It is almost celebration time, and that means fireworks. I love fireworks. They are beautiful and fun. It’s great being able to get together with family to enjoy this spectacular event. For me, family includes my dogs Maya & Pierson. But this is one family event where they are not allowed.

Last year, a friend of ours found a dog that had run off from her owner’s yard because the neighbors were shooting fireworks. Her name was Shiera and she was lucky. She had run a long distance and crossed many streets in her haste to get away from the frightening noises of fireworks. Luckily, she didn’t get hit by a car. And thankfully, she found my friend who enlisted my help.

Shiera was not wearing any identification so we had no way of knowing where she belonged. The next morning I had her scanned for a microchip and found nothing. Thankfully, Shiera’s owner and I found each other through our posts on Craig’s List. You can read the full story HERE.

Shiera’s owner learned a valuable lesson about fireworks. Shiera’s fate could have been far worse. So to keep this from happening to you and your best friend, we suggest the following pet safety tips:

- Before the fireworks start, take your dog for a long walk to tire him out and let him do his business.

- Leave your dog at home, inside, and in a secure place. A secure place can be his dog crate or a room.

- Even if indoors, make sure your dog is wearing his tags. I’ve heard of dogs breaking out screens or even glass windows in order to get out and away.

- Turn on something loud to disguise the noise. Consider calming music like “Through a Dog’s Ear”. My dog Sephi liked to hide in the bathroom so I would turn on the fan in order to help cover the noise.

- If you are home, play with your dog while fireworks going on. This may help your dog associate fun with the noise.

- Talk to your veterinarian about a dog anxiety treatment.

Pierson wearing his Thundershirt.

Nothing will ruin the fun festivities of fireworks more than losing your best friend because of them. The above tips are simple things you can do to help your dog feel more comfortable and safe. So practice pet safety and go have some worry-free fun!

What do you do for your dog during these celebrations? We stay home. Maya, being a Lab, isn’t concerned about loud noises. Pierson barks, but he seems to take his cue from Maya that there is nothing to be concerned about. I will probably have him wear his Thundershirt.

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Look what we won! No travel destination today. But we do have a great calendar from GoPetFriendlyBlog.com with lots of great photos of their dogs Ty and Buster at great pet travel destinations.

Look what we won from GoPetFriendly.com!

The calendar is titled “Travels with Ty & Buster”. This month for June, Ty and Buster are pictured at Bar Harbor, Maine. It’s a great photo of them chilling out on some nice lush green grass in front of the scenic harbor. There are also photos of them in Stowe, Vermont, Stone Mountain, Georgia, and Newport, Rhode Island.

One of many great photos of Ty & Buster in the GoPetFriendly.com calendar. Click the photo to visit their blog and see more photos of Ty & Buster in Woodstock, Vermont.

Another thing I love about the calendar is that in many of the photos, Ty and Buster are wearing their Kurgo dog car harnesses!!! It’s so great seeing these guys traveling safe as they visit so many wonderful pet travel destinations across the continent.

Do you want a Ty and Buster calendar? You can win one too. Just enter the Friday Photo Challenge which is held EVERY Friday on GoPetFriendlyBlog.com. This week, enter HERE. Then visit their blog regularly for other photo challenges.

A pet car barrier to keep your dog from distracting the driver.

Traveling in a pet crate or dog seat belt would be safer for your best friend. But some dogs just don’t like riding in them. We advise training them to get used to it, but we understand that is not always so easy. And sometimes you just need a short term solution until you can get them used to it. That’s where a dog car gate can come in handy.

The best safety feature of pet car barriers is that they can help keep your dog from being a distraction to the driver. Your dog can no longer stand on the center console. And a dog car gate will deter your dog from trying to climb over and into your lap.

Pet car barriers may provide some protection in a car accident. With a dog car gate in place, your dog won’t fly to the front seat and hit you or crash into the windshield.

A metal dog car barrier.

