How to Prepare Your Dog for Guy Fawkes Night (Fireworks Anxiety)

Every year on 5 November, Guy Fawkes Night turns into one of the most stressful experiences of the year for thousands of dogs across New Zealand. While we enjoy the spectacle, our dogs hear unpredictable explosions that trigger their survival instincts. Fireworks anxiety in dogs is incredibly common, but with the right preparation, you can dramatically reduce your dog's stress.

In New Zealand, fireworks are legally available for purchase by the public around Guy Fawkes, which means the bangs and booms are not limited to one organised display. They can go on for days or even weeks in some neighbourhoods. This makes preparation even more important.

Why Dogs Fear Fireworks

Understanding why fireworks terrify dogs helps us address the problem more effectively. Dogs have significantly more sensitive hearing than humans, so what sounds like a bang to us can be painfully loud for a dog. Fireworks are also completely unpredictable in timing, direction and intensity, which means dogs cannot anticipate or rationalise them. Add in the flashing lights, the smell of sulphur and the vibrations, and you have a multi-sensory assault that overwhelms many dogs.

Common signs of fireworks anxiety include trembling, panting, pacing, drooling, hiding, destructive behaviour, attempting to escape, refusing food and loss of bladder or bowel control. Some dogs become clingy while others try to bolt. In severe cases, dogs have been known to jump through windows or scale fences to escape the noise.

Long-Term Preparation: Desensitisation

The most effective long-term strategy is desensitisation, which means gradually exposing your dog to firework sounds at a level they can tolerate and slowly increasing the intensity over weeks or months. This should ideally begin well before Guy Fawkes, not the week before.

How to desensitise your dog to firework sounds:

Find a quality fireworks sound recording online or use a dedicated app such as Sound Proof Puppy. Start playing the sounds at a very low volume while your dog is relaxed, eating or playing. The volume should be so low that your dog barely notices. Over several sessions across days and weeks, gradually increase the volume. If your dog shows any signs of stress, you have gone too far too fast. Drop the volume back to a comfortable level and progress more slowly.

Pair the sounds with positive experiences. Feed meals during the recording. Offer high-value treats. Play their favourite game. You are building an association between firework sounds and good things happening.

On the Night: Creating a Safe Space

Regardless of whether you have done desensitisation work, you need a solid management plan for Guy Fawkes Night itself.

Set up a safe room. Choose an interior room with minimal windows, ideally one your dog already feels comfortable in. Close curtains or blinds to block flashing lights. Place your dog's bed, blankets and familiar toys in the room. If your dog is crate trained, set up their crate here with the door open so they can choose to use it as a den.

Use white noise or music. Playing music, turning on the television or using a white noise machine helps mask the sound of fireworks. Classical music or specially designed dog relaxation playlists can be helpful. The key is to have it running before the fireworks start so the background noise is already established.

Consider a compression wrap. Products like the Thundershirt apply gentle, constant pressure to your dog's body, similar to swaddling a baby. Many dogs find this calming during stressful events. Introduce the wrap before Guy Fawkes so your dog is already comfortable wearing it.

Exercise early in the day. Give your dog a thorough walk and play session well before dark. A tired dog is generally a calmer dog. Make sure they are inside and secured well before fireworks are likely to begin.

Secure your property. Check fences for gaps. Lock dog doors. More dogs go missing around Guy Fawkes than almost any other time of year. Panicked dogs can escape through gaps you never thought possible. Ensure your dog's microchip details and council registration are up to date.

During the Fireworks

When the fireworks start, stay calm yourself. Dogs are experts at reading our emotional state and if you are anxious or overly sympathetic, it can reinforce their fear. Be present and reassuring without being dramatic about it.

It is perfectly fine to comfort your dog. The old advice that comforting a frightened dog "rewards the fear" has been thoroughly debunked by modern behavioural science. If your dog comes to you for reassurance, offer calm, quiet comfort. Gentle stroking and a soothing voice can help. What you want to avoid is frantic, panicked comforting that communicates to your dog that there really is something to be afraid of.

Offer a long-lasting chew or a frozen Kong stuffed with something delicious. If your dog will eat during fireworks, this provides both distraction and stress relief through the act of chewing. Some dogs are too stressed to eat, and that is okay. Do not force it.

Do not force your dog out of their hiding spot. If they have chosen to wedge themselves behind the sofa or in the wardrobe, let them. They are self-soothing by finding a space that feels enclosed and safe.

When to Talk to Your Vet

For dogs with severe firework anxiety, behavioural management alone may not be enough. If your dog's fear is extreme, including symptoms like self-harm, complete panic or inability to function, talk to your vet well before Guy Fawkes. There are several medication options available that can take the edge off without heavily sedating your dog.

Anti-anxiety medications such as trazodone or sileo (dexmedetomidine gel) can be very effective when used alongside behavioural management. Some vets may prescribe gabapentin for noise phobias. These are not a sign of failure. They are a legitimate tool to reduce genuine suffering. The key is to discuss options with your vet before the event, not on the night when clinics are closed.

Natural calming supplements such as Adaptil (synthetic pheromone), Zylkene or CBD products designed for pets are also worth exploring, though their effectiveness varies between individual dogs.

Building Long-Term Resilience

The period after Guy Fawkes is actually the best time to start working on next year. Begin a structured desensitisation programme while firework anxiety is fresh in your mind. Build your dog's overall confidence through varied experiences and training. Dogs who are generally confident and have learned to cope with novel situations handle fireworks better than dogs who live in a bubble.

At 100% K9, we work with many dogs who suffer from noise phobias and general anxiety. Our behaviour modification programmes can help build your dog's resilience and coping skills, not just for fireworks but for thunderstorms, construction noise and other environmental stressors. If your dog struggles with Guy Fawkes, reach out and we can put together a plan that addresses their specific needs long before next November.