How to Help Keep Your Dog Calm During Fireworks
For many of us, fireworks mean fun, celebration, and colourful displays lighting up the sky. But for our dogs, it can feel like the world’s ending! The loud bangs, flashing lights, and unfamiliar sounds can be incredibly overwhelming, leaving them stressed, anxious, and desperately searching for safety. So how do we keep dogs calm during fireworks?
If you’ve ever had to comfort your dog through fireworks, like we have with our own senior Jack Russell, you know how tough it can be. But with a few simple steps, you can help your furry friend feel a little calmer and more secure when the skies explode with noise.
Why Are Dogs Scared of Fireworks?
Dogs experience the world through their senses, and fireworks are an assault on pretty much all of them. The loud noises, unpredictable sounds, and bright flashes can trigger their fight-or-flight instinct, causing stress and anxiety. Unlike us, dogs don’t understand what’s happening, so their fear is very real to them. Some dogs will hide, shake, pant, or even try to escape when they hear fireworks.
Tips for Calming Your Dog During Fireworks
Here’s how you can help ease your dog’s fear and make firework nights a little more bearable:
- Create a Safe Space
- Set up a cosy, quiet spot where your dog can retreat when they’re feeling scared. This might be their bed, a crate, or even a corner of the room with some blankets. Encourage them to use this space before the fireworks start so they already feel comfortable there.
- Block Out the Noise
- Try to muffle the sound of fireworks by closing windows, drawing curtains, and playing calming music or white noise. The goal is to reduce the intensity of the bangs so they’re less startling, keeping your dogs calm during the fireworks display.
- Use Calming Treats
- As mentioned in our post “Can Calming Treats Help Your Dog Relax?”, calming dog treats can be a huge help during stressful situations like fireworks. These treats are packed with natural ingredients that help soothe anxiety, giving your dog a sense of calm when the fireworks start popping. Just make sure to give them the treats before the fireworks begin for the best results.
- Stay Calm and Reassure Them
- Dogs pick up on our emotions, so staying calm, acting normal and reassuring can help them feel more at ease. If your dog wants to be close to you, offer gentle affection, but if they prefer to hide, let them do so without forcing them out.
- Distraction is Key
- Try to keep your dog’s mind occupied with a fun toy or puzzle. If your dog enjoys chewing, give them a long-lasting chew treat or a favourite toy from their subscription box to keep them busy and distracted from the noise.
- Consider Desensitisation Training
- In the long run, desensitising your dog to fireworks sounds by playing recordings at a low volume and gradually increasing it can help them become less reactive over time. This takes patience and should be done well in advance of firework season.
What to Avoid
While you’re doing your best to keep your dog calm, here are a few things to avoid:
- Don’t Punish Your Dog: If they’re acting out of fear, punishing them will only increase their anxiety and confusion.
- Don’t Force Them Outside: Some dogs will refuse to go outside during fireworks, and that’s okay. Let them stay indoors where they feel safer.
- Avoid Unnecessary Stress: Try to keep their routine as normal as possible on the days leading up to, and on Bonfire Night. Sudden changes in their environment or routine could increase their anxiety.
Helping Your Dogs Stay Calm on Fireworks Night
Remember, your dog’s fear of fireworks is real, and they rely on you to help them feel safe and secure. By preparing ahead of time and using calming techniques like creating a safe space, blocking out noise, and offering calming treats, you can help them get through the night with less stress and anxiety.
Fireworks might always be a bit scary for dogs, but with your support and some calming strategies, you can make a world of difference for your furry friend.
If you want to treat your dog to a box full of fun toys and treats to help keep your dogs calm during fireworks around Bonfire Night, head over to the shop and find the perfect Woofbox for them. If you’d like to see if your dog gets on with calming treats, leave a note on your order and we’ll make sure to put some in the box for them to try!
Sending big cuddles to your pooch!
