Celebrate with Lots of Fun
Halloween is one of the most loved holidays that we humans celebrate, and most of us can think of a few reasons why. There are incredible costumes, parties, and all kinds of fun events—but have you ever stopped and asked yourself if Halloween is really just for humans?
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♬ Halloween ・ cute horror song - PeriTune
As more pawrents look for new ways to enjoy every single day with their favorite furry friends, it is quickly becoming clear that any holiday can be a doggo holiday if you are creative enough, but that’s not all. Every year, more people are creating incredible events and ways to celebrate with dogs all around the world. So, let’s talk about how you can have a Spooktacular Halloween fun with your dog!
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Is Halloween Really for Dogs?
You might be wondering: is Halloween really for dogs, or is this just another weird TikTok trend? Well, we’ve got some truly wonderful news. Halloween is for the dogs—and there are plenty of people who are celebrating with their dogs the same way that they might a child. Halloween is for the whole family, and that includes fur-children too, of course!
How Pawrents Can Prepare for Halloween
In order to prepare for Halloween (also known as Howl-O-Ween or Paw-loween) with your dog, you will want to take a moment to consider the comfort of your pet. Depending on the preferences of your dog, you might find that some Halloween events are more suitable than others.
Consider These Factors:
- How is your dog with crowds?
- Is your dog uncomfortable with loud noises?
- Does your pet have a nervous disposition?
- How does your pet handle wearing clothes or harnesses?
- Is your dog prone to pottying in places where they shouldn’t? Also, are you prepared to handle these messes in an easy and comfortable way?
- Is your dog uncomfortable with people who are in costumes or masks in any way?
Ways To Celebrate with Your Favorite Canine Companion
Every doggo can have a lovely Halloween, but not every event is right for every dog. After you know what your dog needs to stay comfortable, you can start looking at the ever-growing list of Halloween celebrations that are available for pets in your area! Just make sure that your pet is comfortable in their costume before you take them out for any big celebrations.
Get a Dog-Friendly Costume
One of the best (and most common) ways to celebrate Halloween with your dog is to invest in Halloween dog costumes—or two, three, or four! Doggy Halloween costumes are all the rage, and the list of available costumes is growing. You can shop for dog costumes with ease, and you might be surprised by the number of costumes for dogs that are available.
The best part? Even the scariest doggy Halloween costume just ends up looking absolutely adorable!
Ahrrr—it be a Doggy Pirate!
PAWS AHOY
Our Pirate Dog Costume is perfect for making your doggo look ready to sail off in a ship with black sales. This adorable outfit will instantly transform your dog into a seafarer that is so adorable people will be eager to just hand their loot right over!
We love this costume, in particular, because it is one that is perfect for dressing up the whole family. Everyone can wear their own pirate costumes, and before long, you will be ready to hoist the anchors and claim your place among the roughest and toughest out on the ocean.
Pro Tip: dress up the whole family and make it your holiday cahrrrrrd!
The Cutest Tarantula You’ve Ever Seen
SWEET & DEADLY
The majority of us are not overly fond of spiders, but with this Tarantula Dog Costume, arachnids have never been more adorable! Let your dog experience life with a few extra legs. They might not actually run faster, but we have seen plenty of dogs try.
This costume is perfect for dogs of all sizes and will instantly transform your dog into the biggest tarantula that you have ever seen. The good news is that you will be too busy looking at their cute little face to worry about anything else. But, we do have to warn you. A few doggos have taken their spidey costume to the next level and spun a web of cuteness to win a few extra treats! This is one of those small dog Halloween costumes that is always a hit.
It’s Chucky—No Wait! It’s Doggo!
WANNA PLAY
The Chucky doll has haunted the dreams of humans of all ages for generations, but times are changing. This Deadly Killer Dog Costume might be heartstopping because of how adorable it is, but it’s also a little funny too. Your fear of Chucky will be a thing of the past when your favorite canine companion sports this look.
We highly recommend this costume for social dogs that love getting attention from people around them. When you put this on your fur-child and head out for a night on the town, you will have people running over to check it out. Before you shop dog costumes, remember to consider how people will react to your pet. Dogs that love attention will thrive in this out. This costume is an instant crowd-pleaser and works as a perfect novelty costume for giving strangers and friends a few laughs!
Go Trick-or-TREATing
Most of us think of trick-or-treating as an opportunity for children, but that really isn’t the case. After all, we pawrents know exactly what happens when you say the ‘T-word’ around a doggo—instant excitement. So, it only makes sense that trick-or-treating is the perfect doggy event.
Of course, we aren’t suggesting that you go door-to-door filling up your dog’s bucket with candy, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t have a good time. You might be surprised by how many of your neighbors have treats for doggos that are accompanying little ones. To help your dog get the most out of trick-or-treating, we recommend making their costume match with the little one that you take out.
If you’re planning to head out for some fun without any kiddos, don’t worry. You might be surprised by how many local trick-or-treat streets are completely dog-friendly and have treats for interested pups. Just remember to bring a basket for Fido too so they can save some of those delicious treats for later!
