How To Keep Your Dog Calm and Happy During Fireworks Night

Fireworks night can be a source of excitement and joy for humans, but for your dogs, it can be a time of anxiety and fear. The loud and unpredictable noises can cause disorientation, stress, and even trauma for some dogs. 

As a responsible dog owner, it is your duty to help ease their fears and keep them calm and comfortable during this time. In this blog post, we will share seven effective tips on how to keep your dog calm and happy during fireworks night.

One of the most effective ways to prepare your dog for fireworks night is to desensitise them to loud bangs. Start by playing recordings of fireworks sounds at low volumes and gradually increase the volume over several weeks. Pair the sounds with positive experiences such as playing, feeding treats, and giving praise.

Create a calming and comfortable space for your dog to retreat to during fireworks night. This could be a quiet room with curtains or blinds drawn, bedding, toys, and even an item of your clothing, for reassurance. Avoid confining your dog, as this can increase their stress levels. Instead, allow them access to their safe space throughout the night, so they can come and go as they please.

It is never a good idea to punish your dog for being anxious or afraid during fireworks night. This can make their fear worse and damage the bond between you and your best friend. 

Instead, use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats, verbal praise, and petting to reassure them. If your dog does something that you don’t like, redirect their behaviour to something more positive, such as playing with a toy or snuggling with you.

Block out the noise of fireworks as much as possible. Close the windows, draw the curtains, and turn on the TV or radio to mask the sound. 

You can also use white noise machines, fans, or calming music to distract your dog from the outside noise. Some dogs also benefit from wearing earplugs or headphones specially designed for pets. Spotify and Amazon music have a great selection of dog-calming playlists!

Keeping your dog mentally stimulated during fireworks night can help reduce their anxiety levels. Provide them with interactive toys such as treat-filled enrichment activities such as puzzle bowls and lick mats. 

Engage them in games that require concentration and provide rewards for success. This will help distract them from the outside noise and reduce their stress levels.

There are a number of natural calming supplements that can help reduce your dog’s anxiety, such as chamomile, taurine, lemon balm, l - tryptophan and lavender. These can be found in meal toppers, sprays, and even treats specifically designed to calm dogs during fireworks night. 

Our Peaceful Pooch Meal Topper or Peaceful Pooch Chews which contain targeted ingredients, including the ones mentioned above, to help reduce your dog's anxiety and promote calm behaviour do so without any sedative effect. This means your dog doesn't get drowsy and still remains alert, just calmer and stress free. 

If you're interested in trying these you can use the code PEACE10 at checkout to use on any one time purchase of either Peaceful Pooch product.

A dog snood is a specially designed piece of fabric that covers your dog’s head and ears. This can help muffle the sound of fireworks and provide a feeling of comfort and security. Some dogs also benefit from wearing a thunder shirt, which applies gentle pressure to their body, providing a calming effect similar to swaddling a baby.