Ask any Filipino dog owner about New Year’s Eve and you’ll hear the same story. The fireworks, the torotot, the pots and pans, the car horns at midnight, and a dog trembling under the bed.

The noise here doesn’t just last one night. It often starts weeks before and carries on into early January. That’s exactly why the best time to prepare is now, while the streets are still quiet.

Why Dogs Find Fireworks So Frightening

Dogs hear far better than we do. To them, a firework isn’t a pretty light in the sky. It’s a sudden, loud bang with no warning and no obvious source. For a young puppy, it can be one of the scariest things they’ve ever experienced.

A single bad night can leave a lasting fear of loud noises, which is why preparation matters so much.

Start Sound Training Today

Find recordings of fireworks and firecrackers online and play them at a very low volume while your dog is doing something enjoyable, like eating or playing.

• Keep the volume low enough that your dog barely notices.
• Raise it a little over days and weeks, never so fast that your dog looks worried.
• Keep sessions short and end on a happy note.

If your dog stops eating, freezes or tries to leave, the volume is too high. Turn it down and go more slowly.

Build a Safe Den

Give your dog a quiet place to retreat to, ideally in an inner room away from windows. A covered crate works brilliantly if your dog is already crate trained.

Add their bed, a favourite chew and an old T-shirt that smells of you.

Plan the Night Itself

• Walk early. Take a long walk in the afternoon before the noise begins, and keep the evening toilet break short and on leash.
• Check the ID tag and microchip details. More dogs go missing around New Year than at almost any other time.
• Close windows and curtains, and turn on the TV or some music to soften the bangs.
• Stay calm yourself. Comfort your dog if they come to you, but keep your voice relaxed. Your dog reads your mood.
• Never leave a dog tied up outside. Panicked dogs can injure themselves badly trying to escape.

If Your Dog Has Struggled Before

Some dogs have had a frightening New Year already and react strongly at the first bang, with shaking, drooling or trying to escape. These dogs need more time, so start at an even lower volume and move more slowly. Make sure doors, gates and balcony access are secure on the night, because a panicked dog can slip out in seconds.

Start This Week

Two months of short, gentle practice can make a huge difference.

Raising a puppy? Our free “Your Puppy, Week by Week” newsletter walks you through it, one week at a time.