21/10/2026
De-spooking spooky season!
Halloween can be a confusing time for our dogs, people in strange costumes, spooky decorations hanging from the neighbours house, and little ghosts and goblins knocking on the door.
So how can we help them?
🎃Trick or Treaters
Costumes can be confusing for dogs and may spook them.
The safest thing to do is keep your dog away from the door. Pop them behind a baby gate or a closed door before you answer the door.
If your struggles with people knocking at the door but you still want to get involved, you can put a table of treats at the end of your drive to discourage people walking up the path
👻Spooky Decorations
If you can, walk your dog before it gets dark around Halloween, especially if they’re easily spooked.
If your dog does get scared, allow them to move away from the scary thing.
If they want to explore the thing that spooked them, let them do so at their own pace. Don’t force them or try to lure them with food
🎃Fireworks
Lots of dogs struggle with fireworks each year. Once fireworks have begun your best bet is managing exposure until firework season is over. Then start your training in spring.
Walk your dogs before dark, use sound masking at home to cover the sound of fireworks at home.
Speak to your vet about a pain check and pharmaceutical support if they’re really scared.
(check our fireworks survival guide for more help)
👻Feed the spook
You can start to change how your dog feels about potentially scary things by pairing them with food rewards.
When your dog spots or hears the potentially spooky thing, pair it with something they love!
