If you’re not a DIY-er, the easiest thing you can do is go shopping for a dog costume or collar from your local PetSmart or Petco. While selections are often few and limited, this is the perfect alternative for last-minute parties and events. You may even catch a good sale if you wait until the last week.

If you are looking for something a little more unique for your pup, shop online at one of the many online shops that carry Halloween dog collars and costumes. Just “Google” bandanas, scrunchies or collars in your favorite Halloween motif, and you’ll probably find exactly what you want. While some can be a bit pricey (especially after shipping is tacked on), if you persevere and do a little comparison shopping, you’re bound to find something affordable and original. Something like The Artful Canine’s Halloween Dog Collar, paired up with an LED Dog tag is a great example of something simple, festive, and affordable. And there’s no need to worry about running into another neighborhood dog trick-or-treating in the same outfit when you shop unique dog boutiques online.

If you are a DIY-er, making your own costume may be the best approach. You can do something as simple as a ghost (it worked when you were a kid, right?), or as elaborate as Victoria’s Secret Dog Angel. It’s all up to you. But keep your dogs comfort, and the wearability of the outfit, in mind if you are going to go the dog costume route.

For example, most dogs do not like anything on their head. If you’ve got a dog that doesn’t mind, lucky you! But if you don’t, that presents a big problem because most dog costumes have a headpiece. Look for something similar to a dog collar as part of the head piece to keep it on your dog. Dogs are used to wearing a collar, so if you can rig up something that can be held onto your dog with use of a collar, that’s great.

For example, my little schnauzer, Tilde, looks like an Ewok to me, so I thought, what better costume than an Ewok? Now Tilde does not like clothes or things on her head. I tried, with no success, putting a witches hat on her head a couple of years ago, and she would have none of it. But I thought if I could find a way to secure it primarily with a collar maybe it would work. And it did, sort-of. With exception to her doing the occasional body shake to knock down the head cover, she did pretty good. And really, take a look at the picture (at right): How cute is that! The photo alone was well worth the hour it took to make it.

Below are a few links to some sites that have either great ideas, or easy DIY instructions for dog costumes. Whatever you decide on, have a safe and howling good time this Halloween with your furry Trick-or-Treater!

• PetMD.com’s Ghost Costume
• BuzzFeeds 27 DIY Costume Ideas
• Romp Rescues DIY Costume list
• Lots of Inspiration here on Pinterest
• Brit + Co’s LOL Dog Costumes

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