Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday. It is all about having fun getting scared and eating candy, which are pretty much my two favorite things (other than dogs, of course). I love decorating my house all spooky for the month, taking the kids trick-or-treating, and watching horror movies with my husband.

It’s often easy to overlook our pets during the holidays when we are busy and our routines are disrupted. However, it’s important to take the time to make sure our furry buddies are feeling safe during the holidays as well.

One of the most well-loved Halloween traditions is, of course, dressing up! The first thing to consider is whether your dog will spook over someone in a costume or not. Dogs don’t understand the concept of Halloween or dressing up and it can be very easy to frighten them when everyone is suddenly covered in these strange clothes and makeup. The smells alone of the makeup and plastic can be unfamiliar and unsettling to a dog.

If you plan to dress your dog up, make sure to choose a costume that isn’t too constricting, too flashy or big that may startle your dog, and make sure it is sized appropriately. Once you have your costume selected you will need to teach your dog how to wear it. Don’t wait until October 31st to put the costume on your dog. You will want to try it on them well in advance and get them used to wearing it. If your dog has never worn a costume before, or if they spook easily, you are going to start with very small baby steps to teach them to wear it.

Start by letting them sniff it and reward for close proximity or interest in the garment. Use your dogs favorite treats to make it extra enjoyable. Do short sessions of this and gradually move the costume closer and begin to touch your dog with it. Depending on how the costume goes on, you may want to touch their feet and legs with it, brush it over their back or even place it on top of their head. Gradually move the costume more and more onto their body. Always rewarding for calm, accepting behavior. Once you can fasten the costume onto your dog you can try to get them to walk around with it. Some dogs may feel constricted, like they can’t move even if the costume is loose on them. Be patient and give them time to adjust, always rewarding for calm behavior. If your dog seems stressed, always take it a step back and try again later.

As your dog gets used to it, you can try leaving the costume on them for longer periods. Practice taking it on and off multiple times, giving lots of praise and rewards every time you do.

Of course dogs love treats! But not all treats are safe for dogs. Chocolate is a BIG no-no for dogs and can make them very sick and can even kill them in large amounts (bakers chocolate being the most toxic to them). Keep all candy far out of your dogs reach.

If you wish to include them in the special event, you can opt for dog-safe treats. Our local Ouellette’s Building Supplies has a great selection of dog treats, bones and chews!

Giving your dog a good hardy chew is a great way to keep them quiet, safe and feeling happy during the commotion of trick-or-treaters.

If you wish to take your dog with you trick-or-treating then my best advice is this: know your dog. If your dog is prone to shyness, spooks easily, gets nervous or has any sort of anxiety in public spaces, around people or around strange things then DO NOT TAKE THEM WITH YOU. They are MUCH better off at home, in a safe space where it’s quiet and they can try to relax.

If you have a “bomb proof dog”; meaning they are pretty unphased by crowds, other animals, traffic, etc. then taking them with you while you trick-or-treat can be a great way to further socialize and desensitize them and work on your training in these situations. Make sure to add some lights to their collar, harness or leash to make them easy to see in the dark, and keep them by your side at all times. Some children (and even some adults) may pet them unexpectedly and this is something you will need to know beforehand if your dog can handle that kind of uninvited touch.

Stay safe, keep your dog safe and Happy Halloween!