Dog owners encouraged to help pets feel comfortable during fireworks
Displays are set to take place across the county for Bonfire Night this evening
Last updated 5th Nov 2025
Dog owners in Wiltshire are being encouraged to take steps to help their pets feel more comfortable during firework displays.
The loud and sudden bangs of displays can cause dogs to become anxious or frightened, with some choosing to hide and others seeking reassurance.
Dom Burke is from the Dogs Trust, which has a rehoming centre in Newton Toney, near Salisbury.
He says dogs respond differently, with a dog owner survey last year revealing almost half of the dog population experiences some kind of struggle when fireworks are going off.
"It can really range and the effects can be extreme, they can be mild or they could be non-existent," he said, adding that the anxieties around fireworks can develop at any age in dogs.
Owners are advised to take steps before fireworks begin, by ensuring as little noise as possible comes into the home, by closing curtains and playing some background noises that are familiar to our dogs.
Dom also suggests setting up a safe space or den for our pets to retreat to if they're feeling uncomfortable.
He said: "Make sure that the dog feels like it's a positive space and when they go to that space, we don't disturb them, so dogs can then understand 'I like being in the space and I'm really safe here'."
We should also be at home with our dogs and try to be aware of when organised events are happening, so owners can take dogs for a walk beforehand.
We're told to allow dogs who want to hide, to do so, and to provide reassurance when dogs seek it.