A Dog's Happy Halloween

Halloween is for humans...nevertheless we include our dogs in our celebrations because they're family.

But, have you ever asked your dogs if the whole Halloween vibe is as much fun for them as it is for you?

Do they get excited about wearing costumes...or tolerate it because you expect it?  I know, I know...doggie costumes are irresistible to humans. But most dogs don't enjoy wearing all that stuff. 

We get caught up in in the excitement of preparing for this special holiday. We love the planning, shopping, decorating, and anticipating that makes welcoming fall so enjoyable.  Another appealing aspect of Halloween is its open hearted friendliness. All are invited to join the masquerade, adopt an identity, and become the superhero of their dreams no matter their age.  We LOVE Halloween!

It feels only fair to include the family dog in the celebration...the dog gets to wear the cutest, funniest costume and go trick-or-treating with the kids.   To be honest though, some dogs happily participate.  Yet for many dogs, Halloween activities are at worst a horror story or, just plain overwhelming.

There's nothing wrong with a dog that doesn't enjoy Halloween. Resistance isn't due to insufficient training or lack of socialization.  Each dog is a unique individual influenced by their life experiences and their genetics.  Factors like life experience and genetic predisposition affect how an individual dog responds to events in the environment.

For example,

• A dog with an orderly and calm disposition can be confused and overwhelmed by disorderly and excited crowds of humans wearing unfamiliar garb.
• A noise-sensitive dog might be frightened by Halloween sound effects and shouting.
• A shy, introverted dog could feel trapped by costumed people intruding into his space.
• A dog with a history of trauma often processes new or unfamiliar events as threats to their safety.

Should you include your dog in Halloween celebrations?

To answer that question honestly, you have to look at the options from the dog's point of view.  Your dog is constantly speaking to you. Listening to your dog is a skill that improves over time, however, you love your dog now and that's a perfect place to begin.

Observe your dog's body language through the lens of compassion.  What does your intuition tell you about what you notice?  Do you see signs of withdrawal from or resistance to participating in holiday activities? Indications would include:

• tension in the muscles,
• lowered head, 
• looking away,
• frown lines in the brow,
• unusual panting,
• moving slowly with hesitation.

Trauma-informed practices are appropriate for all dogs, since we can't know what an individual dog has processed as emotional trauma.  A core value of trauma-informed care is to always provide the dog with a safe exit and the choice to freely leave any situation that the dog senses as fearful.

Be ready to ditch plans for the dog to wear a costume, go to a party, or trick or treat with the kids if the dog's body language shows a desire to escape.  Your dog deserves a happy Halloween even if your dog's preferences and needs don't match yours.

Honoring your dog's choice is a huge win-win.  The bond of trust between you is strengthened immeasurably when you say to your dog, "I have your back".  You experience the joy of intentionally caring for the dog you love and of knowing you have served your dog's best interests. 

Whether you celebrate with or without your dog have a wonderfully spooky and horror-filled Halloween!