Almost every year I write on this topic and post on social media extensively in the run-up to and well in advance of fright-night. There are so many things we can do to help dogs better cope with fireworks and Halloween activity but fear of same has become normalised.

Every year videos and accounts of terribly distressed dogs are shared, awful stories of the aftermath with missing and dead dogs, and both professionals and guardians promoting inappropriate procedures and poorly supported products.

I can understand some apathy…noise fears are challenging and it requires lots of time and planning to help improve dogs’ comfort. And the nature of pre-Halloween fireworks make it even more difficult for pets and their people.

But dogs don’t have to be frightened of noises like fireworks. There are things we can do to prevent it ever developing, to reduce its impacts and to improve their comfort and coping.

Survive Noise Events

Download this handout here and practice in advance. Practice, practice, practice!

This guidance also forms the basis for the programs we work through, usually starting in February, to help improve comfort and coping for noise events. There’s more to it, for sure, but this is the foundation.

Clip link

Start early

This year, I had reports, from clients all over the country, reporting fireworks and their dogs’ responses as early as late August.

Get all the info…

• Read all the background behind planning and preparing for Halloween fireworks: Dying of Fright. (This is due for an update but all the vitals are in there!)
• An easy-to-read summary with ideas for planning & preparation for fright night.

Prepare for the aftermath…

Fireworks distress doesn’t end when the trick-or-treating is done. While fireworks can continue beyond fright-night, so too do the effects of distress, panic and fear.

Read more, and have a plan in place: Halloween Hangover