HALLOWEEN DOG SAFETY TIPS

Halloween is a lot of fun for people, especially children, but not that great for dogs. As humans, we know what’s going on – people playing like they are someone else – but think of it from your dog’s perspective – the doorbell is constantly ringing, and when it opens, there’s these weird creatures on the other side. Their shapes or profiles are different than what dogs are used to seeing, and some of them really don’t look anything like humans! They may scream and move in strange ways. They carry these bags, and then we give them *our* resources. What’s a dog to think? Halloween does not rate high on a dog’s “good list.”

We as dog owner/guardians are responsible for keeping our dogs, our families, and everyone else safe. Be aware of things that can potentially go awry, and prepare for them. There are several areas of potential hazards:

• Things that dogs might eat things that are not good for them
• Interactions between dogs and people – especially children
• The level of excitement or fear which may trigger unwanted dog behaviors

Your dog may become frightened or nervous or even become territorial or aggressive because there are so many changes, such as

• Alteration in schedules
• Commotion of a constant stream of strange looking visitors
• Doors opening and closing
• Lots of excitement
• Non-stop ringing doorbell
• Routine interrupted
• Strange clothing
• Strange music
• Weird noises

Your dog may love people and be wonderful with kids, but he probably isn’t used to costumes and a barrage of visitors ringing your doorbell over and over and over and over again. Dogs like daily routine, and Halloween certainly is not routine.

Many dogs are suspicious of anything new. If your dog is sensitive or shy, all the disorder may be overwhelming for him – if he can’t run away from it, he may bite to protect himself. Even if your dog is good natured or calm, the constant ringing of the doorbell may make him frightened, stressed, or confused which will cause him to bite. If your dog is a protection breed or one that is easily irritated, he may think trick-or-treaters are a threat and bite them. And then with the door opening and closing many, many times, your dog may easily escape.

Please keep your dog away from trick-or-treaters or party-goers by putting him in a back room, such as in a back bedroom with the door closed, baby-gated, or in a crate. You can give him a favorite toy or comfortable blanket with your scent on it and a new chew toy or Kong stuffed with frozen treats so it will take him a long time to get them out.

Here are some reasons to keep him away from the door

• Bite a perceived intruder
• Bolt out the door
• Frighten children with his barking
• Get hit by a car
• Have stress-related diarrhea
• Jump on someone and tear the costume
• Knock someone over
• Run away
  

PLEASE DON’T LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A YARD. Keep him in your house so he won’t

• Bark so you get complaints from your neighbors
• Be injured by pranksters
• Be killed by those same pranksters
• Be poisoned
• Be tormented – things can be thrown at him
• Be tortured
• Escape and be hit by a car
• Get stolen – gates can be left open or people can enter fenced yards even with Beware of Dog signs.

IF YOU WANT TO DRESS YOUR DOG IN A COSTUME

If you want your dog to wear a costume, think about him – not you – first. Please don’t put a costume on him unless he truly loves it – if he’s frightened or uncomfortable, don’t do it! Some dogs love the attention, but others don’t. And if you do dress him up, make sure the costume is safe and not annoying. Dress him up *before* Halloween several times to let him get used to wearing it.

If you do put your dog in a costume, keep these pointers in mind:

• NEVER LEAVE YOUR COSTUMED DOG UNSUPERVISED even for a second because he can begin to chew the costume or become caught or injured while wearing it.
• Keep him dressed for a short period of time.
• Use nontoxic materials.
• Don’t get a costume with accessories that dangle or that have buttons, bows or other choking hazards.
• Don’t use a mask or anything else that may interfere with his breathing or vision.
• Don’t use rubber bands or tight elastics to keep the costume in place – they can cut off circulation and/or burrow into your dog’s skin and are easily missed when removing the costume.
• Make sure the costume fits properly, especially around the neck. If it’s too big, it may catch on something and in an attempt to free himself, he may be strangled. If it’s too small, it may interfere with your dog’s circulation or breathing.
• Dogs can also eat your makeup, so be careful with that, too.
• Watch for pieces of costumes that may get caught in a fence or bush.
• If you are taking him trick-or-treating, add reflective tape or striping for greater visibility.

WHAT TO TELL YOUR CHILDREN

During Halloween, think of your *dog* as a small child, and take precautions for its safety. First and foremost, tell your children that your own dog can be scared and because he is scared, he may bite.

Your kids may want to hug him to reassure him, but that’s not a good idea. Hugging a dog is restricting its movement, and if your dog can’t get away – especially if he’s scared – he may bite your child to force him to let him leave.

Children should not approach, harass, trick, frighten, sneak up, startle, corner, or tease dogs whether they know them or not. This is a great rule for any day, not just Halloween. On Halloween, dogs in general are under more stress than usual, so they are more likely to bite.

PRE-HALLOWEEN PREPARATION

Be sure identification tags are secure on your dog's collar in case he escapes. The best ID is a microchip along with an ID tag on his collar with a current address and telephone number.

Play with your dog before dark to tire him out. A tired dog is less apt to be anxious.

