I slipped the cut-out hole over Raider's shoulders and adjusted the plush spikes that ran along the back of the costume's body.
"How's that little man?" He looked up at me with his usual wide-mouthed grin and I giggled. His tail was wagging back and forth, which made the fake stuffed heads located on either side of his head move and take on a life of their own.
Still having a chuckle I looked at the price of the Cerberus costume and gasped, "Holy shh-mokes!" I then gingerly removed it from Raider.
Halloween has exploded over the last few years as a festivity worthy of its own holiday. It's hard to ignore and with homes being elaborately decorated, Halloween is giving Christmas a good run for its money.
The demand for decorations, candy, gifts and costumes increases each year as more and more people begin to get into this nighttime party filled with the mystery of disguise. Even Fido can get dressed up and pretend he is something other than a dog. Who knew dogs have a secret desire to pretend to be something that they are not for one day? Joking aside, costumes for your dog are a great way to get into the Halloween spirit.
There was a time when dogs just joined the kids as they knocked on strangers' doors with the suggestion of a trick, but desiring a treat, as a way to get out for a walk. Then, one day, someone made a homemade ghost costume with either a white T-shirt or old bed sheet tied to their collar and people went wild. Now, pet stores carry a selection of pet costumes and, if you venture online, there is a plethora of costumes at your fingertips. Everything from traditional superheroes to more popular Minions, and from hotdog buns to Harry Potter characters, like the Cerberus, can be found. If you are so inclined, you can even find a matching costume for yourself.
Have a hankering to dress up as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz? Well, you can get any one of her sidekicks - the Tinman, Scarecrow or the Cowardly Lion - so that Fido can accompany you to a party, door-to-door, or simply to answer your own door in a costume too.
If you find yourself face to face with a four-legged zombie or giant hotdog, make sure you are prepared to dole out canine-appropriate treats. It should also be noted that candy meant for human consumption is not meant for dog consumption. The high levels of sugar, artificial sweeteners, chocolate and even nuts in human candy can cause severe stomach upset in dogs and, in rare cases, death. Make sure any house you visit only hands out dog-specific treats to your dog. With the right treat, you may be lucky enough to find that the Spiderman with the wagging tail at your front door can actually do a trick or two in exchange for their treat!
Now as much as we would all love to dress our dog up as a Ninja Turtle or Minion, some dogs are just not into it. (I get it, I'm not the Halloween dress-up type either.) If your dog does not enjoy being dressed up, don't force him to do it, regardless of how happy it would make you. Dogs may, in fact, be happier in a quiet part of the house (which does not include outside in the backyard) while the scariness comes to the front door. Remember that your dog may not understand all the unusualness at the front door and may bolt away, lunge, bark, or even bite. Unless you are someone who regularly has little people dressed in disguise coming to the door, your dog may be completely confused and distressed by this. Respect that and don't force your dog to participate.
Even if your normally confident dog can handle being dressed up and going for a walk, it may turn into a scaredy-cat when it sees the dragons, devils and walking dead coming towards it on the sidewalk. Make sure your dog is securely leashed and if it begins to show signs of distress or aggression towards an approaching group of ghosts, it would be best to take Fido home.
Halloween is fright night for humans, not dogs, so be aware and play it safe so that everyone can have fun.
Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her through her website k9kinship.com.
