Halloween can be great fun for us, but all the excitement can be a little confusing for our dogs. Costumes, decorations, strange noises, the doorbell ringing and lots of unfamiliar faces appearing at the door can all be a bit much.
The good news is that a little preparation can make the evening easier for everyone. Whether your dog loves being involved in the action or would rather spend Halloween curled up somewhere quiet, there are plenty of simple things you can do to help them have a happy Halloween too.
Give them a good run before the evening begins
One of the simplest things you can do is make sure your dog has had plenty of exercise before the trick-or-treaters arrive. A good run earlier in the day can help them settle when things get busy in the evening. It also means they’ve had an opportunity to burn off some energy before the doorbell starts ringing and the visitors start arriving.
Why not make the most of the daylight and book your dog a session at Run Free earlier in the day, then let them relax at home afterwards?
Be prepared for the doorbell
Halloween can mean a lot of interruptions, which can upset even the calmest of dogs. If you’d like to take part in the Halloween fun and welcome trick-or-treaters, think about where your dog is happiest and most comfortable before the evening gets busy.
Set up a quiet space away from the front door where they can retreat while visitors come and go. Their bed, favourite toys and something enjoyable to do can help them settle.
Make sure they’re somewhere secure before you open the door. A closed internal door, stair gate or another secure area can prevent an excited or worried dog from slipping out.
You don’t have to let your dog greet every visitor. If they’d rather stay somewhere quiet, that’s absolutely fine. And if they’re particularly unsettled by the constant ringing and knocking, unplugging the doorbell or putting a note on the door asking people not to ring or knock could help.
Keep costumes and decorations dog friendly
Dogs don’t always understand why their humans suddenly look very different! If you’re dressing up, give your dog time to get used to your costume before the evening gets busy.
And what about dressing your dog up? Some dogs seem to love wearing a costume and happily trot around showing it off, while lots of dogs really don’t enjoy it. If your dog isn’t comfortable wearing one, don’t force it. There are plenty of other ways for them to join in the Halloween fun!
The same goes for Halloween decorations. Keep anything that could be chewed, swallowed or knocked over safely out of reach, and remember that some dogs may find unfamiliar decorations a little unsettling. If they don’t like a particular decoration, simply move it somewhere they don’t have to deal with it.
Keep the treats for the humans
Halloween sweets and chocolate aren’t suitable for dogs, so make sure they can’t help themselves to the trick-or-treat stash. It’s also worth keeping wrappers safely out of reach. A curious dog can be surprisingly quick when something smells interesting!
If you’d like your dog to join in with the treat giving, have some dog-friendly treats ready for them instead.
Don’t force them to join in
Some dogs will love the extra activity and attention. Others will want absolutely nothing to do with it. Watch your dog’s body language and let them choose whether they want to interact. If they seem worried, give them some space rather than encouraging them to say hello.
A dog who moves away, hides, avoids eye contact, becomes unusually still or seems unable to settle may be telling you that they’ve had enough. Give them the option to retreat somewhere quiet rather than expecting them to cope with what’s happening around them.
If your dog is frightened, keep things calm
If Halloween turns out to be more stressful than your dog expected, don’t worry about trying to make them take part. Close the curtains and let them stay somewhere they feel safe. You can sit with them if they find your company reassuring, or give them some space if that’s what they prefer.
There’s no need to tell them off for being frightened or to make them face the thing that’s worrying them. The aim is simply to help them feel safe.
Make Halloween fun in their own way
Halloween doesn’t have to mean costumes and spooky decorations for your dog.
A favourite chew, a food puzzle, some scent games or simply curling up somewhere cosy with you can make the evening enjoyable without adding to the excitement.
The important thing is to remember that every dog is different. Some will be fascinated by the visitors and desperate to investigate every costume. Others will be much happier watching the evening from a safe distance.
With a little preparation, you can give your dog the choice to enjoy Halloween in whatever way suits them best.
Whatever Halloween looks like in your household, a little preparation can help make sure it’s enjoyable for your dog too.
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