Dog afraid of fireworks: how to help on New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is the one night of the year when I would happily hide under the sofa and come out in January. I'm Parťák, the cartoon dog of FreshPaw, and one thing I know for sure: a dog afraid of fireworks is not making it up. To him, bangs mean danger, and nobody can explain that it's a party. Here is what really helps and what you should have ready before the shooting starts.

Prepare before the first bang

Fireworks go off for several days before New Year's Eve and a few days after. So don't wait until 31 December to prepare. Pick a quiet spot for your dog, such as a bed in the room farthest from the street, or a box with a blanket. Let him get used to it now, on ordinary days when nothing is happening.

The second thing is safety. On New Year's Eve, dogs bolt in panic, even those who normally walk perfectly at your side. Check that your dog has a tag with your phone number on the collar or harness, and that the contact details linked to the microchip in the register are up to date. Outside, keep him on a leash only, even for a quick moment in front of the house.

A walk before dark

Walk your dog well before it gets dark and the fireworks begin. The more he runs and sniffs, the easier it is for him to cope at home afterwards. Keep the evening walk short, close to home and on a leash. If you know where fireworks are usually set off near you, choose a different route. And never take your dog to a fireworks display so that he "gets used to it". It doesn't work like that, the fear only gets deeper.

At home: a safe place and calm

• Close the windows and draw the curtains or blinds. Flashes of light frighten as much as the sound.
• Put on the TV, radio or music your dog knows. Make it loud enough that everyday sounds partly cover the bangs outside.
• Leave your dog free access to his hiding place. Don't shut him in and don't drag him out.
• Stay with him and act normally. If you look calm, it is easier for him to find calm. Dramatic comforting, on the other hand, signals that something terrible really is happening.
• Don't punish him for trembling, barking, whining or a destroyed blanket. He isn't doing it on purpose.
• No fireworks or sparklers near him, not in the garden and not on the balcony.

Ouška: ear muffs for dogs

Ouška are a neoprene headband that covers the dog's ears and dampens noise around him. They suit fireworks, thunderstorms, and also vacuuming or hair drying. They fasten under the chin and the circumference can be adjusted. They come in sizes S, M and L for dogs with a head circumference of 25 to 60 cm, so measure the head with a tape before ordering. There are seven colours.

Now, honestly: Ouška dampen noise, but they don't remove it completely. Use them only under supervision and don't leave the dog alone in them. If he chews them, scratches at them or is clearly uncomfortable, take them off. And don't try them for the first time at midnight. Put them on calmly a few days ahead, for a moment, and reward him so he gets used to them. Delivery takes 3 to 20 working days, so don't leave your order until the last week of the year.

If your dog panics, see a vet in good time

If your dog trembles, pants, drools, tries to escape or freezes and doesn't respond during the bangs, talk to your vet well in advance, not on the afternoon of 31 December. The vet will assess the dog and advise what is suitable for him. I don't recommend any medication, I'm a cartoon dog. The headband and the tips in this article are not treatment.

You'll find more things for winter and for under the tree in the Gifts collection. And if you are wondering what your dog should wear on winter walks, have a look at the article on winter clothing for dogs.