We have three different kinds of pet car barriers. There is a metal dog car gate. This tends to have the most coverage, but they are installed with pressure mounts which may leave indentations on the ceiling and floor. Small dogs may be able to get through the bar gates. And the wire mesh gate is not a universal fit so there may still be some gaps for your dog to go through on the sides.

The Pet Net Brand car barrier.

The next type of divider we have is called The Pet Net Brand. It is durable yet flexible, which means if your dog flies forward into it, the pet net will absorb some of the impact. But this divider does not go all the way to the top or the sides. So a determined dog might be able to climb over it or find a way over on the sides.

My Maya behind the Outward Hound pet car barrier.

The third type of divider is the cloth dividers. This is the simplest, and oftentimes the least expensive, of the pet car barriers to install. They only cover the center console area, though. So a determined dog can climb over it, just like with the pet nets.

If your dog doesn’t like riding in the pet crate or hates wearing a dog seat belt, consider one of the three different kinds of pet car barriers. A metal dog car gate generally works best in SUVs while the pet net and cloth dividers will work in both cars and SUVs. The metal ones generally work best for larger dogs while the net and cloth ones are better at keeping smaller dogs in the back seat. Take the size and the temperament of your best friend into account. Think about which product would work best for your vehicle. And, as always, have happy and safe travels.

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Do you know Maya and Pierson? The beautiful yellow Labrador pictured at the top of this blog isn’t just some random puppy. That is my Maya! She’s been pictured on this blog a number of times, along with my Australian Shepherd mix Pierson. They aren’t just models for pet auto safety products, they have other talents too. Check out some non-travel pet photos of them below:

Maya finds a big puddle of mud along one of the dog park nature trails.

Maya, bottom right, waiting for me to throw the tennis ball. Lots of other dogs in the background are having a good time.

Maya likes to sleep on her back.

Pierson too.

Pierson loves agility. Jumping through the hula hoop was the first agility trick he learned.

Pierson goes through the dog agility tunnel.

Last summer, playing in the sprinkler was Maya and Pierson’s favorite activity.

Do you want to get to know Maya and Pierson even more? Sign up for our other blog - http://americandogblog.wordpress.com/. At the top right of our blog is where you will find the email sign up. We post about twice a week. Check out today’s post for Wordless Wednesday to see how Maya and Pierson help out at work. Then check us out on Saturdays where we post about dog training, Maya and Pierson antics, pet health, or other fun dog topics.

For more fun pet photos, check out the Wordless Wednesday blog hop below.

Eureka! I think I’ve found a great and relatively nearby pet travel destination. I love nature, I love history, and I love a little fantasy. And Eureka Springs, Arkansas has it all!

For fantasy, check out Castle Rogue’s Manor. I called them yesterday and confirmed that friendly pets on leashes are allowed. This is a scenic castle built from the native trees of the Ozarks, including black walnut and Arkansas red cedar. The following photos were taken by our friend Flea at the Jones Natural Chews blog.

For history, check out the following two videos of pet friendly places.

Pea Ridge National Military Park

Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railway

For nature… Well, Eureka Springs is situated in the Ozarks. There are nature trails galore! Hike to some interesting rock formations - Pivot Rock and Natural Bridge. Or go check out the Beaver Dam just west of town.

This pet travel destination is only four-and-a-half hours from where I live. Hmmm. Perhaps I should put the dog car harnesses on Maya and Pierson, hop in the car, and go to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. What do you think?

A customer shared this photo of her dog Bailey. Notice that Bailey has a banana sticker on his eye.

I am lucky in that my dogs Maya & Pierson don’t get into the trash. I don’t think it has ever occurred to them. My dog Sephi used to, but it did take some training and preventative measures. Not only is it annoying to have to clean up a trash mess, but there are all sorts of dangers to worry about. And it is a common problem. Look over these dangers, and then consider some pet safety training and prevention techniques.