Do a Halloween Photoshoot
Doggy photoshoots are becoming more popular than ever before, and we all know why: they are amazing. If your dog is going to win over all of those Instagram followers and beat out the neighbor dog, they need the photos to do it—and this is where you come in. There are plenty of great Halloween photoshoot ideas and places to snap pictures like the Halloweenie event in Los Angeles presented by The Woof Squad. Let’s explore a few photoshoot options to show off those adorable Halloween dog costumes.
Try Out Cute Costumes
Pawrents that are looking to celebrate Halloween with their dogs will almost always opt for a costume. It might be something as simple as a skirt or a headband—or as intricate as the ones that we mentioned earlier. No matter what, you can absolutely leverage these costumes for a ridiculously cute photoshoot.
Putting on a doggy photoshoot is as easy as grabbing a costume, your smartphone, and finding a good backdrop. Plenty of pups have enjoyed wonderful photoshoots from the comfort of their own backyards, but don’t hesitate to venture out either!
Fun Photoshoot Locations:
- Orchards
- Local Parks
- State and National Parks (be sure to find out if you need a permit in your area)
- Everyday Locations (the street, beer gardens, local pet-friendly restaurants)
Pose with the Pumpkins
Out of all of the places to take some Halloween photos with your dog, the pumpkin patch is one of our personal favorites. Not only does this offer a truly incredible backdrop, but it also offers an opportunity to snap Halloween photos with or without a costume. This backdrop is perfect for dogs that aren’t comfortable wearing costumes, and they make costume photoshoots that much better.
If you want to take a more personalized approach to pose with the pumpkins, consider making your very own pumpkin patch in your yard. Your pup will look cute posing with any pumpkins, and that’s just the truth, but don’t let that hold you back. There is something truly special about creating a custom pumpkin patch with your own spooky carvings or drawings. Some pawrents even do this annually with the year carved into a pumpkin for reference.
Pro Tip: dress your doggo as a pumpkin and watch them blend right in!
Stage a Doggy Crime Scene
True crime is all the rage, and we all know it. Between the Netflix documentaries and the growing list of podcasts, it is clear that a lot of us read or watched Dexter and never really got over it. Fortunately, you can turn this trend into inspiration for an absolutely amazing and hilarious doggy crime scene photoshoot.
Grab some chalk and have your dog lay down so you can draw their outline, then get ready to start snapping photos. Dogs that know how to lay or play dead are wonderful for this fun and spooky photoshoot idea. For added fun, consider splattering fake blood on a doggy outfit or costume to really sell it. Just make sure that you don’t let your doggo lick any of it up unless you are completely certain that it is pet-friendly!
Attend a Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade
Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who love the idea of taking their pets out in costumes, which is probably why Howl-O-Ween parades are becoming so popular. Though they can go by many different names, these parades are not just pet-friendly—they are made for pets.
These incredible dog parades are designed specifically for dogs of all shapes, sizes, and colors—and they are a great way to have Halloween fun with your dog. If your dog is friendly and doesn’t mind hanging out with other dogs and humans, this is a wonderful opportunity to head out and show off their costume.
To find Halloween parades for dogs in your area, you can start by searching Halloween dog parades near me.
Popular Halloween Parades for 2021:
- Main Street's Annual Howl-O-Ween in Santa Monica, California
- The Pet-Friendly Broadway Halloween Parade in Denver, Colorado
- The Dog Day Howl-O-Ween in Lubbock, Texas
- The Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Run in New York, New York
- The Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade & Costume Contest in Clermont, Florida
Take Nervous Doggos out for a Night Under the Stars
Let’s be honest, pawrents. Not every dog loves to spend time with a lot of people. Plenty of dogs get anxious around large groups—and Halloween can be particularly difficult for doggos that are upset by the doorbell ringing. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have a wonderful Halloween with them. It just means you will want to find something a little more their speed, like camping under the stars!
Celebrate Early with Dogtoberfest
Dogtoberfest is one of many doggy-themed celebrations that has become popular during the month of October. Check out local Dogtoberfest events by looking around at your favorite beer gardens, like this one at Freedom’s Edge Brewing in Wyoming. You can enjoy beer, fun, and a great time with your favorite pup right by your side. While it might not always fall right on Halloween, it is still perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit.
Get Those Paws Moving with a Halloween Marathon
There is nothing that active pets love more than a good excuse to run, jump, and play. Halloween, like many other holidays, comes with its fair share of 5K runs, marathons, and more. Look for a dog-friendly option and hit the road with your best pal. You can search for runs in your area or opt for the Howl-O-Ween Virtual 5K Run for the Dogs instead!
Pro Tip: remember to check your pet’s comfort level before attending an event like this with costumes on to avoid discomfort or overheating while you run your miles!
The Takeaway
Halloween is a ridiculously fun holiday, and it is always better with loved ones around. Before you head out to a Halloween party and leave your pup alone to pass the night away, consider bringing them along or spending your day at a pet-friendly event. You will be grateful for the memories (and the pictures) throughout the years, and your pup will have a ton of fun!
Until next time, thank you for reading!
About the author: Gabrielle is the loving pawrent to adorable pups Willow and Dilla. Growing up surrounded by dogs, she always dreamt of having her own. Willow and Dilla came into her life and changed everything. Now, she's crazy about pampered pooches, and her perfect day involves dancing with her husband, dressing up her furbabies, and cuddling them to sleep. For Gabrielle, life is all about spreading love and joy with her adorable canine companions by her side.
