Can I bring my dog trick-or-treating

Halloween is a time for candy, monsters and, best of all, dogs dressed up! It’s tempting to bring your miniature werewolf or Wookie along for trick-or-treating–but will your dog enjoy it as much as you do?

Will Your Dog Make a Good Trick or Treater

Each dog is unique and shines in different environments. Others love attention, but some dogs are afraid of crowds. Some dogs love to be right next to you, while others prefer to roam.

Check out this simple checklist to see if you are able to confidently answer ‘yes’ to all the questions.

Does your dog feel comfortable around people?

Are they not afraid of strangers?

Does your dog like children?

Are they comfortable around people dressed in unfamiliar costumes

Are they anxious when there are loud noises and sudden movements?

Are they reliable to come when you call?

Does your dog know how to walk or heel on a leash that is short?

Do they have a knack for not stealing a few nibbles from human food?

Do you think that your dog would enjoy trick-or-treating with you?

If you can confidently tick off every box on the list, congratulations–your dog is likely to be an enthusiastic trick-or-treater! Even if your dog is a bit shaky in some areas, Halloween adventures are still possible. Start small for dogs that are unsure or who have never been trick-or treating before.

Avoid the most crowded times by going early in the morning or late at night. Keep your dog near home so that they can check out and go back to their favorite place at any time. Keep your pet on the street while the children knock on doors. This will reduce the chance of them meeting strangers or being scared by enthusiastic homeowners. Make Halloween more fun for your dog by making small adjustments.

What Should you do to your dog

Before you raid the pet store for costumes for Halloween, there are a few things to consider.

First, does your dog like wearing clothes? A greatsign that your dog is patient with a costume is when they love to wear cozy sweaters and winter coats. If your dog is prone to tearing off bandanas or going limp in a T-shirt, it’s best to scale back the costume.

There are a variety of Halloween dog costume options that will suit all levels of comfort with dressing up.

There are many options for dogs who like to wear clothes! Dressing your dog for a special occasion is important. If you are going to a dog costume contest or a human trick or treat event with a large crowd, you may want to avoid costumes that have big legs or wings.

Keep it simple for dogs that aren’t comfortable with dressing up! If your dog is more comfortable with a cape, then a simple collar-style vampire cape might be the best option. One strip of fabric can complete a classic Scooby-Doo costume! Decorate their leash to add a touch of flair they won’t notice.

Consider a quick photo shoot at home to capture your dog in costume before you take him trick-or treating. You’ll find that they are more willing to pose in their costumes for a few photos before removing them and going out with you.

Tips for Dog-Friendly Trick or Treating

We have some tips for you if you decide to take your dog trick or treating on Halloween.

All Halloween candy should be kept away from your pet! Dogs aren’t supposed to have sugar in their diet, but chocolate, licorice and sugar-free candy can be particularly dangerous.

Bring treats for dogs along with you to keep your dog happy while your kids enjoy their sugar rush.

Even if your dog is dressed up, make sure they have a current and clear ID tag. Halloween can be chaotic, and you’ll want to ensure that your dog can get home if they are lost in the crowd.

Watch your dog’s behavior to ensure they are not stressed. At the first sign that your dog is uncomfortable, take them home to rest or spend the night. This will reduce the chances of any negative interactions.

Here you can find additional safety tips for Halloween .

If trick-or treating is not for you and your dog, you have plenty of options to do on October 31. Senior dogs with low stamina might like to dress up in a hot dog costume that is extra soft and keep the jack-o-lanterns company while you are handing out treats. Dogs, cats and even people who are homebodies can all enjoy a night of Halloween dog movies on the couch. Just skip Cujo (sorry Stephen King).