The fun of celebrating Halloween has long been a favorite of children, so why not Halloween costumes for dogs too! In recent years adults too have joined in on the celebration of this holiday. When it comes to spending money to decorate it has become second only to Christmas.
This new aspect for this holiday is the tradition of dressing one’s dog in costume to go with the theme of the whole family. Some pet owners make their own costumes for their dogs out of ordinary household items such as old shirts, hats, bandanas, and socks; while others purchase ready-made costumes.
Pet stores as well as costume shops, online stores, and even discount retailers routinely carry dog costumes of the simple variety all the way up to really fabulous elaborate ones. The price of these costumes also varies greatly.
Some tips to keep in mind if you are considering dressing your dog up this Halloween should include consideration of the following:
- How much do you want to spend?
- Will your dog actually wear it?
- Is the outfit going to be comfortable?
- Is it easy to get on and off?
- Is your dog just the cutest thing ever?
Halloween can be stressful enough for your pet with children and adults walking up and down the street and ringing doorbells, so the addition of a costume might too much for your dog to handle. He might get confused, scared, or aggressive. Take care that all the commotion isn’t too stressful.
Keep a calm positive attitude, and your dog will follow your lead.
Remember – Lots of ‘happy talk’ and treats!
Check to make sure that the costume for your dog isn’t too tight or irritating. Simplicity is really the best way to go. A simple cape made from an old scarf you have at home or a bandana around the neck to be a cowboy is cute yet simple. This is especialy effective for large dog Halloween costumes. They don’t mind a bit!
Enjoy Halloween and let your dog do the same!