This year’s coming celebration of the 250^th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence will be here in a couple of weeks. Media commentary indicates more extensive celebrating than previous years.  Some areas are planning five-day celebrations, running from July 1 through 5. The expectation is for even more spectacular fireworks.

Sounds fun-to some.

Many dog owners know that the sounds from fireworks, thunderstorms, and other loud noises are common sources of fear and anxiety in their dogs. There are several reasons why a dog may develop this type of fear, such as a negative experience around a specific noise, lack of early socialization as a puppy, underlying illness, or because of worsening anxieties as they age due to changing brain chemistry. The signs of fear can range from mild to severe, including trembling, vocalizing, panting, pacing, drooling, hiding, and digging at doors.

When pets get scared, they may try to flee and escape in search of safety. The source of firework noise can confuse our pets, so dogs may frantically try to escape outside. This leads to pets running away from home and putting themselves in danger of injury microchip information are current, and secure your home and yard as a precaution.

Advanced Planning: You can help your dog feel safe during a stressful time. Set your dog up for success with the following tips:

• Exercise or play outside earlier in the day. Plan bathroom breaks and outdoor exercises accordingly to avoid going outside after the fireworks or storm start. If you must go outside, keep them on a leash, even in a fenced-in backyard, as a precaution.
• Stay home to comfort them. Many dogs with noise phobias may also have some separation anxiety, so your absence may make them even more stressed. If this isn’t possible, consider a pet sitter they know and trust. Punishment must never be used because it will only increase your dog’s distress.
• Create a safe space. This should be in a location of the home with which they are familiar. Provide a cozy bed or blankets. Hopefully the room will be the farthest from the noise and with few or no windows in order to decrease outside sound. Only use a crate if they are already accustomed to it and consider it a safe spot.
• Play white noise and music. Layering two different types of sound can help drown out the noise. Calming classical music may also help reduce stress.
• Offer long-lasting treats such as stuffed frozen Kongs, lick mats, or other food toys.

If your dog’s fear, anxiety and stress feel unmanageable during fireworks, thunderstorms, or other loud noises, speak to your veterinarian, or consider a referral to a veterinary behaviorist, as more extensive treatment, including medications and behavior modification, may be needed.

If medications will be used:

• Trial them first on a day without noise to see how your dog tolerates them.
• Give medications in plenty of time before the fireworks or thunderstorms start. It is much easier to prevent a fearful reaction than to reverse one.

Source:

Cornell University

College of Veterinary Medicine

Summertime can mean additional car travel with your pet! It might seem fun to allow your dog on your lap while you’re out driving. Your pet also might enjoy the freedom of prancing from seat to seat and then letting his ears blow in the wind out the car window.

Did you ever see a dog out for a ride running freely in the back of a pickup truck?

Dog ownership means protecting our pets. So, just as any other passenger in your vehicle, your pet needs to be protected.

Even the smallest fender bender can mean a jolt upon impact.  Some of us might feel that we’re depriving our dogs of the freedom of movement in the car, but that freedom might cost them their lives. Additionally, loose pets are a major driving distraction. Securing them prevents them from jumping on your lap, climbing under the pedals, or jumping out an open window.

To keep your dog safe in the car, always secure them in the backseat or cargo area using a crash-tested harness, carrier, or crate. The backseat also can protect them from front-seat deploying airbags.

 The Best Restraint Options

To ensure you choose a genuinely protective product, look for devices that have been officially crash-tested.

• Crash-Tested Crates: Often considered the safest option, particularly for larger dogs, as they contain the pet securely and absorb impact forces. Top-rated models include the Gunner Kennels line, which frequently ranks high in independent safety evaluations.
• Crash-Tested Harnesses: If your dog rides on the seat, a harness distributes the force of a crash across their chest and back. The Center for Pet Safety (CPS)  is the leading independent testing nonprofit and provides a list of certified travel harnesses.
• Seatbelt Tethers: Simple tethers click into your vehicle’s buckle slot and attach to your dog’s harness. (Always use a harness with tethers, never attach one to a neck collar). Note that many standard tethers only stop distracted driving and are not officially crash-tested.

