Tips for Celebrating Halloween with Your Dog

Halloween can be a lot of fun, but it can also be stressful, especially for our canine companions! Whether the upcoming holiday fills you with excitement or dread may have something to do with how your dog feels about (and acts around) strangers coming to the door wearing funny – and sometimes scary – outfits, or coming across various Halloween decorations while out for a walk.

By focusing on comfort, safety, and a calm environment, you can help take the fright out of the night for your furry friend. Here are a few tips that aim to make Halloween a real treat for everyone, two-legged and four-legged alike.

1. Be Respectful of Their Wishes

Dogs may not speak the same language, but they are always communicating with us. Now is the time to brush up on canine body language, and then put your knowledge into action!

With decorations going up in advance, is your pup already showing signs of uncertainty when walking by these novel — and maybe odd — sights and sounds? What might your dog be communicating? Look for the interactions that appear neutral or make them wiggle with joy, as well as signals that might indicate they’re stressed, scared, and/or afraid.

If your dog is showing signs of fear as you approach your neighbor’s elaborate Halloween display, don’t force them further into that situation. Stick to outings that both you and your dog enjoy, even if that means replacing your local neighborhood walk with a hike, car ride or other adventure, at least temporarily while you get through the holiday.

Now…it’s time to discuss the wardrobe portion of the evening. Let’s face it, if dogs were out in the wild, one of the last things they might want to do is put on a Halloween costume. If your dog does not take to playing dress-up, and is showing signs of distress or discomfort, please put the costume away. (Your dog should not just tolerate wearing a costume, but love it! This training exercise might help for next year.) Remember, Halloween is supposed to be fun!

2. Capitalize on the Situation

If you’re looking for an ideal training opportunity, Halloween is it! Uh, it’s in the name, eh? (Did someone say, “Trick or Treat?”) Spin, roll over, play dead, dance, high five, or anything else you’re wanting to teach your dog, why not take this opportunity to train a fun new trick? Then your dog can show off to those you encounter! Dogs love to learn! And, when learning involves treats and fun, it’s even better.

Whether it’s a new trick, or a behavior that you’ve been meaning to work on, commit yourself to practicing it with your dog in a way that’s enjoyable for you and your pup. Just make sure you keep training sessions fun and positive for you both. 

3. Plan Ahead for a Spooktacular Time

As you gear up for Halloween, consider your pooch when you are making plans. Is he more of a wallflower or a social butterfly? A little extra thought can go a long way in ensuring your dog enjoys the holiday just as much as you do.

If your dog is uncomfortable with strangers knocking on the door and ringing the doorbell, Halloween night is not the time to work on socialization. Instead, create a relaxing space, away from the commotion, one that your dog enjoys and where they appear comfortable spending time. What does their comfort zone look like?

For added emotional support, you might choose to stay in with your canine pal and make it a streaming night. Also think about providing an interactive food toy or other enrichment activity, like a scavenger hunt, to help alleviate stress and prevent boredom.

On the other hand, if your Fido is thrilled to see any other living being who visits your home, familiar or not, and can be overly exuberant when greeting people at the door, remember to focus on what you want your dog to do, and then set him up for success. Practice ‘sit’ ‘down’ ‘stay’ and if necessary, use a harness and leash to help prevent him from jumping up on people, including young children in costumes.

We expect a lot from our dogs during holiday adventures, including Halloween, whether at home or on a walk. With these simple tips, Halloween can be a fun and stress-free experience for your dog—and a celebration that you’ll both enjoy!

Happy Howl-o-ween, everyone!

The Inquisitive Canine was founded by Santa Barbara certified canine behavior consultant and certified professional dog trainer Joan Hunter Mayer. Joan and her team are devoted to offering humane, pawsitive, practical solutions that work for the challenges dogs and their humans face in everyday life. Joan offers coaching both in-person and online. If you are feeling inquisitive and have dog training questions, we invite you to contact The Inquisitive Canine for A Pawsitive Approach for Positive Results ™.