It's Summer time & the 4th of July is right around the corner. That means backyard barbeques, block parties & fireworks. All of which can be overwhelming for your pets.

If you’re planning on hosting a cookout, here are some tips to keep it safe for your pets & your company.

If you have a dog that’s not friendly, the best place for them is either in the house in or in their crate. They’ll be more comfortable there & you won’t have to worry about them accidentally harming your guests.

However, if you have friendly dogs, manners are the first thing you should be concerned with because not everyone is as fond of your dogs as you are. They should be well trained to not jump up, stay away from the food and obey on command. This makes the cookout enjoyable for everyone. Politely ask your guests not to give your dog any scraps or alcohol as you may end up with a very sick dog at the end of the night. If you’re a guest at a cookout, don’t assume your dog is invited. Some people have dog friendly gatherings, but only bring your dog if they were invited & they’re well behaved.

At most parties on the 4th of July you can expect there to be fireworks. Either provided by the host, or viewing of the city’s fireworks. Not all dogs are OK with the loud noise. If yours is afraid, your best option is to leave them at home. If there’s fireworks at the party your at, be wary of sparklers and kids throwing firecrackers. Retrievers will typically go after anything that’s thrown, and it can have deadly results. Supervising your pets when it’s time to light the fireworks is your safest bet.

Summer gatherings with friends are a fun time, and whether you’re hosting one or going to one, make it a safe party with your pet.

Suzi Sevcik is the founder of PetLabels.com & proud dog owner. The experiences she writes about comes from living with her 3 Golden Retrievers. You can find more pet articles here: http://PetLabels.com/articles/ or email her at suzi@petlabels.com.