10 Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very scary for dogs. According to Liam Crowe, the CEO and master dog behavioral therapist of Bark Busters USA, Halloween is when they hear about more dogs dying or straying than any other holiday.
I would never have guessed that, but it makes sense when you think about it. There’s usually a lot more accessible chocolate candy in the house for dogs to get into, the result of which can be deadly. Plus, the overabundance of loud noises and door bell ringing can set off a dogs flight instinct.
As pet owners we can keep a few simple things in mind to make Halloween a fun and safe holiday for all our four legged friends.
1. Don’t leave your dog outside. Even if you have a fenced yard, bring your dog inside where it is safe. If your dog is usually kept outside, bring him in a few times before the big night to get him used to being indoors. Your dog may be used to strangers, but so many little ghouls and goblins running about may be too much. Remember also that it is a natural instinct for dogs to protect the family from strangers, and on Halloween there will be no shortage of strangers.
2. Keep your dog restrained. If your dog is timid or scared, or if he tends to love people a little too much, it is best to put him in a separate room away from the front door to limit his excitability, aggression, and chance of running outside and becoming lost.
3. Reassure your dog. The best thing you can do for your dog when he is feeling unsettled by Halloween activities is to act as you normally would. By over-reassuring your dog or giving him an unusual amount of attention, you inadvertently can communicate to him that because you are acting differently, there must be something to worry about.
4. Have your dog get used to costumes. Your dog may see his family members as strangers once they don their Halloween costumes. Before the kids put them on, allow your dog t
o scent the costumes. If your costume has a mask, keep the mask off when you are with your dog because dogs can become confused when they can’t see our faces.
5. Check your dog’s ID tag. Be sure identification tags are secure on your dog’s collar-just in case.
6. Keep candy away from your dog. Many candies-especially chocolate-are toxic to dogs. The severity of the toxicity depends greatly on factors such as breed, age, size, and how much candy was ingested. Problems may range from a mild upset tummy to vomiting and diarrhea, or even death. If you have any concerns at all, consult with a veterinarian immediately. If you want to keep your dog safe, make certain that sweets, including their wrappers, are kept well away from your dog.
7. Protect dogs from candles and pumpkins. Excited or agitated dogs can easily knock over a lit candle or pumpkin. Be sure those items are away from your dog’s reach, or consider a battery-powered candle that does not burn
8. Think twice about dressing your dog in a costume. While some dogs might enjoy being dressed up, many don’t. Experiment first to see if your dog likes being in a costume. If so, fine-he’ll most likely enjoy himself and the extra attention it brings. However, if he shows any resistance, don’t do it. Dogs feel enough stress around Halloween without also having to endure the discomfort and peculiarity of wearing a strange costume.
9. Be prepared. If you take your dog with you while trick-or-treating, be prepared at all times. Do not let your dog approach the door of a house, and stay clear of possible gags or gangs of goblins who will gather at the door. Dogs do not understand that the person jumping out at you will not hurt you; they often think they can only help you by acting aggressively. Neither children nor adults in costumes should approach a dog without the owner’s consent.
10. Have fun but think of your dog’s safety. Finally, if you want your dog to be included in Halloween festivities, think about his safety much as you would the safety of a small child. Your dog does not understand Halloween, so he needs you to provide the guidance and safety that you always do.
Thanks to Bark Buster’s for sharing those great tips.
* Pumpkin pic is Dogster member Dagobert and Little Red Riding Hood is Bianca.
Dogs and cats, especially black cats, should be kept inside not only on Halloween day, but also on the day before. Pets can often end up the target of mean Halloween pranks!!! Only allow them out with your supervision!
Black cats should be kept indoors for their safety on Halloween but really I feel all cats should be indoors, any cat could be subject to a prank on Halloween, don’t take any chances. Just be safe and have all pets indoors during the upcoming holiday.
My 6th graders feel that these are good tips and the site is awesome!
Mr. Juliano… appreciate you and your class reading the blog. So glad you find the information informative and useful.
