Families across the country celebrate many occasions by enjoying fireworks – the bigger the display and the louder the explosions, the better. For the family dog however, the Fourth of July and other firework-laden celebrations can be a source of extreme fear and stress.

"Fireworks can terrify our pets," said Traci Theis, PetsIncredible trainer and 2006 Dog Trainer of the Year. "What many pet parents don't realize is that the sound of loud explosions may create even more fear and stress for a confined pet left alone in a house. It is important for pet parents to recognize the stressors in their pet's environment, how it can affect them, and most importantly, how to prevent the pet from hurting themselves or others."

The environment we humans live in is full of noises and smells that can frighten and confuse our pets. In addition to holiday celebrations, summer also marks the beginning of the thunderstorm season in many parts of the country. This stress can cause pets to act out in ways that they normally wouldn't. In general, animals that show signs of stress during thunderstorms or fireworks celebrations typically act out in the following ways:

· Shaking, trembling, drooling

· Excessive barking, howling

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