Helping Your Dog Cope With Fireworks: Preparing for New Year’s Eve
With Bonfire Night behind us, many in Cromer are already looking forward to the New Year’s Eve celebrations on the pier. However, for some, firework displays are a source of anxiety, especially for our beloved pets.
Dogs in particular can find fireworks distressing. The sounds, smells, and vibrations can all be overwhelming. Research suggests dogs can hear sounds several times farther than humans (Cole, 2009), and their ear shapes mean they process noise differently (Barber et al., 2020). Sensitivity varies between breeds, but all dogs hear frequencies we can’t, which helps explain why fireworks can be so frightening.
Preparing for New Year’s Eve
If your dog struggled during Bonfire Night, the good news is there’s still time to prepare before New Year’s Eve. Desensitisation and counterconditioning can help reduce stress for many dogs.
This involves gradually exposing your dog to low-level firework sounds while pairing them with something positive, such as food or play. You can use free resources like the Dogs Trust Firework Soundtrack, play it quietly in another room (even at low volume levels that seem quiet to us). While the sound plays, practice simple fun training exercises like sit, down, or heel, or try scatter feeding so your dog associates the noise with good things.
If you are unsure how fearful your dog may be, try playing a firework track very quietly to gauge their reaction. This helps establish a baseline for how much support or preparation they may need. You can find the Dogs Trust firework soundtrack through their website.
Creating a Safe Space
Provide a safe, quiet den for your dog well before the big night. This could be a crate or a covered corner with soft bedding. If you use a crate, ensure it is large enough for your dog to stand and turn comfortably, and always leave the door open. The goal is for your dog to choose to use the space, not feel trapped inside.
Place the den in a low-traffic part of your home, such as a corner of the living room, but not completely isolated, as this may force your dog to choose between staying near you or retreating to their safe space. If you will be hosting a few guests, your dog would likely prefer a quieter area to decompress.
Helping Your Dog Trust Their Safe Space
Some dogs will naturally explore and settle in their den, while others may need time to build confidence. The goal is to help your dog see this space as safe, calm, and rewarding.
Start by introducing it gradually:
Let your dog approach and investigate it on their own terms - never force them inside.
Reward any interaction: walking up to it, sniffing it, stepping a paw inside. Calmly drop or toss a treat each time.
Once your dog begins to enter comfortably, start feeding high-value treats or chews inside the space for a few minutes a day.
You can also scatter feed part of their meal there or give them a long-lasting chew while you sit nearby reading or watching TV, this builds positive associations.
The key is to create predictable, calm experiences in the space long before fireworks begin. That way, when noise occurs, your dog already recognises it as a safe, comforting spot they can retreat to by choice.
Additional Support
1 - Using calming aids like Adaptil plug-ins, sprays, or collars may help reduce anxiety. These release synthetic pheromones that mimic those produced by nursing mothers, providing reassurance to adult dogs. Use them a few days before fireworks are expected for the best effect.
2 - Avoid over-reassuring your dog during fireworks. It is natural to want to comfort them, but excessive attention (repeatedly saying “it’s okay” or cuddling too tightly) can accidentally reinforce their fear. Instead, act calmly and normally. If they seek contact, gently stroke them, but don’t make a big event of it.
3 - Masking sounds can also help. Try playing pop or rock music that contains similar rhythmic beats to fireworks, or even the TV, to reduce the sharp contrast of bangs.
Safety First
I strongly recommend keeping dogs indoors during fireworks displays. Even the most confident dogs can spook and bolt when frightened, which is extremely dangerous on a loud, dark, busy night.
Be mindful of neighbours when desensitising and avoid sudden noises that might scare their pets.
If your dog has severe anxiety / noise phobias, speak with your vet early. Some older sedative medications focused primarily on reducing movement rather than fear itself. Modern veterinary guidance focuses on medications that genuinely reduce anxiety rather than only suppressing behaviour.
Fireworks affect more than just dogs. Wildlife, outdoor cats, and even local hedgehogs can be frightened or injured. If possible, bring pets indoors, provide outdoor shelters, and let neighbours know well in advance if you plan to use fireworks.
If you do want a display, consider silent fireworks or light shows, which are far more animal-friendly. Remember that fireworks can also distress veterans, children, and vulnerable individuals. Being considerate benefits everyone.
In Summary
Helping your dog feel safe during fireworks is about understanding, preparation, and empathy. With gradual exposure, a safe space, and calm handling, you can make New Year’s Eve far less stressful for your dog.
If your dog struggles particularly at this time of year, or you would like support building a desensitisation plan, get in touch. I offer tailored training and behaviour support in Cromer and the surrounding North Norfolk areas, as well as providing online support for those further afield.
References and further reading:
Barber, A. L. A., Wilkinson, A., Montealegre-Z, F., Ratcliffe, V. F., Guo, K., & Mills, D. S. (2020). A comparison of hearing and auditory functioning between dogs and humans. Comparative Cognition & Behavior Reviews, 15, 45–94. https://doi.org/10.3819/ccbr.2020.150007
Cole, L. K. (2009). Anatomy and physiology of the canine ear. Veterinary Dermatology, 20(5–6), 412–421. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2009.00849.x
Dogs Trust. (2022, July 12). Sound therapy and firework training. https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/understanding-your-dog/sound-therapy-for-pets
