05/11/2026
A dog being terrified of fireworks doesn’t mean their owner has failed them.
Every year, Bonfire Night comes around and so do the calls to limit fireworks to organised displays. And it’s about more than dogs. Horses, wildlife and countless other animals get caught up in the noise and chaos too.
We can spend months preparing, but a recording in the living room is very different from a screeching rocket exploding outside and shaking the windows.
I once lived with a dog so frightened that even the smell of fireworks could send her into a panic. She once bolted from her dog walker in broad daylight because someone let one off early. She was absolutely petrified, and with a severe heart condition, keeping her calm was especially important.
We tried firework recordings and gradual training, but her fear remained. That’s the reality for some dogs. Positive experiences and careful preparation from a young age can help, but they aren’t a guarantee that a dog will cope.
So if you’re doing everything you can to help your dog feel safe tonight, while being told you “should have trained them better”,please give yourself some kindness.
Their fear is not a measure of your effort.You’re not alone.
