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Are you looking forward to your pup's first Halloween with your family? Or, perhaps you're taking your veteran dog out for yet another night of trick-or-treating festivities — but in a different part of town. You're likely wondering if it's safe to take your canine friend on this type of adventure.
Not all dogs are suited to enjoy trick-or-treating, but some are more than fine coming along for the ride. Read through the following guide to determine which category your pooch falls into, browse our selection of fun and comfortable canine costumes, and learn about a few products that may help make things easier for everyone.
What To Consider Before Taking Your Dog Out on Halloween
You may hesitate to take your anxious pup out around the neighborhood even if he or she knows the neighbors. After all, Halloween is different. Familiar people will be dressed in costumes, there will be loud noises, and your pet might encounter a few terrifying decorations along the way. Before you give up on the idea of taking your dog out at all, know that there are a few ways to discern whether your pooch will be amenable to the experience. Ask yourself the following questions and consider talking to your vet for advice if you're concerned.
Does My Dog Enjoy New Places and People?
What's your dog's temperament like? Does he or she let strangers approach, or do you expect him or her to run away and cower in the corner upon a new person or dog's arrival? Remember, you may visit houses that contain other dogs and cats. If your dog is anxious, aggressive, or easily startled, you might want to reconsider taking him or her out on your trick-or-treating adventure.
Do We Have a Plan for Handling Unexpected Situations?
It's impossible to plan for everything — but you know your dog better than anyone. Keep him or her on a comfortable harness with a leash the entire time, and make sure that a responsible teen or adult family member (not your easily distracted toddler) is holding the leash. You can pretty much count on your dog to try to sniff other people, houses, and bark at those threatening-looking blow-up decorations in your neighbor's yard.
What you might not expect, though, is how your dog responds to certain events you haven't thought about. Maybe your dog sees a cat in the neighbor's house and tries to run inside to chase it. Perhaps your teen gives the leash to the toddler when she's helping your seven-year-old choose a piece of candy. Always be on the lookout for something unexpected to happen and make a plan for fixing the situation as soon as possible. For example, you could bring along calming chews, designate someone as the "dog minder" of your family, or offer your dog an all-natural beef-flavored treat when he or she wants to steal some of your kids' candy.
Costumes and Products for Your Safe and Fun Trick-or-Treating Adventure
Do you love dressing your canine friends as witches, goblins, or ballerinas? Here are a few costume ideas to get you started.
1. Star Wars Ewok Costume
Are you a Star Wars fan? Does your small pup already look like a little teddy bear? Consider this adorable Ewok costume from the Star Wars franchise. It'll keep your dog warm as well as comfortable in the full suit and hood with ears.
2. Puppe Love Sombrero Hat
Does your pup hate wearing full-body costumes? Try this simple, colorful, and festive sombrero instead. We carry it in sizes small through extra-large, so it's suitable for just about any breed. This sombrero is flexible and can be used with a number of costumes with a traditional Mexican theme.
3. Sequin Candy Corn Witch Hat
Do you and your pup love all things Halloween — including candy corn and witches? This sparkly witch hat shaped like a piece of candy corn (with bright orange hair attached!) may be perfect for you. The smaller sizes are appropriate for petite breeds such as chihuahuas and Yorkies, while the largest sizes can fit your biggest canine pals such as pit bulls, labradors, and Goldendoodles.
4. Zebra Tutu
It wouldn't be Halloween without a pup in a tutu. If you want a simple yet functional costume for your small dog, look no further than the zebra and turquoise tutu. You can pair this simple tulle skirt with a t-shirt or leave it by itself. Your dog will be a hit at any party if she can perform a dance move!
5. Gold Paw Anti-Anxiety Clothing
Even if your pup is wearing a costume, the material may not be tight enough to provide a feeling of security that other anti-anxiety clothing does. Consider the Gold Paw dog shirt to place discreetly under costumes or by itself if you wish to take an anxious dog out for the night. You can order it in orange for a festive Halloween look if you wish!
Whether you wish to dress your pup as a spooky ghost or sparkly ballerina, it's definitely possible to take him or her out for Halloween. Remember that your dog will likely have fun and be willing to trick-or-treat with you and your children if he or she practices for the outing beforehand and is not exposed to too many stressors along the way.
Browse through our costume listings for dogs of every shape and size and follow these tips and guidelines for safety to enjoy a safe trick-or-treating adventure with your whole family — canines included!
