Dog Gone Problems: Should you dress your dog up for Halloween? - Omaha World-Herald

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Julie Seidl's dog, Hank, in his cowboy outfit.

JULIE SEIDL

By David Codr

Dog Gone Problems is a weekly advice column by David Codr, a dog behaviorist in Omaha. David answers dog behavior questions sent in by our readers. You can reach him at dogbehaviorquestions@gmail.com.

David Codr is an Omaha dog behaviorist. You can reach him at his website, doggoneproblems.com.

Dog Gone Problems,

With everything that is going on in the world, this may seem like a silly question. We wanted to dress our dog up for Halloween and have heard conflicting reports regarding if you should or shouldn’t dress your dog up in a costume for Halloween. Your thoughts?

Hi Annabelle,

When it comes to dressing up a dog for Halloween, what I say is far less important than what your dog says. If you dress your dog up and he or she acts differently, just stands there motionless or starts tearing at the costume to take it off, it's a safe bet your dog isn’t as into dressing up as much as you are.

Constriction is usually not a desired sensation for dogs. Many people who are unaware of this give their dogs hugs often, not realizing that when their dog turns his or her head to the side and licks its lips, what he or she is saying is, "I'm not having any fun."

Part of your dogs response will be related to the costume itself. If you are simply having your dog wear a shirt or small accessory, that’s going to be very different than something super elaborate. Costumes with dangling items, things that drag around, make noise or are constricting are not usually a good idea. Additionally, overly elaborate costumes can be difficult to put on. When you combine that with a dog feeling uneasy and a human who is frustrated that the costume or dog isn’t cooperating, it can be a recipe for disaster for the dog and the human.

This isn’t to say that all dogs dislike being dressed up. Some dogs can get dressed up and don't mind the costume. Some actually enjoy it, but I would surmise that the vast majority of dogs do not like wearing a costume. Also keep in mind dogs can tell if you are laughing at them, so don’t humiliate your dog with a demeaning costume — even if it's super cute.

The best way to proceed is to bring out the costume and hold it up for your dog to inspect. If it comes over to check it out, let it do so on its own and wait for it to move away before you try to put it on. But if it protests, tries to move away or looks miserable as you put it on, skip the costume and take your dog out for a nice walk instead. If you have a dog who is fearful or has anxiety in general, I wouldn’t even try to dress it up. It’s likely going to be too much for your furry friend.

Aside from the costume question, here are a 5 tips to help dogs have a good Halloween.

1. Get them some exercise a few times that day with a longer walk that is done around sunset. Draining a dog’s excess energy on a night when your home will be busy or have many door knocks can set your dog up for success.

2. Condition them to the sound of your doorbell or a knock at the door. Have someone at your door, but out of your dog’s sight. When they ring the door bell, give your dog a treat. Wait for it to settle down and repeat. Do this until your dog doesn’t get excited for the sound and instead looks at you for the treat. I'd recommend doing this three to four times a day three to five days before Halloween.

3. Secure any candy. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and so is xylitol, an artificial sweetener in many candies. It's easy to leave the candy in places the dog can get to and many emergency vet clinics get visits on Halloween for dogs who got into the candy. So put it where Fido can't get it and don’t share with your four-legged friend.

4. Be careful of humans in costume, even yourself. Many dogs get stressed out when their humans don costumes, so don’t be surprised if your dog doesn’t like you getting dressed up either.

5. If Halloween is too much for your dog, give it a safe place to hang out away from the action with a new bone, bully stick, cow kneecap or some other chew item.

Good luck and remember — everything you do trains your dog. Only sometimes you mean it.

Submit your pet questions to David Codr by emailing a photo of your dog and question to dogbehaviorquestions@gmail.com. Visit doggoneproblems.com for more from David.

