We're organising a firework party this year, and I'm concerned not to upset our dog. Please advise me what I should do.



Unfortunately, dogs are not keen to settle down under these circumstances. Firstly, there will be strangers in and around the home, as well as plenty of food, quite apart from the fireworks. The best thing to do is to take your dog out for a relatively long walk just before darkness falls, in the hope that your pet will then be tired and more inclined to sleep after the initial excitement of the guests arriving has passed.

It is not a good idea to keep your dog in the same room as your visitors, and not just because he is unlikely to go to sleep here. The problem is that you don't want the risk of him being let out accidentally by one of your guests during the course of the evening. Yet if you try to shut him in a room on his own, the likelihood is that he will start barking and even scratching at the door to be let out. Someone may need to spend some time indoors with him as a result, if he starts becoming distressed.

After the party, clear up burnt-out fireworks, just in case your dog decides to investigate these. Search further afield around the garden as well, for any rockets which may have fallen here. Check that the bonfire has cooled, particularly if you were cooking anything such as potatoes in their jackets in the flames. Otherwise, there is a possibility that your dog might burn his paws on hot embers, seeking to scavenge any left-overs.
Be sure to serve all drinks in plastic rather than glass containers for safety's sake, as any pieces of broken glasses left around the garden could cause a nasty cut to your pet's paws.