5 Ways to Help Your Dog Cope with Fireworks

It’s that time of year again. The time when a lot of us dog owners are waiting for that first loud bang in the sky only to see our pets go scurrying away into another room. Fireworks can be one of the scariest, most nerve-wracking, and most confusing things a dog can ever experience so it’s no wonder why some of them act the way they do. Here, I’m going to go over 5 helpful, effective, and natural solutions to make your night with your dog as stress-free as possible.

1. Exercise

It’s important that we give our dogs more mental and physical exercise than we do on a normal day. This is so we can drain all of their energy that would otherwise be keeping them more active and alert come night-time. When the fireworks start, we want there to be as little chance as possible for them to become overwhelmed because the more active a dog’s brain and body is, the quicker and more stressed they’ll become. By spending more time exercising them during the day we’re doing our part by preparing them to be tired during the night. Try doubling the amount length of their walk and/or playtime. When the dog is in their natural resting state, they’ll be less likely to become overwhelmed when it all kicks off.

2. Give them a hiding space

Too many owners try (and fail) to coax their dog from under the table, behind the couch, or out from the corner when it’s usually far more beneficial to allow them to just stay there. Your dog’s survival instincts will insist that they find a sheltered area for them to hide to keep out of harm’s way, this is why furniture and dark rooms are a popular choice among the terrified. It’s easy as humans to see fireworks as “nothing to worry about” but unfortunately, on the night, there’s not a lot we can do in trying to reverse their natural desire to stay alive. Chances are, coaxing them out of their hiding space is only going to create more fear and worry. Allow them to hide, don’t fight it, and just accept this is their own way of trying to keep themselves safe.

3. Avoid telling them “It’s Okay!”

It’s not so much the phrase we should avoid, but more the energy and affection we approach them with. As humans, our first thought is to hold them close and speak softly as a way of reassuring them. To a dog this means very little and can, in some cases, have the opposite effect. Your dog will see this energy as something to be concerned about and will only cause more worry, as if you’re also scared of those strange noises outside and confirming the idea that those strange noises are something everyone should be frightened of. Instead, try and only give them praise when they’re showing more relaxation and less stress as well as using more of a “neutral” tone of voice if you’re speaking to them.

4. Stay calm

Be a positive role model to your dog. If we already know that approaching with the wrong energy can only create more anxiety, then we can instead use that knowledge to inspire more confidence and more courage in our dogs. Show them that what’s going on outside doesn’t affect you and how you behave. Do what you normally do around the house, whether it’s cooking dinner, watching tv, or just lying on the couch. You can sit next to your dog if they are having a tough time and you do want to be close but make sure sure you’re staying calm and confident. This is a very natural way of letting your dog know that there is nothing to be frightened of and that calmness is also an option, even with everything going on outside.

5. Give their senses a break

Fireworks can be a total sensory overload with the sight, sound, and possibly even the smell all playing massive roles in how the dog perceives what they think is a life threatening experience. You might notice your dog keeping a cautious eye on the windows in the house or might even jump at the sound of something being dropped. This is because those survival instincts are telling them to be ready to bolt at a moment’s notice to avoid harm...you can imagine the amount of stress being this on-edge must cause all night. Dedicate a room where your dog can feel safe (step 2) and make it welcoming by doing your best to keep out any of the sights or sounds your dog is used to anticipating. Keep the windows covered so there’s no surprising flashes of light and play relaxing music to drown out any sound of sudden bangs.

When all said and done, your dog probably still won’t love fireworks. But hopefully if you’ve taken on board all the necessary steps, the night should be as stress-free as it possibly can. Make sure they’ve had plenty of exercise, that they have a secure place they can hide in a sheltered room, and that you are staying calm and being the best role model you possibly can be. Good luck!