Costume Time?

Dressing your dog for Halloween can be fun for you, but it could be stressful for your dog unless you spend a little time getting your dog use to wearing a costume.

Suggestions for teaching your dog to wear a costume.

If your dog has never worn anything but a collar and leash, start the costume experience with a simple bandanna knotted around her neck. Put it on and praise her verbally and with treats.

Add a "cape" by tucking one end of a scarf or towel under her collar.

Next step is to slip a T-shirt over her head and gently place her front legs through the armholes. Tie a knot in the bottom hem of the T-shirt, so it does not trip her.

Each time you put a new garment on your dog, encourage her, with treats, to follow you around so she gets used to the feel of the costume.

Put each new item of clothing on her for just a few minutes, then take it off. Soon She will be happy wearing her duds for longer periods of time. Any time she seems to be getting uncomfortable, take the costume off and let her relax.

When choosing costumes for your dog, keep safety and comfort in mind. Avoid anything that might hinder vision, hearing, or movement. Choose costumes that are fairly easy to put on and take off, with no dangling accessories she might swallow if she chews on them. If the costume extends out to the sides at all, making your dog wider than normal, walk her around furniture and other obstacles to get used to her new size.

Never leave your dog unattended when she is wearing a costume. She might decide to chew her way out of it or get it caught on something and panic.

Protect Your Dog on Halloween

Halloween brings a fun time for most of us, but for some of our much-loved four-legged family members, Halloween can be a nightmare.

Dog owners may not be able to control external surroundings, but they can care for their dog's safety and well being by observing the following tips from the world's largest dog training company,
Bark Busters:

1. Do not leave your dog outside. Even if you have a fenced yard, bring your dog inside where it is safe. If your dog is usually kept outside, bring him in a few times before the big night to get him used to being indoors. Your dog may be used to strangers, but so many little ghouls and goblins running about may be too much. Remember also that it is a natural instinct for dogs to protect the family from strangers, and on Halloween there will be no shortage of strangers.

2. Keep your dog restrained. If your dog is timid or scared, or if he tends to love people a little too much, it is best to put him in a separate room away from the front door to limit his excitability, aggression, and chance of running outside and becoming lost.

3. Reassure your dog. The best thing you can do for your dog when he is feeling unsettled by Halloween activities is to act as you normally would. By over-reassuring your dog or giving him an unusual amount of attention, you inadvertently can communicate to him that because you are acting differently, there must be something to worry about.

4. Have your dog get used to costumes. Your dog may see his family members as strangers once they don their Halloween costumes. Before the kids put them on, allow your dog to scent the costumes. If your costume has a mask, keep the mask off when you are with your dog because dogs can become confused when they cannot see our faces.

5. Check your dog's ID tag. Be sure identification tags are secure on your dog's collar-just in case.

6. Keep candy away from your dog. Many candies-especially chocolate-are toxic to dogs. The severity of the toxicity depends greatly on factors such as breed, age, size, and how much candy was ingested. Problems may range from a mild upset tummy to vomiting and diarrhea, or even death. If you have any concerns at all, consult with a veterinarian immediately. If you want to keep your dog safe, make certain that sweets, including their wrappers, are kept well away from your dog.

7. Protect dogs from candles and pumpkins. Excited or agitated dogs can easily knock over a lit candle or pumpkin. Be sure those items are away from your dog's reach, or consider a battery-powered candle that does not burn

8. Think twice about dressing your dog in a costume. While some dogs might enjoy being dressed up, many do not. Experiment first to see if your dog likes being in a costume. If so, fine-he'll most likely enjoy himself and the extra attention it brings. However, if he shows any resistance, do not do it. Dogs feel enough stress around Halloween without also having to endure the discomfort and peculiarity of wearing a strange costume.

9. Be prepared. If you take your dog with you while trick-or-treating, be prepared at all times. Do not let your dog approach the door of a house, and stay clear of possible gags or gangs of goblins who will gather at the door. Dogs do not understand that the person jumping out at you will not hurt you; they often think they can only help you by acting aggressively. Neither children nor adults in costumes should approach a dog without the owner's consent.

10. Have fun but think of your dog's safety. Finally, if you want your dog to be included in Halloween festivities, think about his safety much as you would the safety of a small child. Your dog does not understand Halloween, so he needs you to provide the guidance and safety that you always do.

More Halloween Fun

Each year PetPlace.com asks for photo submission for their Halloween Photo Contest.

Here are the winners for 2010.

Other great photos submitted this year.

If a Golden Retreiver ever graced you life,
this costume will give you a chuckle.

Trick or Treat for Bowser

What are your thoughts on Halloween costumes for dogs?

These are my favorites, so far......





And for the treat, try these:

TRICKY TREATS FOR DOGS
Makes 14 treats

2 cups water
3/4 cup canned applesauce
1/8 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
3 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup white flour
1/4 cup chopped nuts
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup oats

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a bowl, mix water, applesauce, vanilla and egg thoroughly.

In a separate blow, combine flour, nuts, baking powder, nutmeg, and cinnamon, stirring well.

Add wet ingredients to dry and mix well.

Spoon into greased muffin tins, filling each cup completely and bake for about 1 1/4 hours. Cool completely and store in a sealed container.


TASTY CAT CLAWS
Makes 18 treats

1/4 cup warm water
5 tablespoons parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons soft margarine
1 tablespoon cod liver oil
1 cup white flour
1/4 cup soy flour

Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine water, cheese, margarine and oil.
Add flour and form a dough.
Roll to 1/4 inch thick and cut with cookie cutter.
Bake at 300 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet for 20-25 minutes or until cookies are lightly golden.


Note: All recipes are for special-occasion treats for your pet. They should not replace meals and should be offered sparingly. If your pet has food allergies or special dietary requirements, check with your veterinarian before offering them.

If your pet is on a special diet, you may consult with your veterinarian and obtain a canned version of that diet. Often the canned formula can be rolled out, cut into shapes and baked. Most treats bake at 350 degrees F for 12 – 20 minutes or until firm to the touch.

Creative Dog Halloween Costumes

Pet owners can be very creative when it comes to dog Halloween costumes.

Here are some I came across. Hope you enjoy!










My favorite is Bat Man Dog :)

Halloween Costumes for Dogs

With Halloween just around the corner, many dog owners are gearing up to dress themselves, their children, their homes and their dogs in Halloween attire. Holidays are always fun - especially Halloween - and we like including our pets in the fun festivities because they truly are part of our family.

But do our dogs really enjoy wearing those funny Halloween costumes? Well, this can all depend on so many things, including their temperament and the type of costume you choose.

Check out this dog in costume!