Make Your Dog a Safe and Willing Trick-or-Treater
With patience, you can get your hesitant hound to enjoy wearing a Halloween costume. Below I have outlined steps you can use to convince your dog that Halloween really is fun. I've also included safety tips to help keep your furry friend safe and happy on Halloween.
Photo courtesy of Flickr and manhattan.about.com
It's Almost Halloween
Photo courtesy of Flickr and Scott Butner
Have you ever tried to dress up a dog? My daughter used to try to dress our dogs like babies. Zippy would tolerate the attention, but Abby wanted nothing to do with clothing. Most dogs aren't natural fashionistas.If you want your dog to celebrate Halloween in style this year, here are some tips that will help Fido be willing and even eager to go trick-or-treating.
Note: Some dogs simply will not wear a costume. Don't make it a battle of wills. You'll lose.
Getting Your Dog to Wear the Costume
Photo courtesy of Flickr and sarahkim
Start a few weeks ahead of Halloween. Repeat each step several times before moving to the next step. Don't make each session too long. Better several short sessions each day than one long one.
With plenty of treats on hand, pick up one piece of the costume, and let your dog sniff and explore it. Reward and praise lavishly. If the dog is frightened of the costume, don't force the issue. Put it down on the floor and let the dog approach the costume at his own pace. When he finally sniffs it, reward him.
If your dog is not frightened of the costume piece, drape it over the dog for a few seconds while offering a treat. Do this several times a day, until your dog associates the costumes with treats.
When your dog finally associates the costume with good things (treats), it's time to place the costume loosely on the dog. Don't try to fasten or tie anything yet. Once again, bring out those treats. If the dog struggles or is frightened when you try to put the costume on him, then stop and go back a step, until he is eager to see the costume. With all this snacking, I hope the dog still fits into the costume by the time Halloween finally arrives.
When your dog is comfortable wearing the entire costume, continue with occasional treats. Remember, that costume means FUN and TREATS to your dog.
You should take a similar approach when introducing your dog to YOUR costume. Let him watch you put it on, let him sniff it. Give him a chance to get used to it.
Pet Costume Safety
Keep your 4-legged pal healthy and safe on Halloween.
Photo courtesy of Flickr and manhattan.about.com
A costume shouldn't drag on the ground. You dog doesn't need to be tripping over things. Besides, it looks tacky.
Reflective strips placed on the costume help your dog become more visible at night.
Make sure your dog can't chew off and swallow any small pieces of his costume.
Make sure the costume is comfortable, and your dog can see, hear, smell, breathe, and move easily.
Candy is bad for dogs. Don't share the Halloween loot, especially chocolate.
Keep Fido on a leash when trick-or-treating, even if he's the best-behaved dog in the world. All those monsters and ghouls can spook the calmest dog.
Be sure your pet is wearing proper identification, just in case.
If you're answering the door at home, consider keeping the dog on a leash so he doesn't make a dash out the door. The best advice is to keep your dog in a different room away from the front door.
Never leave your pet unattended while he is wearing a costume.
Don't leave your pet unattended outside on Halloween. Not only will he be anxious with all the strange people, sounds, and smells, there could be some bad tricksters in the neighborhood; don't let your dog become a victim.
Canine Superheroes
Super Hero Dog Costumes
Click on the picture for details and a larger image of the costume.
Haute Dog
Casual Canine Tux W/Tails & Top Hat Medium 16 In .
Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009)
Your pooch can step out in style, complete with top hat. This dapper doggy tuxedo comes in several sizes.
Does Your Dog Have a Secret Identity?
Cute as a Button Costumes
Click on the picture for a larger image and details about the costume.
Dogs on Amazon
Books to Help You and Your Pet Communicate
Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $9.76 (as of 12/20/2009)
List Price: $13.95
Be the Pack Leader: Use Cesar's Way to Transform Your Dog . . . and Your Life
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $17.13 (as of 12/20/2009)
List Price: $25.95
101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $12.91 (as of 12/20/2009)
List Price: $18.99
It's Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $14.39 (as of 12/20/2009)
List Price: $17.99
How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners (Revised & Updated Edition)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $16.37 (as of 12/20/2009)
List Price: $25.99
Working Dog Costumes
Click on the picture for details and a larger image of the costume.
