New Year dog boarding in Phuket
How to Keep Your Dog Calm During New Year Fireworks in Phuket
By Pear, Pear's Pawsh ·
New Year's Eve in Phuket comes with fireworks from the beaches, hotels and neighbourhoods — often for hours, not minutes. For many small dogs that is the most frightening night of the year. The best plan is to prepare early: make a safe den at home, secure doors and gates, and talk to your vet about anxiety in advance. If you will be away or out that night, our New Year season (20 Dec 2026 – 20 Jan 2027, ฿500/day for dogs up to 10 kg) keeps small dogs indoors with someone beside them.
Why fireworks are so hard on dogs
Dogs hear a wider range of sounds than we do, and fireworks are loud, sudden and unpredictable. There is no way for a dog to understand what is happening or when it will stop. Flashes of light, the smell of smoke and the excitement of people around them add to the stress. Small dogs often show fear by hiding, trembling, panting, clinging to their owner or trying to bolt.
Phuket has more than one noisy season. Besides New Year's Eve, firecrackers are part of celebrations such as Chinese New Year and the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket Town. If your dog is scared of loud bangs, these tips apply then too.
Two to four weeks before
- Talk to your vet if your dog has panicked at fireworks before. There are calming options, but they need to be prescribed and tested before the night. Never give human medicine.
- Check ID — make sure the collar tag has your current phone number, and ask your vet to scan the microchip and confirm the details are registered.
- Plan your night — will you be home? If you are going out or travelling, arrange care early. New Year is the busiest time of the year for boarding in Phuket.
Set up a safe den
Choose the quietest room in your home, ideally one without big windows. Make a cosy hiding spot with your dog's bed and a blanket over a table or crate (door open). Let your dog use it in the days before, with treats and calm attention, so it feels familiar.
- Close windows and curtains to muffle noise and hide flashes.
- Turn on the air-con — it also adds steady background sound.
- Play the TV, music or white noise at a comfortable volume.
- Put water, a favourite toy and a long-lasting chew in the den.
On New Year's Eve
Walk early
Take your dog out for a toilet walk well before dark, on a secure harness. Fireworks often start early, and a frightened dog can slip out of a collar.
Feed a little earlier
A calm, fed dog settles more easily. Give dinner a little earlier than usual so they are not hungry when the noise starts.
Secure the house
Check gates, fences and doors. Many dogs run away on New Year's Eve. Tell guests to keep doors closed.
Stay calm and close
It is fine to comfort your dog — you will not ‘reward’ the fear. Speak quietly, let them hide if they want, and do not force them out of the den. Avoid scolding: punishment only adds stress.
Never leave them outside
Even a dog that usually lives outdoors should be brought inside on this night.
After the fireworks
Some dogs stay jumpy the next day. Keep the routine gentle, check the garden for fireworks debris before letting them out, and note what helped — it will make next year easier.
When boarding is the calmer option
If you are travelling over the holidays, going out on New Year's Eve, or your home is near a beach or venue with big displays, boarding can be kinder than leaving your dog alone. Look for a place that keeps dogs indoors in a cool, closed space and has someone with them through the night.
Our New Year season runs 20 Dec 2026 – 20 Jan 2027. It is ฿500 per day for dogs up to 10 kg, advance booking only — we don't take last-minute bookings in this period. For dogs between 10 and 15 kg, please ask on LINE. Dogs stay indoors with air-conditioning on, and someone stays with them through the fireworks.
