New Year’s Eve Dogs & Fireworks Safety Zone Checklist

Nichole Myers-Youngquist
Dec 28, 2025
4 min read

by Nichole Myers-Youngquist, Owner of Zoomies Dog Social Club & Training

Fireworks are a hallmark of New Year’s Eve, but they can be incredibly distressing for our pets. Is your pup ready for the New Year’s Eve "Booms"?

At Zoomies Dog Social Dog & Training, we want to make sure your 2026 starts on a safe and happy note! Here's how to help your dog navigate the fireworks with a calm environment and a "party" atmosphere!

dogs fireworks safety zone checklist — A golden retriever creates a cozy haven in a blanket fort during New Year's Eve fireworks, surrounded by a soothing checklist of their favorite toys for comfort.

1. Build the Perfect Sanctuary

Create a Retreat: Set up a specific area with your pet’s favorite toys, treats, and blankets. One of my dogs loved the bathtub. I would place his bed in the dry tub. He would come out several times to check that we hadn't left but otherwise he was as comfortable as I could make him.
Add Your Scent: Place an unwashed t-shirt in the zone to provide your dog with a sense of security. Dirty socks are the perfect soother for some dogs.
Keep it Positive: Ensure the safety zone is a place where "nothing bad ever happens." Prepare it now and be intentional about what tone of voice, how you move, or keeping other pets out. This is the happiest place in your home for your dog.
Secure the Perimeter: Keep pets indoors and secure while fireworks are active so they cannot run away. In fact, 1 in 5 pets goes missing after being spooked by loud noises. If your dog does escape or if you've found an unattended dog, check local lost and found pets Facebook groups like the one in Albany.

2. Mental Enrichment & Distraction

Set Up Puzzles: Place several boxes and food puzzles in their quiet area to keep their minds busy.
Use High-Value Rewards: Fill puzzles with chopped-up hot dogs, cheese, or freeze-dried liver.
Throw a "Treat Party": Whenever a firework goes "boom," say, "Party" in a high pitched tone, and toss treats on the ground to create a positive association. You can even use the boxes a "target" to toss the treats into.
Play "Find It": Use the "Find It" cue the moment a firework happens to redirect their focus. You can go as far as hiding treats around the safety zone like under the blanket or toy.

3. Safety & Emergency Prep

Update Identification: Ensure your pet's microchip and collar tags have up-to-date contact information.
Current Photo: Keep a recent photo of your pet handy in case they get lost.
Veterinary Support: If your pet is particularly frightened, consult your vet about potential medication. Some are even known as "event medications" so you won't have to use them for an extended period of time.
Stay Clear: Never allow your pets near actual fireworks, as they can easily be injured.
Ingestion Risk: If your pet was lost near fireworks and you suspect they may have ingested debris or toxins, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

The Ultimate "Safety Zone" Shopping List

dogs fireworks safety zone shopping checklist — Shopping day with the pups: letting them pick out their favorite treats at the pet store!

1. High-Value "Party" Treats

Hot Dogs: Perfect for chopping into small bits for the "Find It" game.
Cheese: A high-motivation reward to create a positive association with loud noises. Mozzarella cheese sticks are easy to cut into pea-sized bites.
Freeze-Dried Liver: Intense flavor to keep their focus on you rather than the "booms". Pro Tip: Turkey and salmon have tryptophan, an essential amino acid the body needs to build proteins, but can't make, so it must come from food like poultry, nuts, and dairy; it's crucial for producing mood-regulating serotonin, sleep-inducing melatonin, and Vitamin B3 (niacin).

2. Mental Enrichment Tools

Food Puzzles: Essential for keeping your dog’s brain occupied in their quiet area.
Cardboard Boxes or Snuffle Mats: Use these for DIY enrichment—hide treats inside for your dog to forage.
Lick Mats or KONGs: Great for providing a calming, repetitive activity in the safety zone.

3. Comfort & Security Essentials

Updated ID Tags: Ensure their collar has your most current contact info. Most stores that sell pet products have a machine that engraves ID tags. You can also purchase collars that embroider the information into the nylon. It's much like writing your child's name on a shirt tag in permanent marker!
Cozy Bedding: Use their favorite blankets to make the zone inviting.
An Unwashed T-Shirt: Don't buy this one—just pull one from your laundry pile! Your scent provides natural comfort.

4. Safety "Just In Case"

Secure Crate or Boarding: If you are going out, consider a secure crate or professional boarding to keep them safe. I can highly recommend two local businesses: Field of Dreams Boarding in Sweet Home, Oregon and Brown Dog Boarding in Shedd, Oregon.
A New Camera/Phone: (Or just your current one!) Ensure you have a clear, up-to-date photo of your pet handy.