Remember to UPDATE YOUR DOG'S MICROCHIP AND ID TAG, AND TAKE AN UP TO DATE PHOTO! A significant amount more dogs go missing during fireworks and thunderstorms than other times. Be prepared to make sure your dog had the best chance possible to get back home if they accidentally get loose.

* Prepare some calming soothing enrichment activities for your dog. A good easy option is using kong or lick mat style toys and freezing them with wet food, peanut butter, or unflavored, unsweetened greek yogurt in/on them. Always double check that whatever you're using is safe for dogs.

* If your vet has said that your dog needs meds for events like this, ask as far ahead of time as possible. Remember that it takes time to fill prescriptions, and your vet will be busy this time of year! Be patient and kind, and show a little more appreciation for your vet staff this month

* Try out different white/brown/pink noises, calming music, etc, to see which your dog reacts most calmly to, and which seems to drown out the noises for your dog best.

If your dog is freaked out already, it's time to make a fireworks preparedness plan:

If your dog isn't too scared by them, you can use those real-world noises as an opportunity to teach your dog that big loud noises aren't so bad after all too, the same way as you do with recordings. After you hear the boom, treats rain from the sky for your dog.