What to Avoid

• Avoid Open Truck Beds: If transporting your dog in an open truck bed, they should be securely tethered in a specialized crash-tested crate rather than tied by the collar, which poses a severe choking hazard.
• Avoid Extension Tethers and Zipline-Style Products

CPS does not recommend extension tethers or zipline-style products because they increase the risk of injury to you, your passengers, and your pet during sudden stops or crashes.

Best Practices for Crate Safety: Use Strength-Rated Anchor Straps

Crates should always be secured with strength-rated anchor straps. In the 2015 CPS Crate Crashworthiness Study, proper anchor straps significantly reduced crate excursion into the seatback or passenger compartment.

 Never Leave Your Pets Unattended: Leaving a dog in a parked car can lead to heatstroke very quickly, even if the windows are cracked or the car is parked in the shade.

 CPS assists in giving you informed, science-based decisions that keep everyone safer on the road.

Source

Center for Pet Safety (CPS)

Pet Loss

“If the stars alone could bring you home, I would wish on every one.” 

 A Pocket Full of Grief
Jessica Tyrell

When it began, we’re not sure, but every second Tuesday in June has been designated to honor our animal friends who have passed. This year, World Pet Memorial Day fell on June 9. Some pet lovers may want to follow Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, which is observed annually on August 28.

Anyone who has had a pet as a best friend and family member understands the feeling of loss that accompanies their passing. Many of us who have lost our pets may not need to rely on a designated day to recall their loss, though there are others who find special comfort in these established remembrance days.

Animals provide so very much joy, companionship, emotional support, and bonding, which makes it so difficult to part with them.

How does one deal with the loss? Some possibilities for dealing with the loss of a pet follow. Additional information and links are provided.

Ideas to assist through the grieving process:

• Communicate with those who understand your grief. The pet lovers’ community is a strong one and can be a shoulder to lean on. Many As Good as Gold friends/members have gone through pet loss and prove to be extremely supportive and understanding—don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
• Create a memorial in a special place in your home or garden, perhaps include a memorial stone.
• “In Memory” donations. Donate to a local animal rescue group in your pet’s name. (As Good as Gold offers the ability to make “In Memory” donations https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E356588&id=1
• Volunteer at your local animal shelter or rescue group.  Give back to the animals by volunteering your time and company.  There are many different types of activities — something for everyone!  (Would you be up to dog sitting for As Good as Gold foster dogs or members’ pets?) https://www.asgoodasgold.org/dog-sitting-program/
• Plant flowers, a tree, or a shrub in honor of your pet. A potted plant could be a consideration too, if space is limited. The beauty of nature will encourage your smile!

• Make a memory book or photo album. Most of us have lots of photos of our dogs on our phones. There are many different websites and apps available that make creating a memory book simple and seamless.  You might try Mixbook https://www.mixbook.com/photo-books, Shutterfly https://www.mixbook.com/photo-books, or check the CVS or Walgreens apps.

Resource: https://caringhandsvet.com/world-pet-memorial-day/

 In between hello and good-bye there was so much love.

Counseling

•  Your veterinarian could be a superb source for recommendations to assist you as you process this loss. They may have a list of pet loss counselors or support groups.
• The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, through their Human-Animal Bond Committee, offers the Pet Loss Support Helpline and “Wings,” a pet loss support group.
  • The Helpline is a free service for grieving pet owners. Trained volunteers offer support by active listening as well as providing printed materials and referrals when needed. Helpline number: 630 325 1600
  • Wings – Pet Loss Support Group Wings hosts a Zoom meeting on the first Wednesday evening of every month. Call the CVMA office for details 630 325 1231.

Additional Resources offering free grief support group sessions and more:

https://www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org/events/pet-loss-grief-support-group-sessions

https://www.pawschicago.org/news-resources/resources/coping-with-pet-loss

Facts about Grief:

https://www.veterinarywisdom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Five-Facts-about-Grief-2021.pdf

The following information was gathered through the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine

 https://vet.purdue.edu/search.php?q=pet+loss#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=pet%20loss&gsc.page=1

 In her writing, Moira Moira Anderson Allen, M.Ed. writes,

Anyone who considers a pet a beloved friend, companion, or family member knows the intense pain that accompanies the loss of that friend. Following are some tips on coping with that grief, and with the difficult decisions one faces upon the loss of a pet.

Intense grief over the loss of a pet is normal and natural. Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s silly, crazy, or overly sentimental to grieve!

