28/10/2025
Fireworks in built-up areas are a whole different challenge — neighbours setting them off at odd times, constant bangs, no warning. If you’re living somewhere like that, here are some real-world things that helped me and my dogs.
First — talk to your neighbours. A quick, friendly ask like, ‘Could you tell me roughly when you’ll set fireworks off tonight? I need to manage my dog’ can make a huge difference. If they tell you a time, you can plan around it instead of being caught off guard.
If it’s going to be noisy for a stretch, one of my go-to moves is to pop the dogs in the car and drive to a quiet spot. Keep the radio or calming music on, let them settle in the familiar space, and only come back when the worst of it has passed.
There are also physical aids — snoods or noise-reducing ear covers can help blunt the sharp sounds for some dogs. They’re not a fix-all, but for some dogs they reduce sensory overload.
Medication is another option, but talk with your vet first. Aim for something that helps your dog relax mentally as well as physically — sedating the body while the dog remains terrified can actually make things worse. Ask your vet about trials and how to test medications safely ahead of an evening when you don’t have added stress.
Finally, a word about controlled, safe exposure. I spent years worrying about Skye and her fireworks anxiety. One year I put her in a harness, two leads, and we simply went outside in the garden while there were small, distant fireworks. We watched together — calm, present, and safe. That short, low-stress exposure was the turning point for her. She learned what the noise was, and since then it’s been so much easier.
You don’t have to do everything at once. Pick one or two strategies that feel doable, plan, and be kind to yourself.
