Training Advice for Positively Good Dogs by Kelly Spring, CPDT Halloween Can Be a Scary Time for Your Dog Halloween is lots of fun for people, but it can be a nightmare for some dogs.  Keep your dog safe and stress-free with these easy tips: Walk your dog before or after trick-or-treaters make their rounds.  Costumes and sugar-fueled children can be frightening to dogs.  Hold the leash firmly just in case your dog gets startled by a child in a costume or a group of revelers. Keep the Halloween goodies out of reach.  Chocolate and candy containing xylitol are toxic to dogs. When the ghouls and goblins come knocking, make sure your dog is in a secure area of the home – behind a baby gate, in her crate, or in another room with the door closed.  Many dogs become increasingly excited, stressed, and/or scared by a parade of visitors