Recent from the Bugle
October is the busiest month on Tulsa's dog calendar. Costume contests at breweries and dog parks, Halloween patio nights, and a doorbell that rings forty times in one evening. Here's how to get through it with a dog who's still having fun.
Choosing a costume your dog will tolerate
- Nothing over the face or ears. Hats last about four seconds. A bandana, a cape, or a vest-style costume is what actually stays on.
- Try it on a week early. Ten minutes at a time, with treats. If the dog freezes, shakes it off repeatedly, or won't walk, choose a different one.
- Check for chewable bits. Buttons, pom-poms, and elastic loops end up in stomachs.
At the contest
Arrive early before the crowd builds, keep the leash short, and find a spot at the edge where your dog can watch. Bring the high-value treats. If your dog is panting heavily, yawning a lot, or tucking their tail, you've seen enough; take the photo and head home.
Halloween night at home
Trick-or-treaters are strangers in masks arriving at the door every few minutes, which is a lot for even a confident dog. Put the dog in a back room with a chew and some background noise, or sit on the porch with them so the door never opens. And keep the candy bowl up high: chocolate and xylitol (in sugar-free candy and gum) are the two most common Halloween emergencies.
Tell us about your event
Adoption days, patio nights, costume contests, 5Ks with a dog division. If you know of a Tulsa-area dog event, email the details to admin@dogbugle.com and we'll list it in the newsletter.
