Have a Good Dog wants pets and their owners to have a Happy Halloween!

Halloween is lots of fun for kids and adults alike, but many dogs will be spooked and scared (and not in a fun way!) by people in fancy dress coming to your door. Have a Good Dog offers the following “thirteen” (well, it is Halloween after all) tips for dog owners, kids and parents:

1. Walk your dog in plenty of time before trick or treaters start to visit. The exercise may help to tire your dog out and help them relax for the evening ahead.

2. If you are wearing a fancy dress and going out and about, it is a good idea to ignore other people’s dogs. Even if you know the dog, they may not recognise you in your Halloween costume.

3. If you are going out trick-or-treating, make sure you avoid houses if you can hear a dog barking or see a dog behind a door, garden gate or fence.

4. If an owner opens the door and there is a dog there, stay still and wait for the dog owner to put their dog away. Do not move towards them or their dog.

5. If a dog escapes and is coming towards you, stand still like a lamp post. Fold your arms, do not shout or stare at the dog, or scream or try to run. Please wait for the owners to come and get their dog before you move away.

6. Your own dog may regard your family members as strangers when they are wearing Halloween costumes. Before the kids get dressed in costume, allow your dog to smell and see the clothing and props. Keep masks off until your dog is not around.

7. Supervise your dog carefully around Halloween props and costumes as they could be a choking hazard.

8. Dressing your dog up in a cute Halloween outfit is great fun, but only attempt this if you are sure your dog does not mind. Some dogs find wearing a fancy dress outfit uncomfortable (even those designed exclusively for dogs). If you dress your dog in a Halloween costume, make sure that they can see, breathe, hear, and move about freely. Remove any loose cords or ribbons from the outfit so avoid your pet getting tangled up.

8. Sweets given out to trick or treaters should be kept out of your dogs reach.

9. If people will be knocking on your door or inviting guests over for Halloween, and you are not sure how your dog will react, then secure your dog behind a baby gate, closed-door, or their crate if they enjoy it as a safe place. If your dog prefers their own space, then a quiet area within the home will help them relax.

10. If your dog barks excessively whenever people knock on the door or ring the doorbell, try to pre-empt this on Halloween by either leaving a note on your dog asking people not to trick or treat or getting to the door quickly before the trick or treaters get a chance to knock.

11. Give your dog an activity toy filled with their favourite treats (away from the front door) to help keep them occupied while people are trick or treating and knocking on your door.

12. Play music or keep a TV switched on to help muffle any activity sounds at the front door or outside in the street.

13. Finally, by following all of the above tips, you, your family and your pet should have a safe and happy Halloween.