:quality(75))
:quality(75))
Halloween is a fun time for most of us, but for our pets, it can get stressful. Strangers knocking on your door at night, loud noises, and spooky masks can stress out even the calmest canines; it’s no surprise that they can get vocal about it.
While most of the anxiety this time of year is to do with the loud fireworks of Bonfire Night, Halloween can really stress out our pups, too. To be honest, the week between these two celebrated holidays can keep our dogs on edge.
We know seeing our dogs stressed really isn’t nice as pet parents, and we all want to do what we can to understand and ease their anxiety. Thankfully, with some preparation and understanding, you can use your pet parent expertise to solve excessive barking and stress at Halloween.
Here, we discuss why dogs can get so spooked by trick-or-treaters, how to prepare in advance, and provide short-term tips to make your Halloween a treat.
:quality(75))
Why do dogs bark at trick-or-treaters
:quality(75))
Halloween is a sensory overload. And no, we’re not talking about us humans stuffing our faces and putting a loud horror film on - it’s an overwhelming amount of stimuli for our dogs. Between the masks, knocks on the door, the smell of treats, a potential upset in routine, and the sound of parties, dogs can naturally become on edge during this time.
To understand why your dog barks, it’s important to remember that not all barking is the same. Broadly, we can categorise barking into three categories:
Excitement/frustration - Overstimulation from a desire to meet and greet some potential new friends.
Fear-based - Genuine anxiety or fear, which is more common in smaller dogs who use barking as their main defence mechanism.
Territorial - A natural instinct to protect their home from intruders, particularly if they’re wearing scary masks or calling at night.
So, your dog barking a lot on Halloween isn’t something that’s out of the ordinary. It’s a natural consequence of some very strange things going on from their perspective.
But excessive barking and vocalisation, no matter the cause, needs investigating. Thankfully, preparing in advance can do a lot to stop barking and stress during Halloween.
Preparing for Halloween: long-term training & management
:quality(75))
Assuming you have time to prepare (don’t worry if you don’t, we have some short-term tips below), here’s what we’d recommend.
The pre-Halloween checklist
Following our checklist can help you solve problems proactively:
Creating a “safe room” that your dog can retire to and chill out in, ideally away from the front door.
Using high-value chews and treats to positively reinforce “good” behaviours, like keeping calm. They’ll also stop your dog from getting jealous due to all the treats you’re eating!
Make sure your dog has a well-fitting collar and is microchipped, particularly if they’re flighty when the front door opens.
Really pet-proofing your home, like securing your front door and making sure there are no security risks.
Secure chocolate, treats and wrappers well away from your dog.
Halloween-specific training
You can do some proactive, Halloween-specific training. Remember to always follow positive reinforcement training principles; never negatively reinforce behaviours.
Here’s what a template Halloween training plan could look like:
Week one: practice "Place" and "Stay" commands in a low-distraction environment.
Week two: practice the "Doorbell Game" by associating the sound with a high-value treat. Basically, with a partner, have them knock on your door or ring the doorbell, then reward your dog with a treat or praise when they’re calm. Make sure you reward them when they’re calm on Halloween night, too.
Week three: Wear a costume and allow your dog to see you, starting with simple items like a hat or a cape. Then reward your dog when they’re calm.
Week four: Put all of this together, having a friend or yourself knock on the door with the costume on.
Of course, a lot depends on what causes your dog to bark. For example, if it’s just the noise from the door, then creating a safe room and focusing your positive reinforcement training around noise is better. If it’s visual, then opt for training that focuses on costumes instead.
A lot depends on your dog and your intuition as a pet parent; the main idea is to get your dog used to things that cause them anxiety in a safe, controlled way and to use positive reinforcement.
If your dog has a consistent barking or vocalisation problem, it can indicate a deeper issue that will need the expertise of a behaviourist or vet.
General training
Sometimes, general training is more than enough to keep your dog calm at Halloween.
Making sure your dog knows key commands like “place” and “stay” can keep them safe when you have trick-or-treaters at the door, and we recommend you conduct positive reinforcement training around barking if vocalisation is a consistent issue.
What to do on Halloween night
:quality(75))
Now, the big night is here. If you haven’t had time to prepare in advance, these short-term tips can still help.
Active engagement and distraction
This is particularly effective if your dog is performing excitement or frustration-based barking. This step is all about redirection and distraction, but it only really works if your dog is excited more so than scared.
Basically, as soon as there’s a knock, use the place command to send your dog to a safe room or to an area where there are toys.
Alternatively, have a family member or friend answer the door while you distract your dog with play or a treat.
Proactive management, not just reactivity
It’s better to proactively manage your dog’s anxiety than just react to it. There are a few main ways to do this:
Creating a safe room: this is a separate room, away from the door, that has your dog’s bed, a toy like a stuffed KONG, a chew, a puzzle toy, things like that. Engage with your dog in this space and make sure they’re calm. While they may still bark at a knock on the door, having them separated off can calm down some of the sensory stimulus.
Putting up a “no trick-or-treaters” sign: Now, this is only if your dog is very anxious and you’re not a big fan of Halloween. It’s okay to put up a sign to say you’re not participating in Halloween and the reasons why.
The KONG method: Some pet parents use a frozen KONG treat or a KONG generally to distract their dogs during the busiest time of the night. This can keep some dogs occupied for around half an hour, but make sure you always use dog-friendly food or treats.
Sensory care
Halloween can be a sensory overload, so simple steps like closing the blinds or curtains or turning on the television to mask noise can help. Otherwise, the safe room method also works.
Other Halloween safety tips
Our Halloween safety guide can help, but for some quick tips, we recommend:
Avoiding toxic treats
Never give your dog chocolate, raisins, or artificial sweeteners like xylitol, as they are toxic. Always research the ingredients of dog treats and make sure any food you’re giving your dog is safe.
Keep things like sweets and wrappers well out of reach, and always contact a vet if your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t.
:quality(75))
Don’t use hazardous decorations
Decorations are a lot of the fun during Halloween, but we don’t recommend things that involve cords, fake spiderwebs, glow sticks or lit candles - they’re risky when a dog is around.
Manage escape risk
Anxiety and sensory overload mean some dogs can get flighty and try to escape. Make sure your home is pet-proofed and secure at Halloween, and if you’re really worried about them running away, it’s okay to put up a sign to say you aren’t participating in the holiday this year.
When to get help
You should see a behaviourist or vet if your dog’s anxiety or excessive barking doesn’t go away with positive reinforcement and/or is accompanied by:
Aggression
Biting
Growling
Lunging
Physical health symptoms, like drooling or shaking
It’s really important to have the guiding hand of a professional, certified trainer or vet in cases of extreme stress and panic.
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))