Halloween Safety for Dogs

There are many websites and news stories offering tips for dog safety with Halloween quickly approaching. While I've listed several of the most common and important ones below, one safety tip I don't see suggested is training.

Training your dog is probably the single most important safety tip regardless of the holiday or circumstance. A trained dog will have a stronger language set and respectful relationship with its owners. Training establishes two-way communication that not only helps dogs be more relaxed and confident, but also less likely to get into mischief because they are left on their own to make poor decisions.

As to pointers for Halloween, here are a few of my favorites ....

• Candy IS NOT for Canines! Some treats can be lethal including chocolate, raisins, grapes, xylitol (an artificial sweetener commonly found in gum) and macadamia nuts. Children often drop many of their treats on beggars night, so be particularly cautious when on walks following this holiday to prevent your pet from eating anything that could cause illness. Wrappers and packaging (if ingested accidentally) can cause intestinal blockages requiring surgery, or pose a choking hazard.
• If your decorations include candles (jack-o-lanters, table votives, etc.), keep these away from areas where pet (or human) travel could tip them and start a fire. Adhesives on decorations can be toxic to pets if eaten.
• Costumed kids (and adults) can be frightening to some dogs. Don't assume your dog will react in a usual manner if meeting or greeting guests. Never place your dog in a situation that could pose a risk to a child, adult, or your dog. Heightened anxiety can be a trigger for nipping or biting in some dogs, so use care to keep unwary dogs away from young children for everyone's welfare. Frequent ringing of a doorbell can trigger adrenalized reactions which can make greeting guests difficult, or pose risk to guests if your dog is jumping on or running about young children.
• Costumes for dogs IMO are not appropriate. Many costumes will hinder movement, sensory abilities, cooling, etc. This may make your dog more likely to become anxious or react differently around people and things. Some dogs may do ok with them, but no dog enjoys them. My advice is respect your dog for the unique creature it is, don't dress it up to be something else.
• Doorbells and people approaching your entry can be problematic for many untrained dogs. If your dog is trained - use the training to have it hold a down or stay on a place mat during beggar's hours. Otherwise, consider passing out treats outdoors while your dog is confined to a comfortable area in the home. Dogs bolting out of doorways can pose a danger to children, get injured themselves, or become lost. All dogs should be tagged and microchipped.

As always, training is a good way to guide behaviors in dogs. A well trained dog is always better able to participate in family activities, functions, gatherings and holidays.

Happy Halloween !