It’s spooky season! In this Halloween edition of the blog, we reimagine 5 popular scary movie titles…if they were made by dogs, for dogs.
As part of our Top 5 Films list, we share our favorite tips to keep Halloween safe and fun for your pup this year.
Enjoy!
Top 5 Scary Movies Made By Dogs, For Dogs
Check out our (totally imaginary) list of the Top 5 Scary Movies of all time…if those movies were made by our dogs. Each fake film synopsis is followed by practical, real-world tips for you to help ensure these frightful features remain purely fictional for your pup.
#5: SPA
Film Synopsis: A shadowy figure is breaking into homes in the middle of the night and subjecting the family dog to a nose-to-tail grooming, complete with bubble bath, blow dry, brushing, and – most horrifying of all – a nail trim.
Detective Murphy the Cattle Dog is working overtime to sniff out the offender and end this reign of tangle-free terror. That is, until he startles awake submerged in a tub of liver-scented bubbles…
Real World Advice:
A whole lot of dogs really dislike grooming procedures – even when they’re not administered by an unknown shadowy figure in the dark of night. It’s worth putting in the work to help them feel more comfortable, since baths, brushings, and nail trims are things they’ll have to endure for their entire life.
Seek out a Fear Free Groomer near you, and connect with our team about ways you can help your dog feel more comfortable about spa days. If you enjoy independent learning, some of our trainers have been loving this e-book by Deborah Jones, “Help! I Can’t Trim My Dog’s Nails!”
#4: THE CONE
Film Synopsis: A mysterious flyer posted next to fire hydrants is making dogs in Maywood lose their inhibition and engage in dangerous parkour stunts. Already, 12 neighborhood pups have needed veterinary attention and landed themselves in a CONE for 7 days. Terror grips the town.
Best friends and junior gumshoes Maddie the pit bull and Brooklyn the doberman vow to get to the bottom of this mysterious flyer…until Maddie catches a glimpse of it while out investigating. The clock is ticking. Will Maddie & Brooklyn solve the mystery and save Maddie from her terrible fate of ending up in…the CONE?!
Real World Advice:
Your dog is likely to end up in an elizabethan collar (a cone) at SOME point in their life. A little prep work can go a long way in ensuring they don’t feel like a character in The Cone. Check out this article from Preventive Vet for some simple introductory tips.
If your dog is currently wearing a cone and they seriously despise it, try switching up the type you’re using – some dogs find the inflatable donut-style cones far less troublesome than the traditional plastic cone.
#3: A LOUD PLACE
Film Synopsis: This doggy dystopian drama sees our protagonist, Bubby Bear, trying to dismantle the oppressive government of Boomtown, a cursed place where the same day repeats itself over and over again. But instead of early-February hijinks with Bill Murray (Groundhog Day), Boomtown celebrates July 4th again and again. Follow along with our intrepid hero as he seeks to destroy the town’s stockpile of illegal fireworks and replace them with lamb lung-filled piñatas.
Real World Advice:
Fireworks are highly distressing to a significant number of dogs. In fact, more than 25% of Instinct client dogs who have experienced fireworks find them either ‘very stressful’ or ‘extremely stressful.’
On occasions where fireworks are likely, be sure to finish up potty breaks before dark. Find a quiet indoor spot for your dog to rest for the evening (preferably one with no or few windows), put on some white noise or turn the TV volume up a few extra notches, and give them their favorite long-lasting chew.
Most importantly, consider connecting with your veterinarian in advance to discuss whether a situational behavior medication might be appropriate to help your dog better cope with these scary situations.
*According to data from more than 8,000 new Instinct clients who completed our pre-consultation Canine Behavioral Health Assessment for their dog.
#2: THE SPACE INVADER
Film Synopsis: Young Sammy the rat terrier is thrilled to have just been adopted into his new home with a lovely-seeming gentleman. The two hit it off immediately – they go for a walk and stop off at the pet store to pick up a new bed and some toys. The first sign that something isn’t quite right arises when Sammy tucks into his bowl of kibble that first night. As he’s eating, the man approaches and sticks his hand in the bowl – not just once, but 3 times. Things escalate from there.
