Creative Dog Training

Getting Ready for Halloween

Have you decided what your dog is dressing up as this year?

Ive been thinking about it. I’ve also been c onsulting with one of my Golden Retrievers, Demi, about what she wants to be, and we came up with the best idea. Dog costumes for other breeds of dogs! I think Demi really wanted to be a Collie for Halloween, or maybe a pug. But since I couldn’t find any of those, I figured she’d be happ y to wear her chicken costume again this year, she did not seem pleased.

 

That being said, I love this time of year because we always have our Halloween Costume Contest, and it always so fun to see the great costumes each year! Actually before I get rolling with info, here, check out last years entries on Facebook!

 

Costumes

Two weeks ago, we began discussing dressing your dog up for Halloween. (Blog: Seasons are Changing)

Halloween is now only one week away! Keep these tips in mind when choosing the perfect costume for your dog:

• The costume is comfortable and allows your dog to see and move freely
• Put reflective tape on the costume
• Avoid leaving your dog unattended in her costume
• If she doesn’t like being dressed up, then take it off of her!

 

Its not just costumes for your dog to think of – how is she going to react to people wearing costumes? Consider dressing up yourself to test her reaction, or having a “practice” evening and invite the neighbors over in their costumes for a “dress rehearsal”.

 

If you can’t do be sure your dog is okay with costumes before Halloween, have an alternate plan for your dog if she decides she doesn’t like trick-or-treaters. Here are some ideas:

• A kennel crate in a room far from the front door
• A night away from home at Camp Creative
• Set up a table outside with candy and a sign to take some

Doorbells

Lots of dogs get overly excited when they hear a doorbell. Halloween has potential to be a miserable night for your dog (and you). Since I am a dog trainer, my dog should be perfect! Well, the short answer is they are far from perfect. Demi and Annie overreact to doorbells. Shame on me since I wrote the book on how to fix this issue starting with my famous phrase, “Burglars don’t ring doorbells.” I guess since my doorbell ringing happens once every other month or so, it just hasn’t been a priority for me. Being admittedly lazy, I just put tape over my doorbell on Halloween. But, I will make it a personal goal to fix this issue with my girls.

Here is how to do it:

• Teach your dog back up, sit, and wait at the door
• Ring the doorbell yourself as you practice: back up, sit, and wait
• Repeat this several times each training session
• Come in your front door when you come home and ring your doorbell
• Have a helper come to the front door and ring the bell several times each training sessions
• Sneak out the back door, come around to your front door bell and ring your doorbell
• Once your dog is reliably backing up, sitting and waiting when she hears the doorbell, periodically practice this new behavior.

If you don’t have time this year, you might just want to tape the doorbell!

 

Decorations

Remember that our dogs do not understand the concept of decorations. Several years ago I had a big Halloween party at my house. We put a big, scary looking Grim Reaper statue in our front yard. My dog, Oatmeal, barked at that statue every time she saw it from the moment it went it up until it came down. She was fine with the party and the guests in costumes, but not that statue! If it looks scary, it is scary - and no amount of treats made Oatmeal change her mind. Keep these tips in mind:

• Watch your dog around open flames such as candles in jack-o-lanterns
• Consider running electrical cord through pvc pipe to remove temptation from your dog
• Keep candy out of your dog’s reach

 

If you’re still unsure if your dog is a fan of Halloween, ask yourself the following questions:

• Does my dog like children?
• Does my dog like children in costumes?
• Does my dog enjoy new people at our house?

If you had to think too long, maybe your dog is not ready for Halloween – this year. Make it your goal to have her ready by next year! If you did answer yes to these questions, remember that even the friendliest, most trusting dog is still subject to stress. Watch for these signs of stress:

• Panting when the temperature didn’t change
• Yawning
• Treat refusal

I give my dog a treat before I allow her to greet visitors on Halloween night. Why? If she refuses the treat I know she has had reached her limit, and I put her to bed. Demi is a tolerant, friendly dog. I want to keep her that way by not pushing her beyond her comfort level.

For a comprehensive list of stress signs listen to our podcast on the language of stress. (Podcast: The Language of Stress)

Have fun, watch for stress signs, and keep your dog safe this Halloween!

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