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This Halloween, our trick-or-treat tips for pet owners, parents and kids are from Doggone Safe, a non-profit organization dedicated to dog bite prevention.

Halloween is fright night for humans, not for dogs. Screaming, running and children in masks make many dogs uncomfortable, nervous and frightened.

Changes in routine and the strange sights and sounds associated with Halloween can cause stress in a normally placid family dog. Although Halloween is lots of fun for kids, dogs may be confused or stressed by kids in strange costumes and people coming to the door, but never being invited in.

Doggone Safe ( www.doggonesafe.com ) offers the following tips:

- Secure your dog behind a closed door or in a crate in a room away from the front door or the party if children are meeting at your house.

- Give your dog a treat.

- Play music or leave a TV or radio playing in the dog's room to help mask the sounds of the activity at the front door.

- Close drapes so the dog does not see people coming and going through the window.

- If you have a dog that barks at the sound of the doorbell, disconnect it or watch for trick-or-treaters so that they do not have to ring or knock.

- Puppies and dogs that like to chase can get overly excited by costumes with streaming material. Carefully supervise if you have a dog that may try to play with your children's costumes while they are wearing them. Teach kids to "be a tree" with hands folded in front, watching their feet, and to stand still if the dog does start nipping at their costume since the more they move, the more exited the dog will get.

- Keep dogs and cats indoors at Halloween time. Pets have been stolen, injured or poisoned as part of Halloween pranks or other rituals.

- Never approach any dog, even one you know; it may not recognize you in your costume. The dog may be worried about all the strange creatures that are out and about.

- If an owner opens the door and there is a dog there, just stay still and wait. Do not move toward the person and dog. Wait for them to come to you to give you your candy. Wait for them to close the door before you turn and leave.

- If you meet a loose dog stand still and wait until it goes away.