Halloween Doesn’t Have to Be Spooky for Your Dog!
A black lab puppy stands on the dirt with his front paw on a pumpkin as he bites the stem, he looks directly at the camera.
Halloween Doesn’t Have to be Spooky for Your Dog!
Halloween is a fun tradition for many, with decorations out, costume parties, and kids trick or treating! For our pup’s this can be a very strange and even scary time of year.
Seemingly overnight, their own home and the yards in their neighborhood have novel decorations, people wearing unusual outfits, kids running around in masks or inflatables, and the doorbell ringing over and over again. Then add in the unknown danger to them of all the excess candy snacks around. For some dogs, they take Halloween in stride, but for many it can be an entire month made up of different startles and stressful moments, especially on Halloween evening, making it stressful on the humans too.
The good news is, there is a lot we can do to help our dog gain confidence and be more comfortable for this Halloween season. Check out some of our top Halloween Season tips to help your pup out this month!
Tips to Make Halloween a Little Less Spooky:
1. Let your dog choose how to interact with decorations!
This goes for your own house and decorations out in the neighborhood! When you put out your decorations, allow your dog to investigate at their own pace, even if this means making the choice to avoid them completely. Let your dog choose what distance they are comfortable with, reward them for watching and even moving away, but do not pressure them to approach! If your decorations move or make noise, introduce them while they are off first and be sure your dog is at a distance when you turn them on. The goal here is to teach your dog they don’t have to be concerned, not that they need to interact with the scary thing!
2. Navigating neighborhood walks
Bring extra treats on walks to support your pup, during Halloween season and always! Allow your dog to choose their interactions, including allowing them to cross the street to gain distance from decorations if they are unsure. When possible, avoid walking during bus stop times to reduce interactions with kids in costumes during this time of year.
3. Doorbells and Door Manners for Halloween
If the doorbell is a trigger for your dog, here are a few alternate options to consider for trick or treating time:
Consider sitting outside to greet trick or treaters
Purchase a flashing light doorbell for the evening to avoid the noise
Write a note on the door to avoid having anyone knock
Leave candy at the end of the driveway or steps
If your dog is okay with the doorbell, remember to still use management to keep them safe from door dashing and the potential startle of kids in costume. This may include a crate, keeping them in a separate room, or utilizing a baby gate near the door. Be sure to practice this before Halloween comes, plus it doubles as door manners practice in general!
4. Keep Halloween candy out of reach, in the house and on walks!
Halloween candy often is poisonous to dogs, especially those with chocolate or xylitol. Keep all candy safely out of reach, before, during, and after Halloween. Be sure to store candy in closed cabinets that are not accessible to your dog. Be extra aware on walks of dropped candy that your dog may take as a snack. If you have any questions about something your dog has ingested, please call pet poison control or your veterinary team immediately.
The most important tip: A successful Halloween for your dog may look like not participating at all. Success is different for every pup!
Success is listening to your dog and helping them be comfortable. With this, a successful Halloween may mean tucking your dog away with a special chew or frozen food toy and resuming activities the next day!
Many dogs do not enjoy wearing a costume, seeing animatronics, or having excited kids in costume come to the door. Consider what your dog needs, how can you help them with this?
Plan ahead for an enjoyable evening for all:
Have a quiet, safe space away from the door for your dog to hang out
Prepare a frozen food toy or special chew
Walk your dog early to avoid the height of trick or treaters
Keep Halloween candy safety out of reach
A Note from Centre Stage Dog Training:
Take your dog’s behavior as communication. If they bark or are nervous, help them by providing distance and adjusting for next time. If your dog enjoys visitors and has proven to be comfortable with Halloween, you may be able to include them in the festivities. If your dog becomes stressed by the doorbell, strangers, costumes, or nighttime activity, a quiet evening away from the action is the kinder choice.
Make your goal helping your dog feel comfortable and be successful, this goes a long way not only this month but for your future with your pup! Halloween is a great reminder that training isn't just about teaching your dog to sit, stay, or walk nicely on a leash. It's about helping your dog navigate the human world with comfort and the skills to set them up for success.
If your dog needs help with door manners, settling around distractions, confidence, or navigating everyday life, Centre Stage Dog Training offers personalized training options designed to meet you and your dog where you are. When your dog is ready for the real world and you know how to navigate it with them, you both get to enjoy it a whole lot more.
Contact us at contact@centrestagedogtraining.com with any questions!