What actually works to calm your dog with fireworks?

[NewYorkNewYork24]

We’ve had fireworks going off for the last 3 nights already, and my dog gets worse every year.

Before I go and buy every plug in & spray in let’s at home, what have you tried and actually worked to help calm them?

Im seriously considering getting prescription meds this year if none of the over counter things work. It’s awful seeing her so scared and not being able to calm her.

Medication from the vet.

My dog has passed but I had to get prescription meds it was costly as generally was the consultation and meds but well worth it to stop her stress. With Diwali and bonfire night close together (within a week) it’s the best way to ensure they are not effected by them. At least with new year it’s done within a few hours this period is never ending with an anxious pet.

Radio 4 did a playlist one year and it genuinely seemed to help my dog. I now quite often play classical music when there's big noisy events (I live near a football stadium) and I think it does keep her calmer. I tried plug ins but they didnt help at all. Ive never medicated her, but we tend to prepare in advance, walks done before night fall, no one leaving the house, all settled down before they start.

At this time of year, we ask Alexa to play firework noises for 30 mins at volume 1 or 2 for a day or two, gradually increasing the volume each day until we get close to full volume. It has helped de-sensitise.

Was it Radio 4? Or was it on Classic Fm? I can't remember but it was a specific pet firework playlist. Since then, I just play Classic Fm tho.

Dorwest Herbs Skullcap & Valerian is good. I'm giving our girl the tablets in the run up to Bonfire Night, then on the evening of the 5th plus the weekend before and the weekend after, she will have the compound mixed into a spoonful of natural yoghurt. The compound works very quickly.

https://www.dorwest.com/products/calming-combo-pack?pr_prod_strat=pinned&pr_rec_id=ade6aa30c&pr_rec_pid=7644454715454&pr_ref_pid=7644450586686&pr_seq=uniform

Another vote for Classic Fm their playlist really helped our 2. I put it on both upstairs & downstairs and they fell asleep.

A loud action film with lots of noise can help to drown it out or loud classical music (if you're not semi-detached or living in a flat).

The best thing to do is desensitize them as a puppy. All the dogs we've had since puppies are fine with fireworks. We've had very scared rescue dogs but they've eventually been fine too.

Desensitisation hasn't worked at all with our girl. Video or audio has no impact on her, she ignores it. But classical music is also our choice for slightly masking, although it's not always successful if the firework noise is nearby.

@NewYorkNewYork24
We don't leave the house on nights there will likely be fireworks, Bonfire night, New Year, Xmas.
Sometimes around my area they're set off for birthdays etc, we can't plan for those.

I get on the sofa with DDog, her against my leg, pile cushions and blankets around and over her then I lean on them, this is the only way she calms down, she shakes and pants otherwise, I can still feel her shaking against my leg though.

Nothing else works for her

@CoubousAndTourmaIet thanks, I’ve ordered some, they come early next week so I’ll start her on those. I’ve got some calming treats from another brand but they don’t do anything.

I’ve started playing firework noise on low to try and desensitise her.

it’s just so frustrating that I don’t know they are going to go off, it’s been 3 times this week already. I can’t leave her alone any night from now till new year 🤦🏼‍♀️

I do sympathise @NewYorkNewYork24 , it is such a difficult time of year for a lot of us. Our girl was terrible in November 2024; panting, drooling, trying to hide, it was really worrying, but the tincture made a big difference for her last year. I hope you find it helpful.
I know a few people have said their dog isn't keen, because the valerian does smell quite strong, so you do need to disguise it. As I said, a good dollop of yoghurt worked best for us, but your dog might have different preferences.

Good luck, I hope that and the desensitisation and masking will all help your girl to cope better this year.

My dog behaviourist recommends that you play music with a decent but irregular beat. Like this link

start soon. Play it quietly to start with and increase the volume each time you play it. It almost completely masks the noise from the fireworks.

Sileo gel from the vet. Game changer.