Meet the 10 (very good) dogs who have been at the Nebraska Humane Society the longest:

Name: Missy

Breed: Boxer mix

Age: 9 months

First Day at NHS: March 4

Bio: Missy is a shy girl who was having a hard time in the shelter and is now in a loving foster home. Her foster mom says she is very smart and already knows sit, down, shake, high five and is working on leave it and drop it. Meeting new people is difficult for her and can be a slow process. She is slowly gaining more confidence every day and is looking for a home experienced with dogs that are fearful and under socialized. Missy is just a big puppy and is still trying to figure out the whole potty-training thing. So patience is going to be key! A fenced in yard will help her potty-training progress and is a must. Her ideal home will need to be one where someone is home most of the time, or even a family with split schedules, that can let her out often. Because she is very shy, she needs an adult only home with few visitors. She does not like to share she family's attention with other dogs, so she will need to be the only dog in her next home. Missy is a very fun and playful girl once she opens up. She still needs a little work but has lots of love to give!

Name: Tullia

Breed: Boxer and pit bull terrier mix

Age: 6 years

First Day at NHS: March 24

Bio: Tullia arrived at the shelter as a skinny stray. She has since gained weight, but she still hears heavenly singing and golden light emanating from any food she sees… and will do whatever it takes to get you to hand over the food. Sit? Shake? Lie down? Roll over? If you want to teach Tullia a trick, she will work for it for the foods. Tullia isn't to picky about the home she goes to, all she asks is there are no cats, and that she is your only dog so she can get all the treats you have. She can be a little too enthusiastic about taking treats, at times, so she might do better with older kids, but being in your family to meet her and see if she will be a good match.

Name: Rebel

Breed: Labrador retriever and bit bull terrier mix

Age: 1 year, 3 months

First Day at NHS: April 14

Bio: Rebel is an outgoing gal with energy to spare. She loves the water and her exuberant and bubbly personality can be contagious, but some people may find it a little overwhelming. She may not be the best fit for the first-time dog owner. If you have experience with large dogs and want a dog to take on adventures and train, then Rebel is your girl! If she goes to a home with children, they'll need to be 12 years or older, as she may be a bit too much for younger family members. She should not go to a home with female dogs. If going to a home with male dogs, Rebel will need to meet them to make sure they can handle her pushy and rambunctious play style! She'll need a home with a fenced in yard, so no apartment life for me. .

Name: Kaiser

Breed: German shepherd

Age: 6 years

First Day at NHS: April 26

Bio: Kaiser is looking for an adult-only household with a 6-foot privacy fence where he will feel more comfortable and secure. He prefers the company of female dogs to other males, and will need to meet all family members and any other dogs before going home with you.

Name: Ryker

Breed: Catahoula leopard hound

Age: 2 years, 4 months

First Day at NHS: May 5

Bio: Ryker is an energetic, playful boy who loves toys. He can be nervous around new people and sometimes slow to warm up. He's looking for a home that will be patient and allow him to warm up at his own pace. Because he's not a big fan of sharing my toys, Ryker will require a home with adults only. He must meet all members of the home and resident dogs prior to adoption. Due to his energy level and athletic abilities, he'll require a home with a 6 foot privacy fence, as he could easily jump a 4 foot fence. He would do best with a female dog or as the only dog in the home.

Name: Baby Girl

Breed: English Bulldog and Pit Bull Terrier mix

Age: 3 years

First Day at NHS: May 24

Bio: Baby Girl has simple tastes and is easy to please. Play with her, snuggle her and give her all the best snacks. A home without any kids under 12, and no other female dogs would be ideal for her. Just bring your family in to meet her and make sure you're a good match!

Name: Lucille

Breed: English bulldog and pit bull terrier mix

Age: 1 year, 3 months

First Day at NHS: May 24

Bio: Lucille is known for being best dressed, always sporting her tux. She may be overdressed for most occasions, but she is ok with being the center of attention with all eyes on her. If she isn't getting enough attention she might climb onto your lap and live out her dreams of being a lap dog. Lucille is looking for a home with where she can have the spotlight on her, and no other dogs, and with any kids being older. You don't have to be in formal wear to meet her, just bring your family in to see if she's a match for you!