Adventurer Dog Costumes
Click on the picture for details and a larger image of the costume.
Pet Costumes on Amazon
Dress Up Your Dog
Casual Canine Hot Diggity Dog Costume Md Mustard
Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 12/20/2009)
MEDIUM - Dogzilla Dog Costume
Amazon Price: $24.23 (as of 12/20/2009)
Casual Canine Lil Stinker Costume Sm
Amazon Price: $7.69 (as of 12/20/2009)
Spiderman Pet Costume
Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009)
Pet Shalom Dog Halloween Costume For Large Dogs
Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009)
Casual Canine Wedding Dress W/Veil Small 12 In .
Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009)
Pet Princess Leia Dog Costume For Medium Dogs
Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009)
Dog Bumble Bee Costume For X-Large Dogs
Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009)
SMALL - LOBSTER PAWS
Amazon Price: $17.85 (as of 12/20/2009)
SMALL - CLASS CLOWN - Pet Halloween Costume
Amazon Price: $13.50 (as of 12/20/2009)
Dog Fairy Princess Halloween Costume - Medium - Pet Costumes
Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009)
Pet Daisy Dog Halloween Costume For Large Dogs
Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009)
LARGE - Prison Pooch Dog Costume
Amazon Price: $14.36 (as of 12/20/2009)
Zack & Zoey Mr. Jester Costume Lrg
Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/20/2009)
Dog Costumes on YouTube
Evil Villain Dog Costumes
Click on the picture for details and a larger image of the costume.
Even More Dog Costumes
More Great Lenses on Halloween and Dogs
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Photo galleries, pet gifts and more.
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Photo courtesy of Flickr and jamelah
(Halloween is October 31, 2008)
Dogs on Squidoo
Visit these great sites for more pet resources.
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Feedbark!
Photo courtesy of
Flickr and aphrodite-in-nyc
Let me know if you found anything useful here. I enjoy reading your comments.-
Reply
- KonaGirl KonaGirl Oct 8, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
- Superb lens and a big fat 5 stars for you. I really like your instructions for dressing your dog. I am going to feature this lens on my Dog Halloween Costumes and my Halloween Dog Collars and Leashes lenses. I hope it is alright with you. If it's not O.K., just sent me an email and I'll remove it. Thanks bunches in advance!
Aloha,
KonaGirl (June)
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Reply
- LoKackl LoKackl Jul 29, 2009 @ 9:42 am
- Wow! So great! Especially "halloween already happened!" so sweet. I lensrolled this to my "pumpkin-pie-pooch" lens. Thanks!
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Reply
- kab kab Apr 20, 2009 @ 1:04 pm
- The Giant Squid Greeters are kicking off a fun team challenge. You are hereby formally invited to join my team: Kab's Fab Squid Squad. I think you'd be a great addition to the Squid Squad.
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Reply
- NatalieNiemi NatalieNiemi Apr 11, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
- haha, really cute lens. :) Great advice and great selection of doggie duds.
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Reply
- mistyblue75605 mistyblue75605 Nov 27, 2008 @ 9:10 am
- Way too cute!! well done! I love animal pics!
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Reply
- desertgrace desertgrace Oct 28, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
- What a great lens! I love all the dogs!
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Reply
- kidshalloween kidshalloween Oct 6, 2008 @ 5:11 am
- You have done a fabulous job on this lens! I just love it! 5* and I lensrolled you to my dog costume lens.
Spring Clothes and Costumes for Your Dog
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Reply
- Oct 3, 2008 @ 2:18 am
- Wow, its so amazing!
costumes for dogs!
Its a shocking news, but its interesting and funny too.
Pet Costume Safety is designed very nicely, really with a great stuff.
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Reply
- Rajays Rajays Sep 20, 2008 @ 12:09 am
- My what amazing costumes. Great topic, presentation and fun lens. Love the costumes, so adorable. *****
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Reply
- AtomicCreations AtomicCreations Sep 14, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
- Great lens, I also have a site about Pet Costumes, check it out sometime.
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