A new approach to not being "approached" and a reminder about safety tonight

[BG and Gavin]

Have you heard of the yellow ribbon campaign?

Dog owners are used to approaching an unknown dog with caution. For dog owners who have sensitive dogs, an unknown dog coming your way means quickly changing direction, crossing the street or telling the other dog's owner politely to stay away. This might leave the other owner assuming that you don't socialize your dog, your dog is aggressive or as a dog owner, you're just plain "doing it wrong".

The Yellow Ribbon Campaign aims to educate all dog owners on dogs that aren't necessarily able to meet and greet with other dogs. Not because of sheer aggression or poor socialization, but because they are sick, hurt or just need some space for other reasons. For example, they may be a recent rescue or adoptee with an unknown history  and need time to adjust.

Owners with dogs who are sensitive and who would prefer not to have any contact with other dogs while on walks can tie a yellow ribbon on their leash as a sign to please stay away to other dog owners out walking their dogs.

Read more here: http://earthrated.com/blog/have-you-heard-of-the-yellow-ribbon-camp...

**On another note, please be careful with your dogs tonight.  Make sure your dog has his collar and tags on and is leashed or crated if unreliable at the door.  With all the kiddies trick or treating it would be easy for an oppotunistic dood to slip out the front door into the dark night and be spooked by all the ghosts and goblins in the street.**

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Veterinary ERs see more dogs on Halloween than any other night of the year. The two greatest hazards are bolting out the door while it is being opened for treat or trickers, and ingesting Halloween candy, specifically chocolate, which is toxic to dogs.

Doorbells constantly ringing and people dressed in costumes and especially wearing masks are also very stressful for many dogs.

Keep your dog in an area of the house away from the door. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE YARD UNSUPERVISED TONIGHT! make sure that all candy and treats are kept out of the dogs' reach, and this is especially important if you have kids who are going to come home with lots of goodies from trick or treating. Make sure you know where that candy is, too, and that the dog can't get to it.

Please have a safe Halloween, for your family and your dogs.

 

[Pat and Traveler]

Excellent reminders!!  And stay aware for a few more days, as I think some areas have rescheduled the trick or treat time due to all the horrible weather events.

[Leslie and Halas]

I'm going over to a friend's house for a little while, and I'm going to put the baby gate up so that Halas can't even get to the front door or windows while I'm out.  With the porch light off, I don't think anyone will ring the doorbell, but Halas would still probably be upset with all of the strange people walking in front of his house.  And it's probably safest if I just bring all of the candy with me, instead of leaving it in the house.  Not because I want to eat it, though.  This is strictly for safety reasons.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Right. Just like I've been sampling the candy to make sure it's fresh and won't cause any poor little trick or treaters to become ill and possibly sue me. I really don't want it, it's for safety reasons.

[Heather, Rocky & Quinn]

This post made me laugh.  I bought all my favorite candy for the kids and had my husband hide it. I'll probably need to go out and buy another because he never remembers where he puts things.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

LOL...I really tried not to open the bags before the kiddos came but as usual it didn't happen.

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks for the additions Karen!

[Bonnie and Kona]

This is such good advice. Thank you for posting! My boys are gated from the front door always but they can see it from the kitchen. They do not need that aggravation. We don't get many trick-or-treaters but still. Masks are creepy!

I don't think our dogs have a hope of getting any candy... we are very protective of our treats! hahaha

[Heather, Rocky & Quinn]

Great advise.  Thanks for posting this.  I didn't know about the yellow ribbon.  I'll keep watch, as my goldendoodle wants to meet and greet every 2 and 4 legged creature he encounters.

[Adina P]

We get ZERO trick-or-treaters each year...ever since we tied Rosco on the front porch one Halloween night...MMWWWAAAHAHAHA.

No, I'm just kidding on the Rosco tied out part. But we really don't get any trick-or-treaters.  I was SO disappointed the first year I lived here.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We've already had quite a few tonight, and JD is breaking his down-stays. I see some skill reviews in his future.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Since moving to Florida - I've had exactly 2 trick or treater in 4 YEARS!!!!  Boo hoo!