We Treat Your Pets As We Do Our Own. (with lots of love)

Predictability

Unlike thunderstorms, fireworks are set off intentionally. You may choose not to go so
far as to buy fireworks and have an assistant detonate them in a legal location while you
train your dog—but you could, if you wanted. You can train your dog when you know other
people will be shooting fireworks, and you can set up your training location at a distance from
the location of the fireworks. This predictability is a powerful advantage in training.

Training

As in dealing with other things that frighten some dogs, your best approach is to work
with your dog before you see any signs of fear. Ideally, set up with your dog at a distance
from the fireworks so the noise will not be loud, but the dog can see that a person is
causing the noise. This connection helps many dogs by taking the mystery out of it.

Food treats work with greedy dogs, and games that your dog loves may be even more
powerful in helping the dog mentally tune out the noise. When a dog acts out an instinctive
behavior that has been built through training and experience, the mind and body are
strongly immunized against fear and pain.

The more you and your dog train together to make your interactions satisfying
and strongly focused, the more powerful these interactions will be in conditioning
your dog not to worry about the distant noises. Retrieving, tossing a toy for the
dog to catch, or (with the right dog and handler) tug-of-war are the kinds of
person-and-dog interactions that work as powerful antidotes to fear.

Move the interaction between you and your dog a little closer to the fireworks
action a bit at a time. Be careful not to progress quickly enough that the dog
will be fearful. Judging the dog's state of mind is a delicate process. If you
misjudge and advance too rapidly, go back to a distance where the dog
shows no fear. Work at that distance a long time before advancing again.
Slower is faster in this type of training. Triggering fear is a major setback,
so try very hard not to do so.

Unless you plan to set off fireworks where your dog will have to be at your side,
it's best to avoid working a dog next to detonation. The noise can damage the
dog's ears, and there are other dangers from fireworks, too.

Prevention

Don't leave a dog outdoors alone when someone is going to use fireworks.
Besides the risk of a fear being created in the dog, many dogs will flee a
fenced yard in panic and be lost.

If you aren't able to have a full-focus training session, keep your interactions
with your dog upbeat, happy and hearty. Don't use a pitying voice or touch that
gives a dog reason to be afraid. Act happy and confident, and reward your dog
for confident behavior.

Ear infections can make noises more painful. Take good care of your dog's ears.
Pay special attention if the ears are not erect, or if the dog has ever had an ear
infection. Dogs tend to conceal their pain as a survival instinct, so it's important to
make a real effort to know your dog's physical condition.
 
Fears are often contagious from one dog to another as well as from people to dogs.
If you have a dog who fears fireworks and you get another dog, working with the fearful
one can help prevent the new dog from developing the same fear.

Extreme Cases

The same measures used for extreme thunderstorm phobia can help dogs who panic
during fireworks. A veterinarian or veterinary behavior specialist can help with your behavior
modification program and can decide whether or not medication is appropriate. A dog-appeasing
pheromone diffuser may be beneficial.

The right confinement area is important during fireworks, especially when the family cannot
supervise the dog. This is even more critical for the phobic dog. Dogs tend to like dark,
quiet and enclosed areas to rest in.

Best Case

With a little forethought, you have a good chance of preventing severe fireworks phobia in
your dog. The dog can learn to look forward to more dog-friendly aspects of the Fourth of July,
such as cookouts and family games.