How to Host a Dog-Friendly Halloween Party

It's getting closer to the big fall day - one of my favorite times of the year!

Something I really enjoy is hosting Halloween specific parties and costume parties.

But how do you host a party and keep your dog safe and comfortable?

The costumes can be overwhelming on top of having several visitors. Add in food distractions and chocolate that isn't safe, and it can be really stressful to have fun with your dog's safety in mind.

Hosting a dog-friendly Halloween party means planning an event that is enjoyable not just for humans but also for the canine guests.

From choosing a location that suits your dog's needs to setting up a calm corner for when things get overwhelming, there are several steps you can take to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

After all, our dogs rely on us to make decisions that keep them happy and comfortable, especially during busy and potentially stressful events like parties.

So, let’s dive into how you can create the perfect Halloween party that both you and your dog will love!

Choosing a Location

The location that you choose should be the most comfortable and safe option for both you and your dog.

If your dog is highly stressed by visitors, whether that's from fear or overexcitement, hosting your party at a location away from your home may be the best option.

If your dog struggles when alone, hosting at your home with some safety features in place could be the best option.

What do you think your dog would prefer if you gave them the choice?

Remember, our dogs don't get many choices, so it's up to us to choose the things we think will be most safe and comfortable for them.

Choosing Who to Invite

We all have friends who either don't like dogs or don't like following instructions.

If you have one of those friends - consider hosting outside of your home or finding an alternate home for your dog for the evening.

If you have a friend who scares your dog - consider that too!

And...

Make sure that your guests have guidelines to keep your dog safe.

For example: 

• Tell your guests where they can eat.
• Tell your guests not to feed anything to your dog.
• Tell your guests to avoid xyz room so that your dog can have space.
• Remind your guests things that your pup needs to feel safe and comfortable like only petting on the chin or not petting at all.

Decorations

Some decorations, while fun, can be really scary to our dogs.

Especially the decor that makes sudden movements or loud noises.

Remember that dogs hear much better than we do, and can easily be overwhelmed by smells.

Keep the decorations quiet and unscented as much as possible.

Also consider decorations that may look like toys - your dog could enjoy playing with them, and ingesting decorations can end up in danger (and costly vet bills).

Consider choosing places to set out food and drinks with places to eat like a table behind gates and pens so that the food and drinks stay away from your dog's access areas.

Calm Corner

Regardless of your dogs love or dislike of guests in the home, set up a room just for them.

Make it quiet with some brown noise or a fan. Keep the lights dim but not off, and fill the room with some dog safe activities like chews, puzzle toys, and favorite comfort items. Make sure all are safe without supervision.

Practice time in the calm room so that your dog feels safe and can relax when they are overwhelmed.

Safety Ideas

There is a lot to manage when having guests over and distractions for the humans, let alone the dogs. Here are some things that I recommend for folks having get-togethers as a safety precaution no matter the topic:

• At all doors that open to an unfenced area, place a gate as a double barrier
• Make sure that all areas with food or potentially dropped food are gated off
• Make sure all items at dog-height are dog-proof
• Provide several appropriate chews or toys in the dog room
• Make sure the door to the calm room is gated if your dog prefers to see you
• Place signs on the gates to tell your guests not to feed/pet the dog
• Review dog safe and unsafe foods and avoid them in the house
• Always have two layers of safety to prevent escapes - leash and gate, door and gate, etc
• Limit guests to a specific area of the house to better monitor things

Emergency Preparation

Even with the best of planning, sometimes things happen.

Make sure to have your emergency vet information on hand as well as poison control just in case.

Halloween is a common time of year for dogs to ingest things that are not safe for them, like chocolate, and having all the resources handy can really help everyone to feel more confident.

Make sure you are able to have transportation, and if you plan to drink, have a friend on call who can transport you and your dog to the vet if needed (or an uber).

Hosting a dog-friendly Halloween party is all about making thoughtful choices that prioritize your dog's well-being and the safety of all guests.

By carefully considering the location, guest list, decorations, and safety measures, you can create a fun and relaxed environment where both humans and dogs can enjoy the festivities. Remember to keep an eye on your dog’s body language and have a plan in place for emergencies.

With a bit of preparation and consideration, you can throw a memorable Halloween party that is filled with treats, laughter, and wagging tails. After all, the best parties are the ones where every guest—two-legged and four-legged—feels comfortable, safe, and happy.

Want to learn more about making everything comfortable for your dog with training and supporting their needs? You'd love my membership, The Pack. It helps dog owners like you train a dog who listens to every cue, joyfully, while being the best owner you can be. Click here to learn more.