Homemade Dog Costumes

More and more, our dogs are being treated like children rather than animals. One manifestation of this is that homemade dog costumes are now produced every year for "Howloween" events around the country.

You have probably seen various dog costumes that you can buy at places that sell dog stuff. These are good if you have limited time to make something and your dog is small. However, if you have a medium size or larger dog, the choices seem much more limited.

Also, many of the Halloween or other dog costume party events have contests for the Best or Most Creative costume. If you can put together a dog outfit yourself, your dog stands a better chance of winning a prize and receiving compliments.

Furthermore, although simple dog costumes can be inexpensive, more elaborate ones can set you back quite a bit. With a little imagination and the right materials, you can make homemade dog costumes for much less that are every bit as stunning as the most glitzy ones out there.

Remember that you do not have to make homemade dog costumes from scratch. You can buy a basic ensemble and then simply add your own touches. These could include:

Beads
Bows
Buttons
Crepe paper
Fake fur
Felt pieces
Gauzy materials
Metal rings
Pipe cleaners
Ribbons, lace or trim
Sequins or glitter
Wigs
and many other items that you glue or sew on.

One of the most important things is getting the right fit so that your homemade dog costume not only looks good but also does not irritate your dog by interfering with his or her ability to walk, sit or lie down. This requires measuring your pet carefully and being prepared to return readymade items to the store, if necessary.

If you are putting together attire from scratch, make things larger than they need to be and have your pooch try on the creation while it is still pinned together rather than sewn. Avoid accidentally poking your dog or you may have trouble getting your dog to wear anything further!

What about accessories? Some dog costumes need just the right type of hat or mask for the best effect. These can be made quite simply using a cardboard base covered with paper or fabric.

Often you only need the costume to last for a day so you can use a lightweight cardboard such as that found in cereal boxes. For round hats, use lids from plastic containers as a template or take the cardboard top from an oatmeal box.

First measure your dog's head between the ears or around the eyes so that you make a hat or mask that is the correct size. Then draw a pattern on paper and try it on the dog before transferring your design to cardboard.

After you have decorated the hat or mask with the coverings of your choice, add elastic in such a way that they stay in place without hurting your pet.

Booties can also easily be made. Simply create a sleeve that is closed at one end and use elastic to hold it on around the leg. Instead of things that cover the paws, a better option may be to add anklets or leg warmers that are slipped onto your dog's legs above the paws.

If you have rushed to put together a homemade dog costume, be sure to try it all out on your dog before you head out the door. Shiny fabric may need to be ironed for the best effect and some things may need to be reglued.

Above all, remember that dressing up your dog should be FUN for both of you. If you get too stressed out making something, it will defeat the purpose of the activity.

If your dog is not overjoyed with wearing a costume, choose something that can be put on and off quickly - enough for a photo op or short display.

Wishing you all the best in making homemade dog costumes!

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