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Fireworks and Labrador Retrievers
KEEPING YOUR LAB SAFE DURING THE CELEBRATIONS

By Shannon K. Steffen

Independence Day and similar holidays are supposed to be a time for celebration, so why is your Lab not celebrating? Fireworks! Sure, they are pretty and give us a warm feeling of independence, but these big boomers are nothing to bark at! Some Labrador Retrievers actually enjoy the festivities and are able to stay next to their owners without flinching. However, most Labs would rather have nothing to do with the elaborate colors and ground-shaking boomers. For them, there is no place too small in which they cannot squeeze into in order to get as far away from the 4th of July celebrations as possible.

Shelters have an overabundance of lost dogs following such festive days. In order to flee the loud noises and crowded celebrations, the dogs run in a state of panic and have a difficult time finding their way home. Animals can feel and hear the loud noises from the fireworks even miles away. This is why we have comprised a list of hints to help your Lab get through the day (and night) with as little stress as possible:

During the Celebration

• Leave your Lab at home when going to such celebrations, preferably in its crate, with a Kong or any other favorite toy.
• Bach's Rescue Remedy. To help your Lab stay calm before the noise starts.
• Leave your television or radio on for "normal" background noise.
• If you go out, do NOT make a big production of leaving. This will tell your Lab that something is up and you are worried (and therefore it should be too).
• Be sure your dog is secure! Even the most content Labs have been known to dig under fences, break through glass windows, doors, etc, to get free.
• If your Lab is prone to stress, it may be best to speak to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication for such times.
• Make sure you leave lots of water. Also, take your Lab out for plenty of active exercise an hour before the fireworks start, then home for a good filling meal. A tired and well fed Lab will be far less anxious during the night.
• Make sure your Lab is well identified in case of escape.

After the Celebration

• Before bringing your Lab outside after a nearby fireworks display, large or small, check the area for hot embers or fireworks that may have been lit but did not ignite.
• Fireworks components, exploded and unexploded, are also toxic. If eaten, they can cause stomach distress that could be fatal.

Also keep in mind to keep your Lab away from children with sparklers. This will help prevent painful burns on paws, noses, and eyes.

With vigilance, plenty of distraction and a caring owner, your Lab will make it through the 4th of July and its celebrations, and return to its previously stable condition.