When Sammy tries to chew a bone, the man is there, scritch-scratching his head and leaning in for kisses. When Sammy tries to take a nap, the man attempts to use him as a pillow. Sammy realizes, to his abject horror, what’s going on. He is now living with…a SPACE INVADER. Sammy has no thumbs, no wallet, no cell phone. How will he ever escape?
Real World Advice:
Some of the most common scenarios in which dogs bite include people approaching and touching them when they are eating, chewing a bone, or resting/sleeping. Other common scenarios include people leaning in close and trying to grab, kiss or cuddle dogs by the face.
Avoid unwanted outcomes AND help your dog feel safe and comfortable by giving them space to eat, chew, and sleep in peace. If you and your dog are still getting to know each other, follow these guidelines when giving affection. If your dog is showing aggression or anxiety in those situations, reach out to a qualified behavior consultant who can help diffuse the tension.
#1: HALLOWEEN
Film Synopsis: It’s Halloween. That’s it, that’s the plot. It’s just a movie about a regular old Halloween day.
Real World Advice:
Halloween has the potential to be one of the scariest days of the year for dogs, what with the people in costumes, animatronic decorations, and a constant stream of strangers coming to the door.
While every dog’s tolerance level is a little different, here’s our best advice to keep Halloween safe and scare-free for your pup:
Skip It:
- Avoid taking your dog out in public spaces on Halloween day AND night. If you live in the city and don’t have a backyard, keep your trips outside short, and try to do last potty breaks before dark. Don’t take your dog along with you if you go out trick-or-treating. People in costume can be REALLY scary for a lot of dogs.
- Avoid putting scary, animatronic-style decorations in/around your home where your dog can be easily startled by them. And, don’t bring your dog up close to those types of decorations if you encounter them in your neighborhood.
- Don’t have your dog loose while trick-or-treaters come to your door. Even if your dog is SUPER friendly, it’s too easy for them to get anxious or overwhelmed by an unusual costume, or to dart out the door in a burst of excitement.
Proceed with Caution:
- Dressing up in Doggy Costumes. If your dog becomes fearful or aggressive about putting on clothing or new gear, skip the Halloween costume altogether and opt for taking some festive photos of them next to a pumpkin. Watch this video on dog body language to make sure you’re not missing more subtle signs that they’re feeling uncomfortable. If you decide to play doggy dress-up, look for costume options that are comfortable and not too hot, and that don’t obscure your dog’s vision. There are lots of dog costumes that fit similarly to a regular coat or sweater – these are typically safe and comfortable for dogs and require no special training to get used to.
- Attending doggy Halloween parades or parties. If your dog is uneasy about other dogs and/or crowds, skip these activities and opt for a quiet hike together instead. If your dog is generally relaxed in crowds and highly social, take ‘em. But, plan to stay for just 30-45 minutes and be prepared to advocate for your dog’s personal space while you’re there. Even super social pups have a limited tolerance for these types of events, where stressors can stack up quickly: lots of unfamiliar dogs, lots of people trying to interact with them, being in a costume themselves, and often, music, treats, and games…whew!
Try These Low-Stress Spooky Season Activities:
- Bob for apple slices. Fill up a bucket or shallow pan with water and drop in some apple slices, treats, or even tennis balls, and let your dog have fun trying to fish them out
- Try Pre-Halloween Trick or Treating. If your dog enjoys visiting people, coordinate in advance to take them trick-or-treating at some nearby friends, family or neighbors the day before Halloween. You can even supply the treats.
- Go for a fall hike. This one isn’t really Halloween-themed, but getting out in nature together is always a good idea!
NEED TRAINING OR BEHAVIOR SUPPORT?
Check out the resources below!
Check out Instinct’s award-winning podcast, Dogs Unknown (fka DogLab), hosted by Instinct Co-Founders Sarah Fraser (me!) and Brian Burton.
Join one of our free, live training & behavior seminars via Zoom!
Hosted by Instinct behavior consultants, these seminars include a 1 hr presentation plus live Q&A session. Open to all!
Sign up for the Nature-Driven Nurture Foundations course in our Online School. Learn our groundbreaking canine behavioral health framework that teaches you how to optimize your dog’s training & care based on their unique, individual Nature. This self-paced course includes:
- Access to private Alumni Facebook group
- Twice-monthly Zoom Q&As with Instinct co-founders
Or, contact your local Instinct for fully customized training & behavior support with certified, veterinarian-recommended trainers and behavior consultants.
