Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year — for humans, at least! For dogs, it can feel like a whirlwind of strange sights, loud noises, and nonstop activity. From the constant doorbell ringing to costumed visitors and tempting candy, the holiday can be overwhelming and even dangerous for our four-legged friends.

The good news? With a little preparation, you can help your dog handle the chaos with confidence. Here’s how to get your pup ready for the spookiest night of the year — so you both can enjoy a safe and stress-free Halloween.

Introduce costumes ahead of time.

Wearing costumes is fun for humans, but can be confusing or stressful to dogs. A dog who’s uncomfortable may freeze, paw or bite at the costume, try to hide, or even growl.

If you want to try a costume on your dog, introduce it gradually, letting your dog sniff it thoroughly first before you try to put it on. If they seem open-minded, put a piece of the costume on them for a brief time and pair it with plenty of treats and praise.

It might spoil the surprise for your neighbors, but the best way to acclimate your dog to a costume is to take them for a walk wearing it. The activity will help them forget, and you can observe whether the costume is comfortable for them, well-fitted, and secure.

If your dog isn’t a fan, try a festive collar or bandana instead. Comfort and safety come first!

Additionally, if your dog hasn’t seen humans wearing costumes before, be aware that this could alarm them! Have your family try on their costumes ahead of time and let your dog get used to the idea of the humans in their life dressing very strangely.

Tame the doorbell chaos.

To your dog, Halloween night can feel like an endless parade of strangers invading their space. The constant knocking and doorbell ringing, plus kids in strange costumes, can trigger anxiety, barking, or even door-dashing. If you dog’s behavior is iffy when strangers come to the door on a normal day, start preparing for trick or treaters NOW.

If you plan to have your dog loose in the house during trick or treating, start practicing calm behavior in response to the doorbell now. Pair the sound of the doorbell with kibble scattered on the ground once or twice a day. Or, teach your dog to go to their mat or a dog bed when the doorbell rings. If you’ve taken our Basic Manners class, you’ve learned this skill but don’t forget to freshen it up before the big day!

Using a baby gate or an exercise pen to keep your dog from getting to the door can also be a great strategy for allowing your dog to be present for the fun, but safe and out of trouble. Leave them with a high value and some favorite toys to play with when they get bored of watching the parade of visitors.

Keep candy and decorations out of reach.

Halloween candy may be a treat for kids, but it’s dangerous for dogs. Chocolate and xylitol (found in sugar-free gum and candies) are highly toxic. Even non-toxic sweets can cause upset stomachs or blockages if swallowed.

Here are some tips for keeping your dog safe around the influx of Halloween candy and sweet treats:

• Store all candy in sealed containers well out of reach.
• Remind your children and any guests never to share candy with your dog.
• Watch out for dropped candy during or after trick-or-treating — especially during evening walks.
• If you suspect your dog has eaten something dangerous, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away.

Decorations can pose risks too. Wires from lights, glow sticks, and fake spider webs can be tempting to chew on or get tangled in, so put them where your dog can’t get to them.

Consider creating a calm, safe space for nervous dogs.

Some dogs will be happiest and safest if they can just be away from the action, and recognizing your dog’s needs is NOT a failure on your part. Exactly the opposite!

There is no shame in setting up a crate in a quiet room with a high-value chew and a white noise machine or calming music to muffle the noise of your visitors. For some dogs, this is the best choice you can make for everyone, including them!

Set yourself up for success by making sure your pup gets exercise ahead of time — a satisfying walk or some training and play will help your dog settle down for the evening.

And remember, you can choose this option even is it’s just easier for YOU. Want to relax and focus on your trick or treaters instead of guiding your dog’s behavior through the evening? We don’t think there’s anything wrong with that!

Happy Halloween!

We hope you can use these stategies to keep Halloween fun and low-stress for both you and your dog!

Want some help preparing for this holiday, or the others that will soon come? Contact us! We can point you in the direction of an appropriate class or set you up with private training.