Reminder: The 4th of July celebration is a human holiday. CCI puppies should never attend a fireworks display. Keep the puppy at home in
Puppy Training Challenge: Practice lots of crate time. CCI puppies should spend lots of quality time in thier crate during this 4th of July holiday.
Puppy Raising Tip: Happy 4th of July
There is no better way to celebrate our country's independence and to celebrate freedom by going on a picnic and attending a fireworks display. However, CCI puppies SHOULD NOT attend fireworks displays/events. Please leave the CCI puppy at home. Crating the puppy during this time is very important. Exposure to fireworks has caused sound sensitivities and fear in certain dogs. Don’t take the risk of creating a negative experience.
Parades are also a traditional 4th of July outing for families. Please leave the puppy at home. Parades can be hot, loud, and overwhelming for some dogs. Fire engines, marching bands, jet fly overs can be scary for some dogs. Leaving the puppy at home in their crate will minimize the potential of fear to develop. Please use lots of common sense this weekend.
If you are at home or at a friend's house when fireworks are going off in the neighborhood, put the puppy in a crate in the house. Also, never leave a puppy unattended in a backyard when people are setting off fireworks. We have several stories of CCI dogs jumping fences out of fear over a 4th of July weekend.
Picnics are a great socialization opportunity. However, leave the puppy home if fireworks are planned. Picnics can be hot and overwhelming if there are lots of people and activity. Bring a crate with you so you can put the puppy away if the puppy is getting too hot or overwhelmed or if people are setting off bottle rockets and other firecrackers.
Use the crate often this weekend. Please use common sense if you are taking the dog with you to a group picnic. Have a game/exit plan in place if the puppy begins showing signs of stress. We want everyone to have a very fun and safe holiday weekend. This is one day that CCI puppies don't need to participate. Keep the puppy safe by crating.
Happy 4th of July!
Suzanne Sliclen
Puppy Program Manager
