Keep Fido Fright-Free on Halloween

Scary faces and constant visitors make Halloween very special - and especially stressful - for some dogs. Keep your precious pooches safe during trick-or-treat and Halloween parties. WHS’ Behavior Program Manager, Natalie Zielinski, recommends these helpful Halloween suggestions:

• Little Monsters at the Door Puppies who have never experienced Halloween or dogs who are shy and easily frightened will probably not enjoy greeting trick or treaters at the door. Can you blame them? Ghosts, ghouls and superheros with capes may appear very scary to a dog or cat. If your dog seems frightened, stay calm and cool. Keep a large distance between your dog and the goblin. Never force your dog to interact if she is frightened. The least stressful option may be to place your dog in a quiet room away from noise and scary visitors. Never open the door with your dog present, if you feel that your dog will try to escape in the confusion.
• Cats should always be kept in a quiet room so that they do not become frightened and bolt out the door. 
• Did you say doorbell? If your dog is the type to go bonkers at the sound of a doorbell, you should put him in a crate or quiet room with a delicious chew toy. You can also disconnect your doorbell on this day to avoid the constant trigger.
• Costumes for your dog, you say? Some dogs will proudly strut their stuff in a Halloween costume, while others will cower or even panic. Start with something simple and be sure to reward your dog with tasty treats. Consider practicing 2-3 weeks ahead of time. Once your dog is comfortable with a bandana or fluffy collar, you can advance to a costume. Make sure that you have a pocket full of tasty treats.  Just drape the costume over your dog’s back and give him a treat. Practice this several times. You want your dog to be happy when he sees the costume. Next, put the costume on and then shower your dog with tasty treats. Take if off quickly, before your dog starts to struggle. Repeat this process several times. If your dog is not comfortable, consider a bandana this year and continue to practice for next year!
• Candy is for Kids Candy is not good for dogs and with their hard-working noses, you can bet they will find it. Be sure to keep all candies secure in cupboards or pantries. Consuming chocolate can be fatal for your pooch. If your dog eats chocolate, call your animal emergency center immediately. It is always a good practice to keep all candy out of your dog’s reach.
• Safety First If venturing out to trick-or-treat with the kids, you should still keep your dog on a leash.  If it’s dark, use some reflective strips from the hardware store or flashing lights to help people and drivers see your little furry ghoul. Make sure that your dog can still see and move comfortably and that she can't chew off and swallow any pieces of her costume!
  

To consult the Behavior Department at the Wisconsin Humane Society, call 414-431-6173.