Princeton NJ Pet Articles

Halloween Dog Bite Prevention Tips From ‘Make Sit Happen, LLC’

 Halloween Dog Bite Prevention Tips From ‘Make Sit Happen, LLC.’
Hillsborough, NJ, October 2010 – Changes in routine and the strange sights and sounds associated with Halloween can cause stress in a normally friendly family dog. Keep dogs out of the fray by securing them away from the door on Halloween and providing a long-lasting chew treat. Teach kids to Be a Tree and stand still if any dogs come near them on Halloween.
Halloween is lots of fun for kids, but many dogs will be confused or upset by kids in strange costumes and by lots of people coming to the door, and never being invited in. Make Sit Happen, LLC. (www.MakeSitHappen.com) offers the following tips for dog owners, kids and parents:

Dog owners:

1. Secure your dog behind a closed door or in a crate in a room away  from the front door or if there's a party with children meeting at  your house.
2. Give him a juicy bone from the butcher, a sterilized bone or Kong  stuffed with hotdog, or other soft dog treats or a pre-stuffed bone from the  pet store while he is confined.
3. Play music or leave a TV or radio playing in the dog’s room to help  mask the sounds of the activity at the front door.
4. Close drapes so that the dog does not see people coming and going  through the window.
5. If you have a dog that barks at the sound of the doorbell,  disconnect it or watch for trick-or-treaters so that they do not have to ring  or knock, or put a sign 'Please do not ring bell'!
6. Puppies and dogs that like to chase can get overly excited by  costumes with dangly bits or streaming material. Supervise very carefully if  you have a dog that may try to play with your children’s costumes while they  are wearing them. Teach kids to Be a Tree and stand still if the dog does  start nipping at their costume since the more they move, the more exited the  dog will get.
7. Keep your dogs (and cats) indoors around Halloween time. Pets have  been stolen, injured or poisoned as part of Halloween pranks or other rituals.  Remember that chocolate is poisonous to dogs.
   

Kids and Parents:

1. Avoid houses if you can hear a dog barking behind the door, you can  see a dog behind a screen door or you see a dog tied up in the yard or barking  behind a fence.
2. Never approach any dog, even if you know him. He may not recognize  you in your costume.
3. If an owner opens the door and there is a dog there, just stay  still and wait for the dog owner to put the dog away. You can tell them you do  not want to come near the dog. Do not move toward the person and dog. Wait for  them to come to you to give you your candy. Wait for them to close the door  before you turn and leave.
4. If a dog escapes just stand still and Be a Tree (hands folded in  front, watching your feet). He will just sniff you and then move on. Wait for  the owner to come and get the dog before you turn away.  DO NOT RUN as most dogs will chase  you.
5. If you meet a loose dog, Be a Tree and wait until it goes away.  
6. It is best to ignore other people’s dogs on Halloween if you meet  them out walking. The dog may be worried about all the strange creatures that  are out and about. Even if you know the dog, he may not recognize you in your  costume or he may already be stressed and not want to be  bothered.
   

‘Make Sit Happen’ wishes everyone a safe and happy Halloween!
For more information about ‘Make Sit Happen, LLC.’ please visit www.MakeSitHappen.com <https://www.makesithappen.com/>
 
 
About ‘Make Sit Happen, LLC.’:

We provide dog training and related services to Central New Jersey in Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex and Mercer Counties since 1998.  Utilizing a balanced approach to dog training for families and their dogs!  We offer group classes as well as private, in-home behavior consultations, focusing on the entire dog.  We teach communication, obedience and behavior modification,  to teach the behaviors you want, rather than putting up with those that you don’t!  REAL LIFE training that you can use for every day life!  

 
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Gail Kulur – Owner/Trainer
Make Sit Happen, LLC.
908-359-9228
MakeSitHappen2@aol.com
www.MakeSitHappen.com