Thank you for helping to teach the kids about the importance of properly caring for their dog and keeping them safe at all times.
Thanks kids for being good dog owners!
Fortunately for us, Angel stays in her crate all the time and doesn’t come out unless something really scares her. She has been perfectly well behaved these past three Halloweens, so I see no reason why she shouldn’t be for the next one!
Thanks for the tips, though! I will certainly remember them.
Here’s a good trick for people who have kids coming to the door on Halloween. Take the glass or screen out of your storm door and pass the treats that way. It’s much safer for all around – kids and pets!
Great Advice! Works for dogs and cats alike!
This is great advice my Dog is not the type of dog to like people to come to the door I think I will keep her in the office. She is dressing up as a Fairy she looks so adorable in her costume and loves dressing up she seems so happy when she’s dressed up. Thanks for the tips I’m sure they will work great!
Just thought of something If you have a screen or something on your door leave it on then open the big door close it and open the screen and pass out treats that way I think it will prevent Dogs and Cats from escaping or contacting trick-or-treaters
I think Bo’s daddy Horst Hoefinger! is the Dr. Phil for dogs!
i am so happy for these tips and my basset hound tucker(1 year)is being a little lobster!!!!!!!!!
After Halloween, the very next holiday you can enjoy with your pet is Barknight. Barknight is holiday created in the family book, The Legend of Barknight, and is Thanksgiving for Pets. Barknight occurs each year on the first full moon after Halloween. This year Barknight is on November 2nd.
I put a baby gate in the front door so that when I open the door I can give out treats and my Schips can see who is there. I do dress them up but they seem to like the fact that they are going to get a treat for doing this. I do not leave the hood of the costume on them all the time, this part they do not care for. They will bark until I open the door and they can see who is there and most of the time they are pretty good about staying back when I tell them too but the baby gate is just extra insurance for me so I don’t have to worry about them dashing out the street.
I think these tips are great. I have read that there are many situations where you should not over comfort your dog because that makes them feel as if there is something to be worried about and I found it worked great for car rides, my dogs now love them. I’m quite excited for their first Halloween even though my hubby won’t let me put costumes on them. He doesn’t like it when I dress the dogs even though the little girl Jasmine struts around like she’s just so pretty when I dress her up. If I could she’d be a princess and Max would be a gladiator since my brother named him Maximus Desimus Meridan.
Gen. Neyland, my Airedale is VERY PROTECTIVE!
We don’t have a door bell & knocking is something he
dislikes; so we r going to Grandma’s farm; up on a
hill & spend the afternoon running, running & running;
so he will be soooo tired & has nothing to fear. All
60 lbs of this King of Terriers has always been timid; since i first met him in a barn;he is my constanst companion & protector, so he takes his cues from me.
Happy Halloweenie – he’s gonna go to a BARKNIGHT, if i can locate one nearby .. Tks for good advice.
my dog,charlie is so protective and he never goes out for halloween. maybe this year we will try and remember these saftey tips! Thanks Dogster!!
Bonnie,
Barknight is a new holiday, so groups are only now forming to celebrate our pets on November 2nd. You can be one of the first to bring your friends together–or just celebrate your love for Gen. Neyland privately. My family and I plan to read The Legend of Barknight (it’s not long at all) and then talk about how our pets, past and present, have warmed our lives.
We sit outside around our fire pit handing out candy. We approach the kids on the sidewalk to give them their candy {costumes & fire do not mix!} and Meatball is always at my side. He LOVES the kids. If it seems they do not love him back all I have to say is * Not this one buddy* and he remains fire side. {He is a great dog & I know that!!}
Happy Halloween everyone !!
Thanks for posting this I made a similar list on beanandolly.com, you included some really important points that I missed. Halloween is such a fun holiday and keeping safety in mind for your pet ensures that everyone has a good time. Hope everyone has a great time tonight and I’m looking forward to all of the cute costume photos.