Six Tips to Make Fireworks Night Easier for Your Dog

Hello, you lovely Pet Parent, you!

While we may find fireworks night to be exciting and fun, our dogs are highly likely to feel stressed and anxious. It’s up to us as pet parents to make Bonfire night as comfortable as possible for our furry friends. Here are six tips for keeping your dog safe and calm on and around fireworks night.

1. Set up a Safe Zone
   Set up a safe and secure area for your dog before the fireworks begin. Help them feel at ease by including their favourite toys, bedding, and water. If your dog is used to it a crate to provide security will help.
   
   
2. Keep them Indoors
   Keep your dog indoors as much as you can around Bonfire Night. The loud noises can cause them to panic and run off, potentially leading to accidents or getting lost. If your dog needs to go outside, make sure they are on a leash or in a securely fenced area.
   
   
3. Identification
   Bonfire Night is the night of the year when the most dogs go missing. Take the opportunity to check they’ve got an up-to-date tag and microchip.
   
   
4. Your State of Mind Helps
   Dogs are highly in tune to our emotions. Therefore it’s very important to keep nice and calm yourself. Be reassuring to your dog, however, avoid giving them to much attention as this can reinforce their anxiety.
   
   
5. Mask the Noise
   Turn up the TV much louder than usual, play background music or white noise to help drown out the sound of fireworks. The familiar sounds will provide a sense of normalcy and make the loud bangs far less noticeable for your dog.
   
   
6. Grab some Exercise Earlier in the Day
   If you have the time, tire your dog with plenty of exercise earlier in the day. They’ll be much more likely to just zonk out rather than pacing and fretting through the evening.

Fireworks night can be a struggle for our dogs, especially if fireworks are going off nearby. Try and set up early to get through the evening the best you can.

Good Luck!
Darren