaxed when he gets home later that evening.

Whatever you decide to do during the day, just be sure to get your dog home and settled in before the fireworks start (which most are scheduled for 9 p.m.)


FIREWORKS ALERT!

Before you leave for the night to enjoy fireworks, make sure your dog is taken care of.  Most, if not all dogs, hate loud and startling noises; and fireworks are at the top of that list.  Fireworks can make the perfect dog turn into the most neurotic dog you’ve ever seen.  

To help keep your dog’s sanity and your property in tack we suggest the following:  

1. Make sure your dog is inside the house before leaving for the night. If you have an outside dog, then put them in the garage (after the sun goes down so they don’t suffer a heat stoke). If your dog is allowed inside the house, put them in a room furthest from where you think the firework noise will be coming from (for example, if the fireworks show is at a local school just east of your house then put your dog in the furthest room to the west).
2. Turn on soothing music.  Classical music or soothing nature sounds are the best option, but almost anything will do as long as it isn't angry or harsh music that would cause your dog further anxiety. (FYI: the classical FM station is 91.5) You don't want to turn the volume all the way up, making your dog deaf or causing more anxiety, but make it loud enough to distract them from outside noises.  

No matter what you decide to do this holiday weekend, please keep your dog’s health, happiness, and safety in mind.  Don’t become a statistic.  If you take them to the river, please remember that life jacket while on the water.  If you take them on a road trip, please remember that seat belt harness.  Lots of water, shade, and sun block will keep your dog happy and healthy as well.  Enjoy your Independence Day with your whole family, four-legged family members included!