Spooky season is finally here, which means scary decorations, trick-or-treaters, and adorable costumes. Help prepare your dogs for all the excitement and set them up for a good time!
Trick or Treat!
Prepare your dog for trick-or-treaters and all the noise they
make.
- Practice ringing your doorbell and knocking at your door. Reward your dog for checking in and responding with acceptable behaviors. Have the door sounds go off a couple of times throughout the day and constantly reward. This should help the sounds become more normal and boring to your pup.
- Set up a blanket or bed for your dog wherever they feel safe. Every time the doorbell rings, have your dog lie down on the bed. Have your dog lie down for random amounts of time as practice. Pretend to welcome trick-or-treaters while your dog lays on the mat. Make sure to reward your pup every step of the way you can even give them a long-lasting treat like a frozen kong or bully stick. Keep in mind that dusk tends to be a period of high energy for most dogs and prepare appropriately.
- Most trick-or-treaters are children so if your dog isn’t used to kids make sure to prepare them for the sounds and movements. Visit parks and playgrounds and reward your dog whenever they respond calmly and positively.
- Work on your leave its as much as you can in case any candy finds its way onto the floor, keep easy dog treats on you, for your dog and any dog that might be trick or treating.
- If it’s too much for your dog, set up a safe zone in a quiet room. Prepare your dog’s favorite music, tv show, or white noise to drown out the sound and a nice long-lasting treat to keep them busy.
Spooky Sights!
Spooky decorations can be very scary, let’s make sure they aren’t too scary.
- If you have your own decorations let your dog safely inspect them. Reward with praise and treats whenever your dog sniffs and checks in with you. If your decorations make scary noises or inflate make sure to let your dog have enough space to feel safe, don’t pull them closer let your dog decide to get closer at their own pace, and reward them for being brave.
- If your usual walking route has scary decorations up, make sure to bring some high-value treats with you on walks. Take it slow and make sure your dog is comfortable, if they need to stop and inspect, let them. If they start to pull away in fear don’t force them to get closer, try looking at the decorations from a safe distance and reward your dog for getting closer but if it’s too scary try going a different way.
- Prepare your dog for people in costumes! They don’t know it is you under that mask, let them know for sure. Allow them to sniff and check your costume, wear it around them, speak to them nicely, and reward them while you wear it.
Join the Fun!!
If you want your furry friend to join the spooky fun make sure to be prepared.
- If your dog is joining the trick-or-treating walk make sure to use safety accessories like reflective collars and harnesses. There are also light-up collars, harnesses, dog tags, and flashlight poop bag holders.
- Dog costumes are one of the best parts of Halloween, but only some dogs will like dressing up and only some costumes are practical. Prepare your dog for wearing clothes by practicing with easy dog clothing like shirts and sweaters. When picking out a dog costume be sure to pick something that doesn’t obstruct your dog’s vision or walking ability, also make sure the costume is light and well-ventilated. Test the costume out a couple of times before the big day, and make sure to include lots of high-value treats and positive attention. Make sure your dog is comfortable! If all you can do is put it on for a few seconds just take some quick pics and call it a day.
- Pumpkins smell yummy and taste yummy, dogs agree, but try not to get too close to the ones with candles in them. Some pumpkin patches do allow dogs, always check before going and make sure your leave-its are strong. Not all pumpkins are snacks! Also, remember hay isn’t very comfortable check your dog’s toes and fur to make sure no hay gets stuck anywhere.
- Take lots of breaks and check in with your dog whenever you can, getting too excited can easily turn into being overwhelmed.
