Golden Retriever Refuses To Leave Dad's Lap During Fireworks and It's So Sweet
Though most humans love a good Fourth of July celebration with fireworks, there's one member of the family who's often a little less excited.
For many dogs, the Fourth of July and everything that comes with it isn't their favorite holiday.
This adorable Golden Retrievernamed Mia is a prime example of that, as the minute she hears the rumblings of a firework, she's already in panic mode.
This Golden Retriever is so afraid of fireworks that it means she needs to be as close to her dad as possible.
@miamiathegolden These week will bring lots of trazodone #goldenretriever#dogsoftiktok#summer#michigan#fireworks
original sound - Mia
Aww, we love that her dad brought her even closer to comfort her because his dog is afraid of fireworks!
The comments section featured many dog parents who could relate to this behavior.
One person wrote, "Literally me and my dog for the past hour."
Another wrote, "Ahhhhh, yes, our least favorite time of year."
After all, so many pups fear fireworks, which can make the whole summer season a very stressful time for them.
A recent Rover survey found that 65% of pet parents reported their dog or cat was afraid of fireworks, with 23% saying it was their pet's number‑one stressor.
Related: Golden Retriever Is So Happy To Pick up His Mom From the Airport and We're Crying
Why Are Dogs So Afraid of Fireworks?
For many dog parents, the summer season can be tough, as it's not only the Fourth of July that brings fireworks (though that's the most popular day for it), but really, the entire summer.
So why are so many dogs afraid of fireworks? There are myriad reasons.
First of all, the sound of fireworks is unfamiliar to pooches.
Because dogs can't identify the sound immediately, their sympathetic nervous system gets activated, and then they automatically go into a fight-or-flight response.
Fireworks also give a dog sensory overload with not only sounds, but also flashing lights.
Speaking of sensory overload, with pups having such advanced hearing, the sounds of fireworks can actually be painful to their eardrums.
How To Help a Dog Afraid of Fireworks
As for how to help your dog during fireworks, there are a number of steps you can take to help your beloved pet.
Try using a calm voice and giving them praise and treats. Reassure them that it's going to be OK.
If their anxiety is super bad, where they're panting, trembling, hiding, or whining, you may want to talk to your vet about medication like trazodone.
If their anxiety is only moderate, you could consider calming supplements like the ones from JustFoodForDogs, which have passionflower and valerian to support optimal levels of GABA (a neurotransmitter that can have relaxing side effects).
You could also try enrichment toys or soothing blankets, or many people find the Snuggle Puppy Heartbeat toy, which lets the dog hear a real heartbeat that comforts them.
If your pup has a tendency to try to run away when they're frightened-1 in 5 lost pets go missing after being frightened by loud noises-you may need to put them in a secure room where they can't escape, like the basement.
But just comforting dogs like this dog dad does with his sweet Golden Retriever also helps!
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 9:20 AM.