Do It Yourself Dog Costumes

Let your canine companion join in the Halloween fun with these ideas for do-it-yourself dog costumes.

Halloween is almost here—have you planned your costume yet? Even more important—have you planned your dog’s costume yet? Don’t worry, you still have plenty of time to fine tune a “do-it-yourself” costume that will make you and your canine companion the talk of the neighborhood. Here are some quick and easy ideas for making a costume for your dog at home, gathered from around the Internet. For more ideas, from the simple to the sublime, type “DIY dog costume” into the search bar on Pinterest or Google.

Costume Ideas

1. Shaken, Not Stirred. Has your dog recently worn an Elizabethan collar to prevent him from chewing at surgical stitches or for another medical reason? Turn that cone of shame into a martini glass. Just add olives made from Styrofoam balls (but make sure your dog doesn’t chew them!).
2. Beanie Baby. Need a quick last-minute costume? Cut a heart out of red construction or scrapbook paper, and add the letters “TY” in white. Attach the heart to your dog’s collar, and you have an instant stuffed toy that was all the rage in the 90s!
3. Garden Variety. Turn your adorable dog’s face into the prettiest flower on the block. Attach handmade petals—made of fabric, paper or poster board—to your dog’s collar, focusing everyone’s attention on her sweet face.
4. Watch Dog. Another quick and easy idea for your dog’s costume: Draw or print out a clock face and write the words “Watch Dog” across it. Tie it gently around your dog’s torso with a strip of fabric that looks like a watch band.
5. Super Pet! Is your dog the mightiest in all the neighborhood? Help him proclaim his super hero status with a cape and mask. Use your imagination when coming up with his super hero name. Do you have more than one dog? Perhaps they can be a dynamic duo, or a hero with a sidekick.
6. Just Add Ketchup. It may be a little punny, but who can resist a hot dog? Make buns the length of your dog’s body from paper or fabric, and affix them comfortably to your dog’s harness. Add paper or fabric condiments such as mustard, ketchup, onions or relish.
7. Taco About It. Along the same lines as the “hot dog,” you can show your love for tacos by affixing a taco shell made of cardboard or fabric to your dog’s harness, draping the “shell” around your dog’s belly. Complete the look by adding faux lettuce, tomatoes, and hot sauce crafted from paper, fabric, or yarn to the inner edge of the “shell.”
8. Fan-tastic! Make your dog the No. 1 supporter of your favorite team. Just slip your team jersey over your dog’s head and place his front paws through the sleeves. Instant fan!  
9. Bootiful Bowser. Take your dog’s costume old school. Using a small sheet (crib-sized), cut two small holes for eyes and a larger hole for your dog’s muzzle, and gently drape the sheet over your dog’s head. Voila! He’s an old-fashioned ghost!
10. Sprouting Wings. Do you have butterfly or angel wings from one of your child’s costumes? Modify the arm holes on the wings to fit your dog’s front legs. Your dog can become a guardian angel or a beautiful butterfly.

Bonus Option

Your dog’s winter clothing—that is, her sweater—can be the starting point for a range of costumes. Attach eight spider legs to turn her into a giant spider or add bat wings to make her into a bat. Let your imagination run wild!

When including your dog in your Halloween festivities, be sure to monitor his comfort level while he wears the costume, keeping his safety in mind. Don’t leave him unattended in his costume, and remove any items right away if they start to interfere with his comfort. Have fun!