Name: Loki

Breed: English bulldog and Staffordshire bull terrier mix

Age: 1 year

First Day at NHS: May 28

Bio: If you have a ball and a good throwing arm, you and Loki will be a perfect match. Throw the ball and he will happily fetch it! Do you have any kids? Younger kids can be too overwhelming for Loki, he's a sensitive soul under his athletic appearance, but if your kids are closer to their teens, they'll be fun to play with. Just bring your family in to meet him so you can have some ball throwing tryouts! Loki is not suited for apartment living.

Name: Astro

Breed: Dalmatian mix

Age: 1 year, 4 months

First Day at NHS: May 29

Bio: Astro is a happy pup but she can also be a bundle of nerves at times when around a lot of people or commotion. She's a pretty sweet pup if there isn't too much happening at once, but can become quite timid with new people and dogs. Astro would like to meet all of the family members including the other dogs, just to make sure they won't be too much for her. She is looking for a home with just adults for company. Astro is not suitable for apartment living and would prefer a home without any feline friends.

Name: Mel 

Breed: Australian Cattle Dog Mix

Age: 3 years

First Day at NHS: May 30

Bio: Mel is a sweet girl that can be a little anxious at times, so she'll need someone who will give her a chance to acclimate to a new home. Mel likes to play with tennis balls and loves to meet other dogs, but some dogs may not appreciate how much she wants them to be her new best friend. As a herding breed dog, she may not be the best fit for a home with cats or small animals. Mel is also very high energy, so she'll need a family that will help make sure she's getting the exercise that she needs! If she goes to a home with children, they'll need to be closer to their teens. Mel will need to meet all resident dogs before going to her new forever home to make sure you're a good match.

Meet the 10 (very good) dogs who have been at the Nebraska Humane Society the longest

These are the very good dogs who have been at the Nebraska Humane Society the longest. All are up for adoption as of Aug. 3. For more information on the adoption process and to see all dogs available for adoption, visit nehumanesociety.org/adopt. 

All adoptions are being done via appointment only. The application can be found inside each animal's bio on the Humane Society's website.

Name: Missy

Breed: Boxer mix

Age: 9 months

First Day at NHS: March 4

Bio: Missy is a shy girl who was having a hard time in the shelter and is now in a loving foster home. Her foster mom says she is very smart and already knows sit, down, shake, high five and is working on leave it and drop it. Meeting new people is difficult for her and can be a slow process. She is slowly gaining more confidence every day and is looking for a home experienced with dogs that are fearful and under socialized. Missy is just a big puppy and is still trying to figure out the whole potty-training thing. So patience is going to be key! A fenced in yard will help her potty-training progress and is a must. Her ideal home will need to be one where someone is home most of the time, or even a family with split schedules, that can let her out often. Because she is very shy, she needs an adult only home with few visitors. She does not like to share she family's attention with other dogs, so she will need to be the only dog in her next home. Missy is a very fun and playful girl once she opens up. She still needs a little work but has lots of love to give!

Name: Tullia

Breed: Boxer and pit bull terrier mix

Age: 6 years

First Day at NHS: March 24

Bio: Tullia arrived at the shelter as a skinny stray. She has since gained weight, but she still hears heavenly singing and golden light emanating from any food she sees… and will do whatever it takes to get you to hand over the food. Sit? Shake? Lie down? Roll over? If you want to teach Tullia a trick, she will work for it for the foods. Tullia isn't to picky about the home she goes to, all she asks is there are no cats, and that she is your only dog so she can get all the treats you have. She can be a little too enthusiastic about taking treats, at times, so she might do better with older kids, but being in your family to meet her and see if she will be a good match.

