Costume ideas for your pooch

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 13: Fireman Frankie competes in The Best Dressed Dachshund Costume Competition during the annual Teckelrennen Hophaus Dachshund Race and Costume Parade on October 13, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. The annual 'Running of the Wieners' is held to celebrate Oktoberfest. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 13: Fireman Frankie competes in The Best Dressed Dachshund Costume Competition during the annual Teckelrennen Hophaus Dachshund Race and Costume Parade on October 13, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. The annual 'Running of the Wieners' is held to celebrate Oktoberfest. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Are you stuck? A costume for our dogs is always a jumble of characters and tropes to our favorite stories. Here are some fun ideas and ways to dress up your dog this Halloween.

First off, consider your dogs shape, size, and coat. It doesn’t matter what size your dog is, most costumes will work. While some ideas are best executed with the look of your dog. You can make a big breed into another large animal, such as a lion, elephant, or alligator. You can paint over your dogs coat, with animal safe hair color. Paint a skeleton on dark-colored dogs, or a dog’s mane to match another character, like Bob Ross or Ronald McDonald.

For those of you who would like to pair up with your dog. You could play out famous pairs, like Rocket Raccoon and Groot, “Wayne’s World” Wayne and Garth, or even Bonnie and Clyde. Playing out popular movie couples are a sure way to amuse Halloween party goers. Another popular trend is dressing as food with your pup. You could be bacon and eggs or a New York vendor and your dog a hot dog, or pretzel.

Another fun duo costume are those of old sayings like “The Good, The Bad, “The Ugly” or “Two Birds and One Stone”.

Some things to consider when choosing your dog’s costume is their comfort. Don’t choose anything too heavy for small dogs, they will become fatigued after a long night of carrying the costume’s weight. Most importantly, consider heat.

If your dog has a long coat steer towards a light-colored costume with breathable material.

Now think of mobility. Yes, you want your dog Robin to your Batman. However, the costume is a one piece suit and your dog can barely move, while walking the Pomeranian straight-leg trot. So get a costume that your dog will not struggle to strut.

Dog costume safety is worth hindering.

Material around your dog’s neck can get caught and cause injury. Some paints are harmful to animals, so do not test these on your dog. Keep costumes with ingestible pieces away from any dog prone to putting things in their mouth.

You can get dog costumes from Target to Wal-Mart, Petco, and online. You’ll find the biggest choice of dog costumes via the web. While shopping for a dog costume makes things stress free, making one at home can yield show-stopping results. For one, your dog’s costume will be an original. Also, you can edit  your dog’s garb easier, a custom piece at a perfect fit.

Halloween is always a great time to pick up on other costume elements you can use in other seasons. Picking up a bow tie or tutu can be used in other holiday festivities like Christmas or Valentines Day. So pick-up those fun and available items for a rainy day. Your dog will thank you.