During the years you spent with your pet (even if they were few), it became a significant and constant part of your life. It was a source of comfort and companionship, of unconditional love and acceptance, of fun and joy. So don’t be surprised if you feel devastated by the loss of such a relationship.

Some find it helpful to express their feelings and memories in poems, stories, or letters to the pet. Other strategies including rearranging your schedule to fill in the times you would have spent with your pet; preparing a memorial such as a photo collage; and talking to others about your loss.

For Ms. Anderson Allen’s complete article and additional resources, please go to her site,

Pet-loss.net:

https://pet-loss.net/?_ga=2.197477414.86456964.1716743482-1692422633.1716743482

See also

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)

Hosts many resources to assist families in coping with the loss of their family pet.

https://www.aplb.org/?_ga=2.165316918.86456964.1716743482-1692422633.1716743482

I was scared to move to the next chapter in the thought of leaving you behind.
But you can’t carry on a story without the memory of what has been.

 A Pocket full of Grief
Jessia Tyrrell

Prepare your dog and yourself before heading out to explore the great outdoors, which includes other pets and their people. For you: Wear your most comfortable shoes. What should your dog wear?

First, a dog trainer will tell you that pulling is a learned behavior. No piece of equipment is going to solve behavioral issues.  It’s important to teach your pet the importance of good leash walking. That makes for a smart base. Yet for the safety of all and in order to follow the “rules of the streets,” collars or harnesses and leashes are a must. Try a combination of positive reinforcement along with the use of a harness or collar.

Collar or Harness? It depends.

Comfort and Ease of Use. Make sure whatever you use is comfortable for your pet. The fit should be snug, yet you should be able to put your flattened fingers or hand between your dog’s coat and whatever he is wearing. When using harnesses, don’t forget to set the clasps for the proper fit in all sections: upper chest, back, and underside.

Collars. If you have a dog who is relaxed and that you firmly trust not to take off during walks–perhaps it’s a senior pet–collars might be your choice. They are simple to put on and come in a variety of designs and colors. The downsides: some pets have the ability to  back out of a collar. If your dog is a puller, a collar can sometimes put strain on the neck, if pulling occurs.

As Good as Gold foster dogs receive the Martingale collar, which provides a secure, no-slip solution that prevents dogs from backing out of their collars. They offer gentle, controlled pressure for training, reducing pulling without choking, and are designed to distribute pressure evenly around the neck for comfort.

Harnesses. I happen to have a dog that, during a leisurely walk, will do just fine with a regular collar. Yet, on the occasion that she encounters a dog who seems like he’d make a fun zoomie buddy, she’s better off with her harness on. Therefore, the harness is a safer choice to use with her.

Harnesses can be a more comfortable option than collars, greatly  discourage pulling, and can also help avoid injury (such as throat damage.)

Front-clip Harness. When the harnesses are fitted correctly, the leash is attached in front of the dog on its chest. The positioning of the leash on the chest causes the dog’s forward momentum to be redirected back toward you, and the dog quickly learns that pulling is unproductive.

 2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Nylon Dog Harness & Leash
Is another humane (no-force) anti-pulling option. With the no-pull, pressure is applied to the animal’s chest rather than their neck to discourage them from pulling.
https://2houndsdesign.com/collections/freedom-no-pull-harness

We use the Easy Walk, another “no pull” design that results in tension to the chest rather than the neck.
https://www.petsafe.com/p/easy-walk-harness/EWH-HC-L-BLK/

Tip from a Trainer for those tough-to-control pups:
Combine a front-clip harness  with the Martingale for that extra-sure control.

NOT recommended: choke chain, pinch or prong collars. These types of collars are designed to hurt, and the dog has no way of knowing why walks are now painful. Positive reinforcement strengthens the human-animal bond, builds trust, and fosters a confident, eager-to-learn pet without relying on fear or pain.

Happy Trails!

Tricia Eastmond
As Good as Gold
Education Coordinator

Mat Stokes
KPA-CTP
Fear Free Certified
http://stokedondogs.com

Some of our readers may have attended the As Good as Gold training seminar held this past September by then Education Coordinator, Stephanie DeCicco. The feedback from that seminar indicated some participants would be interested in learning more about how to deal with anxieties and fears in their dogs.

