With the change in seasons, many of us find ourselves back in fireworks season and, depending on where you live, the bangs and flashes could continue for several weeks.
There are lots of ways we can support our animals during this time: management strategies, desensitisation work, herbal or holistic remedies. But here, I want to focus on something that often gets overlooked: enrichment.
Why It Matters
Enrichment should be a key part of your fireworks-season strategy, not just as a distraction during the noisy moments, but as a way to support your dog’s overall stress and anxiety levels.
When your dog’s physical, mental, and emotional needs are being met, they’re likely to have a greater window of tolerance. In simple terms, that means they’re more resilient and better able to cope with stressful events like fireworks.
What You Can Do
Here are a few simple but effective ways to incorporate enrichment into your routine:
Get them moving early
Take your dog out for some good physical exercise before fireworks are likely to start. A game of tug, frisbee, or retrieving can help raise their heart rate and satisfy their physical and breed-typical needs.
Let them sniff
A slow, sniffy walk is more than just a stroll — it’s a mental workout! Sniffing helps dogs process information about their environment (a bit like doggy social media) and is great for calming the nervous system. Scentwork is another fantastic way to meet this need and is easy to do at home as well.
Prep enrichment activities in advance
Have a few of your dog’s favourite enrichment toys or games ready to go. These don’t have to involve food; interesting smells or safe items to shred can be just as engaging and satisfying. Take the time to observe your dog when they undertake an enrichment activity and identify what they find enjoyable, but also note their behaviour after an activity. Does it have a calming affect, or does it increase frustration and arousal levels? This is good information to know so that you can tailor the activities you offer.
Offer calming outlets
Licking, sniffing, and chewing are naturally calming behaviours. Chewing that engages the back molars is especially effective. If you’re not keen on food-based chews (e.g. because your dog is on a restrictive diet or needs to lose weight), consider natural alternatives like briar roots or olive branches.
Respect their choices
Choice is a powerful tool. If your dog chooses not to engage in an activity, that’s okay. Even if we think it might help, forcing interaction can add stress. Allowing your dog to opt out or choose a different activity supports their emotional wellbeing.
Enrichment isn’t just about keeping your dog busy — it’s about helping them feel safe, satisfied, and supported. By proactively meeting their needs, you’re giving them the best chance to cope with the challenges fireworks season can bring. However, for some dogs, enrichment, management and holistic support alone may not be enough. If your dog is very fearful, please speak to your vet as early as possible about medication which may help.
Good luck - and don't hesitate to drop me a message through the website or a DM on Instagram for any other advice!