For many, Halloween is a night of laughter, fun, and of course, candy. However, if you have a reactive dog, it might seem more like a nightmare than a treat. The doorbell rings, kids in costumes excitedly shout, “trick or treat,” and your dog, well, they just see chaos. This can turn what should be a fun and festive evening into a stressful ordeal for both you and your pooch.
If you’re a dog parent dealing with a reactive pup, you might already be feeling the Halloween jitters. But don’t worry — here are some ways to navigate this spooky holiday while keeping your pup’s stress levels in check.
Understand your dog’s triggers
First things first, it’s important to understand what specifically sets your dog off. Is it the doorbell, the costumes, or the excited shrieks of children? Knowing your dog’s triggers will help you anticipate and manage situations more effectively. Every dog is different, so take some time to observe and note down what causes your pup to react.
Meet trick-or-treaters outside
We get it: Halloween is fun. You don’t have to completely compromise your involvement in the holiday for the sake of your dog. You can absolutely give candy to neighborhood kids and deck your house out in decorations. Instead of staying inside and waiting for the doorbell to ring, meet the trick-or-treaters outside before they can make it to your door. If your dog enjoys people, you can even let them be a part of the festivities.
Leave candy outside
For anyone staying inside, leaving a big basket of candy for trick-or-treaters works perfectly fine, too. You do risk that a greedy group might clean you out. The solution to this is not putting out all of your candy at once; keep refilling throughout the night.
Desensitize your dog to doorbell rings
If your dog goes into a barking frenzy every time the doorbell rings, now is a good time to start some desensitization training. Practice having someone ring the doorbell while you reward your dog for staying calm. Gradually increase the number of rings and the duration between them, always rewarding calm behavior. This might take a few weeks of consistent practice, so start early!
Leave a sign on your door
Simply leave a short note explaining that your dog doesn’t like the doorbell. Again, you probably will want to couple this with leaving out some candy for trick-or-treaters, but it’s understandable if you would rather reduce the amount of time people are on your doorstep.
Keep your pup active and engaged
A tired dog is a calm dog. Before the trick-or-treating starts, make sure to give your dog plenty of exercise to help burn off excess energy. A long walk or a game of fetch can do wonders. You could also engage them in some mental stimulation activities like puzzle toys or basic obedience training to keep their minds occupied.
Enlist a helper
If possible, have someone help manage trick-or-treaters at the door while you stay with your dog. This can prevent any accidental escapes and allows you to be there to reassure your pet if they become anxious. Alternatively, if your dog is comfortable with it, you could set up a baby gate to keep them away from the door while still allowing them to see what’s happening.
Create a safe space
One of the best ways to help your dog cope with the Halloween chaos is to create a safe, quiet space for them to retreat to. This could be a room with their favorite bed, toys, and some calming music or white noise to drown out the external sounds. If your dog is crate-trained, you can use the crate as their safe haven. Ensure that your dog is familiar with this space well before Halloween night, so they associate it with safety and comfort.
Turn out the lights
The most obvious solution to this issue is to not partake in Halloween festivities. If you choose to turn out your lights, leave a note. Odds are, a handful of trick-or-treaters will still ring the bell looking for candy — and you really can’t blame them. Most will have sympathy if you include a note explaining that behind the door is a scared dog, not a curmudgeonly neighbor.
Stay calm and positive
Last but not least, remember to stay calm yourself. Dogs are incredibly perceptive and can pick up on your emotions. If you’re stressed, your dog is more likely to feel stressed too. Take a few deep breaths, keep your demeanor relaxed, and tackle the night one trick-or-treater at a time.