Hopefully readers who have recently adopted, are fostering, or have friends or family whose pet might be experiencing fears and anxieties will benefit from the insights below.

This article includes viewpoints of several dogs, in particular photos and comments by Abbie, whose parents are Pam and Joe. Abbie is an AGaG rescue

Recognizing What’s Occurring “Mom and dad, I’m really not naughty – – I’m afraid.”
To begin, the owner might wonder if their dog is misbehaving. Or could it be fearful reactions? How can you tell? Dogs who are fearful will do all they can to avoid the source of their fears. They might run, hide, cower, yawn, pace, lick their lips, growl or bark.

Providing a Safety Zone “I love my cozy spot!”
Trust develops between you and your dog once your dog feels safe–or at least more safe–in his/her environment. Providing a place where they like to go in which they feel safe and comfortable is important. A bed, a crate, a more secluded area with a blanket. A place where they can be more comfortable when strangers come to the house or when there are loud noises inside or out.

Training Method(s) “I like this cookie distraction plan!”
Positive reinforcement is man and dog’s best training tool! Fear-enforced training would certainly make the situation worse. Working with your pet on ways that will redirect their fears might include treats. Repetition of positive behavior methods strengthen the behavior being learned.

Don’t force your dog to face their fears “Thank goodness mom and dad are kind and understanding.”
It should be common knowledge not to throw people into the pool to learn to swim! They actually may become fearful of the water, if they weren’t before. Dogs won’t “get used to” the scary pots clanging in the kitchen if you force them to listen to them banging over and over. They actually might become more afraid, as with the toss into the pool. They might become immobilized and/or panic.

Mentor Dog “Thank goodness for my bestie, Tucker! I get my cues from him,” says Abbie.
A mentor dog in the family can often be helpful. The mentor dog can ease the fearful dog’s anxiety by showing them that certain situations are not threatening, and the fearful dog learns from observing the mentor’s reactions.

Abbie adds, “Mamie was my BFF when I first came to live with mom and dad. The very first time I went upstairs was when I heard a sound of thunder. I went into my mom’s office and laid near Mamie; she was not happy with the thunder either. Mom put calming vests on both of us and we settled down.(Mom thinks I had some setbacks after Mamie passed a few months later. It took me a while to recover, but Tucker is helping me out of my shell again!”

Seek professional help “Mom took me to the vet. He suggested a medicine to help me to be calm, and it’s helping.” My parents and I also meet with an animal behaviorist; they said she has good insights,” says Abbie.
Even a few lessons with a professional trainer might get owners through those first difficult steps. And your veterinarian could be a great resource. In fact, consulting with your veterinarian at the beginning is advisable just to confirm there is not an underlying medical issue that could be contributing to the fear. Your vet also might have training contacts or could suggest a veterinary behaviorist for those difficult cases.

Additional Tools, suggested by Abbie

Soothing melodies. “I prefer classical,” says Abbie. These headphones for pets help her make it through storms.

Happy Hoodie. The Happy Hoodie helps when pets are afraid of the blow drying during grooming. Pam says the hoodie helps during storms too.

One Step at a Time “I enjoy the loving attention I’m getting along the way!”
Working together with your dog in a positive manner in order to calm fears is not a race. Owners say that they sometimes have realized gradual changes, and when they do, it’s a win! As time goes on, and you’ve seen some great progress, just realize some pets may continue to have fears. Your pet could still be a happy and much-loved family member despite a small, lingering fear.

Abbie confided, “Wanna know what I did yesterday? Well, I settled onto what is Tucker’s normal spot at the top of the steps. It was kinda cool being the one looking down on him for a change! Of course, he’s still my best buddy, but I couldn’t help but smile!”

Pam and Joe, “Abbie was and still can be fearful. We have learned so much from her. Abbie is Abbie and we are so proud of how far she has come. We love her completely.”

To access the complete article, Eight Tips to Help Fearful Dogs Feel Safe, please use the link below: Companion Animal Psychology.

References
Animal Humane Society, “Help Your Anxious or Fearful Dog Gain Confidence.”
https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/help-your-anxious-or-fearful-dog-gain-confidence

Zazie Todd, PhD., “Companion Animal Psychology.”
https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2018/08/eight-tips-to-help-fearful-dogs-feel.html

Pam and Joe, As Good as Gold members and adopters.