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The night of ghosts and goblins is fast approaching. This can be lots of fun for the whole family, whether you are out collecting treats for tricks, or at home giving them out to the kids. It can be the favorite evening of the year for many of our youngsters, but not many dogs put it on their top ten list.
Halloween can also be a little unnerving for the family dog. First there are the costumes. If you plan on having your dog help you dish out the treats at your front door, make sure that costumes do not spook them. As crazy as it might seem, it might be an idea to have family member’s dress up in some funny hats and masks while feeding Sparky. By doing this, he will make a positive association between costumes and something fabulous happening for him. This will help to show him that the ghouls and goblins are friendly.
Remember also that there will be lots of door knocking and bell ringing which might upset your dog. While normally your dog might bark to alert you that someone is at your door, this may not be desired behavior for this particular night. If you do find it is becoming a bit stressful for your dog to keep hearing the doorbell ring or to be subjected to all the hoopla, some dog management might be best. Err on the side of safety. If your dog has had difficulties in the past with strangers approaching the door, please keep him in a separate room during this time. You can give him a tasty chew toy to help keep him occupied and taking him for a long walk before the festivities start will help to reduce some of his anxiety.
If you plan on taking your dog out with the kid’s for trick or treating, make sure your dog will be safe in this environment. He should feel comfortable around all the pint size Frankenstein’s and Supermen. It can be a night of loud noises and unexpected movements. The streets are filled with kids running, laughing and generally whooping it up. Some dogs become alarmed when they see man in hats, so imagine wheat they might think when they see clowns, gypsies and skeletons coming their way. Please question bringing your dog into this scene.
If you believe that your dog will enjoy himself or herself, then by all means, include him, but be sure to keep him on his leash at all times. Even the most obedient dog may get spooked pun intended). One suggestion for added safety is to attach a small light to your dogs collar. These can be purchased from your local pet shop and will provide visibility for your pet. Reflective leads and collars are also used to ensure both tricksters and motorists see your dog.
While I am not surprised at the number of costumes available for children, I was unaware at how many choices there are for dogs! There was a statistic shown on the television the other night that stated that 31% of all dog owners’ dress up the family pet for Halloween. Having worked with dogs for the last 32 years, I can honestly report that this is a relatively new idea. As kids we often dressed up the neighborhood cat in a doll bonnet and wheeled him around in our toy stroller (and yes, he did stay in it).
The choices for costumes for our dogs is so abundant that they take precedent over the front counter of many pet shops at this time of the year. There are some dogs that are natural hams and will enjoy donning the costume and parading around for the family but many will become uncomfortable in this situation. If your dog is a good sport, make sure that the costume fits him well and is comfortable. It should not be too snug and should allow for free movement. Take care to ensure that it is made of a material that is not flammable. The same safety issues for children should apply to pets. Deciding to paint decorations onto your dog’s fur is not a good idea. Some dogs might have allergies and if they lick their coat, may become ill.
No dogs should have any type of mask put over their face and always remember if the costume includes a headpiece, that it does not slip over their eyes. A better idea for your dog is outfit them with a snazzy Halloween collar or bandana. These can be found at the pet shop or your can make one out of some cool pumpkin or skeleton material.
Let’s not forget all the candies! Yes, what is Halloween without treats? As most parents know, all these treats can upset children’s tummies so imagine what it can do to your dog. Do not be tempted to share any human treats with your dog. You can take a supply of dog treats with you while out with the kids. They may be less tempted to share their goodies if there is an alternative for Sparky. Chocolate is especially a no-no as it can be fatal to your dog if consumed in large enough quantities. Once home, keep the treats in an area that your dog cannot access such as a cupboard with doors.
And if you have no kids, and miss the festivities on October 31st, there are many Halloween dog biscuits on the market. In fact, why not take your dog on his own special outing to a specialty dog bakery where you will find a great selection of pumpkin, witch and skeleton cookies. Turn trick or treat into trick and treat!
