Last updated:
As you plan your autumn season, you may be looking forward to decorating your house, picking out your costume, and even getting your dog dressed up to go trick-or-treating! It’s wonderful to include your pup in the festivities, but Halloween isn’t always dog-friendly.
In this article, we’ll give you seven tips on how to have a fun, dog-friendly Halloween, from safe decorations to whether you should dress your dog up in a costume.
1. Introduce New Things Before Halloween Night
The process of introducing your dog to new experiences is called socialization. Socialization must be taken at your dog’s pace and should never be rushed–so, don’t start the night before!
Instead, consider your dog’s comfort zone and what may push them out of it. This might include:
- Costumes
- Halloween decorations
- People wearing masks
- Crowds
- Types of people they aren’t used to, such as children or men
Work to slowly accustom your dog to these things before Halloween night. For instance, you might set their costume near their bed for a few days so they can smell and inspect it. Then, drape it over them so they get used to its weight, and teach them to put their head through the neck hole by using a treat as a lure.
2. Listen to Your Dog’s Body Language
Every dog owner should know the subtle–and not-so-subtle–signs of discomfort in their pup. However, studies show that most adults aren’t good at observing signs of anxiety or stress in dogs.
Growling and baring teeth are definite signs that Cooper doesn’t want to wear his costume–but so are subtle cues such as lip licking, whale eyes, and yawning.
Remember that bringing your dog trick or treating or having them greet kiddos at the door isn’t necessary. If your dog finds the holiday experience stressful, it might be best to keep them home or put them in their crate for the night.
You can always work on their anxiety throughout the year and try again next time as well. Halloween is meant to be fun, so don’t stress yourself or your dog out if they’d prefer not to be included.
3. Keep the Candy Out of Reach
It’s a great idea to give your dog some Halloween treats of their own–but often dangerous to share your Halloween candy with them.
Many things we eat on Halloween contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Some ingredients to watch for include:
- Chocolate
- Xylitol
- Raisins
- Onion and garlic powder
- Allspice
Instead of Halloween candy or other fall snacks, try feeding your dog healthy treats like small pieces of apple or cooked, unseasoned meat. You can even make them some spooky homemade dog treats using Halloween-themed cookie cutters.
4. Never Scare Your Dog on Purpose
While humans often have fun tricking each other on Halloween, it’s only funny if everyone’s having a laugh! Please don’t purposefully scare or prank your dog. They won’t understand that you’re joking, and it can make them feel very unsafe.
If your dog lashes out in fear, scaring them can also put other people and pets in harm’s way. Even if you don’t believe your dog will react this way, you may be surprised at how they behave when they’re frightened.
Another risk is that your dog runs away from their fear and gets lost. To prevent this, please keep your dog on a secure leash–even if they wouldn’t normally leave your side.
5. Prevent Door Dashing
If you’re handing out candy or your kids are running in and out of the house, your door may open more on Halloween night than ever. This presents a real risk of your dog running away.
There are a number of ways to prevent this, depending on how close you are to the holiday. The best way is to train your dog to stop at the front door until given the okay to go outside, but this takes time.
Other solutions include:
- Keeping your dog in a closed room or crate for the night
- Using a baby gate to block off the front entrance
- Leashing your dog to keep them close
- Opening the door carefully each time, ensuring your dog isn’t able to run out
See also
Before Halloween night, make sure your dog has identification so that they can find their way home if they manage to run off. This should include a collar with ID tags and a microchip.
6. Teach Your Dog Not to Jump on People
Another safety risk when greeting new people on Halloween is that your dog hurts someone by jumping up on them! This is especially a risk for small children.
It’s natural for your dog to be excited, but make sure they know how to behave themselves before bringing them around strangers. You can also keep them on a tight leash so that they don’t have the ability to jump up.
7. Dog-Safe Decorations and Costumes
The Halloween decorations you can safely use in your home will vary depending on your individual dog. Some will leave your decor alone altogether, while others want to chew and eat everything! Puppies are especially at risk, as are dogs with separation or isolation anxiety.
Keep candles out of reach, and make sure your dog can’t eat any garlands–these stringy decorations are especially dangerous as they can cause intestinal blockages. While pumpkin is healthy for dogs to eat, swallowing the rind of a jack-o-lantern can be dangerous. Batteries are another danger of Halloween decor.
Dog Costume
When it comes to your dog’s costume, make sure it’s comfortable, fits well, and doesn’t make natural movements difficult. Check for any small pieces that could pose as choking hazards. Always remove the costume before leaving your dog unsupervised, and take it off if they try to chew it as you don’t want them to swallow the fabric.
Also watch out for human costume items, including glow sticks. If your dog is likely to chew these things, keep them well out of reach.
Final Thoughts
Each dog will have a different comfort level when it comes to Halloween. Remember not to push them too far out of their comfort zone, and that it’s okay to leave them at home if that’s where they’ll feel safest.
Avoid putting your dog and other people in harm’s way by keeping your dog leashed and well-behaved. If your dog is a chewer, keep up with your dog-proofing throughout Halloween night by keeping decor, costumes, and food out of reach.
We hope you have a fantastic holiday with your pup and that you both receive many more treats than tricks on Halloween night!
