Interview with Cesar Millan: Dog Safety Tips for The Fourth of July

Protect your canine from fireworks-induced stress.

Happy Fourth, everyone! It is that time of the year for fireworks. And that means that Cesar Millan wants to talk dog safety. Firework, sparkler, and firecracker sounds can startle your pets, cause unnecessary stress, and even risk injury.

Also known as the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan has spent years training and rehabilitating canines for lifelong friendships with humans. He sat down with me to talk about how dog owners should prepare for nighttime noise.

On July 4, why are fireworks dangerous for pets and pet owners? And why should dog owners take care?

Dogs can hear up to three times better than people, given that they can identify pitches that surpass the ones we can. Sudden, loud sounds, such as fireworks shows, can injure their hearing and trigger fear responses. Fireworks can agitate your pet and trigger stress. Anxiety can showcase itself differently for each animal and may even encompass a fight-or-flee response. Some dogs may be scared in silence while others may bark or even run away.

What are some facts about fireworks, firecrackers and sparklers that pet owners may not know but should?