Your puppy’s first fireworks season is one of those experiences you cannot predict completely. Some puppies hear a distant bang, briefly look up and carry on with what they were doing. Others find the sudden noise, flashes and vibrations much more difficult. The important thing is not to wait until Bonfire Night to find out….
Bringing a rescue dog home means learning about the individual dog in front of you. You may know quite a lot about their previous life. You may know almost nothing. That uncertainty becomes particularly important during fireworks season. A rescue dog who seems confident with traffic, household noises and everyday walks may never have experienced…
Fireworks can be difficult enough when noise is the only thing your dog finds worrying. For a reactive, nervous or easily overwhelmed dog, there can be another problem. The effects of fireworks do not necessarily stop when the bang stops. A dog who has spent the evening listening for the next explosion, struggled to sleep…
Updated September 2026 The bangs may have stopped, but the morning after a fireworks display can bring a different set of risks for dogs. Spent fireworks, rocket sticks, wires, cardboard, plastic, used sparklers, broken glass and discarded food can all be left behind after organised or private displays. That matters particularly if your dog likes…
Updated September 2026 Fireworks season can make something as ordinary as taking your dog for a walk much more complicated. A dog who is normally confident outside can be startled by a sudden bang. A nervous or rescue dog may become reluctant to leave home. Even a dog with excellent recall may run when frightened….
Fireworks have started, and your dog is frightened. Perhaps they are shaking, panting, hiding behind the sofa, following you everywhere or refusing to go into the garden. Or perhaps they have become very quiet and are simply lying somewhere looking tense. If you are reading this while fireworks are already going off, tonight is not…
Updated August 2026 Tug can be a brilliant game to play with your dog. Played thoughtfully, it gives your dog an appropriate outlet for grabbing, pulling and shaking, provides physical and mental enrichment and can make you much more interesting to your dog. It can also be a useful reward during training. And no, playing…
Updated August 2026 Choosing a dog toy is about more than finding something your dog likes. A toy also needs to be the right size, material and type for the individual dog using it. A small ball may be fine for one dog and a choking risk for another. A soft toy may last for…