DANGERS

Head Stuck – This one can be more funny than dangerous… funny for you but not your dog. Check out this hilarious video:

Tummy Ache – At the very least, your dog will get a tummy ache from the trash he ate.

Poison – Some foods are poisonous to dogs. Chocolate, for example, although who would put some perfectly good chocolate in the trash. Onions are not good for dogs either. Here is a larger list at HSUS. Food poisoning can also include salmonella. I sometimes take the skin off chicken before I bake it. If I throw that skin in the trash and my dogs get into it a day or so later, they are in great danger of getting salmonella poisoning. Salmonella poisoning can be deadly. And food poisoning is not the only danger. Have you ever thrown away an empty bottle of cleaner? Perhaps it wasn’t completely empty and there was some residue left over.

Gastrointestinal Obstruction – Also consider the danger of gastrointestinal blockage. This can happen from your dog eating bones, aluminum foil, corn on the cob, or other things that your dog’s stomach can’t digest. Gastrointestinal obstruction can cause your dog great distress and can even lead to death. Read more at PetMD.

SAFETY AND PREVENTION

The best way to keep your dogs out of the trash is to prevent them from getting into the trash in the first place. If you have a pantry where the door can close, put your trash can in there. If not, perhaps you can use a small trash can in the kitchen and put it under the kitchen sink. Put baby guards on the cupboard door too. If neither of those places are convenient for you, get a trash can with a lid. A lid that opens when you step on a pedal might work better than a lid where you push open (as evidenced in the above video).

DOG TRAINING

Prevention may not always be easy. Sometimes there is just no good place to put your trash can and perhaps your dog is smart enough to open any trash can lid. Another alternative is to try training. This may not be easy to do and it is not foolproof, but anything you can do to keep your dog out of the trash benefits both you and your best friend.

Control the situation by leaving tempting but not dangerous items in the trash. Leave the room and listen closely. If you hear your dog trying to get in the trash, come out and say, “No!” in a firm voice. You must catch your dog in the act for this to work. It does little good to tell your dog no before or after the incident.

Does your dog get into the trash? Do you think any of these ideas will help? Does anyone have any other ideas to keep your dog out of the trash?

Thank you for your comments and thanks for stopping by for Pet Safety Saturday!

I’ve been in a creative mood lately and have taken a few photos of Maya & Pierson and added some captions. If you like them, Pin and share!

Here are a couple that are not pet travel related, but I think are my funniest memes yet:

For more fun pet photos, check out the Wordless Wednesday blog hop below:

Carmel is the Ultimate Pet Travel Destination

No, that’s not my Maya in the photo above. I wish it was. I think she’d really like to visit the beach in Carmel, California. I bet your dog would too. Carmel, California was voted Best City for Pet Travelers by GoPetFriendly.com‘s readers in 2013. Here’s why.

Check out how much fun these dogs (and people) are having at Carmel City Beach where dogs are allowed off-leash.

Garland Ranch Regional Park looks like a great place to take a nature walk. Check out this video of a beautiful dog named Lilly at Garland Ranch Regional Park.

Didn’t get in enough walking? Take your dog on a two hour walking tour through gardens, cottages, and more with the Carmel Walks walking tour.

There are also a lot of fun places to shop in Carmel. Several shops at the Carmel Village shopping area along Ocean Avenue are pet friendly. The PortaBella restaurant has a dog friendly outdoor patio on Ocean Avenue. There are a number of other restaurants in Carmel that have dog friendly outdoor patios, such as Cafe Stravaganza, Forge in the Forest, Plaza Linda, and Flaherty’s Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar.

After all that walking, relax with a nice glass of wine at Taste Morgan.  This is a winery where well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome.

Oh, we forgot to mention pet friendly accommodations. There are a number of them in Carmel, California. The Lodge at Pebble Beach is the only pet friendly accommodation we found on DogFriendly.com that doesn’t charge any additional pet fees.

