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Halloween and Christmas are approaching fast but not too fast and your dog knows it. Don’t let that goofy stare fool you, he knows…he knows. So you’re determined to dress your dog in ridiculous attire and parade him around town. But there are a couple of questions you might want to have answered before you run out and purchase a costume. Where do I find what I’m looking for/ how do I choose  Halloween costume for dogs? How are dog costume sizes determined? Read on for the answers to these common questions and more.

How do I pick the right costume for my dog?

Style- I have two rules for picking costume styles for my dog- does it fit his appearance? And does it fit his personality? Say your dalmation has a black spot right over his eye- well maybe you have a pirate on your hands. Is your pooch always sticking his nose into everything? Sounds like a great detective. An old dog, or one with a droopy face might make a good gunslinger. (pugs make for great starwars characters) weiner dogs?…Well you get the picture.

Size- What’s going to be the most important aspect of your dogs costume size is the chest size and length of the costume. If those two elements are correct then the rest of the costume should fit.

What are some of the biggest trends this year for Dog Costumes?

I notice this year a lot of creative themes that take advantage of your dogs four legged status- Such as the horse and rider style costumes. There is a headless horseman, a knight and steed, and a mythology style three headed dog. These all seek to use a dogs natural appearance to create something that is really cute and creative. Something else I’ve seen is the Mexican wrestler mask and cape combo which really seems to work out great assuming you can get your dog to keep the mask on.

Where do I find dog costumes for sale?

Dog costumes are kind of a small market so you may not find what your looking for right in your home town. The best way to go about it is online. There are a handful of costume stores on the internet that really feature a good selection of costumes for dogs. Pet costumes dogs love is one of them and they also have links to some of the bigger online dog costume stores.

My dog is a little high strung. How do I get her to tolerate a costume?

So you’ve found the ultimate get up for your lucky pooch – now you have to get him to keep it on long enough for the contest or party. How do you do it? Some dogs are pretty calm and receptive but others will scratch and chew and paw their head until whatever you put on them comes off. The best thing to do initially is get your dog used to the costume ahead of time. Put on the hat before his walk, and reward him when he keeps it on. Put it on 30 minutes before feeding time or even make it a part of his feeding routine. Put it on right before he gets his treat. Also make sure it’s snuggly fitting but doesn’t impede him too greatly. Some costumes can be a bit cumbersome for a dog and if he can’t walk around and be comfortable in it, he’s going to paw it off.

Now your all set to deliver the doggie duds to their anxious and willing recipient. If you still have questions I suggest you visit Pet Costumes Dogs Love  for more info.

Hank Bowser is an avid writer, golfer and car chaser. He enjoys candlelit dinners, long walks on the beach and drinking from the toilet.