Protecting pets during Independence Day celebrations

Independence Day weekend is prime time for friends and family to gather, barbecue, get on the water, and light fireworks in celebration of the birth of the country. Some celebrants may bring a special member of their family: the dog. But the holiday weekend can be an anxious time for man’s best friend.

“If you have a dog, dogs especially, we hear more about that they are the ones who take off and don't come back,” Laconia Pet Center Owner Bethany Stockman said. “When a dog is scared, it takes off, it's not going to come back to you calling for it.”

Fireworks are the biggest perpetrator of pet anxiety. Loud noises including thunder and the backfire of a motorcycle can cause anxiety in birds, cats and dogs. But dogs can often be the most anxious, as they may be brought to outdoor gatherings more frequently, they are more likely to react. Granite State Dog Recovery works to find lost dogs throughout the state, and organization Vice President Susan Piche claims the Fourth of July is one of the biggest days of the year for lost dog reports.

“I think it was 2018, we counted as many as 92 lost dog reports just that day on the Fourth,” Piche said.

This intense reaction from dogs comes from their heightened senses.

"It's a very loud noise, so dogs, they can hear for miles and the ground vibrates. They can sense it. And then that's what generally tends to make them anxious,” Stockman said.

While some dogs experience worse anxiety than others, Stockman believes no one should take the chance of having a nervous dog at a gathering.

“Sometimes they have no reaction to it. I have a couple of golden retrievers who have no reaction to fireworks whatsoever. But then there are other dogs who do have a reaction,” she said. “Every dog is an individual and sometimes you don't know how your dog is going to react until it actually happens.”

There are many tips to prevent dogs from reacting and running. Granite State Dog Recovery offers tips, including keeping pets indoors with the windows and doors closed, updating identification on tags or microchips, muffling loud noises, providing distractions, exercising and using the bathroom early in the day before fireworks are in full-swing, and using secure collars. Stockman also recommends keeping dogs on a leash in unfamiliar areas.

Gilford’s Golden Guardians trains medical alert service animals for people with autism and medical needs such as diabetes. Owner Kaarla Weston said she has a litter of puppies and is working to try and prevent them from experiencing anxiety during the holiday.

“We're going to try to drown out the noise, but we're also going to let them have access to the mom so that they can nurse through the fireworks, so that they will understand that they are safe during such loud sounds,” Weston said.

Weston also has used doggie noise-canceling headsets during sports events so her service dogs can still perform their duties.

There are also many calming products on the market to help lower anxiety. Stockman sells a couple of them, including “July 3rd,” which is a blend of herbs and L-tryptophan.

“Don't do those calming products like 20 minutes before the fireworks are going to happen,” Stockman said. “You really should try them first at home and to see how the dog does.”

Other concerns for dogs during this time deal with food, including not feeding pets greasy food, chicken with bones, or the usual suspects like chocolate or candy, which can make them sick. But another big problem is water safety. It can be dangerous for dogs in the water, so doggie life jackets are a product worth the investment.

“Lake Winnipesaukee is right here, a lot of people take their dogs out on boats. People believe that every dog knows how to swim, and not every dog does know how to swim,” Stockman said. “Especially if that dog panics and it falls overboard. Just like for people, it’s a good idea to wear life jackets, so have a life jacket on your dog.”

If a pet is lost, first make a report to local police departments, animal control, veterinarian offices, and shelters. You can also file a report to Granite State Dog Recovery by calling 855-639-LOST, and they will post on their social media as well as activate volunteers locally to assist in the search. Rob Russell of 2A Tac Air Ops Drone Services is based in Barrington, but travels across the state to use a high-end commercial thermal drone to survey for lost animals, and can also assist in any search efforts. 

“The best way to find an animal is to get the various groups and technologies to work together,” Russell said.

At the end of the day, the best way to prevent losing your dog during this year’s celebration is to take the necessary precautions for safety.

“The safety of your dog is your responsibility,” Russell said. “At the end of the day, you cannot blame your dog running off because you know it had a loose collar or something. You need to control your dog, and however you're going to do it, you need to make sure your dog is safe.”