How to Prepare Your New Puppy or Dog for Fireworks and the Festive Season

Autumn and winter bring plenty for families to enjoy, from Halloween and Bonfire Night to Christmas and New Year. However, the unexpected noises, unfamiliar visitors and changes in routine can be overwhelming for a new puppy or dog.

Every dog is different. Some will happily greet trick-or-treaters and investigate the Christmas tree, while others will feel safer watching everything from a quiet corner. The aim should not be to make your dog join every celebration. It should be to help them feel safe, give them choices and find seasonal activities they genuinely enjoy.

Start preparing early

Try not to wait until the first firework or knock at the door before preparing your dog.

Begin by creating a comfortable safe space somewhere quiet in your home. This might be a covered crate, a cosy bed behind the sofa or a quiet room away from the front door. Include familiar bedding, water and a favourite toy or chew.

Encourage your dog to use this space when the house is calm. You can occasionally place treats there, but never force your dog inside or shut them in unexpectedly. It needs to be somewhere they choose to relax.

Dogs Trust recommends creating this space well in advance so your dog already sees it as somewhere safe before fireworks or visitors arrive. Once your dog is resting there, everyone, including children and visitors—should leave them undisturbed.

Help your puppy become familiar with unusual sounds

Puppies can gradually be introduced to noises such as fireworks, doorbells and people knocking. This must be done carefully and at a level that does not frighten them.

Begin with a recording played so quietly that your puppy barely notices it. Pair the sound with something positive, such as food, gentle play or a favourite activity. The volume can be increased very gradually over several sessions, but only while your puppy remains completely relaxed.

This process can take weeks or months. Avoid suddenly playing loud firework recordings, particularly close to Bonfire Night. Frightening your puppy with a loud noise can create a fear rather than prevent one.

If your puppy stops eating, freezes, hides, pants, paces or tries to leave, stop the session. If your dog is already frightened of fireworks, speak to your vet or a qualified clinical animal behaviourist before attempting sound training.

Preparing for trick-or-treaters

Halloween can mean costumes, excited children, repeated knocks and a constantly opening front door. Even a sociable dog may find this more difficult than an ordinary visitor.

Before trick-or-treating begins:

• Give your dog their usual walk while it is still light.

• Feed their main meal before visitors are likely to arrive.

• Close curtains if costumes and people outside make them bark.

• Prepare a chew, filled food toy, snuffle mat or other calming activity.

• Make sure their microchip details and identification tag are up to date.

• Keep sweets and chocolate completely out of reach.

Consider using a stairgate or closed internal door to keep your dog away from the entrance. This prevents them slipping outside when you open the door and removes any expectation that they must greet everyone.

If your dog finds the doorbell difficult, you could leave a bowl of treats outside, place a polite sign on the door asking people not to knock or sit near the entrance so you can answer before the bell rings.

Do not take your dog trick-or-treating simply because you want them to be included. Crowds, costumes, darkness and excited children can be frightening, especially for a young or newly adopted dog.

Dogs Trust advises that even dogs who appear comfortable with the excitement may prefer to remain at home with a familiar toy or enrichment activity.

Should your dog wear a Halloween costume?

Some dogs are comfortable wearing a simple item such as a bandana, but many dislike costumes that restrict their movement, hearing, sight or ability to communicate.

Watch your dog’s body language. Trying to remove the costume, freezing, turning their head away, licking their lips or lowering their body can all indicate discomfort.

A photograph is never worth making your dog feel frightened or trapped. A seasonal bandana beside a pumpkin can be just as cute, and much more comfortable.

Prepare your new puppy for fireworks

Fireworks are unpredictable, extremely loud and often continue over several evenings. They may be heard around Halloween, Bonfire Night, Diwali, Christmas and New Year.

In the days before fireworks are expected:

• Check local event listings and community groups for planned displays.

• Ask neighbours whether they are planning home fireworks.

• Make sure fences, gates, doors and windows are secure.

