20 Halloween Tips for Dog Owners

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

courtesy S. Gilbert

During our #Coupaween Twitter Party, I shared a good many Halloween safety tips, alongside Arden Moore's expert tips. I've combined some of our tips to make this a quicker read that is even more helpful.

If you missed the party, or simply found it tough to keep up, I hope the following tips will get put to good use on Halloween evening or if you have a themed party. Feel free to leave your additional thoughts in comments below.

1. Avoid K9 bolters by keeping dogs on leashes or in a closed room when you green trick-or-treaters.
2. Make sure your pet sports a reflective collar for visibility with ID tags, name, your cell phone number and microchip.
3. When opting for costume wear, check for fit and comfort. Do a dress rehearsal a few days early to allow time for modifications.
4. Have important numbers available: vet, ER vet, ASPCA poison control hotline.
5. Making your pet's costume yourself? Avoid buttons or small items that can be swallowed.
6. Consider pet's visibility when selecting costumes. Dogs may be more easily frightened when they cannot see well.
7. When checking for fit, also look at body language. Nothing too tight?
8. Simple, yet stylish goes a long way. Velcro bow ties or pleated tuxedos on male dogs is very dapper.
9. When taking Fido out to trick-or-treat, choose light-colored costumes for best visibility by others.
10. Black costumes are very hard to see in the dark AND difficult to recognize when worn on a black dog. Choose contrasting color to your dog's fur.
11. Dogs will often hang their head when extremely unhappy with costume. Consider removing headpiece or footwear.
12. Be sure costumes are made of breathable fabric and are fire retardant.
13. Help your dog become more comfortable with costume by daily practice with treats and praise. Go slow!
14. Reduce stress by treating your dog to a brisk walk before sundown on Halloween eve.
15. Associate costume with pleasurable activity by letting Fido wear it while eating.
16. Dogs who won't wear costumes will often tolerate a bandana, reflective collar or collar light.
17. ONLY take well-socialized dogs on house to house trick-or-treating.
18. Candy and wrappers all out of reach!
19. Candles are dangerous. Choose battery-operated versions for safety.
20. Simplify costumes by using only the key components. Example: Wizard of Oz's Dorothy's red slippers can be easily made to slip over dog's paws without being slippers. Think out of the box!

Happy Halloween,

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The Guardians

Guardians. 24" x 48", mixed media (acrylic paint, metallic and iridescent paints, ink) on panel. I think this one is finished, but I reserve the right to sleep on it. However, inquiries may always come to me.

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I could look at these guys forever. BUT, I'm going to turn the painting to the wall and go make some dinner. Because tomorrow morning I need to see this one with fresh eyes. What do you think? Do you see a story? could you live with this painting?

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Standing Tall

Stand Tall. 24" x 48", acrylics on panel, $1499 plus s&h. I think she's done...... at least after spending 8 hours working on her today, I am not seeing any necessary changes. Inquiries may always come to me.

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Does this piece resonate with you? why? what sort of story do you see? Please let me know your thoughts. Similar to my 9/11 painting, there's a story here. But my story will be different than what others see and read.

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The Aftermath

ORIGINALLY PAINTED 9-11-17:

The Aftermath. 12" x 18", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, $479. This one came straight from my heart - I had no preconceived plan, just laid marks down and responded, one by one. I do see a story revealed itstef, at least to me - but I'm curious what YOU see. Inquiries may always come to me.

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I cannot believe that it's been 16 years since the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in rural Pennsylvania. My kids have grown up in an America on edge and divided; certainly not what we wanted for them. For any of our children. And as Irma continues to carve a path through the southeast while Texans recover from Harvey and those in the west fight fires, just like after 9/11, we'll see populations pull together and love harder. I just wish we could keep all this love around and visible all the time.

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Knitting Rainbows

Knitting Rainbows. 12" x 16", acrylics on museum quality panel, featuring a celestial hamster busy with her handwork, $469 plus s&h. Inquiries may always come to me.

This is the latest incarnation of a mouse painting who couldn't figure out what she was at first. We went through various ribboned crowns, then there were crystals and jewelry, and finally she settled on the heavens. It was The Princess's suggestion that I have her creating a rainbow, and that was the crowning touch. I dedicate this painting to all needing a bit of glory in their lives - whether they are struggling with a hurricane, wildfire, earthquake, world affairs, or an empty chocolate stash.

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Lord Frith

"All the world will be your enemy, Prince of a Thousand enemies. And when they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you; digger, listener, runner, Prince with the swift warning. Be cunning, and full of tricks, and your people will never be destroyed."- Lord Frith

Lord Frith. 12" x 14", acrylics on museum quality panel, inspired by the rabbits' god in Watership Down, $449. Inquiries may always come to me.

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She Cracks Herself Up

She Cracks Herself Up. 8" x 10", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait of a goofy yellow lab, sold (TY very much). Inquiries may always come to me.

There's no gift quite as wonderful as a custom pet portrait. I paint from your photos, resulting in a surprise to unwrap that's like no other. Now is the time to start discussing and planning any holiday gifts you would like to commission. Museum quality portraits start around $400, and are priced according to size and complexity. If you have a smaller budget, reach out to me so we can discuss other options.

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Dog Star

Dog Star (Constellation). 18" x 24" x 1-1/2", acrylics on museum quality panel with image painted around the sides, sold (Congratulations and TY very much MH!). Inquiries may always come to me.

My collector said this painting reminded her of her dog who had recently passed away. I could see it too. So funny how that worked out. And then she messaged me that, on her way home with the piece, the Ozzy song "Momma I'm Coming Home" played on the radio. Synchronicity.

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Little Horse

Little Horse (Constellation). 11" x 14", acrylics on panel, $529 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to me.

It would be impossible to fear the dark if the stars truly looked like these.

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Apollo

Apollo. 12" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, $529 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to me.

I am finishing up a workshop with Ardith Goodwin focused on framework. Understanding the things that thrill us, and using that knowledge to paint with intention and infuse our work with a passionate connection from the very get go. It's no surprise that unexpected details delight me (pun intended). And I spent the last 8 weeks defining and exploring my realms of delight. So it should follow that my work will carry the same sorts of elements - like a pink equine posing as Apollo, drawing the sun across the sky. These pieces also give me a place to ostrich (bury my head in the sand) and pretend for just a moment that our world isn't quite so ugly.

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Do not go gentle into that good night

Do not go gentle into that good night (title courtesy of Dylan Thomas). 14" x 18", acrylics on museum quality panel, $599 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to me.

My recent work is resonating with so many - thank you for your notes and encouragement. Baring my soul in paint makes me feel vulnerable and terrified. It is so much safer (emotionally) to stick with pet portraiture. And yet I have much to share from my very core. I'm steadily working my way there.

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Eclipse

Eclipse. 12" x 12", acrylics on panel, $549 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to me.

Trying some things out this week, experimenting with rather substantial changes to existing work. Also, responding to the real world inside my imaginary one (paintings) more and more. You can't make this stuff up (The Great American Eclipse?!).

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Growing Gray

Growing Gray (a self portrait), 18" x 24" x 1.5", acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas with image painted around the sides. I am uncertain that this one is truly finished, just as I am unclear whether she will be available. This is an intensely personal painting, meant for loved ones denied the simple privilege of growing gray. Or gray-er.

Life is a miracle, every minute. My gray hairs remind me of that.

Inquiries may always come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com - thank you SO much!!

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The Moon Goddess

The Moon Goddess (Fireflies 14) 24" x 36" x 1.5", acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas with image painted around the sides. This one gives me chills, and I hope that the photo, which appears a little dark, conveys that. She is ushering in the night, complete with all it's magic. This painting is $1299 to the first asking nicely - ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com - thank you SO much!!

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