Reminder: Fireworks displays are off limits for all Canine Companions puppies regardless of age. Please leave the puppy home and crated.
Puppy Training Challenge: Accepting of the crate is critical for a Canine Companion dog to graduate. The crate should be used throughout the time the puppy is in your home. As puppies become adults you can give them more freedoms, but the crate should still be utilize. Supervision should never wain when out of the crate.
While we want the puppies to experience many things, fireworks is not one of them. We have seen the most confident dogs become fearful and develop sound sensitivity. Please keep the puppy home. Keep them safe and happy in their crate while you enjoy the fireworks.
Puppy Raising Tip: How many times can I say NO FIREWORKS! :o)
Here are some tips to navigate the 4th of July weekend.
- Leash walk the puppy in your fenced yard, even though you may typically let them free to roam the yard. We had a puppy raiser's pet and Canine Companions puppy scale a six foot fence and run away because of the fireworks. The puppy raiser was caught off guard not knowing how fear can make animals and people do unintended behaviors. Please take this weekend to practice toileting on leash.
- When crating the puppy put a blanket over the crate and turn on the TV or radio to drown out the thundering sound.
- For those puppy raisers that camp with the puppy, and the camp ground has a fireworks display, put the puppy in the crate, in the car, with the radio on and please supervise.
- Remember that Canine Companions dogs show stress not only in active ways (bolting, quivering), but in passive ways also (sleeping). A puppy that can sleep through a fireworks display is a stressed puppy.
- Picnicking is a fun activity. Remember that people set off bottle rockets that can be startling. Be aware of your surroundings. Canine Companions puppies, regardless of time of year, should always be on leash attached to a person whenever out in public. Move away from individuals that are setting these fireworks off. You can always bring a crate and sit with the puppy in the car.
A sound sensitivity can quickly develop. Please do what you can to prevent the puppy from developing a negative association with sounds.
Please have a very safe and happy holiday celebrating our nations independence.
Happy Training,
Suzanne Sliclen
