After a night of treats, Halloween can play the cruelest trick should your dog be spooked by candy-marauding children. We’re surprised commercial haunted houses don’t include an “Escaping Dog” room, because the mere thought of our pet bolting out the front door and through a crowd of trick-or-treaters is one of our greatest fears.
At this time last year, we told you how to keep your dog safely inside, setting up a safe room with toys and soft music.
This year, consider taking your dog with you as the kids beg for confectionery substances from complete strangers. A safe, rewarding and video-friendly experience may be had by all, as long as adults are accompanying the canines and not costumed kids with candy-based priorities. .
Before you clip a leash to your dog , ask yourself these questions:
Is the leash appropriate? Most municipalities call for leashes no more than six feet in length, and you’ll want to keep your dog close with pirates, princesses and zombies about (and woe to the child dressed as a Snausage who passes a dog park).
Does your dog’s costume impair her sight? As long as your dog is OK with being dressed, make sure the costume doesn’t impede sight or movement. A startled dog can be a biting dog. And “Biting Dog” is an inappropriate Halloween character.
Does your dog do well in crowds? Most canines do well amid many people, thanks to a few thousands years of domestication. Still, crowds do make some dogs uncomfortable. Any pooch among candy-seeking kids is a magnet for petting without permission. Dogs uncomfortable with spontaneous touching should stay home. Stay!
Is your dog equipped with current ID or microchip? Yes, you’re absolutely certain your dog won’t slip your grasp, just like the dozens of owners who show up at shelters the next day looking for escaped, ID-less canines.
Does your dog like other dogs? As Albert Einstein never quite said, fun equals dogs plus costumed kids squared. Your dog likely will meet other dogs along trick-or-treat lane, and lunging, snapping dogs spoil the spirit. Leave any buzz-kill canines home.
Is your dog large enough to be ridden by a capuchin in a monkey rodeo? No matter how sweet your big dog, her size can intimidate costumed little ones. Don’t be the one whose dog sends Tiny Darth Vader screaming into the night. (By the way, we’re on board with banning monkey rodeos, events that are so 1970s along with chain-link zoo enclosures and rabbits as carnival prizes.)
via Pet Tales: 6 questions to ask before taking your dog out on Halloween.
