How to help dogs with fireworks

The science behind sound therapy

Sound therapy is all about using certain sounds to help your dog's brain and body chill out. It's actually pretty cool how it works.

When your dog hears a sound, it travels in waves into their ear canal and makes the eardrum vibrate. These vibrations go to the inner ear and get turned into electrical signals that go straight to the brain.

The effects on your dog's brain are pretty much the same as they are on us humans. Certain sounds can make the brain release dopamine and serotonin, which are the feel-good chemicals in the brain. These chemicals help to lower stress and anxiety and make your dog feel calm and relaxed.

Sound therapy can actually help the part of your dog's nervous system that's in charge of relaxation work even better. This can slow down their heart rate, lower their blood pressure, and generally make them feel more at ease.

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Read more: How to help an anxious dog

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Types of sound therapy

There are several types of music that you can use for sound therapy:

Classical music

Classical music, especially music with slow tempos and gentle melodies, has been shown to have a calming effect on dogs. In a study by the Scottish SPCA and the University of Glasgow, dogs exposed to classical music showed lower stress-related behaviours. Other genres that work well are soft rock and reggae.

White noise

White noise has got all the frequencies that we can hear, and it's often used to drown out background noise and make a place feel more peaceful. It's like a big, comfy blanket for your dog's ears. It helps to mask other sounds that might make them jumpy or anxious.

Nature sounds

Nature sounds, such as birdsong, ocean waves, or rain, can calm dogs and create a natural environment that your dog is already familiar with. It's like they're back in their happy place, even if they're actually indoors. This can help them feel more at ease and less stressed.

Specially designed soundscapes

Some companies offer soundscapes specially designed for dogs. These soundscapes are designed to hit all the right notes for helping your dog relax. They blend different types of sounds that are known to make dogs feel more at ease.

How to use sound therapy for calming anxious dogs

Using sound therapy to help calm anxious dogs is a simple and effective approach. Here's how you can implement it:

Create a comfortable environment

Before introducing sound therapy, choose a quiet room or area where your dog can relax without distractions. Crate training your dog can help give them their own space and is great if they live at home with young children or other animals.

Choose the right sounds

Avoid loud, fast or erratic sounds, which could increase your dog's anxiety.

Introduce sound therapy gradually

Start by playing the sound at a low volume for 5 to 10 minutes and watch your dog's reaction. If they're relaxed and comfortable, slowly increase the volume. If you notice your dog looking a bit uncomfortable or even more anxious when you're playing these sounds, try turning down the volume a bit. If that doesn't do the trick, you might want to try a different type of sound altogether.

Use sound therapy little and often

Make sound therapy a part of your dog's daily routine. Play the calming sounds during times when you want your dog to relax, such as after a walk or when people are visiting. The more regularly you use sound therapy, the quicker your dog will get used to it. Make it a part of their daily routine, and you'll likely see them start to relax more easily over time.

Combine with other calming techniques

Consider combining sound therapy with other calming techniques, such as calming treats for dogs. Using sound therapy along with other methods can make it more effective.

Be patient

Remember, it may take time for your dog to get used to sound therapy and experience the full benefits. Be patient and continue to use sound therapy regularly, adjusting the volume and type of sounds as needed.

We have a handy video with 45 minutes of firework noises that you can put on in the background in the run-up to fireworks season. Put this on where your dog will be able to hear it, but don't play it for too long or set the volume too loud to begin with. Start short and low, and gradually increase your dog's exposure once you are sure they are calm and coping with it fine.

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Desensitising your dog to loud noises

Desensitisation is a way of showing your dog that things don't have to be scary. It's all about exposing your dog to their anxiety triggers, like the loud noises from fireworks, but doing it really slowly and in a controlled way. Sound therapy can be used as part of a desensitisation training program to help your dog become less fearful of loud noises, such as fireworks or thunderstorms.

The process of desensitisation

Desensitisation and counter-conditioning is a form of dog behavioural training, aimed at reducing or changing a dog's negative response to a stimulus. It's a slow process, with the aim being to expose your dog to whatever makes them anxious (such as fireworks noise), but at such a low level it doesn't cause any stress, and then slowly crank up the intensity until your dog can tolerate their particular trigger. This is often paired with a positive reward when your dog remains calm, so that their response to the trigger, such as a thunderstorm, gradually becomes positive rather than negative.

The most important thing is to take it easy. Rushing through the process could backfire and make your dog even more anxious. So, go at a pace that's comfortable for your dog, and make sure you're not overwhelming them with too much too soon.

Coping with fireworks season

Fireworks often scare dogs, causing loads of stress and anxiety. The loud bangs, bright flashes, and unfamiliar smells can be overwhelming and without getting prepared, dogs might hide, tremble, bark or try to escape your home. Luckily, there are ways in which you can help. A desensitisation program needs to be started well in advance, but you can also use methods during the fireworks season itself to help them stay relaxed and worry free.

Advance preparation

Introduce a desensitisation program specifically for fireworks sounds. You can purchase recordings of fireworks specifically for dog desensitisation. Start by playing the sounds at a very low volume, for a short period, providing plenty of reassurance and praise. Gradually build up the volume and duration of play over the course of several weeks to months.

Make sure your dog has a safe area that they can go to when they need calm, such as a crate or cosy bed.

If you know your dog doesn't respond well to fireworks, try taking these steps to ensure their safety and comfort:

Time	Actions
Before fireworks season	Update your dog's microchip details Start desensitisation training with firework sounds
Days before	Keep dogs on a lead during walks Prepare a quiet, safe space with comfortable bedding and toys Stock up on treat toys like Kongs
On the day of the fireworks	Walk your dog early, before it gets dark Ensure you're home before dark Secure doors and windows so your dog can't run away Set up the safe space — dim lights, close curtains, toys
Once fireworks begin	Use sound therapy (white noise, classical music, or soft rock) Stay with your dog for reassurance Engage in distraction activities, like brain games, puzzle feeders, and treat-scattering games around the house

If your dog doesn't respond well to the sound therapy, or if you suspect they might have a particularly severe noise phobia, consider consulting a professional behaviorist.

Any academic research into the impact of fireworks on dogs?

Research shows that fireworks can be really distressing for many dogs. The loud, unpredictable sounds cause stress, leading to behaviours that could put their safety at risk. Here are key studies that highlight the impact of fireworks on dogs.

Fireworks and noise phobias in dogs

A study from the University of Bristol found that 45% of dogs show signs of fear when they hear fireworks. It also revealed that dogs exposed to loud, sudden noises are likely to develop lasting phobias. Fireworks, in particular, were found to trigger reactions like trembling, hiding, and attempts to escape, putting some dogs at risk of injury.

Rise in noise phobias in pets

One of the PDSA’s annual wellbeing reports highlighted the increase in noise-related phobias, finding that 40% of dog owners report their pets are scared of fireworks. It also reported that 83% of vet professionals support limiting fireworks to licensed events due to their impact on pets. 

Firework-related injuries in dogs

A New Zealand study reported that 6% of dogs suffered injuries due to fireworks, with some incidents even resulting in fatalities. Dogs that tried to escape from fireworks were often at risk of road accidents and other injuries. 

Want more advice about sound therapy for dogs?

For further help and advice on how to calm an anxious dog, particularly during firework season, have a chat with your vet.

Find your nearest vet using our find a vet page, or speak to a vet online using our video vet service.