How to Help Your Dog during Fireworks?

New Year's Eve can be very stressful for your dog. The loud noises and bright flashes from fireworks can cause fear and anxiety. Luckily, there are ways to help your dog feel more safe and below you can see what we found worked for a number of dogs we know and who knows, it may work for your dog too.

Create a Safe Space for Your Dog

Make sure your dog has a quiet spot to retreat to. You may darkening the windows to shelter your dog from the firework flashes or attempt to mask the scary firework noises by playing other noises or music.

Reward Your Dog during Fireworks

Reward your dog with his or hers favorite treats whenever a firework noise sound. We have experienced with many dogs, we know, that it has a calming effect, when those treats were given when there were fireworks noises and not for excellent behavior. We suggest you do not ask for any particular behavior from your dog during the fireworks noises. Just give your dog a significant number of her favorite treats, since this can help your dog associate fireworks with positiveness and reduce its anxiety and stress.

Our Experience with dog Tobine

Our own dog Tobine, also used to be very scared on New Year's Eve. We also found that consistently giving her delicious treats during the fireworks significantly helped to reduce her anxiety and stress and today she can handle the evening with minimal discomfort and manages to stay calm.

Good luck to all dog parents out there, and Happy New Year.

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