Halloween can be scary and dangerous for your dog, and that can turn the holiday into a real nightmare for you. Here are some things to remember on All Hallow's Eve-and the days and nights before and after:

BEFORE HALLOWEEN

1. PREPARE YOUR DOG FOR HALLOWEEN IN ADVANCE
   Dogs are creatures of habit, so make that work for both of you in the days and weeks leading up to the holiday. Be sure your dog is on a regular, routine feeding, exercise, and sleeping schedule. That will help to prepare him for the stress and excitement of a whole night when the doorbell never stops ringing-and for the endless parade of bizarre looking creatures that appear when the door opens! When your dog feels stress, he can react with aggression

2. PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOUR DOG TO HANG OUT ON HALLOWEEN
   The best place for your dog on Halloween may be his crate, where he feels safe and comfortable. At the least, consider keeping him in a separate room during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Either way will save you the stress of making sure your dog doesn't dart out the front door every time you open it for Trick or Treaters.

3. BEST DOG HALLOWEEN COSTUME: A TAG AND A MICROCHIP
   If your dog does manage to get out the door while you're occupied, he'll find his neighborhood pretty frightening: it'll be filled with strange-looking creatures (who may tease him), strange sights and strange sounds. So if he's too confused to find his way home, be sure he's wearing a tag with his name and your phone numbers on it. And if your dog doesn't have a pinhead-sized identification microchip implanted between his shoulder blades, now's the time to get him one. All animal shelters, most vets and many pet stores have scanners that can read the chip-which contains your contact information.

4. SECOND-BEST DOG HALLOWEEN COSTUME: HIS FUR
   A few dogs will tolerate you putting a costume on them, but most find the exercise confusing, uncomfortable and stressful. But if you must play doggy dress-up, be sure the getup does not constrict his movement, vision or hearing; prevent him from breathing or barking; or contain small, dangling, or easily chewed-off pieces on which he could choke.

 

ON HALLOWEEN

1. TRICK OR TREAT?
   Halloween is when humans and dogs should each stick to their own tricks and treats. Halloween chocolate is toxic to your dog, and many other human sweets can be, too (and that's true all year 'round-not just on October 31). If you want to include Fido in the fun on Halloween, keep some dog treats handy so he wonít eye the candy in that plastic Jack O'Lantern by the door.

2. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR XYLITOL.
   It's a sweetener used in candy and gum, and itís toxic to your dog, so make sure products that contain Xylitol are out of your pet's reach.

3. KEEP AN EYE ON JACK
   That Jack O'Lantern you carved out of a pumpkin looks great with a candle in it. But if your dog knocks it over with his tail, he may burn himself-or start a serious fire.

4. KEEP HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS OUT OF YOUR DOGíS REACH
   Candy isn't the only hazard your dog faces on October 31. Pumpkins and decorative corn are relatively nontoxic, but if your dog eats them, he may suffer an upset stomachóor even an intestinal blockage.

5. KIDS: OUT. DOGS: IN.
   When your kids go Trick or Treating, keep your dog at home. We enjoy seeing friends and neighbors conceal their identities behind unfamiliar masks and costumes, but the whole spectacle just frightens your dog. When your dog is afraid, his behavior becomes unpredictable. He may seek out a quiet corner or his "safe place," or he may bite.

6. IF YOUR DOG GETS SICK, KNOW WHO TO CALL
   If you suspect your dog has eaten something dangerous, here are some resources:

   • Call your veterinarian or local animal hospital. Keep their numbers posted.

   • Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435

   • Click the K911 button at the top of every page of my website for more resources.


AFTER HALLOWEEN

1. DON'T FORGET THE WRAPPERS Once all the Halloween candy is eaten, you and the kids forget about it. But your dog could find candy wrappers and packaging that could lead to choking or other injuries. Be sure to clear away all the Halloween debris as soon as your little goblins go to sleep!