New Year’s Eve: A Dog’s Experience

But this is not why this is maybe not the most wonderful time of the year. What I mean by that is that it may not be so wonderful for our pets, especially when the world ends on New Years Eve.

Sorry, I mean when the fireworks go off – but how do we explain that to our dogs?

Imagine not knowing what fireworks were and suddenly hearing enormously loud bangs, like shots fired right next to you. You may see lights flashing and smell smoke in the air. I wouldn’t be surprised if you thought the sky was falling down on you!

You’d want to high tail it outta there faster than I move when my mother in law asks me when we’re going to have kids. And that’s fast.

With that in mind, this post is all about things we can try to make sure our pets are safe, and that they feel safe too.

When you know there’ll be fireworks or storms, don’t leave your dog outside in the yard, no matter how secure you think it is. Dogs will go to great lengths and can achieve surprising break outs to get away from danger. The fireworks don’t need to be close either – remember dogs have sensitive hearing and what is a few miles away will feel like it’s on your doorstep. They can smell it from a great distance away too.

So instead…

they may feel better if you are acting confident and showing them that there is nothing to be afraid of. So don’t try to frantically calm them down. Be kind but firm and settle them into a cosy area. This is where a crate can be really handy if your dog is already crate trained. If they aren’t, just create a small area like a den and encourage them, don’t force them, into it.

Your dog likely already has a space in your house that they are familiar with and feel safe in so let them use that as well.