Halloween is a great time for children and their parents, dressing up and collecting all those sweets, but it can be a terrifying night for your senior dog. As dogs get older they may become a little less sure of themselves, a little more anxious and a lot less tolerant of the excitement that comes with Halloween. Here are some tips to ensure safety and reduce stress.

Place your dog in a quiet and safe part of the house, preferably out of sound of the doorbell.

People ringing the door or knocking on the will cause your dog to get agitated and could induce different behaviour which may cause you concern, specially with small children.
Another suggestion I heard is play soft music to drown out the noise.

Another no-no is keep chocolate out of reach of your dog as this could prove fatal. If you
suspect your pet has consumed chocolate call your Vet giving his/her weight and approximate amount consumed.

Decorations are another concern; dogs could chew on streamers, and synthetic spider web which could cause stomach blockages.

Don’t dress up your dog for the night as these can restrict movement, sight hearing or impede breathing.

Finally make sure your pet has proper identification, accidents will happen and if your dog escapes and gets lost check with your animal control and your local Humane society.

A rule of thumb I go by is to know your dog. Some dogs love the attention that Halloween brings but others would prefer to find a quiet and safe place to wait out the night. Do what is best for your dog and you will have an enjoyable night.

Ann-Marie Fleming is the Founder of www.DogQuality.com, a site focused on products that help older dogs enjoy life.