Bonfire Night falls on Thursday 5 November this year, and fireworks rarely stick to one evening. The simplest way to plan calmer walks around it: walk your dog in daylight, keep them on a lead that's securely clipped to a well-fitted harness, and check their ID tag and microchip details before the first bang. If your dog finds fireworks frightening, speak to your vet well before the season starts.
Here's a practical plan for the fortnight around Bonfire Night, from walk timing to a quick kit check at the front door.
When fireworks are most likely
Knowing when fireworks are likely helps you plan around them. GOV.UK says fireworks must not be set off between 11pm and 7am, except on Bonfire Night, when the cut-off is midnight, and on New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when it's 1am. It also says fireworks must not be set off or thrown in the street or other public places.
In practice, organised displays and garden fireworks often spill onto the weekends either side of 5 November, so it's worth treating the whole period as fireworks season rather than a single night. Local display dates are usually advertised in advance, so check what's planned near your usual routes.
Plan your walk times
The RSPCA's advice is to walk your dog during daylight hours, to avoid the times fireworks are most likely to be set off. With the clocks going back on 25 October, that means earlier walks than many of us are used to.
- Move the main walk earlier. A longer walk in the morning or at lunchtime, with a shorter outing in the afternoon while it's still light, can work well for this fortnight.
- Keep evening trips short and close to home. If your dog needs to go out after dark, a quick toilet trip on a familiar route is easier to manage than a long walk.
- Choose quieter routes. Avoid parks and fields near advertised displays, and steer clear of the streets where you've heard fireworks before.
- Keep your dog on the lead. Even a dog with good recall can bolt at a sudden bang, so this isn't the fortnight for off-lead time in open spaces.
If you do find yourself walking after dark, our guide to walking your dog in the dark covers being seen, routes and reflective kit.
A two-minute kit check before you leave
A startled dog can twist, back up or lunge in a way they never would on a normal walk. That's when loose straps and half-closed clips show up, so do these checks in good light before you head out.
- Harness fit. You should be able to slide two fingers under every strap without forcing them. Much looser than that and a dog backing away may be able to slip out.
- Every buckle clicked shut. On our Trail & Glow harnesses, that means the lockable neck clasp and both chest buckles.
- Lead clip closed and locked. Check the clip is properly shut on the D-ring. If your lead has a lockable clip, lock it.
- A firm hold on the lead. Hold the handle, not just a loop of lead, and keep your dog close on pavements and near roads, as the Highway Code asks.
- Collar and ID tag on. More on this below.
Not sure your harness fits as it should? Our measuring and fitting video shows how the straps should sit.
Two points of contact for extra peace of mind
If you'd like a second connection to your dog during fireworks season, here are a couple of ways to do it with kit you may already have:
- Use both D-rings. Every Trail & Glow harness has a front and a back D-ring. Our Hands-Free Double Ended Dog Lead can clip to both at once, so you have two points of contact rather than one.
- Use the back handle. Trail & Glow harnesses have a sturdy handle on the back, which gives you something to hold for a steadying hand at crossings or if your dog is startled.
- Add a short handle. Our 30cm Traffic Handle Add-On clips onto the hands-free lead, or straight onto the back D-ring of your dog's harness, when you want your dog right by your side.
ID tag and microchip: check them now
If the worst happens and your dog runs off, ID is what gets them home. Two quick checks:
- Collar and tag. GOV.UK says a dog must still wear a collar and tag with your name and address when in a public place, even though they're microchipped. Make sure the tag is on, the writing is readable and the details are current. Our guide on what to put on a dog tag covers exactly what to include.
- Microchip details. All dogs in the UK must be microchipped and registered, and GOV.UK says you're responsible for keeping the details up to date, for example if you move house. If you've changed address or phone number, update the database your dog is registered with before Bonfire Night, not after.
It's also worth having a recent, clear photo of your dog on your phone, just in case.
Settling in for the evening
Once your walk is done, a calm evening at home is the aim. The RSPCA suggests closing windows and curtains to muffle the sounds and creating a safe space for your dog. A few more practical points:
- Check the garden before late toilet trips. Make sure gates are shut and fences are sound, and go out with your dog rather than leaving the back door open. You might like to keep them on a lead in the garden on the busiest nights.
- Be careful at the front door. Visitors and deliveries are a common moment for a nervous dog to slip out, so keep your dog in another room when the door opens.
- Keep the routine familiar. If your dog enjoys a lick mat, it can be part of a settled evening indoors. Our guide on what to put on a lick mat has ideas.
If your dog is frightened of fireworks
Every dog reacts differently. Some barely notice, while others pant, pace, hide or tremble. If your dog has struggled in previous years, or you're not sure how they'll cope, have a chat with your vet ahead of the season. The RSPCA also suggests seeking advice from your vet, and they can talk you through the options that suit your dog. Please don't give your dog any medicine or supplement for fireworks without your vet's advice.
Quick questions
Should I walk my dog on Bonfire Night?
Yes, but plan it for daylight. A good walk earlier in the day, with only a short toilet trip after dark, keeps your dog's routine going while avoiding the busiest times.
Is a harness or a collar better during fireworks season?
You can use both: a collar for the ID tag and a well-fitted harness for the lead. Our Trail & Glow harnesses have a lockable neck clasp and a back handle, which is reassuring if your dog is startled.
What should I do if my dog runs off?
Contact your local council's dog warden service and the microchip database your dog is registered with as soon as you can, and check with local vets. Up-to-date microchip details and a readable tag make a big difference.
