How I Keep My Dogs Calm During Fireworks and Thunder

Multiple times a year, some dog owners brace for celebrations that can cause their pups to tremble, pace, whine, or seek comfort.

Fireworks and thunder top the list for dogs who are sensitive to noise, vibrations and flashes of light.

But some dogs remain unfazed. Dogs' reactions may be based on genetics, experience with trauma, and exposure to other dogs who react fearfully to noise.

Here, three dog owners share their strategies for keeping their pups comforted or occupied when the skies explode.

Their dog-calming preparation starts early

Erin Scott and her husband start their dog-calming strategy days before New Year's Eve, the Fourth of July, or other holidays featuring fireworks.

The couple have two dogs, 10-year-old Neno and 2-year-old Nessie. Days before the celebrations, they give them doses of CBD and an herbal calming supplement for dogs. Erin adds a consumer tip: "I always order the supplements ahead of time" because prices start to escalate close to fireworks holidays.

The day of the celebrations, they plan their schedule around keeping the dogs calm. They get up early and take the dogs on a long walk. This tires them out, so they can sleep through the noise later. Nessie likes car rides, so Erin takes her on a long drive. They play extra games with the dogs to further exhaust them.

Erin gives each dog a hollow rubber toy puzzle, with frozen treats inside. That helps keep them busy and focused, says Erin, 45, a paralegal near Baltimore who shares tips as host of her "Believe in Dog" podcast.

By the time evening comes, Neno heads to the couple's bedroom, his safe space, and Erin camps out with him there. Nessie loves to tug and play with rope, and her husband keeps her occupied with toys and games in another room with the TV volume turned up.

They give the dogs special treats they don't get every day so they associate those times with something positive.

"While the dogs may still be concerned when our house shakes due to neighbors' fireworks, this has been a successful method," Erin says.

A tight-fitting vest helps calm their dog

Dawn Eischen and her husband have two dogs, but only the 9-year-old Doberman, Zeus, is afraid of loud, sudden sounds - even motorcycles revving up.

"He will shake, shiver, pace, whine, and hide under tables when we don't manage his fear," says Dawn, 54, who lives near Richmond, Virginia, and is a corporate communications manager for a nationwide network of veterinary clinics.

Meanwhile, their 2-year-old American foxhound mix "isn't scared of anything," Dawn says.

One preliminary measure when they can predict trouble is to take Zeus for a walk.

"When we know a storm is coming, or about 15 to 20 minutes before we anticipate fireworks in the area, we will take him out to potty to prevent any accidents in the house," she says.

Then they put on his ThunderShirt, a product sold online and in pet stores as an "anxiety and calming vest" for pets. The vest has "very strong Velcro, and I fit it real tightly around him. They feel almost like swaddled babies," Dawn says. Zeus balked the first time she strapped it on but then quickly started to calm down. Now, she says, Zeus associates putting on the vest with something special - "time with Mommy and Daddy."

Dawn will also give Zeus a dropper of flower essence. "It doesn't mean he won't be anxious," she says. "It just kind of brings it down a little bit."

When the loud noises start, they take Zeus to their bedroom, dim the lights, and play favorite slow songs. They rub his ears and neck.

"After about 5 to 10 minutes of this, he curls up and goes to sleep, even with the booming sounds in the background," Dawn says.

Sedative from vet helps

Cynthia Alvarez, 39, of Los Angeles, says she has used various calming techniques with her current dog, Donut, age 9, and the Maltipoo she recently lost, Lola.

Lola had been so afraid of Fourth of July fireworks that when they came, "she would run into the darkest, deepest corner of the house" - in a closet on top of a pile of shoes, shaking - says Cynthia, an administrator in higher education.

"She responded very well to having a long walk right before the festivities," Cynthia says. "We would tire her out." They'd give Lola a warm bath and a food she loves and rarely gets: french fries.

Then Cynthia and her husband built a fort of pillows on the bed and snuggled with Lola until the explosions stopped.

Donut, a mixed-breed rescue dog, developed a fear of fireworks over time. Over the last 2 years, Cynthia and her husband started using the calming techniques with Donut that had helped Lola.

They also tried a sedative, prescribed by Donut's vet.

"It worked well," Cynthia says. "It took about 20 minutes to kick in. She wasn't sleepy, just very calm."

She says her dogs' tolerance to loud sounds changed over time and that it's important for owners to watch for those changes.

"It's up to us as responsible pet owners to keep track of that and figure out how to continuously keep our pets as comfortable as possible," she says.

What does the veterinarian say?

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Veterinary Reviewer

Many dogs have extreme exaggerated fear responses to loud noises - like loud automobiles, thunderstorms, or fireworks. This is sometimes referred to as "noise phobia." Symptoms of noise phobia can include crying, trying to hide or run away, excessive barking, or even peeing or pooping in the house.

There are several steps you can take to address your dog's fear of noises. But those steps are specific for each dog. What works for some dogs may not work for others. An obvious step, but possibly the most helpful one, is to avoid and minimize the noise triggers as much as possible. Other steps include creating a safe space for your dog during times of stress, reassuring your dog during the event, providing medications as directed by a veterinarian, and trying antianxiety vests.

Sometimes, loud, scary noises are unavoidable for your dog. But with a veterinarian's recommendation and a plan, your chances are greater of helping your dog find significant relief from their fear of loud noises.