How to Help Your Dog Cope This New Year’s Eve

Christmas is just around the corner and New Year just after it. But while the annual New Year’s Eve celebrations can be a huge amount of fun for people, dogs often find it to be one of the most stressful nights of the year. While this year is likely to be a little quieter thanks to COVID-19, it’s unlikely that we’re going to have a firework-free end to 2020. From the loud bangs outside of the home to parties and changes in your dog’s normal routine, there are plenty of things about New Year’s Eve that can upset your beloved friend. And New Year’s Eve can be particularly challenging for dogs who are anxious or nervous. So, what can you do this year to help your dog get through New Year’s Eve with as little stress as possible?

Forward-Planning

Don’t wait until the night to see how your dog reacts to fireworks and everything else that goes on at New Year’s Eve. If your dog is a new addition to the family and you are not sure how they are going to behave, planning ahead is even more important as the last thing that you want is to only find out on the night that they are terrified. Ask people in your local area about any planned firework displays or parties as this will give you a chance to take the time to plan the night accordingly with plenty of time to spare.

Stay Indoors

Those evening walks might not be a good idea for you and your dog on New Year’s Eve. While fireworks can be scary for dogs who are indoors, being in the safety and comfort of their home is always going to be better than being outdoors when it’s all happening. Not only are fireworks noisy, but their bright flashes can also be a reason why dogs can get stressed out and scared. Reduce the effects of the external stimulus on New Year’s Eve by closing the curtains and taking your dog to the quietest room in the home.

Provide a Safe, Comfortable Space

Your dog will feel a lot better if they have somewhere safe and comfortable to go during the noise and stress of New Year’s Eve. Ultimately, let your dog decide where they are going to feel safest by providing them with options. Some dogs might find it comforting to curl up next to you or get on your lap on the sofa, while others will prefer to deal with it alone in a safe spot like a crate filled with comfortable blankets and one on top to make it dark and secure. Bella and Duke have some great tips for creating a safe space for dogs during fireworks here: https://www.bellaandduke.com/guide/dogs-and-fireworks-how-to-calm-them/. Bella & Duke’s blog offers lots of handy advice on dogs and fireworks, especially if your dog is already nervous.

Use Calming Sounds

Loud noises have the potential to leave almost any dog stressed out and one of the most challenging parts of New Year’s Eve is that you just never know when the next firework is going to be let off. While you can usually rely on midnight to be the time when the majority of the fireworks will be let off, there are usually plenty of them before and afterwards as well. You might want to try drowning the noise out with your TV or a speaker at home and play some sounds that are calming for your dog. YouTube has a great selection of calming music for dogs that can help to mask the sounds of the fireworks and help your dog feel more relaxed.

Distract Your Dog

New Year’s Eve has the potential to be stressful, but you can also turn it into a great night for bonding and spending some quality time with your dog. You can distract your dog with toys and games so that they are not wholly focused on what’s going on outside. Introducing some new toys or teaching them how to play a game that you haven’t tried before is likely to mentally stimulate your dog and divert their attention away from the fireworks and onto you and the activities instead.

Walk Earlier

While it’s best to stay indoors once the fireworks start going off, taking your dog for a long walk earlier on New Year’s Eve will make sure that they are nice and tired – and they might even sleep through some of the celebrations. Bear in mind that a dog who is full of energy that needs burning off is likely to be harder to manage and more likely to get stressed out and worked up on New Year’s Eve, so it’s a great day to take them for a longer walk than usual or meet up with friends at a dog park or secure outdoor area where you can let the dogs off the lead to run around to their heart’s content.

Consider Calming Aids

There are various calming aids and products that you might want to try to help your dog stay as stress-free as possible this New Year’s Eve. Thunder Shirts are an ideal option since they apply gentle, continuous pressure to your dog’s torso providing the feeling of being hugged, which can really help some dogs when it comes to stress. Bach Rescue Remedy for Pets is also a good idea, as are Adaptil diffusers. You might want to give your dog calming supplements for a few days before New Year’s Eve as they can often take some time to work. Always speak to your vet before giving your dog any supplements designed to help them stay calm as your vet will be able to provide expert advice on the options and help you make the right choice for your pet.

Keep Calm Yourself

It’s natural for any devoted pet parent to be worried and perhaps even a little stressed about how their dog is going to cope on New Year’s Eve. However, remember that dogs do pick up on their humans’ feelings very easily and being stressed and anxious yourself is not going to help your dog at all. Your dog looks up to you as the most important person in their life, and when they see that you are calm and unfazed by what is going on outside, this might help them to feel calmer themselves.

Training for the Future

Even if your dog might never love New Year’s Eve, there are plenty of things that you can do to train them that it’s not that stressful and help to reduce their reactions for the future. Working with your dog on a regular basis to help them get used to loud noises, bright lights and everything else that comes with New Year’s Eve on an ongoing basis throughout the year may help your dog cope better next time around. While this will take a lot of time and patience, it can be done in a controlled environment and is definitely worth it in the long run. Many pet parents worry about the effects of New Year’s Eve on their precious dogs. If you are concerned about how your dog is going to cope this year, start planning now to ensure that they have a safe environment with as little stress as possible.