Halloween--with candy galore, cute (and sometimes scary) costumes and kids ringing the doorbell---can be an exciting time for children but a stressful and even dangerous time for dogs. By following a few simple guidelines, doing a little planning and increasing your awareness, you can help your dog enjoy the holiday safely and comfortably. Here are 10 recommended survival strategies for dog owners to help everyone have a safe and stress-free Halloween:

Top Three Obedience Commands

1. Practice your "stay" or "place" command with your dog in the days and weeks leading up to Halloween. With ghouls and goblins coming to the door, this is a great opportunity to strengthen your obedience training. Remember to use a leash or a baby gate while practicing your "stay" command if your dog has not had enough practice.

2. Make sure your dog has a solid "Leave it" command in place for the days that follow Halloween especially when the ground is covered in candy, wrappers, and other goodies.

3. Practice focused walking on the "heel" at times and places that include things that typically trigger your dog's excitement level. This will help keep your dog's mind on you, your pace and direction rather than the distractions that trigger his excitement. This will be most helpful if you're including your dog in the trick-or-treating fun.

Seven Safety Strategies

1. Expose your dog to costumes, masks, and people doing funny or lurching walks before Halloween. Watch your dog's reaction carefully to decide if he is ready to face Halloween revelers. Remember to remain matter-of-fact and not share affection if your dog's state of mind is anything but calm.

2. Learn the signs and signals of stress in a dog:

• licking lips or lifting one paw
• Trying to get away
• excessive or exaggerated yawning
• sudden vigorous scratching, or becoming very still.

All of these signs are your dog's way of saying "I'm not comfortable with this situation." By learning to read these signals, you can interrupt or change the environment, and prevent your dog from escalating to a growl or a bite.

3. If your dog is frightened or distressed, do not force her to continue putting up with Halloween activities. Provide her with a safe, comfortable place that will help her feel more secure amid the scary sights and sounds.

4. Drain your dog's energy with a brisk, focused walk prior to trick-or-treaters arrival and give your dog a highly valued chew toy at least 30 minutes before trick-or-treating begins, which may help to keep his mind off the disturbance.

5. Keep your dog inside, and attach a "house leash" to your dog, to act as an extra long handle, should your dog try to escape or run away. Make sure your dog is wearing proper identification in case she gets out the door.

6. If your dog is frightened, do not comfort or "baby" your dog if he is afraid. Dogs take their cue of how to behave from their owners; if you are acting "strange" by offering soothing words and gestures, your dog may interpret it as praise for being frightened, or a confirmation that the costumes are truly scary. Instead, act as normal and as "matter of fact" as possible, to help your dog understand that there is nothing to worry about.

7. Make sure your family knows that chocolate is toxic for dogs. Dark chocolate is the most dangerous, but all chocolate has the potential to cause nerve damage or even death. Learn the symptoms of chocolate poisoning:

• Excessive drooling
• Excessive urination
• Pupil dilation (look at your dog's pupil's now, to learn what "normal" looks like)
• Rapid heartbeat
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Hyperactivity
• Muscle tremors and seizures
• Coma

Every year, dogs die of chocolate poisoning. If you notice these signs, take your dog immediately to your vet or emergency veterinarian.

Halloween can be an opportunity to teach your dogs to be calm and obedient when facing high levels of distraction. With a little preparation to keep dogs safe, and an understanding of how to help them when anxious, dog owners (and their pups!) can have a safe - not scary - Halloween celebration!