Fall is an enjoyable time; the weather cools off and everyone begins looking forward to the many holidays that occur in the last half of the year. Halloween is an especially enjoyable time with therapy dogs because many people love seeing dogs dressed up in cute bandanas and costumes. As volunteers, we should always make sure our dogs are enjoying themselves while on a visit. Here are four ways to make sure your dog enjoys their Halloween therapy dog visits:
Costumes are Not Required
Costumes are super adorable and make people smile when your dog walks into the room but it is important that your dog is comfortable in them as well. Take time to slowly acclimate your dog to the costume and pair it with some yummy treats to make sure they’re excited to wear it. If you’ve tried and your dog just isn’t happy about the costume, consider a festive collar or bandana to get in the holiday spirit.
Watch Out for Decorations
We’ve all seen videos of dogs being spooked by Halloween decorations, but that can be detrimental to your dog on visits. If your dog does not recover well from being spooked, you may find yourself having to head home after a surprise encounter with a decoration. If you know your dog might be wary of a certain decoration, keep your distance, especially on a visit. You don’t want your dog pairing spooky things with their therapy dog visits, so be a proactive Handler and call your dog away before they see the decoration.
Brush up on Your Dog Training!
The holidays are a great time to have a ‘leave it’ behavior and it may be time to brush up on yours. Children and adults alike may accidentally drop pieces of candy or small decorations on the floor that your dog will want to investigate. Make sure you’re keeping an eye on the area where your dog visits so you can prevent any accidental ingestion of food or objects. While not required by ATD, “leave it” is a great behavior to have while on a visit.
Getting Creative With Trick or Treat
People love to try and give our dogs treats while on visits. According to ATD Rules and Regulations, only the Handler can give the dog food while on a visit. During Trick or Treat at your facility, you may have to get creative with treats on your visit. Here are a few ways your dog can still enjoy treats while on a visit:
• The Handler can take the treat from the person and then give it to their dog.
• The person you are visiting can place the treat on the ground and then allow your dog to eat it once their hand is removed.
• The person you are visiting can place the treat in a cup or bowl and then place it on the ground.
• Let the person know you don’t give your dog treats while on a visit and you will take it home for them to enjoy as an after work treat!
Fall is a great time to slow down and enjoy the season with your dog, helping us remember why we love therapy dog visits. Being a proactive Handler and making sure your dog does not get frightened by decorations on a visit can make sure they still enjoy visits long after the holidays. Safe treat delivery, brushing up on those training cues, and comfortable costumes for your dog will make sure your dog and those you visit are happy this fall. ATD can’t wait to see all of your fall visits on social media this season! Don’t forget to tag us in your rule-following photos and videos so we can share!
