How to Keep Your Dog Safe on Halloween
Avoid chocolate and other candy., Put your dog in a safe place, either a separate room or his crate, when the trick-or-treaters are coming by., Don’t leave your dog around kids without supervision., Be careful about placement of electrical cords for...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Avoid chocolate and other candy.
Make sure to keep any candy that you are going to hand out safely hidden from your dog.
Notify kids in the house to put their candy bags away.
Chocolate is a big no-no for dogs as it contains theobromine, which their bodies cannot properly digest.
The darker the chocolate, the worse it can be.
Small amounts are typically not lethal, so if he does snag a bite, don’t freak out.
But also, don’t let it happen. -
Step 2: Put your dog in a safe place
You should not let him be at the door to greet the kids.
Costumes, commotion, and loud noises will stress him out and can cause problems ranging from stress to aggression. , The erratic movements and loud, startling noises can really upset him.
Add in a scary costume and you have a formula for disaster. , If your puppy or dog chews on these, trouble will follow.
Arrange them for safety and use a bitter apple spray on the cord to keep pets at bay. , Carved pumpkins look great with a candle burning inside them, but they can be tipped over.
They can also be investigated by curious pets which can lead to burns or worse. , Don’t put him in a costume that is too small or tight.
Also check for loose ends that could be chewed on and swallowed or cause other problems.
If your dog hates having the costume on be a friend to him and take the costume off. , If your dog is not secured in another room or in his crate, then he might bolt out the door.
With all the activity outside it may be even harder to get him back in.
If you need to, use a gate in your doorway if you have strong/large dogs. ,,,, There’s a lot of costumes and commotion which can put any dog on edge.
He might be happier at home. ,, Don’t let anybody who wants to greet your dog just to be polite.
Be willing to say “no thanks” if your dog is feeling anxious or if the other person (perhaps an excited, sugar filled child) is approaching inappropriately. , Someone should wait at the end of the driveway with the dog. , There are plenty of rumors that dogs are taunted and teased, that gates are opened, and that candy is tossed in yards.
It’s unlikely that lots of kids are running around causing harm to dogs on Halloween night, but the commotion is enough to unnerve your dog and it is conceivable that a youngster might toss a treat toward your dog with the best of intentions but bad results. , Many dogs enjoy being the center of attention and will tolerate wearing a costume (which we get a huge kick out of!) to do so.
Keep an eye out for the dangers of candy, keep your dog secure in your house, and be ready to ward off over excited kids and all will be well.
Happy Halloween. -
Step 3: either a separate room or his crate
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Step 4: when the trick-or-treaters are coming by.
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Step 5: Don’t leave your dog around kids without supervision.
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Step 6: Be careful about placement of electrical cords for decorations.
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Step 7: Don’t leave candles unattended.
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Step 8: Make sure that your dog’s costume is the right fit.
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Step 9: Watch out when the door is open.
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Step 10: Walk your dog before the festivities begin – all those costumes can be scary.
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Step 11: If the noise is bothering him
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Step 12: try adding background sounds (radio
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Step 13: TV) to distract him from the neighborhood hubbub.
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Step 14: Be careful when out walking your dog after Halloween – loose candy can be found and he may grab a big piece if he sees it before you do.
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Step 15: Think twice about taking him out with your family to trick or treat.
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Step 16: Tell kids the dangers of the treats and to not feed the dog.
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Step 17: Be firm.
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Step 18: If you take your dog with you
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Step 19: do not take him up to a stranger’s door – the resident dog may not take kindly to that and it could end up being a bummer.
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Step 20: Do not leave your dog outside.
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Step 21: It may seem like a lot
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Step 22: but the truth is that Halloween is a fun time for parents and kids and can easily be fun for dogs too.
Detailed Guide
Make sure to keep any candy that you are going to hand out safely hidden from your dog.
Notify kids in the house to put their candy bags away.
Chocolate is a big no-no for dogs as it contains theobromine, which their bodies cannot properly digest.
The darker the chocolate, the worse it can be.
Small amounts are typically not lethal, so if he does snag a bite, don’t freak out.
But also, don’t let it happen.
You should not let him be at the door to greet the kids.
Costumes, commotion, and loud noises will stress him out and can cause problems ranging from stress to aggression. , The erratic movements and loud, startling noises can really upset him.
Add in a scary costume and you have a formula for disaster. , If your puppy or dog chews on these, trouble will follow.
Arrange them for safety and use a bitter apple spray on the cord to keep pets at bay. , Carved pumpkins look great with a candle burning inside them, but they can be tipped over.
They can also be investigated by curious pets which can lead to burns or worse. , Don’t put him in a costume that is too small or tight.
Also check for loose ends that could be chewed on and swallowed or cause other problems.
If your dog hates having the costume on be a friend to him and take the costume off. , If your dog is not secured in another room or in his crate, then he might bolt out the door.
With all the activity outside it may be even harder to get him back in.
If you need to, use a gate in your doorway if you have strong/large dogs. ,,,, There’s a lot of costumes and commotion which can put any dog on edge.
He might be happier at home. ,, Don’t let anybody who wants to greet your dog just to be polite.
Be willing to say “no thanks” if your dog is feeling anxious or if the other person (perhaps an excited, sugar filled child) is approaching inappropriately. , Someone should wait at the end of the driveway with the dog. , There are plenty of rumors that dogs are taunted and teased, that gates are opened, and that candy is tossed in yards.
It’s unlikely that lots of kids are running around causing harm to dogs on Halloween night, but the commotion is enough to unnerve your dog and it is conceivable that a youngster might toss a treat toward your dog with the best of intentions but bad results. , Many dogs enjoy being the center of attention and will tolerate wearing a costume (which we get a huge kick out of!) to do so.
Keep an eye out for the dangers of candy, keep your dog secure in your house, and be ready to ward off over excited kids and all will be well.
Happy Halloween.
About the Author
Diana Hughes
A seasoned expert in education and learning, Diana Hughes combines 3 years of experience with a passion for teaching. Diana's guides are known for their clarity and practical value.
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