Deseret News (Salt Lake City): Keep pets safe during 4th of July celebrations

Monday may be the noisiest day of the year. If you live in California, Florida, Idaho, Nebraska, Oregon, Texas, Utah or 30 other states, you can probably display some or all types of fireworks. Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Vermont may be a little less noisy, as those states allow only sparklers or other novelties. The least noisy states will be Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island where all consumer fireworks are banned.

Fear of loud noises including fireworks, thunder and cars that backfire can cause cats, dogs and other animals to seriously injure themselves or to panic and run away. Dogs hear five times greater than we do, and cats have even better hearing. No wonder loud noises can be terrifying to pets. And some pets are more fearful than others. It is not funny. Unfortunately, many pet owners don't consider the effects of firecrackers, bottle rockets and other serious noisemakers on their best friends.

It is too late to pre-condition your pet using tapes or CDs of fireworks, gunshots and backfires before the big day, but there are some things you can do to minimize your pet's stress and fear. Keep small pets, including cats and dogs, indoors in a quiet, safe place away from commotion. Turn on a radio or a television set to help minimize any outside loud noises. And check with your veterinarian about pet earplugs. If you are going to a public celebration, don't take your animals -- not on the Fourth of July. They will be safer and happier staying at home. If you must take your pet somewhere on the Fourth, use a carrier and/or a leash. Do not leave your pet locked in a vehicle, and make sure that your pet's ID tag is up-to- date. Above all, your children should have been taught to be kind to animals. Now is a good time to remind them that playing tricks on animals with fireworks is animal abuse. Ask them to be protective of pets and to keep them safe.

For fireworks safety information, visit www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/ pubs/012.html.

I'd like to point out that if a dog has the potential to harm humans and animals, the signs are always there. Owners and even many dog professionals play canine roulette by ignoring the obvious indicators. Or, they mistakenly believe that a dog that only growls or snarls some of the time won't really bite.

Question: What are the obvious signs of aggression?

Answer: Growling, snarling, curling lips, mounting people, lunging, snapping, blocking your path, barking aggressively and biting -- even if it does not break the skin.

If you have never seen the awful results of vicious dog attacks, I can assure you, the sights are not pretty. The trauma is long- lasting. The recovery often takes years of painful reconstruction. About 20 percent of total homeowners' insurance liability payouts in the United States each year are dog-bite related. In 1999, the total payout was $310 million, and it's growing. The total cost of dog bites is well over a billion dollars annually.

I don't agree with banning breeds because I have seen aggressive and non-aggressive dogs in every breed. It is you, the dog owner, who can help prevent aggressive behavior in dogs. Temperament-test your dog or any dog you want to adopt or purchase. Educate yourself about dogs and dog behavior. Read some books, and watch some videos. Learn the signs of aggression and if they rear their ugly heads, do something about it. Keep aggressive dogs away from children. Puppies under the age of 1 year may be able to have their behavior modified. Early training, by the way, is one of the best ways to prevent dog aggression. For a detailed description of the types of aggression, the signs of aggression, testing for aggression, liabilities and options, please visit www.unclematty.com/training/dangerdogs.htm. And while you are doing that, please have a safe and sane holiday weekend.

WOOF! And be safe. --Uncle Matty

Dog trainer Matthew "Uncle Matty" Margolis is co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and host of the PBS series "WOOF! It's a Dog's Life!" Send your questions to dearuncle.gazetteunclematty.com or mail to Uncle Matty at P.O. Box 3300, Diamond Springs, CA 95619. © Creators Syndicate Inc.