Halloween Hazards and How to Keep Your Dog Safe This Spooky Season
Halloween can be a fun and festive time, but this spookiest of seasons can also present some hazards for your dog. Between trick-or-treating, creepy decorations and tempting treats, there are plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong.
The good news? Keeping your dog safe doesn’t have to be tricky! With some simple safety precautions and games-based training, you can turn potential hazards into opportunities for learning, avoid common dangers and ensure a howling good time for everyone.
Trick-or-Treat Temptations: What to Watch Out For
One of the biggest Halloween hazards comes in the form of treats - many of which can be highly toxic to dogs. From candy to chocolate, and even certain Halloween snacks and drinks, it's essential to be aware of what your dog might get into and how to keep them safe.
If you have a dog who loves to steal food or counter-surf, you'll need to be extra vigilant during Halloween. Dogs are experts at sniffing out tempting treats like candy bars or sugary snacks left within reach.
This is where management is key - and where training games can help! Set up “gated communities” (gates, puppy pens, crates and separate dog-safe rooms) to restrict your dog’s access to dangerous areas such as kitchen counters and treat-filled bowls, and play lots of Boundary Games ahead of time to reinforce your dog's skills - and grow value away from those areas of temptation.
When it comes to your Halloween party or trick-or-treat setup, ensuring your dog has a safe, designated area away from food and the hustle and bustle can help prevent accidents. Consistency is vital, so make sure your family and guests know the rules - no sneaking treats to your dog under the table, no matter how adorable they are!
Spooky Foods to Avoid: Toxic Treats for Dogs
Many common Halloween foods and treats can be harmful or toxic to dogs. Be sure to keep these out of reach:
- Chocolate (especially dark chocolate, which is the most toxic)
- Candy containing xylitol (a sugar substitute often found in “sugar-free” products)
- Raisins and sultanas (sometimes found in autumn-themed snacks or trail mixes)
- Grapes
- Onions (often used in savoury Autumn dishes)
- Alcohol
- Cooked bones (from festive meals—these can splinter and cause internal injuries)
- Walnuts and macadamia nuts
Even small amounts of these items can cause serious health issues for dogs. Keep candy bowls, trick-or-treat bags, and snacks out of your dog’s reach, and educate your guests about the dangers.
Treat Your Dog to a Safe Halloween Snack
While you’re enjoying your own spooky treats, you can whip up some homemade, dog-friendly goodies so your pup doesn’t feel left out. These Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Bones are perfect for the season and safe for your dog to enjoy:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats – plus extra if needed
- ⅓ cup pure pumpkin
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter (xylitol free)
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the oats in a food processor and pulse to a fine powder.
- Add the pumpkin and peanut butter to the ground oats, and blend until the mixture forms a sticky dough.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out. Use a small cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
- Arrange the treats on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until they’re firm and fully dried out. Allow them to cool completely before offering them to your dog!
- Store the treats in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for about a week at room temperature, two weeks in the fridge, or longer if frozen.
These festive treats will keep your dog happy, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing they’re safe and healthy.
Dog Costumes: Fun or Dangerous?
Dressing up your dog in a Halloween costume might seem fun, but not every dog enjoys the experience, so be sure yours is on board. It’s also important to remember that some costumes can be uncomfortable or even dangerous. Tight outfits can restrict movement or breathing, and small parts like buttons or sequins can pose a choking hazard.
Even if your dog is all-in with the idea of joining the Halloween antics in a spooky costume, never leave them unsupervised while they’re dressed up.
If your dog isn’t used to wearing clothes, or is clearly worried by the experience, keep the spooky costumes for the human members of your family. A Halloween bandana can be a great compromise for dogs who aren’t keen on dressing up.
Remember, it’s about fun, not stress!
Halloween Decorations: What’s Safe for Your Dog?
Halloween decorations can transform your home into a spooky wonderland, but they can also be a source of danger for dogs. Flashing lights, hanging decorations, glow sticks, candles inside carved pumpkins and even electric cords can be potential hazards if your dog tries to chew or investigate.
Keep decor out of reach, and remember to dispose of carved pumpkins safely once Halloween is over to prevent your dog snacking on one that’s gone mouldy.
Halloween decorations can also spook even the most resilient and robust of dogs. If your dog is worried by novelty and startled by things that appear out of place or look different, imagine how much they might struggle when their home is suddenly filled with ghosts, ghouls and pumpkins with glowing eyes.
A lack of confidence is a contributing factor in so many behaviour struggles, from dog-dog interactions and separation related behaviours to noise reactivity and barking. Teaching your dog to be an optimist and preparing them to see novelty as something that is of no concern will really set them up for a successful Halloween - and a calm, confident lifetime!
How to Keep Your Dog Calm When Trick-or-Treaters Knock
Trick-or-treaters can be overwhelming for dogs, especially when the doorbell rings constantly and unfamiliar people in costumes show up at the door. For many dogs - especially those who are already reactive - this is a recipe for anxiety.
Your dog’s stress bucket will fill so much faster than normal - and you’ll more than likely see that impact their behaviour, as well as their ability to handle those spooky situations.
To avoid frantic barking or door-dashing, games such as Crazy Lady Game and Ding Dong Dash - paired with your Boundary Games - can make all the difference. Check out How To Manage A Reactive Dog On Halloween Night for some super optimism-boosting games with a fun Halloween twist to get you started - and be sure to download your frightfully fa-BOO-lous sign to print and hang on your front door to keep those creepy creatures and Trick or Treaters at bay! Pair it with a “help yourself” bucket filled with sweet treats outside your front door to deter those knocks and minimise the worry for your dog.
Make sure your dog’s microchip, collar, and ID tag are up-to-date too, just in case they escape through an open door while you're distracted with trick-or-treaters.
Halloween Walks: Keeping Your Dog Safe Outside
Taking your dog for a walk in the run-up to Halloween night can be tricky. If your neighbours go all out during spooky season, you might find gardens full of ghosts, ghouls and all manner of frightful creatures that can frighten even the calmest dog.
Be prepared to vary your normal routes, or even ditch the walks completely for a period of time and use it as a super opportunity to build your dog’s skills at home, or try out new activities you and your dog can enjoy together. Stuck for ideas? Our blog Help! I Hate Walking My Dog - How to Ditch Stressful Walks with 5 Fun Alternatives is packed with inspiration!
If you and your dog do head out, it’s a great idea to be home before the witching hour when ghosts, ghouls and trick-or-treaters head out, to minimise any frightening encounters. Keep in mind that this is also the season for fireworks, so preparing your dog in advance will set everyone up for the very best success.
Have a Safe and Spooky Halloween!
For even more information on how you can set your dog up for success during the spooky season and beyond, check out other entries in our Absolute Dogs Blog, listen in on the Sexier than a Squirrel Podcast, or dive into the videos over on our YouTube Channel.
Make sure you share, share, share these strategies with all the dog-lovers you know so we can reach out and help as many dogs and owners as possible this Halloween!
Don’t forget, whatever your dog training struggle, we’ve got you covered! With training, strategies, dedicated courses and more, it’s all waiting for you over in the Absolute Dogs Games Club - it’s dog training gamified!
With these tips and tricks, you can ensure your dog has a safe and enjoyable Halloween. Whether they’re dressed up as a frightful beast or relaxing on their boundary while you hand out sweets, your dog can be part of the fun without falling prey to Halloween hazards.
From all of us here at Absolute Dogs, Happy Howl-o-ween!
