28/05/2026
Cracker night is this coming Saturday, which means fireworks will likely start early. Make sure your dog is brought inside well before dark and that all gates, doors, and rooms are secure. A panicked dog can easily force open or jump over a gate when frightened.
Even dogs that have never shown fear around or never experienced fireworks before can become startled, so it is always best to prepare ahead of time rather than wait until your dog is already stressed.
If your dog is scared of fireworks, it is absolutely okay to comfort them. Fear is not a behaviour your dog chooses, so you cannot reinforce or reward fear by reassuring them.
Here are a few ways you can help your dog feel safer and more comfortable:
1️⃣ If your dog wants to hide, let them. Many dogs feel safest under a bed, behind furniture, or in a quiet enclosed space.
2️⃣ Close curtains and windows and put on music, the TV, or white noise to help block out the sound of fireworks.
3️⃣ If your dog is willing to eat, offer something calming and long lasting to lick or chew such as a Kong, snuffle mat, or even peanut butter spread on a plate.
4️⃣ Avoid forcing your dog outside if fireworks are going off. Take toilet trips earlier in the evening where possible and keep your dog on lead if they do need to go outside.
5️⃣ Make sure your dog’s ID tags and microchip details are up to date. Unfortunately, cracker night is one of the busiest times of year for lost pets.
If your dog is too stressed to eat, pace, settle, or recover after the fireworks, reach out to us. Your dog does not have to struggle through every fireworks display or thunderstorm. We can help you work on changing your dog’s emotional response to these noises so they feel safer and more confident in the future.
