23/10/2025
Firework Season is upon us once again. Some of our dogs are un-phased but for others this can be a tough season. Some dogs will respond to your supportive efforts; others simply can't think straight and take time to recover.
There are a handful of simple things you can do that can help many dogs at least a little bit. So we would like to share a few tips in the hope that some of you might benefit here or there.
1) Walk your dogs BEFORE it gets dark during this season. Close the curtains as it gets dark and it is good and fine for you to put TV or radio on to help cut across the sounds - this will help some. Classic FM often play music specifically for our dogs on Fireworks night itself.
2) What they need from you the most is for you to role model normality.
This means talking normally, going about doing things in the house normally. Be very careful in your efforts to try and make them feel okay because human style sympathy, the kind of reassurance we might give our young child, can go way off the mark for our dogs. If we look, sound, and act odd from their point of view, they can become even more alarmed. They look to us for security - they need to see you ignoring the fireworks yourself, behaving calmly (normally) and in control. Any stroking needs to be in a firm calm massage style at appropriate moments for the dogs. Touch will make some dogs worse whilst help others. Remember a stroke tells our dogs they are being good for something, so observe them carefully, I've watched shaking increase in dogs when being cuddled during fireworks and seen the shaking stop when the person walks away to do a chore. Preferably just go about your evening as if it is a night with no fireworks. We know it is distressing watching your dogs in distress, but if you get distressed you are adding to the stress!
3) If your dog has a permanent den i.e. a crate or a snug space they are used to going to and they want to be there, leave them there, don't try and encourage them out at any time; close doors, fully cover them, let them stay in hiding until they are ready to come out. If your dog has never had a crate or a den, don't set one up now - you are just adding something abnormal to a difficult situation which may cause further stress, however if your dog looks for a den when they don't normally have one, let them go into hiding where they are choosing and support that hiding place. You can look to setting them up with a proper long-term den that they can have a permanent positive relationship with at a later date.
4) If your dog is pacing, whining, barking, charging, climbing onto you trying to get into your skin, quietly go and get a lead, pop your dog on lead, bring a comfy bed next to where you are sitting and quietly but firmly tell them to settle on the bed, sit or down it doesn't matter, just try and take charge, don't let them get any sillier than they need to. They need your help to know how to handle themselves in the situation. They often need some confident and calm, decisive leadership and by stopping the pacing, you can reduce the adrenalin & cortisol levels even though they are still stressed. Just watch that you don't slip into mega human sympathy mode!
5) Bach Flower Rescue Remedy or Crystal Herbs Revival Remedy is a great natural aid for panic attacks and safe for dogs. It can help take the edge off. We put it in their water, their meals and give via treats. Number of drops depends on the breed of dog. I am always happy to guide.
6) If your dog will engage with some play during the evening, then please do play with them in an upbeat and fun way, but don't force it. If they will eat, give them something nice to settle down with.
If you have an increasing problem year on year, there are programmes of work out there to help de-sensitise dogs but for firework reactive dogs, it is better to work on these programmes during the spring and early summer when there is less likelihood of unpredictable interruptions.
