With Halloween just around the corner, it’s important to make sure your dog is prepared for all the spooky fun! Trick-or-treating, costumes and all of the excitement can be overwhelming for some dogs, so follow these top tips from the Ladies Working Dog Group to keep your bestie happy and safe this Halloween.
Plan Ahead
Make sure you are aware of what events and activities are taking place in your neighbourhood during Halloween, and whether or not they will be dog-friendly. If your dog or pup is prone to anxiety or scared easily, avoid busy streets and areas where there will be a lot of commotion.
Hiding Places
Make sure they have a safe place to hide. If your dog is scared of loud noises or strange costumes, make sure they have a quiet and dark place to hide where they feel safe. This could be their crate, under the bed or in a closet.
Think about scary costumes!
Many dogs are frightened by scary costumes even when it’s you wearing them, so it’s best to introduce costumes over time. Let your dog sniff and investigate the costume while you’re wearing it, and try to keep calm and act normal. Only put the costume on for short periods at first, and make sure to give lots of treats!
Don’t force them! If your dog really doesn’t like the idea of Halloween, don’t force them to participate. It’s not worth stressing them out, and there are plenty of other ways to have fun with your four-legged friend.
Pups and Pumpkins
If you’re carving pumpkins with the kids, make sure to do it in a place where your pup can’t get to the pumpkin guts. The insides of pumpkins can give dogs an upset stomach, so it’s best to keep them away from the carving table.
Trick or Treating
If you’re taking your dog trick-or-treating with the kids, make sure they are well-behaved and won’t jump on or bark at people in costumes. It’s also important to make sure they are comfortable with the event, as some dogs can get incredibly overwhelmed by all the screaming and other activities.
Dog Costume Preparation
If you do decide to dress up your dog in a costume, make sure it is comfortable and won’t cause them any distress. Also, avoid anything that might be hazardous such as small pieces that could be choked on. Consider putting reflective tape on their costume so they are more visible in the dark.
Wearing ID Tags
Always make sure your dog is wearing their ID tags whilst out walking as it’s the law within the UK. It is also worth keeping their collar and tag on just in case they escape from the house and get lost during all the excitement.
Keep them away from Chocolate and Candy
For obvious reasons, it’s important to keep your dog away from any candy treats that may be lying around on Halloween night (and any other time for that matter!). Candy can contain ingredients which are poisonous to dogs, so it’s best not to take any chances.
Puppy Proofing
Make sure your home is well puppy-proofed before Halloween night. Puppies are notorious for getting into things they shouldn’t, so put away any candy, decorations or other potential hazards. This applies to older dogs too.
Keep them active on the run-up to Halloween
A tired dog is a happy dog, so be sure to keep them active and exercised leading up to Halloween and on the day itself. A long walk or game of fetch will help wear them out and keep them calm.
Have a Happy Halloween!
By following these simple tips, you and your pup can have a fun and safe Halloween! Add your ideas in the comments below, do you have any top tips for halloween?
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