Charities launch tools to help dogs cope with firework noise

Charities in Ireland and the United Kingdom are launching new resources to help dog owners manage pet anxiety caused by fireworks during Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Dogs Trust Ireland has introduced a free ‘Sound Blanket’, a collection of nine specially designed sounds available on YouTube and Spotify. Developed in partnership with the University of Salford, the tool aims to mask the specific acoustic patterns of fireworks that trigger fear responses. Testing indicated that 99% of dogs tolerated the sounds without adverse reactions.

In the UK, Guide Dogs has released ‘The National Fireworks Archive’, a free training video resource designed to help owners desensitize their pets to various firework noises. Research from the charity suggests that approximately 63% of dogs in the UK experience firework anxiety. Experts recommend starting desensitization early with short, low-volume sessions to help pets cope with the upcoming celebrations.