At this time of year in the run-up to Bonfire Night (5th November), Halloween (31st October), and Diwali, there are things we can do to help our puppies. Firework fear and fear of loud noises are two of the most well-known and reported problem behaviours that can affect any breed of dog.1 It’s always best to be prepared for key dates, armed with ideas and helpful hints. This way we can stay calm & know we’re doing our best.
How Awesome is a Dog’s Hearing?
Dogs have sensitive hearing, affected by the frequency of sound waves (low or high-pitched, measured in hertz) and loudness (measured in decibels (dB)); they can hear exceptionally low sounds as 5-15 dB.2 Dogs can hear ultrasonic equipment, machines, ‘silent’ whistles, ultrasonic repellers, and even distant sounds.3 Their hearing is honed in on high-pitched squeaks and is built for checking for danger and awaiting prey (potentially – dependant on breed and their inborn natural instincts).
How can a dog’s awesome hearing affect them during firework season?
Such a vast range of hearing could easily impact fear of noises. Sudden, loud, sounds that are infrequent, such as thunderstorms, fireworks and gunshots, are one of the most common triggers for fearful behaviours in dogs.4 Firework noises and accompanying flashing lights can affect them tremendously.
What Can We Do To Help?
In the run-up to key fireworks dates & times
1. Ensure Microchip Details are Correct
In the UK from 6th April 2016 it became compulsory for families to ensure their dogs over the age of 8 weeks old are microchipped & for these details to be kept up to date on the relative databases.5 This built on earlier regulations.6 For your own peace of mind (& to comply with the law) it’s always best to check that everything is in order & all details are correct. You may have changed your email & forgotten to update it. If you would like extra security and comfort for the microchip details, you could invest in a microchip scanner that you hold just above the microchip site on your dog’s neck and see the microchip number yourself.
2. Have a List of Important Details in a Safe Place
Microchip details, the database company they’re listed with, your vet’s details and your emergency contacts (among other details specific to your puppy) can be kept securely together so that if you do need any of them – they’re all together and easily accessible.
3. Secure your Garden / Outdoor Space
Any questionable ways you may wonder puppy could ever escape from your garden or outdoor space need fixing – as soon as you can – ideally today, right now. Your dog’s garden / outdoor space must be safe and totally secure, especially at this time. The Kennel Club released statistics in 2023 that showed a 120% increase in dogs that go missing during Bonfire Night to Diwali season.7 Ensuring your garden or outdoor space is escape-proof really is a must.
During Expected Times of Fireworks
4. Secure your Home
Windows and doors need to be closed securely. Your dog needs to be kept away from being able to escape through the front or any door or open window.
5. Block out Firework Noise & Lights
It’s ideal to keep the blinds down & curtains closed. If you’ve got a radio and/ or TV in various rooms, turn them on. I find having different programmes and music on in each room acts as distractions as well as blocking out the noises outside. The same can be true of having lights on in your home; countering and diffusing the explosions of light from the fireworks outside. It’s always best to keep puppy away from the windows & actually watching them if puppy shows any signs of stress.
6. Toilet times before & after expected fireworks
If you live locally to a fireworks display it may be useful to find the scheduled time for the event(s). This way for the days leading up to it you can try & have puppy going out to the toilet just before and then after the scheduled time(s). That way on the actual day(s) of events puppy is happy with the toileting times. Try and ensure puppy goes out to the toilet before and after firework displays.
7. Walk puppy in the daytime & avoid expected firework times
Avoid walking at times of local firework displays or expected times for fireworks. The sheer noise alone can be so loud it could literally terrify your puppy. During firework season, it’s recommended to keep your puppy close to you by keeping puppy on a lead. If an unexpected firework goes off suddenly then your puppy could run away seeking shelter from the ‘scary things’ & may not be able to actually hear you through anxiety responses.
8. Make a Cosy Den
A little cosy nook in your home, under a coffee table or inside a cave bed is a great place to put a few favourite toys and possibly covered over with a thick blanket – again this can be to help block the noise out – but this is so that puppy knows he has a safe, snug little den where he can go & retreat if he wants to relax somewhere. You can pop some treats there, and perhaps a tasty long-lasting chew. He may not need this but it’s always good to be prepared in case he does. He could possibly find it most snuggly in his own bed – you’ll know the best place for him. It’s always best to keep this place away from doors & windows. If he does make use of his cosy den & he’s settled in there – leave him be. You can keep adding tasty puzzles or long chews for him, but don’t try to force him out of the cosy den.
