10/31/2026
🎃 Halloween plans? Make a plan for your dog, too!
🚪 If your door will be opening and closing all night, secure your dog BEFORE the trick-or-treaters arrive. A familiar crate or a comfortable room behind a closed door can keep them from slipping outside and give them a break from the excitement.
🐕 Halloween can be a training opportunity—IF your attention is entirely on your dog. Practicing calm observation, engagement, or settling can be useful when your dog is comfortable and you can watch them closely, reward them, and adjust the situation as needed.
If you’re juggling kids, answering the door, or handing out candy, your attention is divided. That is the time to put your dog safely away. Being overwhelmed by costumes, doorbells, and strangers won’t automatically teach them to handle those things better.
🍬 Keep ALL candy up and securely away. Chocolate can be toxic, sugar-free candy and gum may contain dangerous xylitol, and raisins are toxic to dogs. Swallowed wrappers can also cause intestinal blockages. Check children’s candy bags, bedroom stashes, and any wrappers left within reach! If your dog gets into candy, contact your veterinarian or animal poison control promptly.
👻 Never worn a costume? Today isn’t the day to expect your dog to wear one for hours. Getting comfortable with clothing takes gradual introductions, short positive sessions, and time. Desensitization should happen before the holiday. If your dog freezes, tries to escape, or shows discomfort, take the costume off.
Your dog doesn’t need to participate in every part of Halloween. A comfortable, quiet evening is a perfectly good plan. 🐾
Happy Halloween from Daley Obedience!