Walk your dog before dark to avoid any encounters with trick-or-treaters in costumes which may frighten him.

Store candy so your dog can’t get to it. Many treats are toxic and even lethal, such as chocolate.

Let your dog get used to seeing your family in costumes. Before any family members put them on, let him smell the costumes. If your costume has a mask, don’t wear it when you are with your dog because he can become confused or frightened when he can’t see your face.

DURING HALLOWEEN WHILE YOU ARE AT HOME

Whether you’re having a party or staying at home to give out treats to the kids, the best thing to do is to keep your dog confined in a separate room away from the front door to limit his excitability, aggression, and chance for escape. If your dog goes nuts when someone rings the doorbell, put a piece of tape over the doorbell with a note to knock on the door.

Give your dog something to chew on while he is confined – such as a hollow bone or Kong stuffed with scrumptious mushy frozen treats that will take him a long time to consume. There are a couple reasons to give him something to chew on – first is that dogs reduce stress while chewing, and second is that it will give him something to do.

Block any windows so he can’t see out, and use a baby gate or crate or simply close the door to keep in that room.

Turn on a radio (preferably tuned to classical music) or the TV to block out the noise.

He should also have water and toys in his confinement area. Every so often, come into his room to check on him and reassure him that things are okay.

If you decide not to put him in a room away from the front door, then at least restrain him by keeping him on a leash. If possible, have someone else hand out the treats while you are holding onto the leash.

If you have a Dutch door, open the top half of the door and pass the candy through the top of the door.

DECORATIONS

Halloween decorations can be dangerous!

• Dogs, especially puppies, can be attracted to the flame in pumpkins and can easily knock over or bump into them and start a fire.
• He can get tangled in streamers or other hanging decorations.
• He can eat decorations such as a fake spider web, which can cause vomiting.
• Hot wax from candles can burn his skin, so don’t use candles – use lanterns with batteries or chemical lightsticks instead of candles.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR DOG IF YOU TAKE HIM TRICK-OR-TREATING

If you absolutely must take your dog trick-or-treating, then please do it only during daylight hours and *only* if your dog enjoys – not just tolerates but actually enjoys – costumed children.

And YOU – NOT your children – should definitely keep him on a leash. Children are more interested in having fun and can easily drop the leash, especially if they are carrying a bag of candy. It’s your job to supervise your dog at all times and watches for signs of stress. (Do an Internet search for canine stress signals or dog body language for pictures and descriptions.)

While you are out with the kids, ignore all dogs even if you know them because they may not recognize you in costume and the stress can make them more anxious and prone to bite.

Don't force your dog to be petted by anyone that appears to frighten him, and don't force anyone who is afraid of your dog to pet him.

Keep dogs away from open fires and candles

Wait on the sidewalk with your dog and don’t go up to the door with your children.

Avoid houses if you know or suspect a dog is present –

• You can hear a dog barking behind the door
• You can see a dog behind a screen door
• You see a dog tied up in the yard
• You see or hear a dog barking behind a fence.

Stay away from groups of young children who may get out of hand at a moment’s notice or older ones who think it’s fun to tease or scare your dog.

When your kids go up to a house and there is a dog greeting your kids as well as a person, tell your kids to stand still and ask that the people move the dog away from the door. Let the person come out to give your kids the candy, and then wait until he closes the door before your kids turn around and leave.

If a dog comes up to your children, then tell them to Be a Tree and stand still (because the more they move, the more it excites the dog) – while you move between the dog and your children. “Be a Tree” means that your kids have their hands folded in front of their bodies and their eyes look down at their feet. The dog will likely sniff them and then leave. Wait for the owner to get the dog before leaving, and then move slowly backwards (be careful where you walk!) away from the dog.

AFTER TRICK-OR-TREATING – WHAT ABOUT THE LOOT?

After everyone is home and things have quieted down, continue to watch your dog. He does not automatically calm down just because you or your children are home for the evening.

Tell your children not to share treats with your dog – treats are for people, not for dogs. He can choke on candy wrappers, lollipop sticks, and foil wrappers or they can cause obstructions in the intestine – that 25-cent piece of candy can easily turn into a several-thousand-dollar operation. Chocolate is poisonous to your dog and can kill him.

If you suspect your dog has ingested chocolate or anything else that is potentially dangerous, please call one of these numbers IMMEDIATELY before doing anything. You will be instructed what to do, especially whether to induce vomiting or not because vomiting is not a treatment for some poisons.

• Your veterinarian
• An emergency vet in your area
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or (800) 548-2423 (A fee is billed to your phone.)
• National Animal Poison Control Center (900) 680-0000 (There is a fee to your credit card.)

The day after Halloween, you may find broken eggs or candies strewn on lawns and streets, and your dog should not eat those either. Be vigilant!

I hope you’re not overwhelmed you with all these safety precautions. I hear of so many things that go wrong that I feel obligated to pass them on so that everyone will have a safe and happy Halloween – and I definitely wish that for you and your family!