I don’t think I’ve covered everything there is to do with your dog in Carmel. If you want to know more, check out DogFriendly.com and GoPetFriendly.com. If you’ve already been to Carmel with your dog, tell us about it. Or tell us your favorite pet travel destination. Don’t forget, wherever you travel, be sure your best friend travels safe.

My dogs Maya and Pierson in the back seat of my car wearing their pet safety belts for both my safety and theirs.

My dog Pierson is great in the car. He sits so quietly in the back seat that I could almost forget he is there. If he were your dog, you might think, “Well, he doesn’t need a seat belt then.” But I think he still does. He may not be a distraction, but his safety is important to me. There is another reason to consider restraining your dog in the car. The following are three major points I’d like to make about pet safety belts:

REDUCES DRIVER DISTRACTION
Not all dogs behave in the car like my Pierson does. My Labrador Maya is crazy in the car. I do mean CRAZY! She loves it so much that she can hardly control herself. If she wasn’t wearing a dog seat belt, she’d be all over the place. Dogs like my Maya really can be a dangerous distraction and they really can cause car accidents. Don’t believe me? Here are some Real Life Examples.

Also, a study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham who studied drivers 70 and over found that those driving with their dogs were 50% more likely to get into a car accident. That article can be read on SpotNews in Alabama. I bet it is true for other age groups as well.

HELPS PROTECT YOUR DOG
If you consider a safety tested dog seat belt brand, your dog could be better off with their restraint than they would be without. Pet safety belts may prevent your dog from being thrown about the car, into other passengers, onto the floor, or through the windshield. A dog wearing a restraint won’t be able to run from the scene. And it will be easier for medical personnel to help a restrained pet.

THE LAW
New Jersey has made it the law that pets be restrained in the car. I was recently asked about this dog seat belt law in New Jersey. The question was whether a dog had to wear a seat belt or if a pet travel crate was okay for dogs riding in the car. Here is a quote directly from the New Jersey State Legislature regarding the law – “The driver of a passenger automobile shall secure or cause to be secured in an appropriately sized, properly adjusted, and fastened seat belt restraint system, any non-crated domestic dog or cat that is being transported in the vehicle.”

Trying to interpret laws can sometimes be difficult, but the wording ‘any non-crated domestic dog or cat’ tells me that if your pet is crated in the car, the law doesn’t apply. But if the pet is not crated, he must wear a dog seat belt.

It may not be law in your state yet, but you can be ticketed for unsafe driving in any state. So if your dog is acting crazy in the car or if your driving seems to be affected by the fact that you have a dog in your lap, you could be fined.

If your dog won’t wear a dog seat belt, then consider securing them in a pet travel crate. Or try some of our training tips to get your dog used to wearing the car restraint. Our training tips can be found on an article we wrote – Getting Your Dog Used to a Dog Car Harness.

I know our dogs love to stick their heads out the car window and they may even seem depressed when they suddenly find themselves confined in a dog seat belt. But it is important that we do what is best for them, and for ourselves. Protect your best friend, just as you do for yourself and your children.

Duncan’s dad shared a wonderful photo of Duncan wearing his new Bergan dog car harness. Don’t you just love that sweet face! And what a beautiful color Duncan’s coat is.

Duncan is ready to ride in his new Bergan dog car harness.

Duncan’s owner had this to say, “We drove 910 miles on Friday and he was great.  He did manage to slip out of the front of the harness twice but I don’t think I had it tight enough.”

Yes, that can happen. Unfortunately, the tighter you make the harness, the more likely a dog will try to get out of it. And if you make it too tight, the dog could hurt himself trying to get out of it. Duncan’s owner believes Duncan will not try to get out of it once he gets used to it. That’s right. It just takes a little practice.

Thank you, Duncan’s dad for sharing!!!

For more Wordless Wednesday pet photos, check out the blog hop below: