It is that time of the year again.  Fear of fireworks affects many of our pets and it is time to condition your pets before New Years Eve!  DO START NOW!!
     According to The American Humane Society of the United States, "so many pets are frightened and try to escape the sights and sounds that animal shelters around the nation report a dramatic increase in lost pets during this holiday time."  “New Years Day is a busy day at animal shelters, as companion animals that fled in fright the night before are found miles from their homes, disoriented and exhausted.
    Anxious families often find themselves searching the streets and shelters looking for a treasured family member whose fear drove him to jump a high fence or break his leash or chain.  If your pet is upset by thunder, a door slamming or other loud noises, New Years Eve fireworks will be utterly terrifying.”
    This happened to me years ago with my storm phobia dog.  I had my dog confined to my bedroom where she was safe but one of the guests children didn’t listen to the instructions to stay out of the bedroom and opened the door.  Of course, off ran my dog.  She was so afraid that she climbed the back yard fence and just ran.  When a pet is fearful they don’t remember the way they went in order to find their way home.  The State Police found her the following day laying in a ditch in shock.  Luckily she was returned to me alright.  She was wearing her ID tags and back then the police didn’t take her to the dog pound.  That was a great lesson for me and I don’t leave my pets alone on the 4th of July or New Year’s Eve when I know there will be fireworks.  I currently have a dog with fears of fireworks.  My pets are too important to me to leave them alone a few days a year when they can be traumatized.  I have worked very hard with energy work, and other techniques to reduce my one dogs trauma to take a chance to let anything else happen.
Here are some recommendations for keeping your pets safe during the fireworks.

• You can start now by diffusing some calming essential oils like Lavender, Roman Chamomile, grounding blend, geranium but don’t wait until the 4th to start to use the oils or any other calming tools.  I have a blend called Jada's Blend that works which contains many of the best calming essential oils.
• You can use calming herbs (chamomile, holy basil, GABA and ashwagandha)
• A tired pet is more relaxed and will handle the stress better so exercise your pet long and early in the day before any party and fireworks begin
• If you have guests make sure the pets are secured inside away from the commotion so they can’t bolt or run if frightened—remember pets are all fur and could get burned easily
• Leave pets at home in quiet, sheltered, escape-proof area
• Bring outdoor pets inside
• Do not take your pet to fireworks or leave them in a car while you watch the fireworks.  If they get traumatized the car is the worst place for the pet to be. They could also get heat stroke if confined in the car.
• If you go make sure the dog is safe at home in their favorite place or crate with a favorite toy or other comforting things.
• Play PWC Tuning Fork Relaxing Music to calm the dog or turn radio or TV on to help muffle booming noises
• Make sure pets have ID tags on them or have a chip in them in case of escape
• Keep unused fireworks out of reach as they may contain potentially toxic substances and clean up any residue after the fireworks

    There are presumably two components to the fear: what the dog sees and what the dog hears. What the dog sees is easier to tend to. Just don't take the dog to any fireworks celebrations. This will eliminate seeing huge starbursts appearing in the sky, It's difficult to actually desensitize your dog to the sight of fireworks because you can’t simulate this experience.  The big fear is the noise and pressure the dog feels when the sounds of the fireworks explode.  This is also the problem with thunderstorms.  It is more the barometric pressure and vibrations that the dog senses that triggers the fear. I  have had a few dogs with major fears of thunderstorms and fireworks.  I would have been more successful than the weather man with one dog who could predict a storm hours before it arrived.  She could feel the energy changes in the earth and atmosphere.
    Behavior Modification can work with fearful dogs.  It isn’t an instant fix but I have had success over time with different techniques.  I currently have a dog that has fears of storms and especially fireworks.   She had a large firework drop down at her as she walked out our door and that was very traumatic for her.  Some animals are more predisposed to these fears than others. Sometimes you can use a recording with sounds of something exploding and gradually play it louder and louder while engaging the dog in some play or training activity that she enjoys over a period of days to weeks. Playing the sounds didn’t work for my dog because there wasn’t any vibrations or pressure associated with the recording. The problem is that listening to a recorded sound doesn't have the vibrations created by the actual fireworks.  If your dog is food motivated you can couple a favorite food or treat with the increasingly louder sounds, so the dog becomes conditioned to understand that the loud noises come with tasty snacks.   Storm phobia is harder to help a dog get over — much harder — and why is not clear. But if you want to desensitize your dog to storms, be sure to introduce the dog to the sounds of storms in the same gradual, structured way that you would reintroduce her to anything else she's afraid of. That's how you will instill confidence in the face of adversity.  Again the barometric pressure change created by the storm and the earth vibrations will not be felt by playing the recorded sounds of fireworks or thunderstorms.
    If you have a basement you can take your dog to the basement during a storm to help muffle the noise, Unfortunately many of us don’t have a basement, therefore, try to get to the quietest place in your house or the place your pet is most comfortable being at.  Draw any blinds or curtains while playing white noise or calming music in the background to help drown out the sights and sounds of the storm. Don't sympathize or agonize over what your dog is going through, because that only reinforces the fear.  Instead, distract your dog by playing fetch or engaging in some other game or routine that she enjoys.  If you stress about their fear they will feel your stress and that doesn’t help the situation.  As the dog begins to focus on the fun, and relaxes some maybe during the second, third, or fourth storm, gradually increase exposure. Open the blinds a bit.
    Sometimes a thunder jacket (available online or at most pet stores) or a home made wrap can work. Research suggests that for some dogs, storm phobia is not about the noise but about the buildup of static electricity on the dog that causes shocks similar to feeling the pressure. (You'll often find a dog in the bathroom pressed behind a pipe during a storm; pipes conduct electricity away.)
    I have had great success with using therapeutic grade essential oils, healing energy work, sound therapy relaxation music and behavior modification through PWC dog training to calm the animals. This is all part of my Pawsitive Wellness Center’s Business.  All techniques can be done in the comfort of your pets home or from a distance  You can diffuse the oils or play the relaxation music daily to relax the animal.  This will need to be done ahead of July 4th so the dog learns to relax under normal conditions and especially so they don’t associate the essential oils or music with the fireworks or thunderstorms.  
     I am offering a special on the Tuning Fork Music now through the month of July and it is an easy download from my website.  This has been very effective for calming my animals as well as my clients.

​This is excellent relaxation music for you and your pets. Your pet is as relaxed as their environment. This music uses the frequencies of the Chakra Tuning Fork Sound Healing Energy.  The Tuning Forks are aligned to each of the animals chakras. This music is great to help balance the animals energy field. ​You can play it to help your pets settle down or before bedtime.  This will help calm your pet/s and any humans listening.  It is great to relax any animal with fears of fireworks, thunder and lightening and more.

Sitting/lying down/exposing underside: appeasing/deferent dog lowers body posture, exposing vulnerable parts

Turning head away, averting eyes: appeasing/deferent dog avoids eye contact, exposes neck

Avoidance
Dog turns away; shuts down; evades handler’s touch and treats.

Brow Ridges
Furrows or muscle ridges in the dog’s forehead and around the eyes.​

I have used my certified pure essential oil blends to calm my dogs when we travel and I have found them to be very effective.  Below are some other suggestions.

All-natural remedies to calm your dog while on the road.

By Lisa Hanks

Does your dog turn into a whimpering pile of mush whenever you try to take it for a drive? Traveling is daunting when your best friend throws up on the upholstery, then attaches itself to your brake foot. If you approach the problem holistically, however, travel for the two of you can be downright fun. Ask yourself these questions:

Is your dog healthy?
Be sure it has no illnesses affecting its ability to travel. Stress, fearfulness, anxiety and disorientation can be caused or aggravated by a number of health problems, including chemical or hormonal imbalances and food allergies. "Biochemical imbalances, hypothyroidism, etc., can all impact negatively on the animal's ability to cope with stress," said Suzanne Clothier, a holistic trainer in St. Johnsville, N.Y. "Such problems should be addressed and corrected."

Why is your dog becoming carsick?
If you have eliminated the obvious, the cause could be stress, sensitivity to movement, fear or more subtle problems. Clothier recommends a chiropractic checkup. "I've seen dogs who were poor travelers change dramatically when they were adjusted," she said. "It seems that subluxations [incomplete dislocations] in the neck, particularly at the atlas [the first vertebra of the neck], can contribute to motion sickness or uneasiness, possibly due to inner-ear disturbances."

Your dog may also be reacting poorly to different water or unfamiliar food. Carry a supply of both from home. Make sure your dog has plenty of water in the car, and provide additional water about every two hours at rest stops. Also, as with humans suffering from motion sickness, it may help if the dog sits facing forward and has access to fresh air.

Some veterinarians recommend withholding food six to eight hours before travel, but this can be difficult if your dog is used to being fed in the morning or requires regular meals to keep its body systems balanced. Instead, try a motion sickness preventive. Holistic-minded pet owners use ginger to soothe tummy turmoil. Ginger capsules, bulk dried ginger or ginger extracts are available at health food stores and some supermarkets.

Read the directions on the label and reduce the dose proportionally, according to the weight of your dog. For example, according to a general dosing rule from herbalist Gregory Tilford of Animal's Apawthecary in Conner, Mont., if the dose on the label is for a 150-pound man, divide by the weight of your dog say 25 pounds, which equals one-sixth the dose on the label. If you need to increase the dose, do so in increments of 10 percent, but go no higher than 50 percent above your starting point, Tilford said. You can mix the dried or powdered herb into a small amount of food or add the extract to a little water and administer it with a dropper two to three times daily. If you are unsure of the dosage, ask a veterinarian experienced in using herbs on animals or an herbalist experienced in dosing animals.

Is your dog comfortable traveling in its crate?
Some crave the comforting close quarters of a crate; others enjoy riding unfett ered. Some dogs prefer to see where they are going; others do not. Watch your dog's reaction. Perhaps you should cover the crate, leaving plenty of space for ventilation. Or try a wire crate or a seat belt and harness set. Whichever method you choose, don't let your dog have the run of the car.

If you stop suddenly or have an accident, an unsecured dog could crash into the windshield or be thrown around the interior of the car. In addition, a loose dog could cause an accident by interfering with your driving. Your dog should be in a secured crate or tucked into a special harness that buckles into your car's seat belt system. The seat belt-and-harness set works best for dogs heavier than 25 pounds; smaller dogs should be safely placed in a crate.

Is your dog afraid of the car or crate?
If your dog is afraid of entering the car or uncomfortable being in a crate, you may need to go back to a gradual, positive introduction, combined with therapies and remedies to reduce your dog's stress during retraining. T-TEAM, a calming massage treatment, or even affectionate stroking and petting can calm your dog before, during and after car travel or a session with the crate.

In addition, calming flower remedies, such as Rescue Remedy or Five-Flower Formula, work well for some dogs. "Rescue Remedy is good for some; for others, it doesn't work," Tilford said. "Some individual flower remedies work in certain situations. You may need to consult a flower essence practitioner for additional advice on the best remedies for your situation. Administer these in con-junction with any training sessions according to the directions on the label in your dog's water, rubbed on its ears or muzzle or as part of a misting spray."

Finally, calming herbs can de-stress training sessions. Tilford recommends valerian, skullcap and oat straw as extracts, dried or fresh. Some veterinarians recommend chamomile, but Tilford believes the herb may not be the best choice. "Chamomile might work; it's hard to say. It would be best in a tea, added to some salt-free broth." Steep about 1 teaspoon of the dried herb or 3 teaspoons of fresh herb in about 1 cup of hot distilled water for 10 to 30 minutes. Strain the herb and add 2 teaspoons to 2 tablespoons to broth two to three times daily.

To accustom your dog to travel and its crate, start gradually and keep the session positive. Make the crate attractive by adding your dog's favorite blanket and toy. Toss a treat into the crate, encouraging your dog to retrieve it. Do this a few times a day. When the dog seems comfortable going into the crate, feed it its meals in the crate with the door left open. Once the dog is accustomed to this, close the door while it is eating for brief periods. Gradually extend the time you leave the dog in the crate with the door closed. Repeat this process until the dog is comfortable being in the crate for a few hours.

Months before your trip is scheduled, accustom your dog to car travel. Lure it into the car with a treat and praise it highly for entering. (Leave the door open.) Do this daily for about a week, then put the dog into its crate or seat belt harness for short periods. Next, take short car trips that end with an enjoyable event, such as a romp in the park or a hike in the woods. Slowly extend the length of the trips, until the dog is comfortable spending several hours traveling with you.

How well trained and socialized is your dog?
Is it used to strangers and new situations? Did you take it to puppy kindergarten and obedience classes? If your dog does not respond readily to the basic commands — Sit, Stay and Come you may need professional help resocializing it. Dogs that enjoy new faces and places are less likely to be stressed and more likely to be happy travelers. Ask your veterinarian and friends for referrals to a dog trainer.

How well do you travel?
Are you tense and edgy when driving? Do you yell at other drivers and shake your fist at delays? You may be unknowingly transferring your stress to your dog.

Clothier counseled one tense owner, whose dog traveled hunched fearfully, to relax and sing as she drove. "To my delight, she wrote me immediately, noting that as she began to pay attention to her own attitudes while driving, she discovered that indeed she was holding her breath, clenching the wheel and sitting rigidly," she said.

"She relaxed her hands, focused on her breathing, sat back more comfortably and began to sing whatever songs popped into her head. To her amazement, her dog first watched her with a raised eyebrow, then visibly relaxed, curled up on the seat next to her and slept peacefully all the way home.
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