Your dog looks adorable in her little Halloween costume and of course, you want to show it off…so, why shouldn’t you take her trick or treating?
- Is your dog friendly and laid back? Or will she get freaked seeing all the kids running around in costumes? If this is your dog’s first Halloween, you may want to take it easy until you see how your dog reacts. Some freak out and bark at everyone, some become aggressive, and some don’t even look twice. Think hard about your dog’s personality and how she will react.
- How good is her obedience training? Will she “leave it” when walking past half-eaten candy bars dropped on the side walk? Will she sit and act nice when a little Frankenstein wants to pet her?
- Have another adult with you to share the responsibilities If you are taking your kids, or grandkids out trick-or-treating, as well as your dog. Having another adult who can either take the dog home or stay with the kids makes it much more enjoyable for all.
- Watch your dog carefully for stress signals like yawning, licking their lips, lifting their lips, growling, barking, hanging back and acting afraid or lunging forward to attack. Watch her tail. Is it upright and stiff or curled between her legs? If she shows any of these for more than a few seconds, you should think seriously about taking her home.
- Keep your dog on a 4 or 6-foot leash, not a 15-foot retractable leash. You want full control over your dog, all the time.
- Stay back on the sidewalk or lawn while your kids run up to the door. If the house has a dog, you don’t need to start a ruckus with both dogs going crazy.
- Don’t let your dog eat candy of any type. Chocolate is poisonous. If someone is giving out dog biscuits, that’s great for your dog.
- Bring water, a dog bowl or drinking system, and of course, poop bags!
- Watch everyone that goes near your dog. Stray hands may try to pet your dog and spook her, or try to give her candy. It’s really hard to watch your dog when there are large groups of kids walking by, so be vigilant. I usually stand off to the side and tell my dog to sit. We stay away from the mob of kids getting onto the porch to get their share of candy.
- Bring along some dog treats in your pocket to encourage good behavior. Small liver treats or something similar as a reward are much better than large dog biscuits.
- If your dog wears out before your kids do, take her home, or put her in a stroller or wagon. A tired dog is more likely to bite if they get pushed too much.
- If you are out after dark, bring a flashlight to find the dog poop and have your pet wear reflective clothing.
- Always make sure your dog has a name tag with your phone number and address. Check your dog’s collar for a proper fit before you go trick-or-treating. A dog that wiggles her way out of her collar or somehow ends up loose on the street is more likely to panic when everyone is dressed strangely. You don’t want to lose your dog on Halloween night.
Most of all have fun. Don’t torture your dog with a costume that she hates.
It’s been quite a number of years since my grandchildren were small and I took my springer spaniel, Cassie, out trick-or-treating, but I can remember it like yesterday. Cassie was very obedient and even-tempered, but still, I stood off to the side and watched her every move. After about an hour, I could tell she was tired and wanted to go home, so usually one of us adults would go home while the other stayed with the kids.
Before you know it my grandkids are grown and my dog has passed over the rainbow bridge. Enjoy these years while you can, they won’t last forever.
Happy Halloween!
Have you taken your dog trick-or-treating? Does he have a Halloween costume?
Great safety tips. Especially about standing back and not letting your dog get overwhelmed and worn out. We live in the middle of nowhere and even my grandkids have outgrown trick or treat so we will be staying safe and sound at home.
I know it is tempting to take dogs out on Halloween for Trick or Treating, but I don’t really think it’s a good idea. All of the loud noises, costumes, and people aren’t the best place to take a dog.
It all depends on the dog and if the owner is good at reading their dog’s cues that they are stressed.
Thoughtful and thought provoking post.
I would never take a dog out like that but, then again, some dogs are gorgeous and sociable. You just have to remember not everyone you meet will be – right?
Right. It does help to have a backup plan, either a way to go home, a muzzle, or a stroller or wagon to contain the dog.
I think that things like that are likely to be overwhelming for any dog. With our guys, we always took them to friends’ horse farm to keep them from all the commotion.
Great Post! Just in Time for Halloween. My new puppy isn’t ready to go for the Trick or Treat Walk with the kids yet, but maybe next year.
I like the idea of bringing a doggie stroller or backpack if your dog gets tired on the walk. I also like how they now have glowing leashes for night time dog walks. (From Ava Jaine, Dachshund Station)
Yes, my Buffy gets tired and needs the stroller after a few blocks. I also like the glowing collars. Our trick-or-treating is in the daytime – actually, it was today, Sunday, from 2 – 5, so it’s much safer.
Great tips! My two dogs are both a bit…excitable, so the safest place for them on Halloween is relaxing upstairs away from all the excitement. Most years I do still get them costumes though, they are just too cute to resist and my boys don’t mind wearing them. And they get treats for their troubles, of course.
Some dogs love to wear clothes. My sister’s dogs always did.
These are wonderful tips and reminders. It is always better to be safe than sorry. We have an elaborate Halloween setup with a lot of scares. One year a person came with her dog and the dog was growling so fiercely, that I asked them to wait at the end of the driveway. The human was a bit miffed since the dog was wearing a muzzle, but she took the dog to the end of the driveway.
Wow! Needing a muzzle on a dog is safer, but if the dog needs one and is growling, he shouldn’t be out being provoked by all the craziness of trick-or-treating.
Great post and we have done a doggy Halloween party and not doing anymore this year. Thank goodness I live in a secured building so no one can come knocking on our door. Happy Halloween.