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A NORTH Yorkshire vet has warned pet owners against punishing their barking dogs and anxious pets as Halloween looms.
Halloween night can quickly become a source of stress for both humans and their furry companions with a constant stream of knocks and doorbell rings from trick-or-treaters.
But while October 31 is built on spooky scares, pets don't have to have a terrifying evening.
Veterinary surgeon Nicola Bryden, from VetMedi.co.uk in Sutton-on-the-Forest, is sharing a surprisingly simple solution to keep your dog calm every time a trick-or-treater knocks.
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Nicola said: "For many breeds, barking is a completely natural and instinctive response – especially for historic working breeds developed for herding and guarding – so it should never be punished.
"On nights like Halloween, when door visits are constant, owners should focus on taking simple, proactive steps rather than trying to restrain their dog in the moment."
Nicola recommends a "five-minute doorstep hack" to help prevent distress.Leave a clear sign on the door: Ask trick-or-treaters not to knock or ring the bell because a nervous dog is resting inside.
Set out a treat bucket: Leave a bowl of sweets on the doorstep with a quick note inviting kids to help themselves.
Disconnect or mute the chime: Mute your Ring doorbell or digital chime for the evening so accidental presses don't trigger a reaction.
Costumes can also upset dogs, as the unusual appearance, masks, and capes can make people harder for dogs to recognise.
Nicola said: “Everyone's dressed up in strange costumes and outfits. Suddenly people have masks or capes on, and all these strange things that dogs aren't used to.
"They can't read your facial expressions or behaviours like they normally would, and as a result, they’re going to react differently, and typically that comes out as barking because they’re concerned.”
To help pets feel more secure, she recommends creating a quiet sanctuary away from the front door.
This could include setting up their bed in a back room; keeping inner doors closed before you open the main front door to avoid dogs bolting out into the street in a panic; blocking their view of visitors with blinds or curtains, and using background noise like a TV or radio to mask outside sounds.
Nicola also advises rewarding calm and quiet behaviour whenever you see it, as well as using positive association training, such as calmly leading your dog to its bed with a treat before answering the door.
However, timing is crucial.
For dogs with severe anxiety, Nicola suggests starting calming supplements or pheromone diffusers a few weeks ahead of time, and consulting with a vet if extra support is needed.
VetMedi.co.uk, a VMD-registered online veterinary pharmacy, is based at York North Business Park in Sutton-on-the-Forest. It was established in 2021 by North Yorkshire veterinarian Dr. Charlotte Inness, and has grown from a home-run operation into a multi-million-pound enterprise.
VetMedi provides accessible, affordable healthcare and prescription medications for UK pet owners, equine owners and farmers, supported by a qualified in-house dispensary and veterinary team.