26/10/2026
SAFE SPACES
🎆 As the dreaded fireworks month approaches it can really help to make safe space for our dogs at home where they can go to feel safe and secure.
🛌Often people assume that this needs to be a ‘den’; a crate in a corner, a space behind the sofa, under your bed etc. Some dogs DO feel safer with a dark enclosed space to hide but many others are height-seekers and prefer to be up high.
🛋️ Height-seekers may feel safer on the back of a sofa, on top of a crate or on your bed etc. I put a piece of plywood on top of a metal crate with a duvet on it for my first inuit, Elsa as she loved being up high. Others dogs I’ve had have wanted to be in the smallest darkest room, one of mine loved a children’s pop up play tent; they are all so different in their preferences.
❓We should try to observe our dogs and see where they choose to go and where makes them feel safe. Again, choice is key in this and it helps to offer a few options- I normally make a den with blankets over the sides of my table and put a cosy bed in there etc but I also offer higher places too.
🐶 My dogs are all different- one absolutely loved a dark cosy place like a soft crate with heavy blankets on it (door always open on the crate so they have the choice to leave) or was always up as high as possible and one doesn’t care where they are as long as they are touching me.
👚 I always try to make sure that there are items of my worn clothing in the safe space(as the scent of someone they love can be reassuring), you can also try a pet remedy or adaptil plug in near their safe space too see if it helps too.
📻 Alongside safe space we can also use the right types of enrichment, changes to your daily routine, using white noise/certain music at home to try to minimise fireworks noise and natural supplements/remedies.
💊 If you have a dog who is really stressed by fireworks, please talk to your vet now so that you can get help in place as some dogs really need medication to cope with fireworks. There are so many options in terms of short term medication that can really help dogs who are very stressed by fireworks. Longer term if you have a dog who is very worried getting behavioural help before next year is a good idea too.
Laura McAuliffe, Dog Communication 2026