9. Feed Puppy Before Fireworks
Try to feed your puppy before you expect any fireworks to start. He may well not fancy eating a big meal, or anything at all during fireworks, so this gives him chance to feel content with a full tummy beforehand.
10. Distract your Puppy with calming games
Play is the opposite of fear. 8
If puppy is playing with you, puzzles, interactive toys or so forth, then it is an indicator of welfare and happens that he doesn’t feel under threat from external stressors.9 You will know what your puppy loves to play.
Distractions can be really useful at these sorts of times. And PLAYING – is one of the BEST distractions of them all. Ideally, puppy can enjoy really fun, yet calm seeking games like lick mats, snuffle balls, snuffle mats, or scattered food to find. You could also play hide and seek type games with puppy or practice his favourite tricks that require using his brain.
Lick Mats & Chewing
Lick mats are really useful with mushed up food, or some spreadable cheese, dog-friendly peanut butter (not regular human stuff & only in homes free from any nut allergies), pate or whatever your puppy loves & you know works well for puppy’s tummy afterwards. Dogs’ brains are wired so that licking releases endorphins, which allows calmness and also releasing dopamine.10 The dopamine motivates them to continue licking – which means it’s an all-round rewarding & calming activity. Chewing soothes and calms puppies and dogs, so offering tasty long-lasting chews that you know puppy loves would be a great option also to keep him occupied.
Snuffling and Finding Food
Snuffle balls & snuffle mats work in a similar way to hiding food around your home and scattering food. Puppy will need to seek and search the scent of food, foraging essentially and finding food hidden in these items. Scattering food on the floor and hiding it behind everyday household things such as cushions, or behind the chair leg (easier places if puppy is not-so-familiar with this fun game) are other ways to make calm foraging sniff games using food. The features of your pup’s nose mean when he sniffs and smells for food, through olfaction, (a dog’s main sense), it actually helps puppy to understand his surroundings, historical information, and smell location.11 Smelling for food calms puppy because he is using this incredible sense of smell & so it’s innately satisfying for him.
11. Allow Puppy to move freely within safe escape-proof rooms
If you restrict puppy to just one cosy den, or their bed (for example) during fireworks time – this could increase stress levels. Instead, allow puppy to move freely as normal within safe zones of your home (those that are escape-proof with firmly closed windows and doors).
12. Consider Calming Aids
a). If having the radio & TV on as a distraction from the firework booms doesn’t seem like the right thing for your puppy – then classical music may help instead. More thorough research is needed to prove a solid link. But, through general observation, animals seem far less stressed and anxious when listening to classical music.12
b). Calming Products may be useful to consider. Pet Remedy is developed and made in England, and works with the pet’s own natural calming mechanisms.13 There is a page of clinical trials on their website.14
Receive 25% off Pet Remedy Products using our code: petremedy.co.uk/ref/ELEMENTALCAVALIERS
13. Don’t Tell Puppy Off
If your puppy shows any signs of being anxious during fireworks, then being told off or reprimanded in any way could easily make things worse. Fear or anxiety could show to us in a number of ways, such as: barking, howling, hiding, being off food, excessive biting or licking to his legs or paws for instance. He needs comfort instead if he’s anxious in any way. Don’t force your puppy to do anything he isn’t comfortable with during fireworks.
14. Comfort Your Puppy
In the past it used to be the case that dog professionals would recommend to ignore your dog when anxious – even during fireworks season. This has proved to actually be harmful to your dog. So instead, whichever member of your family most enjoys hanging out with your puppy, then this is perhaps a fantastic opportunity to grab a cuppa, or a bottle of wine and a favourite book or film you’ve been meaning to watch and stay with your puppy. Don’t overly fuss him or anything out of the ordinary the entire time. But if he needs some reassurance – give him that extra big hug, some tasty treats or extra playing with that favourite toy. Be close to him so that you can comfort him if he needs that extra reassurance.
15. Behave Normally & Remain Calm
Dogs have an exceptional sense of smell detection & they’re not helped by the fact that they can detect stressed human odours, including psychological stress,15 and even those stress odours from unfamiliar people.16 If you are stressed yourself, these human stress signals could hugely influence puppy’s understanding and perception of fireworks season in a negative way. So, grab what YOU need to remain calm too. For me it’s a funny film, tasty chocolate and a glass of wine, or, a cosy jumper, the fire on with a good book and a hot drink. Whatever the equivalent is for you – make sure it’s accessible to you without needing to go out anywhere at crucial times. Puppy will pick up on changes and sense any unnecessary stress, so try to keep your regular routine and normal behaviour patterns – just be your usual self.
