Howl-A-Ween - Canine Safety Tips!

Halloween Canine Safety Tips - 2013 – Changes in routine and the strange sights (weird costumes, 'morphed' family members, costume props) and sounds (doorbells ringing, kids laughing in groups, 'TRICK OR TREAT' being yelled at the front door) associated with Halloween can cause stress in a normally relaxed and friendly family dog. Keep dogs safe, and out of the fray, by following some of the safety tips below.

Halloween is lots of fun for kids, but many dogs will be confused or upset by kids in strange costumes and by lots of people coming to the door, but never being invited in. Make Sit Happen, LLC. (www.MakeSitHappen.com) offers the following tips for dog owners, kids and parents:

Dog owners:

1. Take your dog for a walk to tire him out, way before the onset of 'Trick or Treaters' arrive. Many dogs are frightened by costumes and strangers.
2. Make sure your dog is wearing up-to-date identification tags, in case he gets loose.
3. Secure your dog behind a closed door or in a crate in a room away from the front door on Halloween, or if the party is at your house.
4. Consider crating your pet, which can make him feel more secure and reduce chances of accidental escapes. Provide chew toys, a favorite blanket, a piece of clothing with your scent on it, or whatever comforts the animal. Play soft music or a recording of soothing sounds.
5. Keep dogs out of the candy bowl. Dispose of candy wrappers before your pets get to them, since the wrappers can cause choking or intestinal obstruction. Note: Chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause nerve damage and even death in dogs. The darker the chocolate, the more concentrated it is -- and the smaller the lethal dose.
6. If you want to have your dog near the door to greet visitors, (although NOT recommended) keep him on leash. Pets can become very stressed by holiday activities and unwelcome interruptions in routine. A nervous dog might feel threatened and growl, lunge or bite, or dash out an open door.  Leashing gives you more control in chaotic situations.
7. Give him a juicy bone from the butcher, a sterilized bone or a frozen Kong stuffed with his food, and keep him away from the activity.
8. Play music or leave a TV or radio playing in the dog’s room to help mask the sounds of the activity at the front door.
9. Close drapes so that the dog does not see people coming and going through the window.
10. If you have a dog that barks at the sound of the doorbell, disconnect it, place a note on the bell to 'please don't ring the bell', or watch for trick-or-treaters so that they do not have to ring or knock.
11. Puppies and dogs that like to chase can get overly excited by costumes with dangly bits or streaming material. Supervise very carefully if you have a dog that may try to play with your children’s costumes while they are wearing them. Teach kids to stop and stand still if the dog does start nipping at their costume since the more they move, the more exited the dog will get.
12. Keep your dogs (and cats) indoors around Halloween time. Pets have been stolen, injured or poisoned as part of Halloween pranks or other rituals.
13. Make sure pets can't reach candles, jack-o-lanterns, decorations or ornaments.
14. Halloween costumes can annoy animals and pose safety and health hazards...so think twice before dressing up the dog. Make sure the dog can breathe, see and hear, and that the costume is flame retardant. Remove any small or dangling accessories that could be chewed and swallowed. Avoid rubber bands, which can cut off the animal's circulation or, if accidentally left on, can burrow and cut into the animal's skin.
15. When walking dogs during or after Halloween, watch carefully for what they might pick up and choke on. Bits of candy and wrappers abound on sidewalks and streets after holidays.
16. If you notice these symptoms of chocolate poisoning, go to your vet or an emergency vet right away because your pet's life may be in danger:

Excessive drooling
Excessive urination
Pupil dilation
Rapid heartbeat
Vomiting and diarrhea
Hyperactivity
Muscle tremors and seizures
Coma

Kids and Parents:

1. Avoid houses if you can hear a dog barking behind the door, you can see a dog behind a screen door or you see a dog tied up in the yard or barking behind a fence.
2. Never approach any dog, even if you know him. He may not recognize you in your costume.
3. If an owner opens the door and there is a dog there, just stay still and wait for the dog owner to put the dog away. You can tell them you do not want to come near the dog. Do not move toward the person and dog. Wait for them to come to you to give you your candy. Wait for them to close the door before you turn and leave.
4. If a dog escapes just stand still (hands folded in front, watching your feet). He will just sniff you and then move on. Wait for the owner to come and get the dog before you turn away.  DO NOT RUN as dogs will chase you.
5. If you meet a loose dog, stand still and wait until it goes away.
6. It is best to ignore other people’s dogs on Halloween if you meet them out walking. The dog may be worried about all the strange creatures that are out and about. Even if you know the dog, he may not recognize you in your costume or he may already be stressed and not want to be bothered.

 ‘Make Sit Happen’ wishes everyone a safe and happy Halloween!

For more information about ‘Make Sit Happen, LLC.’ please visit www.MakeSitHappen.com

About ‘Make Sit Happen, LLC.’:

Providing dog training and related services to Central New Jersey in Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex and Mercer Counties since 1998.  Utilizing a balanced approach to dog training for families and their dogs!  We offer group classes as well as private, in-home behavior consultations, focusing on the entire dog.  We teach communication between you and your dog, to teach the behaviors you want, rather than putting up with those that you don’t!  REAL LIFE training that you can use for every day life! 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Gail Kulur – Owner/Trainer

Make Sit Happen, LLC.

908-359-9228

MakeSitHappen2@aol.com

www.MakeSitHappen.com