Doggone Etiquette —

Halloween Spooks

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

A holiday is coming up that is really hard for any dog to understand. It’s called Halloween, which means “all saints eve” but for some reason kids get dressed up, not as saints, but as witches and ghosts, goblins, devils, and even pumpkins as well as all kinds of TV characters. Then they go around at night trying to scare each other. If you think all that is strange, there’s more – and that’s where you come into the picture (or maybe not). Better be prepared for some pretty weird things going on in and around your house. For example, your VI Person may put pumpkins on the doorstep, or strange objects on the path. Under no circumstances are you allowed to lift your leg on these decorations. However, you have every right to speak up if you don’t like them! Barking at mysterious objects is definitely part of your job. There’s something else you may not care for, but we’ll have a chat with your people about that. 

A Word to the Dog’s Owners:          

Halloween is loads of fun for kids, but it is a holiday that can be tough on dogs. For one thing, the holiday is centered around tricks and treats, but where are the treats for the dog? Decorating the house with pumpkins, candles, cauldrons and games such as ducking for apples, are confusing enough to Rufus. Then consider the fact that kids he has known are suddenly all in strange costumes, masks, wigs and making weird (some frightening) noises. Horrors!                   

It’s no good telling your dog that “It’s okay” because he (or she) will think you’re nuts if you think all this is okay! If your dog, regardless of size, breed, or sweet temperament, appears to be frightened or just plain alarmed by all this preparatory nonsense, on Halloween night put him in a safe, quiet place with a couple of dog biscuits (his treats) and a favorite toy. Leave a light on and the radio or TV on low volume. As a matter of fact, if you even think he might be upset by the goings-on, it would be a good idea to practice putting him in this peaceful spot for a couple of hours for a few nights ahead of the celebrations.                               

This is the way to go if your Rufus is a real watch dog and would set off a barking frenzy with cars coming up your driveway, or with strange-looking kids knocking at the door. If he’s a bring ‘em on kind of dog, then be careful he does not race out the door to follow the kids – and end up getting lost!       

Another thing that has grown in popularity in the States and that is putting the dogs in costumes. In Sweden and other parts of Europe, this is considered demeaning to their canine friends and is simply not done. But here, such dress-up is thought to be fun – at least for the people observing it. It is not always the way some dogs think of it. If your dog objects to it, be a good dog owner and respect his feelings. Lots of dogs love a wooly sweater on a snowy day, or a raincoat in pouring rain, but still won’t tolerate “fancy dress” for which the dog cannot make a reasonable connection. The kids may want to take “Rufus-Ghostus” with them on their neighborhood rounds, but this is very definitely not a good idea. In fact, it’s dangerous for everyone.                       

Then there’s “mischief night” to think about. If this takes place in your area, again keep a cautious sharp eye on the dog. Kids throwing toilet paper in the trees, and other such pranks, do not know how dogs that are otherwise friendly will react to such shenanigans. If you have underground fencing for the dog, there’s no way the kids can know where it is, so a dog left outside on this (whacky) night, could easily get into a lot of trouble. So could the kids!

Keep them all safe.                         

The day after Halloween, when you’re walking the dog (or just letting him out on your property) watch out for goodies that fell out of a trick-or-treat bag, for candy wrappers, stray bits of costumes, etc. Any of these tempting morsels could make your dog very sick.                       

Have a wonderful Halloween, and be sure all the dogs do, too!

Until next time - Be Good!

-  Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me! which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award this year.