New Year's Eve and Your Dog: How to Keep Them Safe and Calm
Updated: 3 days ago
New Year's Eve is a great night for us and often a hard one for dogs. Fireworks go off at midnight in towns and cities all over the world, and in many places they start days before and carry on for days after. Add visitors, late nights and food everywhere, and it's a lot for a dog to cope with. With a little planning you can make the night much calmer, and on the big nights I'd never leave a puppy or a worried dog home alone. Here's how to prepare your dog for New Year's Eve, from the weeks before to the morning after.
THE SHORT ANSWER
To keep your dog safe and calm on New Year's Eve, walk them in daylight well before the fireworks start and keep them on a lead in the days around it. Set up a quiet den in the calmest room, close the curtains, and play music or TV to soften the bangs. Give them a chew, lick mat or stuffed Kong to settle with. Comfort your dog if they come to you, as it won't make their fear worse. Check their ID tag and microchip details are up to date, keep doors and gates shut, and keep party food, alcohol and decorations out of reach. If your dog panics at fireworks, talk to your vet a few weeks ahead about medication.
Your dog doesn't need to be at the party
Your dog doesn't have to join in to have a good night. Noise, excitement and new people can be too much, even for a sociable dog.
Set up a quiet den away from the busiest room. Their bed, a blanket that smells of home, a favourite toy and a chew are all they need. If your dog likes a crate, cover three sides with a blanket and leave the door open. Read how to prepare your dog for holiday visitors.
Plan your walks
Walk your dog in daylight, well before anyone starts setting off fireworks. A good sniffy walk helps them settle later in the evening.
Fireworks often start in the days before New Year's Eve and carry on after it, so keep your dog on a lead on every walk around this time. Even calm dogs can bolt at a sudden bang. Use a well-fitted harness and check it before you go.
Check ID and close the gaps
More dogs go missing around fireworks than at almost any other time. Make sure your dog's ID tag and microchip details are up to date before the night.
Check your garden fences and gates, and keep your dog on a lead in the garden after dark. Ask guests to close doors behind them, and put up a baby gate at the front door if you can.
Soften the noise
You can't stop the fireworks, but you can make them less frightening. A few small changes make a big difference. Before it gets dark:
close windows, doors and curtains to muffle bangs and hide flashes
put on music, TV or white noise at a steady volume
turn on lights so flashes from outside are less noticeable
set your dog up in the quietest room, ideally away from the street
Give them something to do
Chewing, licking and sniffing all help dogs settle. They give a worried dog something steady to focus on. Have a few of these ready before the fireworks start:
a stuffed Kong, frozen if you have time
a lick mat spread with something they love
a long-lasting chew that suits your dog
a snuffle mat or scatter feed for their dinner
Some dogs are too worried to eat during fireworks. That's a sign of how frightened they are, so don't push it.
Comfort your dog if they come to you
Some dogs want to hide on their own. Others want to be close to you. Both are fine.
If your dog comes to you, it's okay to comfort them. You can't reinforce fear by being kind, and a calm voice and a steady hand can help them feel safer. Let them hide under the table or behind the sofa if that's where they feel best, and never drag them out. Never tell a frightened dog off either. Fear isn't something they can control.
Talk to your vet early
If your dog shakes, pants, hides, tries to escape or can't settle when fireworks go off, talk to your vet a few weeks before New Year's Eve. Medication can help a lot for dogs who panic, and some need to be started in advance.
Calming products like pheromone diffusers and snug wraps help some dogs, but they work best alongside a plan. For the longer term, work on sound desensitisation in the quieter months. Read how to keep your dog settled during fireworks.
Watch out for party food and decorations
New Year's Eve means food and drink on every surface. Many party foods are dangerous for dogs. Keep these out of reach:
chocolate and anything with cocoa
grapes, raisins and fruit cake
alcohol, which can make dogs very ill even in small amounts
fatty food like sausage rolls, cheese boards and leftover meat
anything sweetened with xylitol
Party poppers, balloons, streamers and candles are risks too. Ask guests not to share snacks with your dog, and clear up as you go. Read hidden holiday hazards for dogs.
If you're going out
If your dog struggles with fireworks, try not to leave them alone on New Year's Eve. If you have to go out, ask someone your dog knows well to stay with them.
Never leave your dog in the car or the garden while fireworks are going off. A frightened dog can do a lot of damage trying to escape, and can get badly hurt.
The morning after
Fireworks often carry on into New Year's Day. Keep your dog on a lead for a few more days and check gardens and parks for spent fireworks and party litter before letting them sniff around.
Give your dog an easy, quiet day. Stress hormones can take a while to settle, so they may be jumpier or more tired than usual.
RENEE'S TIP
Get everything ready in the afternoon so you're not rushing when the first bang goes off. Den set up, curtains closed, music on, Kong in the freezer, lead by the door. The calmer and more prepared you feel, the easier it is for your dog to settle.
QUICK CHECK
ā Walk early in daylight and keep your dog on a lead around New Year
ā Set up a quiet den with the curtains closed and music on
ā Have chews and lick mats ready before the fireworks start
ā Comfort your dog if they want you
ā Check ID tags and microchip details are up to date
FREE DOWNLOAD FROM RENEE
Firework Survival Guide for Dogs
A free guide with a simple plan to get your dog through firework season, from the weeks before to the morning after.
ONE-TO-ONE HELP
Help with a dog who's scared of fireworks
If your dog panics at fireworks or other loud noises, I can help you build a plan for this year and the years ahead in an online Dog Behaviour Consultation from wherever you are.
Online on Teams, wherever you are. 30 or 60 minutes.
FAQs
How do I keep my dog calm on New Year's Eve?
Walk early, set up a quiet den, close the curtains, play music and give your dog a chew or lick mat when the fireworks start.
Should I comfort my dog during fireworks?
Yes, if they come to you. Comforting a frightened dog won't make their fear worse.
Should I walk my dog on New Year's Eve?
Walk them in daylight before fireworks start, and keep them on a lead in case of sudden bangs.
What should I ask my vet about fireworks?
Ask about medication for dogs who panic, a few weeks ahead, as some need to be started early.
Can I leave my dog alone on New Year's Eve?
It's best not to if they're scared of fireworks. Ask someone they know well to stay with them.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Patience Ā· National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
Founder and head trainer of Paws Academy, with more than 30 years training dogs and a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour. Renee has competed in agility, obedience and heelwork to music across the UK, including at Crufts and Olympia, has appeared on CBBC, and is the author of the Modern Training Guides and the Modern Breed Handbook series. Pictured with her boxer, Kookie.
