Tips to keep Halloween from scaring your dog

Halloween can be a stressful time for your pooch, but there are steps you can take to help reduce the negative impact from all the activity around the event.

While trick and treating is underway in neighbourhoods Central Okanagan Dog Control Services recommends that dog owners keep their pets indoors. It’s not unusual at this time of year for it to receive a few reports of dogs being frightened and running out into streets, where they could be accidentally injured by passing motorists.

The BC SPCA offers some handy tips to help reduce the Halloween stress on your dog. It suggests keeping your pet in a quiet room with its toys away from all the activities, or to provide background music, a radio or TV to lessen any outside sounds, knocks at the door or ringing doorbells. It offers several other helpful suggestions for dog owners.

In addition, please keep candy, chocolate and wrappers out of the range of your pet as they could cause serious harm. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association has excellent resources available for a wide range of dog behaviours and conditions including considerations for Halloween.

Dog owners should also ensure their license tag is attached on their pet’s collar or harness, just in case it accidentally breaks free when doors are opened to hand out Halloween goodies. Having a valid license tag on your dog is required by the Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw as it will help reunite you and your pet should it unexpectedly get away. Of course, another benefit of a current dog license is that should it get away, there’s a one-time free ticket home!

Residents of the Central Okanagan are reminded that across the region, fireworks are not allowed to be sold or set off, unless authorized by local fire departments. Penalties vary depending on the local jurisdiction, but there’s also the safety hazard and potential for serious burns or injury posed by exploding fireworks.