October 31, 2015

I'm a Halloweenie! 

The peoples at dogfencediy asked the tall guy if he would put up some infos about keeping safe at Halloweens.  I asked him what was Halloweens and he said it was when all the scary people came and rang the doorbell and made me jump up off the couch and bark to let the tall guy know that someone was at the door so he could give them some foods so we could go back and finish watching televisions!  I said "Oh, ok.  I did not know that was Halloweens but now I do."  He also said to remind everyone to be very careful when you were out walking on the day AFTER Halloweens because sometimes there was candy on the road and sidewalks that all the scary peoples had dropped by accident (or on purpose if it was raisins) and that sometimes I would try to eat it before he could stop me.  

And then he said that dogfencediy would give him a $25 Amazon gift card to give to someone.  I asked him if I could have it and he said he was going to give it to someone called RANDOM who made a comment.  So if you are RANDOM and make a comment below, you might get a FREE $25 Amazon gift card.  That's like $40000000 in dog money!  So make sure you leave a comment below, especially if you are RANDOM.  He said he will do the drawing next week and let you know who wins!

Five Halloween Safety Tips for Dogs

Halloween is full of spooks, monsters, and creepy crawlers, but the frights are all in good fun. Being playfully scared is a way to be entertained during the holiday, but you certainly don’t want to experience any real horror. As long as you’re safe, you’ll have a great time - and so will your dog. You keep your dog safe all year long with things like utilizing the best dog fence to keep them at home, or ensuring they eat healthfully. When Halloween rolls around, it’s important to keep up those practices and keep an eye out for a few hazards that are particular to the holiday.

Keep Your Dog Indoors

Leaving your dog unattended in the yard during trick-or-treating isn’t a good idea, especially if you use only an underground dog fence, which won’t prevent people from accidentally entering your dog’s territory. Dogs are often stressed by the unusual sights, sounds, and groups of people they encounter on Halloween night, so it’s best to keep them indoors, such as in a back room away from the front door. Depending on your dog’s personality, if they would be more placated with you in their line of sight, use a baby gate or indoor wireless dog fence to keep them in a nearby room but still unable to bolt out when the door opens.

Be Cautious with Candy

While you may want to have quick access to your candy bowl, your dog shouldn’t. Chocolate and the sugar substitute xylitol are toxic to dogs in large doses, so don’t take the risk of leaving any candy where your dog could reach it. Don’t feed your dog any candy at all, because it can fupset their stomach. If you want your dog to partake in the sweet eating fun, purchases some special Halloween dog treats just for them. Make sure your children also know to keep their candy stashes hidden in a safe place that your dog can’t reach, even if their noses lead them to it. As always, keep your vet office’s phone number handy, just in case.

Don’t Decorate Dangerously

If you enjoy making your house look festive for the holiday, be sure to keep your dog’s safety in mind while you place your decorations. While edible things like pumpkins and corn aren’t toxic, they often appear delicious to dogs, and they can cause other problems. Choking, intestinal blockages, and simple stomach aches are possible, so make sure pumpkins and similar items aren’t accessible. Electrical cords for light up decorations should be covered, placed up high, or otherwise concealed so your dog can’t chew on them. Lit candles should also be high enough that they can’t be accidentally knocked over by your dog.

Ensure Costumes are Safe

Dog costumes are absolutely adorable, but they can be hazardous if you aren’t careful. Try your dog’s costume on several times before they wear it, so they get used to it and to make sure it isn’t too tight that it restricts breathing, circulation, or movement. Small accessories like buttons should be avoided, because they are choking hazards. If you use a wired dog fence and need to remove your dog’s e-collar, don’t let them in the backyard without a leash, no matter how well-trained they are.

Trick-or-Treat Responsibly

If you’re taking your dog trick-or-treating, never let them off their leash, because unexpected frights can cause even the best trained dog to bolt in fear. Never remove your dog’s ID tags, and make sure your contact information is up to date on them. Because Halloween is so unusual for dogs, don’t let strangers or children get too close to your dog, because their reaction may be different if their senses are already heightened. At night, make sure your dog is wearing reflective or LED material on their costume, collar, leash, or harness. You want to make sure your dog is visible to drivers on the road.

As long as you follow simple safety precautions and use common sense, your dog can enjoy Halloween as much as you do - or make it through with minimal stress, at least. Even if you have a traditional or electronic dog fence, the most important thing to remember is to keep your dog indoors whenever possible, and accompany them outside when necessary. Happy Halloween!

These Halloween tips come to us thanks to the ongoing educational efforts of www.dogfencediy.com.  Dog Fence DIY provides dog owners with an affordable alternative to pricey and complex dog containment solutions.


(Note from the tall guy:  The people at dogfencediy are sponsoring today's post.  You might have picked up on that!)