Helping Your Dog Cope with Fireworks: A Comprehensive Guide

Fireworks may light up the Hampshire skies on Bonfire Night, but for many dogs, it’s pure terror. Trembling, panting, hiding, barking — around half of all dogs in the UK struggle when fireworks start. Without help, their fear often worsens each year.

The good news? With preparation, the right environment, and some expert-backed tools, you can make fireworks season far less frightening for your furry friend.

Understanding the Fear: Why Are Fireworks So Scary for Dogs?

To us, fireworks are fun and festive. To dogs, they’re a sensory overload:

• Unpredictable bangs: The sudden, random explosions feel threatening.

• Bright flashes: In the dark, the bursts of light are startling.

• Vibrations: Dogs can sense low-frequency vibrations in the ground and air that we barely notice.

• Smells: Fireworks give off smoke and chemicals — a cocktail of strange scents.

  
  

With so many senses triggered at once, it’s no wonder their instinct is to hide and protect themselves.

Preparing Your Dog for Fireworks: Essential Steps

Preparation is everything. If you start weeks before fireworks season, you can teach your dog that bangs aren’t dangerous.

1. Sound Therapy

• Use the Dogs Trust “Sounds Scary” audio programme.

• Begin at a whisper-quiet level while feeding your dog high-value, small treats. If your dog isn't really into food, try playing a fun game of tug. Keep the session short (e.g., 5 mins) and watch for your dog reacting to the noises.

• The key here is to keep it easy. You want your dog to learn that the background noises aren't anything to worry about and, in fact, mean that something great is going to happen!

• Gradually raise the volume across daily sessions so the sound of bangs = something good.

• If your dog panics even at the lowest setting, speak to your vet and look for a qualified trainer or behaviourist. You can browse trusted professionals in our dog trainers in Hampshire section.

  
  

Incorporate Free Work: Free Work is a gentle, choice-based activity that lets dogs explore, sniff, lick, and chew in ways that naturally help them self-soothe. It works beautifully alongside sound therapy because it encourages calm while your dog listens to low-level fireworks noises.

How to Set Up Free Work at Home

• Snuffle Mats or Scatter Feeding: Hide kibble or tiny treats in a snuffle mat or scatter them on a rug or lawn. Sniffing taps into your dog’s strongest sense and helps lower stress.

• LickiMats: Spread something tasty (xylitol-free peanut butter, cream cheese, mashed banana) onto a LickiMat. If you don't have one, you can use something like a Tupperware lid with a bit of texture on it. Licking releases endorphins, which are natural “feel-good” chemicals that calm the nervous system.

• Novel Textures and Objects: Place towels, cardboard boxes, or bath mats for your dog to investigate. Gentle problem-solving builds confidence.

• Chews: Long-lasting chews provide both mental stimulation and calming endorphins.

  
  

The aim here isn’t distraction but helping your dog feel safe and relaxed while the sounds play. Over time, bangs become linked with calm activities.

2. Build a Safe Haven (The Den)

Dogs naturally seek out small, enclosed spaces when they’re afraid. A den works because:

• It muffles sound and blocks flashes.

• It gives your dog control — they can retreat and feel safe.

• It becomes familiar if you introduce it positively before Bonfire Night.

  
  

If you don’t have a crate:

• Place a table in a corner and drape blankets over it to create a covered nook.

• Arrange two or three chairs with an old duvet or blanket over the top.

• Add your dog’s bed, some worn clothes that smell like you, water, and chews.

  
  

Feed meals in the den and scatter treats there daily so it becomes a positive, comforting place. Praise your dog for going into its den.

3. Routine and Management

• Walk and toilet your dog in daylight, well before displays begin. Always keep them on-lead.

• Check that their ID tag and microchip details are up to date — scared dogs can bolt.

• Play calming music (classical, soft rock, or reggae have all shown to lower stress in dogs) in the safe haven daily so it feels familiar when fireworks start.

  
  

4. Gentle Techniques to Practice Early

TTouch Ear Work: Tellington TTouch is a gentle method of bodywork that can calm stressed dogs. The ears, in particular, are full of acupressure points linked to the nervous system. By slowly stroking or making small circular movements along the ear from base to tip, you can help release tension and trigger a calming effect.

