December 16, 2024, 2:12 pm | Read time: 7 minutes

Most Important Rule: Be There for Your Dog on New Year’s Eve

“For many dogs, the time around the New Year is the worst of the entire year,” says dog trainer Chris Maron. This is because even in the hours—and in some cities, even days—before and after the New Year, individual rockets or firecrackers are set off. Many then hide in the windowless bathroom or right under the couch. How should owners handle this?

“The most important thing is to be there for your dog,” Maron emphasizes. No dog should be left alone at home on New Year’s Eve. Even if they usually endure the fireworks calmly, a firecracker might go off right outside the door this year. Even the most relaxed dog would be startled.

Don’t Lure the Dog Out of Its Hiding Place

If the dog is already anxious on New Year’s Eve, the owner should retreat with them to a quiet room that doesn’t face the street. Animals accustomed to a crate often like to retreat to this safe haven. Additionally, blinds or curtains should be closed hours before the New Year.

Important: Do not lure dogs that are hiding out of their hiding place. Dogs seeking attention should not be ignored but petted if they wish. “But you shouldn’t pity them,” advises the expert. “That would show them that the situation is unusual and that you are worried.” The person must exude calm.

This is a statement that TV dog trainer André Vogt can confirm, as he explains in a conversation with PETBOOK. “You can give the dog security by offering physical contact and closeness. Ignoring is not helpful. You can also set up a safe place with a calming blanket, play music, and close the windows and blinds to minimize noise levels.”

Also interesting: How hearing protection can help anxious dogs on New Year’s Eve

Tight Clothing and Physical Closeness Give Dogs Security on New Year’s Eve

For anxious dogs, it can help to hold them close—this literally gives them support, providing security. “Similarly, the so-called Thundershirt is supposed to work,” says Maron. This is a specially made, snug-fitting body suit for anxious dogs. It’s also worth trying to drown out the New Year’s Eve noises with loud music—provided, of course, the dog isn’t afraid of the music.

Special relaxation devices for dogs that play high-frequency sound waves are also available on the market. “The dog must first be conditioned to these sounds,” explains the dog trainer. They should hear these sound waves repeatedly in the weeks leading up to New Year’s Eve when they are particularly relaxed.

Many Pets Run Away on New Year’s Eve

It’s also helpful if the dog is very tired on New Year’s Eve—ideally, they will sleep through the New Year in a quiet room. Therefore, they should be kept busy during the day on December 31, such as with a long hike or intensive training that requires a lot of thinking. Dogs should be kept on a leash during walks that day to prevent them from running away in panic if a firecracker goes off nearby.

A special safety harness prevents the dog from breaking free in panic. Although these harnesses are quite expensive, they are worth the investment for anxious dogs. As Lisa Frankenberger, spokesperson for the animal protection organization Tasso e.V., reveals in a conversation with PETBOOK, there are particularly many incidents around New Year’s Eve where dogs run away. The animal registration service recorded more than 800 runaway and lost dogs and cats during the 2023/2024 New Year alone.

Hearing Protection for Dogs Can Help

Another option that can help anxious dogs cope better with firecracker noises is special hearing protection for four-legged friends, as Lisa Frankenberger recommends. This can dampen loud noises and thus help reduce stress for the animals. “How much the hearing protection dampens depends on various factors: dog type, hearing protection model, fit of the protection, and proximity to the noise.”

She has had quite good experiences with her dog Dottie. However, it’s important to slowly and patiently get the dog used to the headphones. As with most measures, owners should work on this with their four-legged friend several weeks before New Year’s Eve to avoid additional stress. You can learn how to get your dog used to hearing protection in this article.

Licking and Chewing Reduce Stress and Provide Distraction

During the New Year, it’s also worth distracting the animal. You can give them something tasty to chew on or toss them a treat. This should start in the minutes before midnight when there are no fireworks yet. Once the dog is scared, even their favorite food won’t serve as a distraction.

Chew bones or special lick mats, which can be prepared with liver sausage or malt paste, work even better than treats. Licking and chewing reduce stress in dogs and can distract them from the fireworks. But again, if the dog is too stressed, they won’t accept food, even if you put their favorite dish right in front of them.

More on the topic

Expert gives tips How hearing protection for dogs can help fearful dogs on New Year’s Eve

Soothing Sounds Can Brown Noise Help Dogs with Anxiety on New Year’s Eve?

Absolute Last Resort—Medications and Sedatives

According to veterinarian Ralph Rückert from Ulm, dogs that are a little scared on New Year’s Eve can be helped by Zylkene, Sedarom, or Adaptil tablets. These are available over the counter. But what about dogs that are almost driven crazy by fear? “Anxiety states of such intensity should be pharmacologically dampened, not least for animal welfare reasons,” he says.

However, the expert explicitly warns against Acepromazine, sold under the brand names Vetranquil, Sedalin, Calmivet, and Prequillan. These drugs make the dogs appear calm on the outside, but inside they are trembling with fear. “A really nasty thing, stay away,” says the veterinarian.

Things to Consider When Administering Medication

In consultation with the veterinarian, the medications Sileo and Pexion are recommended. If these don’t help, benzodiazepines like Diazepam or Alprazolam can be prescribed by the vet. These actually have an anxiety-relieving effect, says Rückert. Although there is theoretically a potential for addiction, according to the veterinarian, this is not an issue with such short-term use.

“Sedatives can be particularly useful for animals that react uncontrollably and panicked. They can injure themselves or others and are often hardly responsive,” explains veterinarian and Fressnapf expert Matthias Lebens. “If there’s no way to retreat to seclusion on New Year’s Eve, veterinarian-prescribed medications can help. But beware: These must be administered in time, often days in advance, to be effective.”

With material from dpa