How to Choose the Best Dog Halloween Costume

It's almost that time of year again!

Where the ghouls and goblins come out.

The skeletons and bats prowl the streets.

If you're anything like me, you've waited for this day all year.

And you want your dog to have just as much fun as you do... and look cute while doing it!

While the boo-tiful decorations and costumes can be a blast for us, it's essential to remember that our furry friends might not share the same enthusiasm.

Dressing up our dogs can be a fun way to include them in the festivities, but their comfort and emotional well-being should always come first.

In this post, we’ll explore how to choose and introduce Halloween costumes for your dog in a way that respects their unique personality and ensures they stay happy and healthy.

1. Know your dog.

Every dog has a different personality. They like and dislike different things. They have anxieties and fears at times. They may be outgoing or a bit more reserved.

If your dog is reactive to new people and nervous around them - maybe plan a solo movie night together instead of dressing them up and bringing them with you to a party.

If your dog LOVES to be pampered and groomed - some body paint could be a fun option.

If your dog already dislikes getting their harness or collar on, they likely won't enjoy a costume. We'll talk about some alternative options later on in the post for pups like this.

What does your dog like? What do they really not like?

How can you incorporate that into your costume together?

2. Choose the right costume.

Just like humans have a variety of costumes, so do dogs!

Some costumes cover all four legs.

Some costumes tie on the dogs' head.

Some are just harness attachments.

You need to think of your dogs' personality and comfort levels to choose a costume appropriate for them.

Most dogs won't enjoy hats or items tied to their heads. It restricts comfortable ear movement and can make them feel trapped. Make sure nothing covers your pups ears, head, or eyes. Stay away from those!

If your pup already wears things like shirts or sweaters and enjoys them for warmth, opting for a shirt or sweater like costume is a great idea. Just make sure to feel the material so that you know it's not itchy or scratchy for their skin.

Here is an example of a very simple and appropriate costume for a pup who already enjoys wearing shirts:

Stay away from full size (all four leg) costumes. These can restrict movement and even rub on the belly a bit too much for comfort. 

Shirt style costumes or alternatives posted below are the best choices for our doggy friends.

3. Introduce the costume slowly.

Putting the costume on the dog and letting them figure it out is a one way street to anxiety, fear, and overwhelm.

We want our dogs to be comfortable, confident, and excited to wear their fun clothes! 

Start by letting your dog eat some treats with the costume out on the ground. Let them explore, sniff,  even mouth a bit if they want to.

Then work on lifting the costume up and around your dog (not on), while providing lots of treats and breaks.

Then you can slowly introduce first putting the costume over their head, and then the two legs in. 

Then take them to do something fun that they enjoy to add to the positive associations.

If at any time your dog seems anxious, panicked, or stressed, stop and reach out for help.

Signs of Stress

Dogs display many many stress signals, but the most commonly seen I will cover here.

1. Whale Eyes - if you see the whites of your dogs eyes, that is a sign to slow down and re-evaluate what you are working on.
2. Wrinkled Forehead - this indicates tension in the face and ears and can be a sign of stress and anxiety.
3. Panting - Especially when the panting begins during the costume process or while in the costume - stop and re-evaluate.
4. Licking You Forcefully - I see this in client dogs frequently. Not all licking is good licking. If you are putting on a costume, and your dog jumps up to lick your face - stop and re-evaluate.
5. Freezing in Place - This might look funny to us, but it is not funny for our dogs. Freeze is a fight or flight behavior that signifies that you have gone way too far for your dogs' comfort. Remove the costume immediately.
6. Growling, Barking, Biting - These are the most obvious of signs, and if you see them stop immediately. You should never get to this point if you are watching and thinking about your dogs' comfort.
7. Shaking and Shivering - Just like freezing, this is a sign of stress and that you have gone way too far with your dog.

For more body language signs, I love the drawings by Lili Chin. I'll attach one below! 

4. Alternatives to Full Costumes

Many dogs aren't going to be excited to wear a costume, no matter how much you work with them. That's just part of being a dog! They weren't made to wear clothes out in the wild.

So for pups like that, you can try some costume alternatives like: 

1. Doggy Body Paint - if your dog is comfortable with being brushed and groomed as well as bathed for afterwards, they may be comfortable with paint. Make sure to only use dog-safe paint. 
2. Bandanas - if your dog wears collars or bandanas frequently, this is a great simple option to add some holiday spirit into their look!
3. Harness Attachments - if your dog wears a harness on a regular basis, you can decorate it with lights, paint, or even little stuffed animals. Just make sure your pup doesn't try to chew them off and introduce them slowly.
4. Shape Your Costume Around Your Dog - for example, if you have a scruffy dark dog, go as Dorothy from Wizard of Oz! Have a big brown goofball? Dress as Shaggy with Scooby Doo! The dog doesn't have to wear a costume for these because they fit the part with you. 
5. Collar Attachments - just like the harness, I've seen some adorable collar attachment costumes. Make a "Ty" beanie baby tag to attach to the collar or a scooby doo tag! That's a great way to create a costume without stressing your dog.

5. Planning for the Big Day

Make a plan for your dog to escape the hubbub, even if they are comfortable around people and dogs. Make a plan for them to stay home just in case, or have a quiet area you can go to to escape. If your dog is fearful of people or dogs (or barks at them) keep them home with some background noise on.

Make sure to carry lots of high value treats to reward your dog for all the good things that they do, and practice the behaviors you want to see beforehand.

Be sure to supervise your dog at all times, and if you plan to drink, leave your dog at home.

Your dog deserves you at your best so that you can support them in this interesting and strange day for them. Do your best to ensure their comfort, and if you can't, leave them at home!

Final Words

As Halloween approaches, the excitement of dressing up your dog should never overshadow their comfort and happiness. By carefully considering your dog’s personality and introducing costumes gradually, you can make sure they enjoy the festivities without feeling stressed or uncomfortable.

Remember, the best way to celebrate Halloween with your dog is to prioritize their well-being and adapt your plans to their needs.

Whether you opt for a full costume or a simple accessory, the goal is to make this fun season enjoyable for both you and your furry companion. Share your Halloween costume experiences with us and let’s make this Halloween a fun and comfortable experience for every pup!

If you'd like to work on your dogs' comfort around people, dogs, or costumes, you'd love my membership, the Pack. It is a great community for dog owners like you who prioritize comfort and safety above all but still want a dog who listens joyfully to every cue. Click here to learn more about it.