For the second consecutive year, Guide Dogs has partnered with Magical Woodland in Cheshire to help puppies become familiar with the spooky sights, sounds and surprises of Halloween, preparing them for new experiences in a fun and supportive environment.
Puppies Keller, Lexi, Sweep, Biscuit, Oscar, Cheshire, Punch, Leyla, Dolly, Frank and Avita, who are all aged between four months and 15 months, along with their volunteer Puppy Raisers, visited the haunted attraction to highlight the importance of preparing young dogs for the spooky season.
They were also joined by Aries, an 18-week-old Harris Hawk, who made a special appearance to practise being around dogs under the careful supervision of his handler, Jack.
Magical Woodland opened its attraction early for this special socialisation event. The experience was a dog-friendly version of its Halloween trail and took place during the daytime, providing a safe and fun training session while helping to ensure the puppies’ first Halloween is a positive, fright-free experience.
The opportunity to encounter Aries in a carefully managed setting also gave the puppies a chance to experience being around another animal.
Volunteer Puppy Raisers accompanied their puppies as they explored the specially customised trail, encountering spooky scenes, objects and decorations.
The 15-acre site takes visitors through woodland, with themes such as space, dinosaurs and pirates, as well as spooky clown faces, skeletons and haunted houses. There are lights, music and sounds to give a fully immersive experience.
Lisa Cooper, Puppy Development Advisor at Guide Dogs, said:
“After the great success of our puppy class in 2025, we teamed up with Magical Woodland again to give our next cohort of puppies a chance to experience the sights and sounds of Halloween, but in a safe and controlled environment so they’re not overwhelmed.
“Early socialisation is crucial in helping them handle situations calmly and build the confidence they need to guide their future visually impaired owner.
“This is the pups’ first Halloween, and this time of year there are lots of new and unexpected things they could encounter – flashing lights, unusual noises and, of course, people in costume. By introducing them to these elements in a controlled way, we are setting them up to handle anything that comes their way.
“We're grateful to Magical Woodland for their support again and for being so welcoming and accommodating!”
To ensure that all dogs, whether guide dogs in training or family pets, can enjoy a stress-free Halloween, Guide Dogs has shared some expert advice for pet owners:
Slowly introduce costumes: Start getting your dog used to wigs, masks, hats and costumes by first bringing them out in a neutral environment at home. Once they are comfortable with them, you can slowly begin to dress up in different combinations, but monitor your dog’s body language and pair this with positive reinforcement while allowing your dog plenty of time to investigate.
Gradually build up sounds: It’s important your dog becomes comfortable with new sounds, so they’re not frightened when there’s a sudden noise. If your dog appears relaxed or ignores the sound, you can gradually increase the volume and duration.
Decorate in stages: Instead of decorating all at once, do it a little bit at a time and try to stay relaxed while doing it. Try leaving a pumpkin by the front door so the dog gets used to its smell and appearance.
Respect your dog’s comfort levels: If your dog is frightened by people in costumes, unexpected noise or increased activity in the neighbourhood, create a safe space for them and prepare enrichment activities to keep them relaxed indoors.
Avoid scary attractions: Although guide dogs visited the attraction in a controlled environment, it is not advisable to bring your dog to scary events, parties or attractions that could be unsettling for them.
Avoid dressing up your dog: Costumes can be stressful for dogs, as they may find them uncomfortable, hot or restrictive. Leave the dressing up to the humans!
Keep Halloween treats out of reach: Many Halloween goodies, including chocolate, raisins and the sweetener xylitol, are toxic to dogs. Ensure visiting children know not to share their treats with pets, and keep any sweets securely stored.
Guide dog puppies spend their first year with a volunteer Puppy Raiser. When they’re around 12 to 14 months old, they begin their Guide Dogs training. If successful, they go on to become guide dogs, helping people with sight loss lead independent, active lives.
For more information about becoming a volunteer Puppy Raiser, visit guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer.
