Dog owners are being urged to pay closer attention to subtle signs of pet stress, particularly in the run-up to Halloween and the fireworks season.

Dog behaviourist and trainer Lindsey Power, owner of In the Doghouse in Lemybrien, says many dogs are already on edge due to early bangers and fireworks, and warns that the noise can be “very stressful for the animals, and really unfair”.

For nervous dogs, she advises speaking to a vet well in advance about possible medication, as some treatments need time to take effect.

For puppies, now is the ideal time to gently introduce them to scary sounds using low-volume fireworks recordings on YouTube while they eat, play, or enjoy treats.

The noise should be so low that the pup barely reacts; if they show signs of worry, the volume should be reduced.

Power also stresses the importance of understanding dog body language. Many warning signals are subtle and easy to miss. Yawning, lip-licking, turning the head away, avoiding eye contact, or quietly moving away can all indicate discomfort or stress.

If these early signs are ignored, dogs may escalate to growling, snapping, or biting.

Lindsey continued saying instead of punishing a growl, owners should see it as valuable communication and ask: why is the dog uncomfortable? This is especially important around children, who should be taught never to climb on or crowd dogs.

By learning to read these signals early, owners can protect both their dogs and their families.