Tips for Keeping Your Anxious Dog Calm and Safe This Halloween

Halloween can be a stressful time for your dog. There may be more visitors to the house, loud voices, costumes, and constant doorbell ringing. For some dogs, this can be overwhelming, leading to anxiety or stress.

Why Do Dogs Find Halloween Stressful?

For some dogs seeing strangers in Halloween costumes can be scary and with fireworks now, not just exclusively for Bonfire night, the combination of all these triggers can be overwhelming. Early signs of stress include panting, lip licking, restlessness or shaking. Being aware of these signs early will help you act before your dog becomes too stressed.

How Can I Keep My Dog Calm on Halloween?

1. Create a Safe Space

Create a quiet area in your home where your dog feels safe and where they can go to get away from all the commotion. Put their bed, favourite toys, blankets and food and water bowls with them. Plug in a calming diffuser or use calming sprays.

2. Take your dog for a walk earlier in the day

Avoid taking your dog out when trick or treaters are most likely to be out. The sight of the costumes and loud noises could increase your dogs anxiety levels. By taking them out during the lighter hours of the day they can have a more peaceful walk before the commotion starts.

3. Turn the doorbell off

If you have one turn off the doorbell or put a friendly sign outside to say you're not accepting visitors.

4. Keep decorations and treats out of reach

Dogs can easily choke on decorations so keeping them out of reach will avoid temptations for your dog. Keep treats such as chocolate and sweets out of the way as some of these can be toxic.

5. Check your dogs tags and ID's

Ensure that your dog's ID is registered under the correct address details and the tags on their collar. Dogs get easily spooked and may react out of character resulting in them trying to escape.

6. Halloween costumes

Some dogs love being dressed up and others don't enjoy it at all. If your dog doesn't enjoy it, don't force it. Try simpler things such as a themed bandana or bow.

Supporting Anxious Dogs After Halloween

At Vanity Fur VIP Dog Grooming, I’m here to make sure your dog’s grooming experience is as calm and positive as possible. Stress hormones can remain in a dog’s system for up to a week after a frightening event, so if Halloween tends to upset your dog, let me know when booking. I can arrange their groom either before the festivities or a little later once they’ve had time to settle.

Love,

Melanie @ Vanity Fur VIP x