9 TIPS TO HELP YOUR DOG COPE AT HALLOWEEN

9 tips to help your dog cope at Halloween (and during fireworks season)

Halloween marks the start of a tricky time of year for many dogs. With spooky decorations, flashing lights, strange costumes, and endless door knocks, it’s no surprise that even confident dogs can find it all a bit too much.

If your dog is anxious, nervous, or easily spooked by noises, this season can feel overwhelming.

But with a bit of preparation and some kind, confidence-boosting games, you can make things calmer and more manageable – for both of you.

Below are some of my favourite ways to help your dog feel safe and supported this Halloween (and they’re just as useful for Bonfire Night, Diwali, and New Year’s Eve too).

Why Halloween is so challenging for dogs?

Being wary of things that look or sound unusual is a natural survival instinct. From your dog’s point of view, Halloween can be full of odd and unpredictable things:

• Strange shapes and decorations suddenly appearing in gardens and on doorsteps.
• Flickering pumpkins and inflatable ghosts.
• People wearing costumes with unusual outlines or scary masks.
• Unfamiliar noises – and the doorbell going constantly.

Even the most easy-going dogs can get startled when the world suddenly looks and sounds so different.

Tip 1: Manage trick-or-treater interactions

Minimise how often the doorbell rings by putting a treat bowl outside with a friendly sign such as “Nervous dog – please help us keep calm” or “Treats here, no knocking!”.

If possible, keep your front light off (or cover the motion sensor) to discourage visitors. Every reduction in door activity helps your dog stay calmer.

It’s not just a human thing. Your dog’s body works in a very similar way.

Tip 2: Create a safe space

Set up a quiet retreat away from the front door, with your dog’s bed, blankets, toys, and maybe a favourite chew. Close curtains and windows to block out sights and sounds. You can add calming aids such as:

• A Pet Remedy diffuser or calming spray.
• Soft background music or white noise.
• A lick mat or stuffed toy for gentle distraction.
• If your dog is happily crate-trained, cover the crate with a blanket to create a secure den.

Tip 3: Rethink your walks

If your dog needs a walk, go earlier in the day – well before trick-or-treaters come out (or random mid-afternoon fireworks). A gentle sniffari or short training walk can give both mental and physical stimulation without overdoing it.

If your dog is sensitive, skip the evening walk entirely. Instead, play confidence-building games or do some ACE Free Work at home. If you’re not sure where to start, you can find step-by-step ideas in my book STOP! Walking Your Dog.

Tip 4: Offer positive distractions

Keep your dog’s mind busy indoors. Some great options include:

• A long-lasting chew or frozen Kong.
• Lick mats or snuffle mats filled with familiar food.
• A simple cardboard recycling game (but don’t introduce anything new tonight!).
• Chewing and licking help lower stress levels, so these can be great natural calmers.

Bodie’s top tip: he prefers two or three smaller chews to one big one, which he can find overwhelming and need to bury it!

Tip 5: Stay calm yourself

Your dog will look to you for reassurance. If you can stay relaxed, they’ll find it easier to settle too. Reward calm moments throughout the evening with treats or gentle praise.

I love playing “Reward nothing” – simply noticing and rewarding your dog for being calm when there’s a knock at the door or noise outside. Over time, it builds stronger coping skills.

But it’s not always easy to calm our own nervous system. To get you started, follow my partner Ash on Instagram (@breathisthebridge) for some quick tips on quick and easy breathwork.

Tip 6: Be mindful with costumes

If anyone in your household plans to dress up, introduce costumes gradually. Let your dog sniff them first, and pair the experience with something they enjoy – like a chew or lick mat.

Avoid jump scares or covering your face suddenly. Costumes that change your shape, mask your eyes, or make noise can be especially unsettling.

And if dressing your dog up isn’t their thing (it’s not Bodie’s!), that’s perfectly okay too.

Tip 7: Keep Halloween sweets safely out of reach

Chocolate and sugar-free sweets containing xylitol can be extremely toxic to dogs. Keep all human treats out of paws’ reach (including low cupboards), and remind visiting children not to share.

If you’ve carved pumpkins, cooked pumpkin flesh can be a great low-fat treat – just make sure it’s fresh and unspiced!

Tip 8: Supervise toilet trips and garden time

If your dog needs to go outside, pop them on the lead – even in a fenced garden. Sudden noises or moving decorations can cause panic, and scared dogs have been known to bolt from even the most secure gardens.

Avoid leaving them unattended outside at any point during Halloween night, or fireworks season. Even confident dogs can get scared and create issues for the future.

Bonus: Try confidence-building games instead of walks

If you’re staying home, this is a great chance to help your dog grow their confidence in a fun, low-pressure way.

I’ve created four simple Halloween-themed games with My Anxious Dog that you can play indoors instead of going for a walk – perfect for nervous or easily spooked dogs.

You can also watch me playing some of these with Bodie and see how much he enjoys them – they’re all on my YouTube channel.

Remember: it’s okay to skip the walk

Sometimes the kindest choice you can make for your dog is to stay home. You’re not giving up – you’re giving them the chance to feel safe and supported.

If you’d like to learn more about building your dog’s confidence, handling tricky seasons like Halloween, or finding alternatives to stressful walks, you’ll love my book STOP! Walking Your Dog.

It’s full of real-life stories, practical advice, and kind, science-backed ideas to help you create calmer, happier days together.

🎧 Want to listen instead?

You can also listen to me talk through these tips in Pup Talk The Podcast – Episode 149: Halloween tips for anxious dogs.

🎧 Listen on Spotify

A final thought

With a bit of planning and patience, Halloween doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Your dog doesn’t need to face the chaos to cope – they need understanding, safety, and connection.

So light a candle, close the curtains, grab the treats (for both of you!), and enjoy a quiet night in together.