Fireworks are a highlight of the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve for us. For a lot of dogs they’re the worst nights of the year. My dog Milly is scared of fireworks and thunderstorms alike.
Fireworks have one thing going for them: you usually know when they’re coming. Planning before the night gives you far more options than scrambling once the bangs start.
Signs your dog is scared of fireworks
The American Kennel Club lists these signs of fireworks fear:
- Trembling or shaking
- Panting and pacing
- Barking or howling
- Hiding
- Trying to escape
- Being unusually clingy
- Refusing food
Some signs are quieter. The RSPCA points to heavy panting and yawning as subtler signs of distress.
Why fireworks frighten dogs
Fireworks are loud. The RSPCA puts them at 120 to 175 decibels, and notes that dogs have a greater hearing range than we do and are more sensitive to sound.
Volume is only part of it. The AKC also points to the flashes, the smell and the random, unpredictable timing. A dog can’t know when the next bang is coming, or that it will stop.
It’s a common fear. In a 2020 Finnish study of about 13,700 pet dogs, fear of fireworks was the most common noise fear, reported in 26% of dogs.
Before the fireworks: get ready early
Check ID and microchip details
Frightened dogs bolt. Make sure your dog is microchipped, that the contact details are up to date, and that their collar tag is easy to read.
Set up a den
Choose a quiet spot away from windows. The AKC suggests a basement or a closet, or your dog’s crate if that’s where they feel safe. Add their bed, favorite toys and a few treats. The RSPCA advises settling your dog there each evening before the fireworks begin, and keeping it open to them at all times.
Walk in daylight
Take a long walk well before dusk, so your dog is tired and safely home before the first bang. Check the fit of the collar or harness and keep the leash on.
Practice with recordings
Both the AKC and the RSPCA recommend sound practice. Play fireworks sounds quietly, reward your dog, and raise the volume gradually over many sessions. Keep it low enough that your dog stays relaxed. This takes time, so start well ahead of fireworks season.
Tip
If last year went badly, talk to your vet well before the next celebration. It gives you both time to find what suits your dog.
During the fireworks
Keep your dog indoors, with windows and curtains closed. Never take a dog to a display, and don’t leave them tied up outside.
Put on some background sound. Music, the TV, a fan or a white noise machine all help to mask the bangs.
Let your dog do what they need to. The RSPCA’s advice is to let them pace or hide, and not to coax them out of a hiding place. They’re looking for somewhere that feels safe.
Stay with them if you can. You can comfort your dog, and the AKC recommends a soothing voice and long, slow strokes. Otherwise, stay calm and carry on as normal, as the RSPCA advises.
Offer toys and treats without pressing them. A scared dog may not want either.
Helping your dog cope next time
Preparation on the night manages the fear. Training between fireworks seasons can reduce it. The Merck Veterinary Manual says many fears and phobias can be treated with behavior modification programs that focus on desensitization and counterconditioning. In plain terms, that means gradual exposure paired with rewards.
A qualified trainer or behaviorist can guide you through it. The AKC recommends professional help for dogs who need gradual desensitization.
If thunder is a problem too, see our guide to calming a dog during a thunderstorm. Our article on noise anxiety in dogs has more background.
What to avoid
Don’t shout at or punish a frightened dog. Don’t force them out of a hiding place. And don’t leave them home alone on fireworks night if you can help it.
The yard isn’t a safe place either. A dog who’s fine out there on a normal evening may try to get over or under the fence once the bangs start.
When to talk to your vet
The RSPCA’s advice is plain: if you’re concerned about how your dog reacts to fireworks, see your vet. They can refer you to a qualified behaviorist and prescribe medication if it’s needed.
Ask before using calming chews, supplements or CBD products. The AKC lists these, along with anxiety vests, as things to discuss with your vet.
Common questions
Should I comfort my dog during fireworks?
Yes. Staying close, speaking calmly and stroking your dog slowly can help. Keep your own behavior relaxed and normal.
How early should I start preparing my dog for fireworks?
Start sound practice well before fireworks season, because it works in small steps over many sessions. Set up the den ahead of time too, so it’s familiar by the first night.
Do anxiety vests help with fireworks?
They may help some dogs. The AKC lists them among the options to talk through with your vet, alongside training and a safe space.
Can I give my dog something to calm them down?
Talk to your vet first. That includes over-the-counter chews, supplements and CBD products as well as prescription medication.
Why do dogs run away during fireworks?
Trying to escape is a fear response. Keep your dog indoors with doors and windows shut, walk them on a leash, and make sure their microchip and tag details are current.
Sources
- American Kennel Club: How to Keep Your Dog Calm During Fireworks
- RSPCA: Pets and fireworks
- RSPCA: How fireworks impact animals
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Behavior Problems in Dogs
- Salonen and others, Scientific Reports, 2020: Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs
