Navigating Halloween with your dog.

It's that time of the year again.  Are you scared by creepy costumes?  Enticed by all those treats?
Think about how your dog feels.  Crazy sights and sounds.  So many interesting smells with all those kids stopping by the house.
Help your dog to make it safely through this season by doing the following:

*  If your dog is normally shy around strangers - don't put him in an uncomfortable situation when answering the door for those costumed trick-or-treaters.  Instead, find a comfortable place in your home - perhaps your bedroom or a family room away from the front door.  Close your dog in the room with his favorite chew toy and cozy bed or crate and he won't have to face all that mayhem every time the doorbell rings.  Along the same lines, if your dog is famous for bolting out the front door the minute it opens, don't risk the dog escaping.  Keep the dog in a safe room or gate off access to the front door so you can safely open the door.

*  If you don't know it yet - chocolate can be a killer for dogs.  Really any of the candy, and even the wrappers, can be dangerous if consumed.  At the least, a few pieces of candy may cause digestive upset and the unpleasantness that this implies.  At the most, chocolate in large quantities can become toxic to your dog and a rush trip to the vet will be in order.  Additionally, those candy wrappers that the kids accidentally drop under the table still have a wonderfully tasty smell on them to the dog.  Consuming the foil or plastic wrappers can wreak havoc on a dog's intestines if it gets twisted up inside.  This can cause trouble days or weeks later and could require surgery to remedy the situation.

*  If you have a well socialized dog that you'd like to bring trick-or-treating with you and the kids, remember that even the most well-adapted dog can be startled and confused by flashy decorations and costumed kids - even the neighbors that they've known for years.  Be cautious about allowing kids to approach your dog and help them to understand how to do so correctly.  Let your dog approach on its own terms and instruct the child to reach out to the dog's chest, not the top of its head, to give it a gentle pat.  (I'll go into more detail on kids and dogs in a future post).

*  Finally, if you've always dreamed of dressing your dachshund as an actual hot dog, think again.  Believe it or not, dogs do not naturally require clothing, and some may be extremely uncomfortable and vulnerable wearing it.  Dogs rely so much on body language to communicate their moods to people as well as to other animals - you could miss the raised hackles and tense muscles warning you the dog is afraid and may be ready to bite. If you want to make your pet appear a little more festive, try a bandanna and themed collar and leash.  They'll look great and still be comfortable and safe.


For more Halloween tips, watch this clip with Victoria Stilwell.


Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!