Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas for Your Dog

Your dog is part of your family - a four-legged, furry little child. So while you're creating costumes for your other kids this Halloween, don't leave Fido out! Here are a few ideas for homemade Halloween costumes for your dog.

All it takes is a pint-size ten gallon hat and a bandana to turn your pooch into a rootin' tootin' canine cowboy. Look in thrift shops for a cowboy hat small enough for your dog's head - preferably one with a band that will secure under his chin. Or check out the toy store for a stuffed animal wearing a cowboy hat that you can remove. Then simply tie the bandana, neckerchief style, around your dog's collar.

Okay, so your dog just isn't the cowboy type. She's prissy and proper, a regular princess. Look for a child's pastel colored tutu that has a stretchy waistline. If you can't find one small enough for your dog to wear as part of her costume, you may have to do some snipping and sewing (Velcro with adhesive also works great). For your dog's head, create a princess-worthy hat by rolling and gluing a sheet of lightweight cardboard into a cone shape. Adhere a piece of gauzy material to the point of the cone. Punch two holes opposite each other on the open end of the cone. Tie a piece of ribbon to each hole so that the hat can be tied to your doggy's head.

Or tweak the princess costume a little bit for other prissy costumes for your girlie dog. Create a banner out of crepe paper or felt with the words "Miss Arf-merica" on it. Wrap it around your pet along with her tutu. Instead of a princess hat, place a child's tiara on the head of your doggie beauty queen.

Another option for dog Halloween costumes is to start with your pet's natural appearance and see what you can come up with using a little creativity. Have a black dog with a long, furry tail? Use store-bought Halloween makeup to paint a white stripe down his back. Voila, instant Pepe le Pew! Or paint bones with the white makeup down your dog's back and legs and you've got an adorable skeleton.

Finally, look around the house and use what you've got. Your dog's costume needn't be complicated to be cute. Four pairs of stuffed black tights strapped onto your puppy's back and he's a scary spider. Cut petals from felt and attach them to her collar for a pooch posy. And above all, if your dog is miserable playing dress up, don't make him wear a Halloween costume. It should be fun for all of you!