Dog Halloween Costumes - Dressing Up Your Pooch For The Spooky Occasion

By Dean Forster

Halloween is a fun time of year for children of all ages-and all species. For those of you who are pet lovers you might already know that you can find creative cat and dog Halloween costumes to make the holiday even more special for you and your furry friend. If this is something that you are interested in there are a few different options that you can look into to learn more about the topic. The first suggestion would be to search online to get an idea of what you would like to dress your pet up as. You can also go to the larger pet stores to see what they might have to offer you for information on the subject.

Once you know what type of creative costume your want for your pet you will need to decide what you will use for accessories. If you are planning on having your cat be a dog for Halloween you might want to have him wear bones made out of paper around his neck. Just something simple and cute like that would work. Why not have your pet's costume match the theme as your children's? Your little girl could be Bo Peep while your black lab could be her lost sheep. Looking for an idea that is a little more complicated? Have your son be Elliot and your rat terrier can be E.T. the alien. The most fun part about Halloween is that you get to let your imagination and creativity run wild.

If you are planning on taking your old pooch "trick-or-treating" with the family you will want to take this into consideration, does the costume work well with a collar and leash? You wouldn't want something tragic to happen to your beloved friend on such a joyous evening. In the even that you might be out past dark you should put reflective tape on the collar and leash of your pets. You could also purchase these accessories that are made for doing such activities in the dark.

Also, make sure the costume fits properly. Too small of a costume could be hazardous to your pet because it might not allow your pet to move as easily. If danger where to head your way your pet might not be able to get out of the way in time due to the restrictions. Always be sure to never leave your pet unattended while in a costume. An animal can easily become tangled up while wearing a costume and this could lead to serious injuries or even death.

You can shop for your cat or dog Halloween costume at most pet stores. Online is another option for shopping. Many pet suppliers have catalogues that you can have shipped right to your door to look through. You will be able to mail in an order or even make a purchase online. Making your own costume is another possibility. You can find free patterns or patterns for a relatively low cost online or at fabric stores. Whichever method you decide to use to allow your pet to join in on the fun is up to you. Just be sure to have the perfect fit for the safety of your pet. Don't forget to give your pet a couple treats, too.

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Dog Halloween Costumes - Tips for Fun and Safety

By Donna Boras

Dog Halloween costumes for our canine friends that like to join in the fun and excitement on Halloween have become very popular. Here a few safety tips to avoid any harm to your dog while taking part in the activities...

Dog Halloween costumes have grown in popularity the past number of years. Some families like to have their dog with them while trick-or-treating for security purposes, but why not dress your buddy up for Halloween and allow him to join the fun as long as you keep dog Halloween safety in mind. If your neighbors like dogs and your canine friend is well trained, it can be a family event.

Many dogs, particularly those that are accustom to wearing doggy apparel, like the attention they get when dressed up, but some do not. Those who do not may get stressed.

Wearing a Costume - Tips for Persuasion

• Do not wait until Halloween night to put your dog's Halloween costume on. Start a couple of weeks before. Use treats to motivate him.
• Let your buddy sniff around the costume, drape it over him for a few seconds; give him a treat and praise. Do this a few times every day leaving it on longer each time
• Put the costume on him, loosely, and repeat what you have done in the instructions above. A minute or so at first and then gradually take longer increments, combine this with plenty of treats and lots of praise.
• If your best buddy gets stressed and worried, and does not liking the costume idea, forget it. A simple doggy t-shirt, Halloween collar or bandana may be a better alternative.

Dog Halloween Costumes - Safety Tips

• The correct fit is important - it should not be constricting.
• Avoid impeding the breathing, hearing, sight, movement or barking.
• The costume should not result in overheating.
• The costume should be checked for things that may be poisonous or that may choke your doggy.
• A dog should not at any time be left unattended when wearing a costume.
• Remove rubber bands.

Safety on Halloween - Inside the Home

• Be careful that your pet does not run out the door while you are tending to trick or treaters.
• It is a good idea to have a reflector on your dog; it may save him from being hit by a car if he gets loose.
• Identification tags are important in case your dog runs out the door.
• If your dog is a tad nervous and really not a party animal, consider keeping him on a leash, crated or in another room while trick or treaters are coming to the door.
• Candy and wrappers will be everywhere on Halloween but they must be kept away from pets. A chew toy or a canine treat should keep him satisfied so that he does not feel left out.

Safety on Halloween - Outside

• Do not leave your dog outside on Halloween. Every Halloween pets are stolen, tormented, tortured and injured.
• Be cautious when walking your dog on Halloween. You never know what your pet may pick up along the way.
• Do have your buddy on a leash and make sure he is wearing a collar and ID when out with the family and take a few of his favorite treats or biscuits along so he will not feel part of the excitement.
• Keep your dog away from jack-o-lanterns. Place lighted candles and pumpkins where they can't be knocked over by pets

Shopping for Dog Halloween Costumes:

Is your dog a party animal and has the temperament for trick or treating with the kids and getting dressed up? If so, there is a huge amount of costume choices available for pets.

Have a fun, safe and Happy Halloween with your pet dog!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Donna Boras is a life long dog lover and owner of www.dog-beds-n-beyond.comwhere you will find a wealth of information, products and advice for caring for your dogs.
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Hallowe'en Dog Costumes

Last-Minute Ideas for Homemade Dog Costumes
by: Julie Morgan

Are you ready to start the party and forgot just one little thing -- to dress up your pooch, so that he can enjoy and have fun, too?! Here is a quick and easy last-minute dog costume idea!

Please think safety when dressing up your dog in homemade pet costumes. The costume should fit neither too tight, so your dog's movements are not confined, nor too loose, so he does not trip over the costume. Not all dogs are fine with wearing a costume, so if your dog does not like it, take off the costume immediately.

This is the easiest homemade dog costume possible, because all you need is:
- a T-Shirt that you are willing to sacrifice for your dog (for a smaller dog you may use your child's T-shirt);
- a needle and a thread;
- a few safety pins for tailoring;
- scissors;
- your dog.

Time required: 15 minutes (excluding time required for choosing the T-shirt).
Instructions on how to make dog costume:

The front of the T-shirt goes on the dog's back, so choose the shirt and decorations on it accordingly.

The easiest way to tailor the shirt is to have your dog standing up right and to put the shirt on the dog. Front paws go through the sleeves and decorations go on the dog's back. It is likely that your shirt would be too large on your dog, so note any excessive parts and pin them down. You will cut them off later. Leave some space at the bottom of the shirt so your dog can relieve himself and not dirty the costume.

Take off the shirt (after you've pinned excessive parts, the shirt should still come off easily). Adjust safety pins as necessary and cut off excessive fabric. Turn your shirt and hand-sew the two parts together. You can even use sewing machine, if you like. Turn back. Your homemade dog costume is ready and now you can get the party started!

About The Author
Julie Morgan is a contributing author for pet apparel sew-it-yourself website http://www.homemade-pet-costumes.com/ that provides a wealth of useful tips, ideas, samples, photos and pet apparel sewing patterns for creating fun, unique and simply adorable homemade pet costumes at home!


Please do not leave your precious pets unattended outdoors on Halloween. There are freaks out there who will torture and do unthinkable things to your furry companions!

Make sure your pet has a safe Halloween. Read the ASPCA guidelines on Halloween Safety for your pet.

And how about those goodies that your pet loves? Read about the ingredients in pet treats in the article: Trick... or Treat?Are your dog's treats really safe?

Visit All About Dogs and Cats for informative articles on pet care, pet health and nutrition, pet supplies, pet behaviour, travelling with pets, and more.