1. Keep your dog inside on Halloween trick or treating hours. Halloween "pranksters" are known to tease, hurt, steal and even kill pets on Halloween. Absolutely horrible, I know, but preventable.
2. I recommend to NOT bring your dog trick or treating with you. Even the best behave and trained dogs can get stressed or spooked. They could become aggressive from the stress or even from the noise and confusion. Also some children may be scared of dogs. 3. If you are bringing your dog out trick or treating with you add some reflective tape to his costume or collar to prevent him being hit by a car. 4. Give Fido something to keep busy while in a separate room during trick or treating hours. A stuffed kong or tug-o-jug are some things that will entertain him. (I have a stuffed kong recipe in my past blog entries) 5. Also put on some music or the tv in his room to drown out the commotion of the trick or treaters and close the blinds so he doesn't get anxiety seeing all the people outside. 6. if the sound of your doorbell causes your dog to be highly excited or anxious, disconnect it or watch for the trick or treaters instead.
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With Halloween around the corner, here are some tips to keep your dogs safe:
1. Remember those trick or treat candies are for the kiddies not your dogs. Many of the treats you will either be bringing home or giving out can be very harmful for you dogs, so be sure to keep them out of Fido's reach. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is (888) 426-4435 call them if you think your dog has eaten something toxic. 2. Pumpkins are relatively nontoxic but can cause an upset stomach if eaten, so keep an eye on them to make sure your dog isn't trying to snack on them. 3. Dogs like to explore and especially if you have a chewer, keep those cords to your decorative lights out of reach. They can be harmful and if chewed cause cuts, burns or an electrical shock. 4. We all love to carve pumpkins and put a candle in them. Remember, if Fido bumps into it they can start a fire. Place them with your dog in mind. 5. Dressing up your dog is cute and fun. If your dog doesn't like to be dressed up it can cause stress, so make sure he loves it. Also be careful that he doesn't chew on or try to eat his costume. A festive bandana is a safe and more comfy solution. 6. All those trick or treaters at the door can cause stress to your dog, between the doorbell ringing and strangers at the door. Keep Fido in a separate room and check on him often. 7. Whether you are bringing Fido with you trick or treating or if he will be home while the trick or treaters come to you, make sure your dog is wearing his ID tag on Halloween in case he gets loose. A micro chip is always recommended. Remember, even the best trained dogs may not be on their best behavior on Halloween due to stress or anxiety. Strangers in costumes is something dogs do not understand. Go over these safety tips with your kids to have a safe Halloween.
1. Dogs like to play with or chew dangling or streaming parts of costumes. Teach your child to "be still like a tree" if your dog starts to go after their costume so you can grab Fido and get him in control. The more they move, the more excited he will get. 2. If you see dogs out on Halloween, DO NOT approach. Even if you know him, he may not recognize you in costume or he may be stressed or anxious with the Halloween commotion. 3. If you knock on a door and the dog greets you, wait for the owner to put him away. If they do not just wait for him to pass you the candy, Do Not reach for it and wait for the owner to close the door, BEFORE you walk away. 4. If a dog escapes or you see a loose dog, "be a tree" arms folded in front and stand still. Most dogs will just sniff and walk away. Wait for the owner to get the dog. DO NOT RUN, the dog will chase like it's a game. 5. While trick or treating if you see a dog with it's owner it is best to ignore the dog. Even if you know him, he may not recognize you. The dog may be nervous about all the "strange creatures" out on Halloween and this can cause stress, anxiety or even aggression. |