Halloween and Your Dog.

I love Halloween. I always have. Loved going out as a kid (and young teen) and I still dress up every year. Last year I was Reagan from the Exorcist and this year I'm going as Medusa. But, this post isn't about me. It's about our dogs.
Some dogs do like clothes. So a costume for them may not be a big deal. But, then you get the dog who freezes in their tracks and doesn't move until the sweater comes off. So, a Halloween costume may not be a great idea for them. Costumes on people can be a scary thing for dogs too. Seeing one of their family members dressed as a pirate with a sword and an eye patch is enough to send some dogs flying under the bed. Remember that scene from E.T.? So, here's some tips on how to make my favorite holiday a little easier on your pets...
Well, I touched on the first point--costumes. Use discretion in dressing up your dog. Maybe try one piece of the ensemble at a time. If they show signs of anxiety or fear, don't press it. Taking a dog trick-or-treating can be regrettable as well. Some fearful dogs can become aggressive, so maybe leave the dog at home.
If you're staying at home with your dog and the sound of the doorbell drives them nuts, hang outside with your candy and a warm coat or blanket. On my street, everyone sits outside anyway, exchanging candy and making ourselves nauseous (that's part of Halloween right?). Most of us know that chocolate and other candies (esp. ones made with Xylitol) are bad for animals, but make sure your kids know too. If you can't be outside, restrict your dog's access to the front door and make sure their I.D. is current just in case. Halloween is kind of like July 4th--dogs get scared and when they're scared, they run. Keep a TV on or music--something to drown out the squealing kids and make them feel more comfortable.
The one thing that always upsets me about Halloween is the fact that some people do bad things to animals, for whatever dimented reason. Working at a Vet. hospital, I've seen it with cats mostly. But please don't leave your pets unattended on or around Halloween. I won't go into details, just keep them inside.
And lastly...Fire bad. Candles or jack-o-lanterns and wagging tails do not mix.
Have a great Halloween! Send me some pics and I'll post them.