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Halloween is a day many of us look forward to all year, full of delicious sweets, exciting costumes, and a lot of spooky goings-on. While you might be thrilled to unveil your clever new outfit or give out lollies to children at the door, your canine companion might not be sharing the same enthusiasm.
In fact, for most dogs, Halloween can be a bit of a nightmare. They often have to face their ultimate fear: the dreaded, yet rarely defeated, doorbell. If you own a dog, you'll know exactly what this means!
Enjoying a Safe Halloween Walk with Your Dog
The good news is there's a fantastic way to help your dog enjoy Halloween and stop them from barking at every knock. Take them out for a lovely Halloween walk so they can join in the fun.
However, as enjoyable as a Halloween stroll can be, it does come with a few potential dangers. Here are 5 of the best tips to ensure you and your dog have a fun and safe walk this Halloween.
Best 5 Tips for Taking Your Dog on a Halloween Walk
Ready to make sure your Halloween walk is nothing but treats for your dog (and you)? Here’s how to do it just right:
1. Keep Your Dog on a Lead
Even if your pooch is usually perfectly behaved, it's essential to keep them on a high-quality dog lead and proper ID when walking at night, especially on Halloween. This evening is full of strange sights and tempting smells, making it very easy for your dog to get overly excited and want to chase something. To avoid your dog bolting after someone in a fascinating costume, or even attempting to snatch a sweet from a child, it's definitely best to keep your pet securely attached to you.
What's more, if your dog is particularly keen on food, the scent of all those treats could be far too enticing to resist. Without a lead, you'd probably find it impossible to keep your dog close.
A dog lead also serves as a wonderful way to help a nervous pet feel secure. It is a comfort blanket for them, constantly reassuring them that you're right there, ready to protect them if they get a fright from all the costumed youngsters.
2. Choose Your Walking Patch Wisely
When planning your Halloween outing, it’s best to stick to familiar, quiet areas where your dog feels comfortable. If you’re thinking about taking them to an organised pet-friendly event, always confirm their rules about dogs and trick-or-treating households beforehand. Some online applications even offer maps highlighting homes that welcome dogs with their own special treats, separate from the usual sweets.
We highly recommend heading out while it's still light or just as dusk is settling. This makes it much simpler to supervise your dog, and they'll be less likely to be frightened by looming costumes or sudden, bright flashes.
Additionally, keep away from bustling roads and any gatherings featuring loud music or unsettling sound effects. It’s also wise not to stray too far from your starting point, like your home or car, so you can easily leave whenever your dog signals they’re ready, and that might be earlier than you anticipated.
3. Get Your Dog's Kit Ready
Before you head out, it's wise to be prepared with essential walking gear. You'll definitely want a torch; proper flashlights are better than glow sticks. Don't forget some poop bag holders, a bottle of water, of course, and perhaps an adjustable harness if you want to swap from the lead for your dog's comfort.
Natural dog treats are a must-have, especially since dogs can't have chocolate or the usual sweets handed out at Halloween. And, just in case the weather turns a bit grim, consider bringing a little raincoat or jumper for your pooch.
4. Ensure You Can Be Seen After Dark
While a reflective dog lead is certainly helpful, there are many other excellent ways to make sure you're noticeable.
Try putting on a brightly coloured jacket or a high-visibility vest yourself. Drivers might not always spot your dog, especially if they're a smaller breed, but if you're wearing reflective clothing, motorists will definitely see you from afar. This kind of gear offers real peace of mind when you and your dog are crossing roads or walking past cars backing out of driveways.
5. Keep an Eye on What Your Dog Sniffs
Dogs love to explore with their noses, often finding bits and bobs to chew on during walks. But on Halloween, you need to be much more alert about what your dog might try to eat.
Chocolate is in most Halloween sweets, and a lot of these get dropped on the pavement. Think of all those times as a child, you might have accidentally dropped a sweet while rushing around. Those seemingly harmless dropped chocolates can make your dog very sick.
So, to prevent any upset tummies, simply keep a close watch on what your dog is sniffing during your Halloween walk.
Your Questions on Halloween Dog Safety Answered
Q. What kind of unusual behaviour might my dog show on Halloween?
A. Halloween can bring out some unusual behaviours in dogs, mainly due to the stress and worry caused by all the strange activities and costumes. Seeing people in unfamiliar outfits can make dogs agitated, causing more barking or restless actions.
The constant stream of visitors and the door opening and closing can also overwhelm some pets, making them more likely to try and bolt. It’s best to keep your dog in a calm, safe spot during the busiest trick-or-treating times to manage their stress and stop any unwanted reactions.
Q. How can I help my dog stay calm during Halloween?
A. To help your dog cope with Halloween, try to time their outdoor trips to avoid too many trick-or-treaters or scary costumes. If you do walk them in the evening, reflective gear is a good idea so you both stay visible. It’s very important to keep all Halloween treats, especially chocolate, sweets with xylitol, nuts, or raisins, completely out of reach, as these are very dangerous for dogs.
Also, make sure any decorations are safely placed where your pooch can’t get to them, preventing any accidents.
Q. Which Halloween treats and foods are most dangerous for dogs?
A. Several Halloween treats and foods are very risky for dogs. Chocolate, even a small bit, can be deadly as it harms a dog's heart and nervous system. Sweets containing xylitol, raisins, or nuts are also extremely poisonous and can cause severe issues like kidney failure or liver damage.
Plus, sweet wrappers themselves can be a choking risk or block their insides if swallowed. So, always keep all types of sweets securely stored away from your pets.