Free 14-day plan
New Year ready dog
Short sessions every day until New Year's Eve. Start by 18 December.
See the plan
49 days until New Year's Eve
Good to know
14 days is a short time. The plan will not make a frightened dog fearless, but many dogs cope better when the sound, the den and the vest are already familiar. If your dog is very frightened, call your vet well before Christmas.
A few minutes a day
Tap a day to see the session. Tick it off when you are done.
- Days 1–4 · The den and the sound
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1 Build the den10 min
Pick a quiet corner away from windows. Add a blanket and something that smells of you. Give treats there and let your dog come and go.
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2 Find the sound3 min
Find a fireworks recording on YouTube or Spotify. Play it so quietly your dog barely notices, during dinner.
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3 A little longer5 min
Same quiet sound, a little longer. Play or offer a chew while it runs. Stop while your dog is still happy.
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4 One notch up5 min
Turn it up one small notch. Does your dog freeze, lick its lips or walk away? Turn it back down and stay there another day.
- Days 5–9 · The vest and ear cover
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5 Vest on2 min · PaukkuRauha
No sound today. Put the vest on for two minutes and give treats. Take it off while your dog is calm.
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6 Dinner in the den5 min
Serve dinner in the den with the quiet sound on. The den should mean food and calm.
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7 Rest dayRest
No training. Check that your dog's microchip is registered with the right phone number.
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8 Vest and quiet sound5–10 min · PaukkuRauha
Vest on, quiet sound and something good to chew. Let your dog lie in the den if it wants.
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9 The ear cover20 sec · PaukkuRauha
Slip the ear cover gently over the head for 10–20 seconds. Treat, then off again. Some dogs dislike having things on their head. Skip it if so.
- Days 10–13 · Put it together
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10 One more notch5 min
Turn the sound up one notch while your dog is in the den with something good. Still quiet enough that your dog eats and relaxes.
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11 Both together5 min · PaukkuRauha
Vest and ear cover together for a few minutes, no sound. Praise calmly and take them off while all is well.
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12 Dress rehearsal15 min · PaukkuRauha
In the evening: curtains closed, dog in the den, vest on and the sound low. Ear cover only if your dog is comfortable with it. You sit nearby.
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13 Quiet dayRest
No sound today. Go for a long walk and plan tomorrow evening. Who is home with the dog?
- Day 14 · The evening
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14 New Year's EveAll evening
Long walk early in the afternoon. Dinner a little later than usual. Vest on before the bangs start. Stay with your dog and stay calm yourself.
Only use the vest and ear cover while you are with your dog. Stop the session if your dog seems uneasy.
For the vest days
PaukkuRauha
A set with two parts: a vest with a hood and a soft ear cover. The vest sits snugly around the body, the ear cover goes over the ears.
Order by 7 December. It should then arrive before the vest sessions start.
See PaukkuRauha Delivery 5–10 working days. The plan also works without the vest: skip the days marked PaukkuRauha.New Year's Eve in short
- Long walk early in the afternoon
- Dinner a little later than usual
- Curtains closed and lights on indoors
- Den ready, with water nearby
- Radio or TV on low (helps some dogs, not all)
- An adult is home with the dog all evening
- Lead on whenever the dog goes out, also in the garden
The advice builds on recommendations from vets and animal welfare authorities. It does not replace a vet.