• Check that your dog’s microchip information is current.

• Arrange for someone your dog trusts to remain at home with them.

• Speak to your vet early if your dog has previously shown significant fear.

On evenings when fireworks are likely, walk your dog during daylight and keep them on a lead. Feed them early and allow them to go to the toilet before the fireworks begin.

Never take a dog to a fireworks display, even if they have previously appeared unconcerned by loud noises.

Helping your dog while fireworks are happening

Close the windows and curtains to reduce both the noise and flashes. Playing familiar music, the television or gentle background noise may help disguise distant bangs.

Let your dog decide what they need. Some dogs want to hide, while others seek reassurance or prefer to remain close to their family. It is fine to comfort your dog calmly if they approach you. You will not reinforce their fear by helping them feel safe.

Do not pull them out of a hiding place or force them to play. Never tell them off for barking, trembling, having an accident or damaging something while frightened.

Keep water available, as anxious dogs may drink more than usual. If your dog needs to go outside, accompany them into a secure garden and keep them on a lead if there is any possibility of escape.

The Dogs Trust fireworks guidance and RSPCA fireworks advice both recommend contacting your vet if your dog shows significant fear. Your vet can check for medical factors, discuss suitable treatments and refer you to a qualified behaviourist if necessary.

Helping your dog cope with Christmas visitors

Christmas often changes the rhythm of the entire household. There may be more visitors, lively children, unfamiliar smells, music and less opportunity to rest.

Try to maintain your dog’s usual mealtimes, walks, toilet breaks and bedtime. Predictable routines can help dogs feel secure when other things are changing.

Ask visitors to allow your dog to approach in their own time. They should avoid leaning over them, hugging them or following them when they move away. Children must always be supervised around dogs and should understand that a dog resting in their safe space must be left alone.

Your dog does not need to spend the whole celebration in the busiest room. Regular quiet breaks can prevent them from becoming overwhelmed.

If you are visiting someone else, take your dog’s bed, familiar blanket, food and favourite toys. Check that there will be a quiet room available before deciding whether bringing your dog is the right option.

Keep festive food away from curious paws

Christmas brings several foods that can be dangerous to dogs. These include:

• Chocolate

• Grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas

• Mince pies and Christmas cake

• Onions, garlic, leeks and chives

• Alcohol

• Products containing xylitol

• Macadamia nuts

• Cooked bones

• Rich, fatty or heavily seasoned leftovers

Keep food, wrapped edible gifts and bins securely out of reach. If you think your dog has eaten something harmful, contact your vet immediately rather than waiting for symptoms. Do not try to make your dog vomit unless a vet specifically instructs you to do so.

The RSPCA Christmas safety guide and PDSA Christmas survival guide provide further information about dangerous festive foods, plants and decorations.

Ways your dog can enjoy the festive season

Including your dog does not have to mean bringing them into a busy party or dressing them in a costume. Dog-friendly seasonal activities could include:

• Taking a quiet winter walk somewhere familiar

• Letting them sniff around an autumn woodland

• Making a food treasure hunt with part of their normal meal

• Giving them a cardboard box filled with paper and hidden treats

• Baking suitable homemade dog biscuits

• Choosing a new toy or long-lasting chew

• Having a cosy evening together away from the noise

• Visiting a dog-friendly Christmas event during a quieter session

Remember to count edible treats as part of your dog’s daily food allowance, particularly for puppies and smaller dogs.

Let your dog celebrate in their own way

A successful festive season will look different for every dog. One might enjoy greeting a few visitors, while another may be happiest asleep in a quiet room.

Watch their body language, offer choices and give them plenty of opportunities to rest. If your dog wants to join an activity and appears comfortable, let them. If they choose to move away, respect that decision.

Helping your new puppy or dog feel safe is far more important than including them in every photograph or family tradition. With thoughtful preparation, the festive period can become something you both enjoy—even if your dog’s favourite part is simply curling up beside you while the celebrations happen elsewhere.