New Delhi, Oct. 28 -- Every year around Diwali, I get some version of the same question: "Is there something I can give my dog to make him sleep through the fireworks?" Usually, the dog has spent previous festivals panting, trembling, hiding, pacing, or trying to escape, and the family understandably wants to prevent a repeat performance. The problem is that the conversation often happens when the fireworks have already started. If your pet struggled last year, the useful time to make a plan is before Diwali.

Start by remembering exactly what happened. Panting and hiding are obvious signs of distress, but look beyond them. Did your dog stop eating? Could they settle between bursts of noise? How long did it take them to behave normally af...