16. Keep Realistic Expectations
Okay, so let’s say you’ve tried your best to help alleviate fireworks noise & lights & you expected your puppy to be all happy-bouncy and fine – but puppy stays under your sofa (not the cosy den you created). You know what – that’s totally fine. Let puppy stay under your sofa. Again, don’t try to force him away from there if he feels safe. When he’s feeling his usual puppy-self he’ll come out. You can stay near him, offer activities & treats, and just be there with him. It’s totally fine if puppy seems happy and content and it’s also fine if your puppy is somewhere in the middle too. Remember we all can get scared and apprehensive of things, and so can your puppy, even when he develops into an adult dog.
Ultimately, you need to do your best to help your puppy, and be compassionate to his needs. Being this proactive in the care you give whilst accepting of puppy’s behaviour means you can relax and genuinely be happy knowing that you are a really thoughtful and caring puppy parent.
I hope you found this blog post useful.
Whatever you’re doing with your puppy this fireworks season – Enjoy!
Wishing you the Warmest Woofs,
Suzie.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel & Puppy Specialist, Elemental Cavaliers.
References
1. PDSA (n.d.) Bad Behaviour: dealing with behaviour problems. Available at: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/bad-behaviour
2. Elliott, P. (2024) How do dogs hear so well? (Frequencies of up to 45,000 Hz!) Available at: https://www.petful.com/pet-health/how-do-dogs-hear-so-well/
3. Kanowski, K. (2025) 5 Sounds only dogs can hear: vet-analyzed canine hearing range. Available at: https://www.dogster.com/ask-the-vet/sounds-only-dogs-can-hear
4. Grigg, E. K., Chou, J., Parker, E., Gatesy-Davis, A., Clarkson, S. T., & Hart, L. A. (2021) ‘Stress-Related Behaviors in Companion Dogs Exposed to Common Household Noises, and Owners’ Interpretations of Their Dogs’ Behaviors’, Frontiers in veterinary science, 8, 760845. https://doi:10.3389/fvets.2021.760845
5. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and The Rt Hon George Eustice (2016) Compulsory dog microchipping comes into effect. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/compulsory-dog-microchipping-comes-into-effect
6. The Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 (revoked) (SI 2015/108). Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/108/contents
7. The Kennel Club (2023) Number of missing dogs doubles during fireworks season. Available at: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media-centre/2023/october/number-of-missing-dogs-doubles-during-fireworks-season/
8. Adolphs, R. (2013) ‘The Biology of Fear’, Current Biology, 23(2), R79-93 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2012.11.055
9. Held, S. and Spinka, M. (2011) ‘Animal Play and Animal Welfare’, Animal Behaviour, 81(5), 891-899 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.01.007
10. Stopp, K. (2023) Why do dogs lick you? Available at: https://www.petmd.com/dog/behavior/why-do-dogs-lick-you
11. Kokocińska-Kusiak, A., Woszczyło, M., Zybala, M., Maciocha, J., Barłowska, K., & Dzięcioł, M. (2021) ‘Canine Olfaction: Physiology, Behavior, and Possibilities for Practical Applications’, Animals: an open access journal from MDPI, 11(8), 2463. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082463
12. Lindig, A. M., McGreevy, P. D., & Crean, A. J. (2020). ‘Musical Dogs: A Review of the Influence of Auditory Enrichment on Canine Health and Behavior’, Animals: an open access journal from MDPI, 10(1), 127. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010127
13. Pet Remedy (n.d.) How It Works: how Pet Remedy Works. Available at: https://petremedy.co.uk/how-it-works/
14. Pet Remedy (n.d.) [Dog Studies; Cat Studies; Rabbit Studies; Pig Studies; Horse Studies; Reptile Studies; Bird Studies]. Available at: https://petremedy.co.uk/clinical-trials/
15. Wilson, C., Campbell, K., Petzel, Z., & Reeve, C. (2022) ‘Dogs can discriminate between human baseline and psychological stress condition odours’, PloS one, 17(9), e0274143. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274143
16. Parr-Cortes, Z., Müller, C.T., Talas, L., Mendi, M. and Rooney, N. J. (2024) ‘The odour of an unfamiliar stressed or relaxed person affects dogs’ responses to a cognitive bias test’, Scientific Reports, 14, 15843. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-66147-1