Pet Tracks
Jan Jaeger

Everyone loves Halloween! Considered a fun opportunity, Halloween’s popularity has consistently increased over the past three years. Twothirds of all adults will celebrate Halloween. After Christmas, Halloween is the second biggest shopping holiday for retailers, generating more than $6 billion in sales. More candy is sold than on Valentine’s Day, with nine out of 10 grownups admitting to sharing the booty.

Since Halloween has become such a popular occasion with adults, it’s no wonder that we want to include our pets. And the market has responded with plain and fancy costumes, decorative neckwear, topically-themed toys and appropriately decorated treats.

But while we really enjoy the traditional activities surrounding Halloween, and get a kick out of the dressing-up fantasy, we need to keep in mind that our pets might not share our enthusiasm. The activities of this night can be really frightening. We darken the house and act differently. Noisy packs of peculiarly clad youngsters that clamor at the door or the constant ringing of the doorbell can be the catalyst for aggressive behavior or a quick escape by your terrified pet.

To help ease the reactions to unfamiliar sights and sounds, start in advance by showing off new costumes and masks. Allow sniffing and exploration of strange attire or wigs, then test your pet’s reactions when you put it on. Our dogs have always been very visual and quickly react to changes in appearance. Be sensitive to your pet’s perceptions and give reassurance if there is a negative reaction.

If all this frenzy is too upsetting, the best course of action is to confine your pet in a quiet room away from the action. Making a big deal out of negative responses only reinforces inappropriate behavior.

On Halloween night, it is best not to leave any of your pets outside where they might be a temptation for childish pranks. Before making a fuss over that first trick-or-treater, be sure your pet is wearing a collar with proper identification.

If you have the kind of pet that wants to be a part of the fun, with some advance preparation, there is no reason why your pet cannot join in.

If you have a costume for your pet, be sure to allow plenty of advance experience with its new duds. Try putting on one piece at a time to provide a period of acceptance before going on to the next piece. Be sure that the costume does not obscure vision or restrict movement. A treat or flattering words will go a long way to reaffirming your pet’s self-image.

If your pet accompanies the family on its rounds, keep it on a short leash at all times. Advise your trick-or-treaters to be wary of unfamiliar, unleashed dogs. Flapping costume parts and excited kids running amuck in the night can cause the most fearless among us to act unpredictably.

Keep tabs on the candy situation. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can be deadly to dogs. Salt and sugar are not so good either. Keep plastic wrappers, bags and costume pieces away from temptation’s reach. If you expect canine trick-ortreaters, have a supply of dog biscuits or carrot slices on hand to give out.

Halloween is the third largest party occasion, following New Year’s and the Super Bowl. If you’re really into the party mode, you can throw a Halloween party for your canine friends. Send out invitations from your dog to its canine buddies, costumes optional. Pick a place for the party that allows enough room for owners and their pets to get into the action.

Late afternoon parties in a backyard, or a popular outdoor gathering spot works well, weather permitting. A large basement provides more flexibility for an evening gathering.

Obviously, well-disciplined dogs will enhance the party experience for all, but everyone should win something for being a good sport. Try these games:

BISCUIT BOB

Get a large, shallow pan, such as a sheet cake pan, and fill it with lukewarm water. Float several dog biscuits in the water. Give each dog a time limit for grabbing all the biscuits it can. The dog with the most biscuits, or the one that eats the most biscuits, wins.

TEMPTATIONS

Line up dogs in Sit-Stays on one side, with owners on the other. In between, scatter toys and treats. One by one, the owners call the dogs. The dog coming to the owner with the fewest stops, wins.

TOSS ‘EM

Each dog sits a short distance away from its owner, who then tosses a biscuit piece or popcorn for the dog to catch. Each successful catch requires the owner to increase the distance. The dog catching the treat from the longest distance wins.

Have a safe and fun Halloween!

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo’s, Ltd., Nantucket’s pet supply and gift shop, and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer’s Associations of America.) Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and three cats. At the shop are Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower bunny, Millie guinea pig and three budgies. Send email to jan@geronimos.com.