Name: Rebel

Breed: Labrador retriever and bit bull terrier mix

Age: 1 year, 3 months

First Day at NHS: April 14

Bio: Rebel is an outgoing gal with energy to spare. She loves the water and her exuberant and bubbly personality can be contagious, but some people may find it a little overwhelming. She may not be the best fit for the first-time dog owner. If you have experience with large dogs and want a dog to take on adventures and train, then Rebel is your girl! If she goes to a home with children, they'll need to be 12 years or older, as she may be a bit too much for younger family members. She should not go to a home with female dogs. If going to a home with male dogs, Rebel will need to meet them to make sure they can handle her pushy and rambunctious play style! She'll need a home with a fenced in yard, so no apartment life for me. .

Name: Kaiser

Breed: German shepherd

Age: 6 years

First Day at NHS: April 26

Bio: Kaiser is looking for an adult-only household with a 6-foot privacy fence where he will feel more comfortable and secure. He prefers the company of female dogs to other males, and will need to meet all family members and any other dogs before going home with you.

Name: Ryker

Breed: Catahoula leopard hound

Age: 2 years, 4 months

First Day at NHS: May 5

Bio: Ryker is an energetic, playful boy who loves toys. He can be nervous around new people and sometimes slow to warm up. He's looking for a home that will be patient and allow him to warm up at his own pace. Because he's not a big fan of sharing my toys, Ryker will require a home with adults only. He must meet all members of the home and resident dogs prior to adoption. Due to his energy level and athletic abilities, he'll require a home with a 6 foot privacy fence, as he could easily jump a 4 foot fence. He would do best with a female dog or as the only dog in the home.

Name: Baby Girl

Breed: English Bulldog and Pit Bull Terrier mix

Age: 3 years

First Day at NHS: May 24

Bio: Baby Girl has simple tastes and is easy to please. Play with her, snuggle her and give her all the best snacks. A home without any kids under 12, and no other female dogs would be ideal for her. Just bring your family in to meet her and make sure you're a good match!

Name: Lucille

Breed: English bulldog and pit bull terrier mix

Age: 1 year, 3 months

First Day at NHS: May 24

Bio: Lucille is known for being best dressed, always sporting her tux. She may be overdressed for most occasions, but she is ok with being the center of attention with all eyes on her. If she isn't getting enough attention she might climb onto your lap and live out her dreams of being a lap dog. Lucille is looking for a home with where she can have the spotlight on her, and no other dogs, and with any kids being older. You don't have to be in formal wear to meet her, just bring your family in to see if she's a match for you!

Name: Loki

Breed: English bulldog and Staffordshire bull terrier mix

Age: 1 year

First Day at NHS: May 28

Bio: If you have a ball and a good throwing arm, you and Loki will be a perfect match. Throw the ball and he will happily fetch it! Do you have any kids? Younger kids can be too overwhelming for Loki, he's a sensitive soul under his athletic appearance, but if your kids are closer to their teens, they'll be fun to play with. Just bring your family in to meet him so you can have some ball throwing tryouts! Loki is not suited for apartment living.

Name: Astro

Breed: Dalmatian mix

Age: 1 year, 4 months

First Day at NHS: May 29

Bio: Astro is a happy pup but she can also be a bundle of nerves at times when around a lot of people or commotion. She's a pretty sweet pup if there isn't too much happening at once, but can become quite timid with new people and dogs. Astro would like to meet all of the family members including the other dogs, just to make sure they won't be too much for her. She is looking for a home with just adults for company. Astro is not suitable for apartment living and would prefer a home without any feline friends.

Name: Mel 

Breed: Australian Cattle Dog Mix

Age: 3 years

First Day at NHS: May 30

Bio: Mel is a sweet girl that can be a little anxious at times, so she'll need someone who will give her a chance to acclimate to a new home. Mel likes to play with tennis balls and loves to meet other dogs, but some dogs may not appreciate how much she wants them to be her new best friend. As a herding breed dog, she may not be the best fit for a home with cats or small animals. Mel is also very high energy, so she'll need a family that will help make sure she's getting the exercise that she needs! If she goes to a home with children, they'll need to be closer to their teens. Mel will need to meet all resident dogs before going to her new forever home to make sure you're a good match.

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Dog Gone Problems: Should you dress your dog up for Halloween? - Omaha World-Herald

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