How to stop your dog from being scared of fireworks New Year’s Eve

December 30, 2025 3,108

As New Year’s Eve approaches, many dogs face a night filled with unexpected stress. Fireworks, loud noises, and flashing lights can trigger intense fear in pets. Without preparation, “Dogs that are scared of fireworks might hide, tremble, pace, or whine in response to the sounds,” said experts at Pet MD.

Taking action now can help your dog stay safe and calm when the night arrives. To help owners, we have listed three methods to prevent your dog from being afraid of fireworks this New Year’s Eve.

How to stop your dog from being afraid

To prevent your dog from being afraid of fireworks, try to tire them out beforehand. According to the expert, when dogs are both mentally and physically tired, they’re often less reactive to loud sounds.

So a full day of activities may help your dog stay calm and relaxed during fireworks. Long walks, hikes, or plenty of playtime earlier in the day should help your pooch before the noise begins.

The specialists also recommended sound training to help alleviate your dog’s fireworks anxiety by gradually exposing them to similar noises in a calm, controlled manner, allowing them to build confidence and feel less fearful over time.

They said: “Begin by playing a fireworks sound effect at a very low level for a brief period while giving your dog a series of small, tasty dog treats and lots of praise when they remain calm. Then turn the sound off and stop giving treats.

“Repeat the process, always with the sound at a low level, until your dog looks to you expectantly when it starts. Always be sure to check that your dog is comfortable with the sounds and not displaying signs of anxiety.

“Gradually turn up the sound in subsequent training sessions, varying the recordings to include a variety of firework types, until your dog begins to associate the noises with goodies and praise.”

The final tip is to schedule your dog’s dinner and late potty time earlier in the day. A dog who’s scared of loud noises may refuse to go outside once the fireworks begin, which may cause them to whine and bark further.

When you give your dog time to eat and potty ahead of time, it helps avoid stress and anxiety for them. “If you don’t have a fenced yard, take your dog out for potty walks on a dog leash, just in case you hear fireworks while you’re outside.”