Minnesota Sheltie Rescue

Halloween is a fun event for kids, but generally not for Shelties. Shelties
are a breed with a high flight risk and frequent opening of doors increases the
chances for an accidental escape. Even the more social Shelties may react out
of the norm at the appearance of people in costumes. The best thing for your
Sheltie is to keep him or her in another room with the door closed and a yummy
Kong until the trick or treating is done.

Halloween Safety Tips (as recommended by www.dogage.com and www.aspca.org ):
For most dogs, Halloween is more frightening than fun. Here are a few tricks to
make the evening safer and less spooky for your pup:

Keep your pet in a separate room away from the front door or in a
crate during Trick or Treat time. Be sure your dog is wearing a collar with
tags, just in case. Put a gate across your front doorway to avoid a potential
escape, in case a family member accidentally lets the dog out of the crate or
room to which he's confined.

Keep decorations and jack-o'-lanterns out of paw's reach. Electrical
wires, candles, and items that can be chewed or ingested are a hazard to pets.
Candles that are knocked over can cause burns or create a fire hazard.

Keep him away from the candy basket. Most sweets make dogs sick -- plus,
raisins, chocolate and candy or gum containing xylitol (artificial
sweetener) can be fatal. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a
sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and
seizures. In cases of significantly low blood sugar, liver failure has been
known to occur. Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion may include
vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, increased thirst, urination and heart
rate and even seizures. Raisins can cause kidney damage/failure. If your
dog begins acting oddly, or you suspect he may have gotten into something, take
your dog to the veterinarian or an emergency vet immediately.

Pick up any stray candy wrappers, which can be a choking hazard or cause
intestinal blockage.

Think twice about suiting up your dog; most pets find costuming
uncomfortable and stressful. If you decide to dress him up (only if your pet
loves it), make sure the getup does not interfere with his movements or ability
to see, hear or breathe, that it does not contain any small pieces that could be
swallowed accidentally, and that it cannot get twisted or caught on something
creating an asphyxiation hazard.

Dogs can have strong and unexpected reactions to people in costumes, even people
they know. This can include barking, growling, lunging, snapping, or a strong
fear reaction that could potentially generalize to other circumstances.
Schedule your dog's walk so that he won't be exposed to trick-or-treaters, and
be sure the leash/harness is secure and that you have a firm grip on the
leash. Watch carefully for what your dog may pick up off the ground.

Pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, yet they
can produce gastrointestinal upset should pets ingest them. Intestinal blockage
could even occur if large pieces are swallowed.

Have a safe, happy and fun Halloween! Keep your Sheltie safe!

Minnesota Sheltie Rescue