Monday, October 28, 2013

Dealing With Frightened Pets on Halloween

For some pets, especially dogs, Halloween can be a frightening time – and not because of real ghosts, goblins or wild animals but those cute little ones that ring your doorbell asking for candy.
Halloween is full of new sights and sounds that can easily frighten a pet. Masks, flashing lights and many costumes are unfamiliar to pets. Couple this with the sound of a constantly ringing doorbell and your pet may start to exhibit unusual behavior.
For pets that become frightened or over-excited, try to assure them there is nothing to be afraid of. Remain calm and do not scold them for barking or not acting like themselves. To help your pet through the night try and keep them away from the front door if possible.  Keeping them in their crate with a favorite toy, in a back room or upstairs are options.  Some pet owners find drowning the sound out with the television or a fan can also help.
Most importantly make sure your pet can’t escape when the front door is opened.   Dogs have been known to run long distances when frightened and can become disoriented and unable to find their way home.     If you don’t plan to keep your dog crated or in another room try keeping them on the leash when answering the door.   This not only keeps the dog from running outside but also helps the dog feel confident knowing their owner is in control of the situation.

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