By Pro Canine Trainer Annie Phenix, ACB-KSA
Years ago, I had the pleasure of working with an absolute gem of a Golden Retriever named Sola. She was a dream – as bombproof of a dog as I have ever met! She was so smart (and beautiful!) and so willing to learn that her owner was learning nose work with me.
As we expected, Sola was an excellent scent searcher. She loved searching and we loved watching and teaching her. She advanced quickly and soon enough we were searching for odors in public spaces, such as hardware stores. Like many humans, I was so immersed in my own world and my daily work with dogs that I didn’t watch the calendar. I didn’t notice somehow that Halloween was upon us, until Sola let me know.
We taught Sola to lie down as her “tell” when she detected an odor (birch, anise or clove). We were cruising through the paint section of the hardware store high -fiving one another as I dared to admit I was feeling mighty proud (human hubris is kinda spooky!) of my abilities as a nose work instructor because Sola made me look so good. Sola detected find after find. As she was in a down position detecting her final find of the day, she looked up – straight up – at the ceiling. And then she panicked! She yelped, tried to flee, tailed tucked, eyes wide!
What in the world had happened to our calm Sola?
A witch happened.
The hardware store had a fake but scary looking witch riding her witch’s broom on the ceiling. It spooked our bomb proof girl and that big scare had an event for weeks on her scenting skills. For all she knew, a scary witch on a broom could pop up anywhere. I carried guilt at not being aware of the witches and Halloween decorations in places like hardware stores that could easily spook even the calmest of dogs.
Now imagine your family dog who is probably living a stressed life well before spooky season arrives. We are stressed as humans and our dogs can mirror us and we share our stresses with them. Modern, fast-paced life hasn’t been a dream walk for either of us and especially when you add in a world-wide pandemic just to stir the pot even more.
On an average evening when your dog is tired after a long day of interrupted naps and loud human noises (why are those delivery trucks so loud?!) when your furry friend curls up on her bed to finally relax. And then the doorbell rings. She goes to inspect and reacts in horror as there appear to be little monsters with high energy on the front porch! And then more arrive and more door bell ringing and more and more energy … for hours. Or worse, the dog is fitted in human-loving costumes that make no sense to a dog and forced to go out for a terrifying night walking the streets with goblins everywhere.
Our human ways can easily stress out our dogs, even when we don’t mean to cause them any harm. We can do better by our dogs. Here are three ways to improve the spooky season for your best furry friend:
- Be aware that kids in your home and everywhere will be zooming around in strange clothing and excitement for hours. Be aware that walking your dog in your regular neighborhood may look very different indeed with 10-foot skeletons and ghosts hanging from trees. This is a time when we need to step up our protection of our dog’s environment – bring out your Momma Bear as she can be the scariest creature of all and your dog needs back up.
Look for walks in places that aren’t decked out with goblins and witches. Avoid places where dogs are allowed such as hardware stores for now – after all, one scary witch on a ceiling can set your friend back for weeks or longer. For the love of dog, do not walk your dog during the trick or treating night or in parades! Please. Don’t do it. This is a fun night for young superheroes, Minions, Beetlejuice characters and Ghostbusters – it isn’t fun for the vast majority of dogs. Even adults look strange in their costumes!
2. There is no law that states you must have these little ghosts and pirates and princesses come to your front door, over and over again. If you want to leave out candy, put it away from your door. Also here are many public spots where you can bring your little scary kiddoes and do some safe trick or treating there – such as retail centers and local Trunk or Treat Events. We turn off our lights inside and out and retreat to the room furthest from the front door and watch calming movies with our dogs.
3. Know that all these cute little dressed up spooky children had a wild night of fun paired with a ton of sugar. Their nervous system will be dancing on high until that sugar and excitement high comes crashing down. Give your dog a safe, quiet space in the days leading up to, during and after the spooky madness. Expect emotions to be up and down and give both kids and dogs ample space and quiet time.
Now — guess what is next?
MORE holiday human parties!
We owe it to our dogs to shield them and offer them their own safe, quiet spaces as we go about our world doing our human things.
Read more about how dogs need us to keep them safe.
If you would like professional help in creating a plan for the next three months of holiday mischief-making to keep your dog safe, email me: annie@phenixdogs.com.
Or, join me in The Dog-verse, a private community dedicated to giving your dog the best life possible. Learn more
Annie Phenix, ACB- KSA, has achieved many certifications including Certified Canine Behaviourist (INTODogs), Family Dog Mediator (FDM), CPDT-KA (Retired), Fear Free Certified Professional, Graduate of a Schutzhund Dog Academy, CGC Evaluator, Nose Work Instructor, and many others. She is the best-selling author of canine behavior books, including her most recent title: Positive Training for Aggressive and Reactive Dogs. Learn more about Annie on her website: www.ChoosetoTrainHumane.com