• Use your thumb and forefinger to gently stroke or make tiny circles on the outer edge of the ear.

• Keep your movements slow and light, never forcing your dog to accept touch.

• Many dogs will start to blink more slowly, soften their body posture, or even sigh as they relax.

  
  

This isn’t a magic fix, but it can be a very soothing addition to your toolkit — and it strengthens the bond between you and your dog.

What Helps Dogs on Bonfire Night Itself?

When the bangs start, your job is to keep things calm and predictable.

• Bring Them Indoors Early: Close windows, doors, and curtains to soften both sound and light.

• Mask the Noise: Switch on the TV, radio, or music at a comfortable level — enough to distract but not overwhelm.

• Let Them Hide: Don’t force them out from under the bed, behind the sofa, or from their den. Hiding is a coping strategy.

• Talk to Them: It’s fine to use a soothing voice if they seek you out. Stay gentle and upbeat — if your voice is anxious, they’ll pick up on it.

• Stay Calm: Dogs mirror our emotions. Move normally, avoid pacing, and keep your own breathing steady.

• Keep Them Busy: A stuffed Kong, chew, or puzzle feeder provides distraction and naturally calms through chewing.

• Do Not Punish: Trembling, barking, or accidents are fear responses, not bad behaviour.

  
  

What Can I Give My Dog to Calm Them on Bonfire Night?

There’s no single magic cure, but a combination of aids can make a real difference.

• Pheromone Diffusers and Collars: Synthetic dog-appeasing pheromones (e.g., Adaptil) can reduce stress. Plug in the diffuser 1–2 weeks ahead in the safe room.

• Pressure Wraps (e.g., Thundershirt): These snug-fitting vests apply gentle, even pressure across your dog’s body — like a constant, reassuring hug. Many dogs settle more quickly in them. To use effectively, introduce the wrap well before Bonfire Night, pairing it with treats, walks, or naps so your dog associates wearing it with comfort. Don’t wait until the first bang to try it.

• Calming Supplements: Casein-based products (like Zylkene) or chews with L-theanine or chamomile may help mild anxiety. Speak to your vet before starting.

• Prescription Medication: For dogs with severe firework phobia, vets may prescribe medication such as imepitoin (Pexion®) for predictable events or dexmedetomidine gel (Sileo®) for sudden bangs. These don’t sedate — they reduce fear. Book an appointment well before Bonfire Night to discuss.

  
  

Where Are the Fireworks in Hampshire 2025?

Knowing the dates helps you plan walks, feeding, and safe spaces in advance. Here are the confirmed large displays in Hampshire for 2025 (check organiser websites for updates):

• Portsmouth – Wed 5 Nov – Southsea Common (free, display ~7pm)

• Southampton – Sat 8 Nov – Mayflower Park (ticketed, display ~7pm)

• Winchester – Sat 8 Nov – North Walls Recreation Ground (torchlit procession + fireworks)

• Gosport – Thu 30 Oct – HMS Sultan (bonfire ~7:45pm, fireworks ~8:30pm)

• Ringwood – Sun 2 Nov – Carvers Recreation Ground

• Fawley (Totton area) – Sun 2 Nov – Firework Spectacular

  
  

You can also check your local Facebook page to find out when smaller displays might be happening.

How Can I Support My Dog Long-Term?

• The Day After: Keep walks calm and let them decompress with sniffing and relaxed games.

• Over Winter: If fireworks were tough, don’t wait until next October. Book a behaviourist and start a structured desensitisation programme. These take weeks or months but are highly effective.

• Year-Round: If you need support with daily exercise or enrichment, check our directory of trusted dog walkers in Hampshire.

  
  

The Bottom Line

Fireworks don’t have to mean panic. With a safe den, sound therapy (including Free Work), gentle TTouch ear work, and veterinary support when needed, you can help your dog feel more secure.

This year, instead of dreading Bonfire Night, you’ll have a clear plan:

• Walk early.

• Set up the den.

• Play calming music.

• Stay close and reassure them in a calm, upbeat tone.

  
  

The fireworks will pass. But your bond with your dog will last a lifetime.