Can dogs go trick-or-treating? Will they enjoy walking around your neighbourhood with everyone wearing scary costumes? Or would they rather stay at home patiently hoping some treats might fall on the floor for them?
It all depends on the dog- If your pet likes small children, is confident in crowds, and is trained to walk on a loose lead, a trick-or-treating walk will be enjoyable for the whole family.
You’ve likely already used positive reinforcement training to help your dog learn basic commands such as ‘sit’, ‘heel’ or ‘drop it’. If you are taking your dog trick-or-treating, these commands are invaluable for keeping your pup safe and happy. Here are some other tips to keep in mind:
1. Take care of any necessary training before Halloween
If your dog isn’t a huge fan of new things and hasn’t had any training yet, now isn’t the time to try something new. If your dog is still learning to walk on a loose lead or perfect simple commands, you’ll want to finish developing these before trick-or-treating.
2. Know your neighbourhood
A quiet neighbourhood that your dog is already familiar with is the ideal setting for enjoying Halloween. Some apps, like Nextdoor, even create special maps where residents can indicate if they will have treats for doggies as well as the usual human sweets.
Making your rounds during daylight and dusk hours is preferable as it is easier to keep an eye on your dog. They are also less likely to get spooked by large, shadowy costumes or flashing torches.
It is best to avoid neighbourhoods with lots of traffic or events with loud music. she adds. It is best to stay near your home or car so you can leave quickly when your dog is ready to go—which may be earlier than you expect.
3. Go prepared
A torch (not glow sticks as the chemicals are harmful to dogs if ingested), travel water bottle, poo bags, dog treats (especially since dogs can’t have chocolate, raisins- or any of the sweets usually handed out), and a doggy raincoat or jumper in case of typical UK weather.
4. Check your costumes
No matter how cute a dog Halloween costume may look, you don’t want an outfit that limits your dog’s range of motion or vision- if part of the costume seems to bother your dog, remove it. It should be comfy for them to walk in and shouldn’t get in the way of proper lead and collar or harness use.
Reflective tags or lights should be included in your dog’s costume for visibility and safety from vehicles. Most importantly, ensure your dog has a current ID tag and microchip in case the two of you get separated.
5. Give your dog some space
Always keep your dog on the lead and out of crowds, as this ensures their safety and prevents children from bumping into them.
Let your children approach front doors themselves, and you stay a few feet away with your dog. This will help them to stay calm and avoid any pets in your neighbours houses (who we want to keep safe, too!)
It is also important to give your pet frequent breaks from the fun by walking away for short periods. This will allow them to decompress.
6. Watch what they’re sniffing
Normally, it’s encouraged to let your dog sniff while out and about, as it provides essential mental stimulation. However, you need to pay close attention to what they might be sniffing during trick-or-treating (potential dropped sweets) and be ready to intercept anything they might try to eat.
7. Know when it’s time to head home
In such an high energy environment, it’s easy for your dog to become unhappy very quickly. How will you know when your pet is ready to call it a night? Here are some typical signs of stress or overstimulation:
-Shaking/shivering
-Tucked tail
-Licking lips, yawning, averting gaze
-Panting while at rest
-Trying to hide
-Drooling excessively
-Vocalizing (barking, whining, growling)
-Lunging/intense pulling on the leash
-Trying to escape or pulling to get away from crowds
-Refusing to walk
-Not responding to your cues and signals (if they normally do)
And if it’s time to call it a night, that is okay. Go home, make a bowl of dog-friendly, air-popped, and unbuttered popcorn, slip under a cosy blanket, and continue celebrating the season by watching some Halloween films.
