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Many dogs have a fear of loud noises, and this is especially relevant on July Fourth, which may be filled with explosions and other loud sounds for extended periods of time. Follow the tips below to help your dog feel more calm and comfortable during the commotion that often occurs on this summer holiday.

Provide a safe place to hide: Most dogs will seek a hiding place after hearing the first crack of fireworks, so it's a good idea to set up a room beforehand that can serve as a refuge for your dog while the racket is going on outside. A good choice is a small room or crate since most dogs will try to hide in crowded spaces such as a closet or under the bed. The small quarters will be comforting to them and help them feel safe. Put your dog's bed and favorite toys in the room or crate so they have familiar items with them to help them feel calm. After setting up a safe room, play some soothing music or turn the TV on to mask some of the outside noise.

Keep your dog safe and secure: It is very important to keep your dog inside before, during and after the noise of fireworks. When dogs panic, they run, and as a result many dogs go missing on the Fourth of July. Putting your dog in the safe room at least an hour before you anticipate fireworks going off will give her time to adjust to the space and will ensure that you have her in a safe place before she finds a less suitable hiding place of her own. Check that your dog cannot harm herself while in the safe room. When some dogs panic they will do anything to escape, so it is imperative to remove anything your dog may try to chew or scratch through in an attempt to flee. Also make sure your dog is wearing her collar with her identification information, just in case she does escape before you are able to get her to a safe room. While your dog is indoors, be sure to keep all fireworks out of her reach. Unlit fireworks contain chemicals that can be toxic to dogs if ingested.

Leave your dog at home: Since your dog is a member of the family, you may be tempted to bring her along to enjoy the fireworks. But if you have the slightest doubt about—or have never seen—how your dog reacts to fireworks, it is best to leave her at home. Fireworks can provoke so much fear and panic in dogs that they sometimes cause even the most well-behaved and mild-mannered dogs to go into a state of terror that is difficult to control.

Reassure rather than reinforce: When your dog is afraid of something that is not a true threat, it is natural to want to sit with her, talk to her in a sweet, loving voice, and tell her that everything will be ok. But this reaction may reinforce your dog's sense of fear. If your dog is hiding and out of sorts because of fireworks, it is better to treat her as you normally would—when there are no fireworks going off—than to baby her fears. You want to project calmness but avoid enabling your dog's anxieties.

If necessary, remove your dog from the situation: Some dogs have such an intense fear of fireworks that they may need to be temporarily relocated to a quiet area on July Fourth, and on other occasions during which fireworks are used. If your dog is in this category, take her to a family member's or friend's home that is far away from any fireworks activity, if that option is available, or to a relatively calm and quiet kennel.

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