Doggone Etiquette —

Howl Or Hide

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

All the leaves floating down have probably caught your attention, but have you noticed that they are changing color? If you did, you may have made the connection to the certain day each year that brings out funny clothes that are all different colors, too, especially on the kids in your neighborhood. Yes, it is Halloween, or if you prefer, “Howl-o-ween.” No matter how you feel about the occasion, stand back and pretend to admire those get-ups. Do not attack them or try to chew any of the goodies by the door, or the goodies the kids bring home. If this event is more than you can understand, feel free to hide under a bed, or safely in your own bed. Or, if it makes you feel better, you can just stand back and howl when the door is opened to these strange sights. 

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:

Halloween costumes for dogs are very popular. That is, they are very popular with people and to some extent with some dogs, but not with all dogs. An easy-going type that accepts almost anything in the way of outerwear such as a raincoat or winter coat will no doubt be comfortable in any other costume you choose. A shy dog, however, should not be pushed into becoming an exhibitionist for the amusement of its owners. Nor should you try to force an aggressive dog to submit to being clothed in strange attire. In this case, you could meet with strong resistance, so give up before you find yourself blaming the dog for using its teeth in self-defense! If your dog fits either of these extremes, a plain bandana or somewhat fancy collar might be more easily tolerated than being dressed up like Superman or a Fairy Princess.

Dogs that do accept this yearly festival are the ones that need your close supervision for all the same reasons you no doubt noted last year. Any small portion of those costumes that’s chewed and swallowed could mean a quick trip to the emergency vet. Parts can get tangled up in the dog’s feet, nose or tail causing panic as well as pain. Keep Rufus under a watchful eye – and indoors – on Halloween night, preferably on leash. Racing out the door to join the fun with weirdly dressed intruders is the precursor to a lost dog. A well-behaved Rufus gets his Trick-or-Treat doing a perfect “sit” so when you’ve handed out treats to the kids, be sure he gets his dog biscuit reward.

Since we’re on the subject of dressing up the dog, now is a good time to get an older dog, or a dog without its own abundant fur coat, ready for winter attire. Those are the dogs that are apt to cozy up near the fire or any heat outlet and when it’s cold outside they will need some protection. Look at exactly how these different winter dog coats are put on the dog and choose one that will go on your dog easily.  Lots of dogs don’t like their legs or feet touched, so you know to avoid a coat that has “socks.” Others don’t want anything going over their head, like a sweater. You want easy acceptance, not a confrontation before every daily walk. If Rufus is just briefly going out to play in the snow, he may be better off without any man-made coat that could catch on a branch – or sled! 

Until next time – HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

- 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 in 2008.