Scooby-Doo isn’t the only Big Dog who can wear a costume well! With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to start planning and creating a costume for your own Big Dog! Whether you’re looking for a do-it-yourself costume idea or looking to buy one, you’ve landed on the right page! This guide will show you costume ideas with photos, videos, and instructions for super quick to elaborate to contest-winning Big Dog Halloween Costumes.
We’ll also discuss Halloween comfort, anxiety and safety. Awesome tips and BONUS: Halloween Dog Treats and Cookies
SECTIONS:
- Choosing the Right Costume For Your Big Dog on Halloween
- Do Big Dogs Like to Wear Clothing/Costumes?
- How to Get Your Big Dog Dressed in a Costume
- How to Paint Your Big Dog-You’re Gonna Love This!
- Last Minute-Super Easy Big Dog Costumes
- Fast & Easy DIY Costumes For Big Dogs
- How-To Videos
- Cool & Simple To Make Big Dog Costumes With Instructions
- Halloween Safety For Your Big Dog
- Big Dog & Owner Halloween Contest Winning Costumes
- Halloween Dog Anxiety
- Homemade Halloween Dog Treats
- More Halloween Costumes For Big Dogs
- Halloween Collars & Bandannas
Today we’ll take a look at some simple home-made Halloween Costumes for your Big Dog. You’ll also see many easy and quick to make costumes for your big buddy, as well as more elaborate ones that can be made at home. For those of you that aren’t the crafty type or just don’t have time, I’ll include some links to canine Halloween costumes on Amazon, in case you’d rather grab a cool costume from your mailbox.
So let’s get started, pumpkins and goblins time is quickly approaching!
Choosing The Right Costume For Your Big Dog on Halloween
What should you consider when choosing a costume for your big dog on Halloween? Here are a list of consideration and tips for you when choosing a costume for your big buddy.
Consider Your Dog’s Safety: You want a costume that will be lightweight and breathable for your dog. If the weather is hot, choose a costume with less clothing. Your big dog can easily overheat! Costumes that are rubber or vinyl would not be the best choice for your big dog or any dog.
Make sure whatever you put on him is not too tight or restricting blood flow. Check elastic straps are snug but not tight…you should be able to slip a finger or two between the elastic and your dog.
Make sure your dog’s vision, walking or elimination isn’t obstructed. Don’t choose a costume that is loud, noisy or has small or sharp parts that can fall off.
Consider The Size and Shape of Your Dog: Some dogs are perfect for certain costumes. A couple of examples are…1) a tall dog with long legs makes sense for a Scooby-Doo costume. 2) A breed like the Golden Retriever makes sense for a lion costume. Most big dogs would look good in any costume though.
Size is important when purchasing or making a costume. Make sure you measure and get the correct size of costume for your big dog!
Consider Your Dog’s Personality: Choose a Halloween dog costume for your big dog that fits his/her personality. Is your big dog super chill or is he a ball of energy? Is your dog a big goofball?
Is your dog always hungry or want to eat all the time? You could dress him up as a hot dog, spaghetti and meatballs, a pumpkin or zombie 🙂
Is your dog really protective? You could dress him up as a police officer, Superman, Batman or some other comic book hero or superhero.
Consider a Theme for Your Dog’s Costume:
Decade theme: the 60’s, the 80’s or the year 2098
Superhero theme: Batman & Robin
Movie theme: Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars, Harry Potter
Cartoon Theme: Cat Dog, Scooby-Doo
Food Theme: Hot dog and ketchup or Mustard
Celebrity Theme: Marilyn Monroe
Do Big Dogs Like to Wear Clothing/Costumes?
No matter how creative and enthusiastic you are about dressing your Big Dog up, some dogs are simply not going to tolerate clothing on their bodies. Perhaps the reason (since we can’t ask them) is because dogs communicate with one another primarily through body language. Clothing can interfere with this communication to a large extent. Perhaps they inherently realize this, we can’t say with certainty.
Whatever the unspoken reason is for your Big Dog to be touchy about clothing, there are a few things you can do to gently persuade him to join in your fun. If you want to have your dog in any kind of parade, doggie celebration or festival in your area, this post would be great for you to read also.
The first thing you should do is to measure your dog to get an idea of the size and how big your clothing or costume needs to be. You want your dog to be comfortable, especially if the weather is hot outside. Here’s a guide to measuring your dog…
How to Get Your Big Dog Dressed in a Costume
- Don’t wait until October 31 to dress him up! Get your costume and materials ready.
- Make sure you measure your dog and have a costume that isn’t too tight
- Let your dog look at the items, sniff them and show some interest…and not apprehensive
- Have treats (or pieces of kibble) and give him a treat when he sniffs it or touches it with his nose. See if he will let you touch him with the clothing.
- You can use the treat to guide/lure him, example: luring his head through a lion main costume-do that a few times and then try to put it on.
- Your big dog probably isn’t as excited about this costume as YOU are.
- NEVER force your dog to put something on he clearly does not want to.
- Practice first, so (hopefully) he’ll become more comfortable.
- Start small – Try a tee-shirt for beginners
- Take frequent breaks
- Getting your dog accustomed to clothing or a costume may take a couple of weeks time or more.
- Keep your attitude light and playful, and be encouraging and rewarding when he cooperates.
- Keep the clothing on for a short time at first, 5-15 minutes, treat him for doing a good job (great time for some photos)
- Put the costume on and off for a few days
- Take your dog for a short walk outside with the costume on (another great time for photos)
- Let your dog get used to how the costume feels and the sounds it makes when he walks.
- Your dog may be distracted by the costume AND other people in costume and sounds
By Halloween, he’ll likely be completely comfortable and able to sport an elaborate costume with ease! And this the best time for your photos!!
However, if after practicing a couple of times a week, your Big Dog still abhors clothing or a costume on him, take heart! Do not punish him, for sure! Accept his temperament with love, he is an individual with his own desires and dislikes. There are still ways you can add a touch of Halloween spirit to his “wardrobe”! There are a plethora of novelty collars and bandanna with Halloween themes that will express your love of the holiday while keeping your Big Dog’sstress level to a minimum!
Super Easy or Last Minute Halloween Costumes For Big Dogs
Ghost Big Dog Halloween Costume
You Will Need:
A Big Dog
Scissors
Sheet
Instructions: Put the sheet on your dog and decide where you’ll cut the eyes and snout. You can use a bowl or can (something round and the right size) to make the circle outline even. With the scissors, cut circles for the eyes and snout. You can cut the bottom of the sheet and so it won’t drag so much. When you cut the bottom, round the corners so the bottom is more round. This way you won’t see the pointed edges of the flat sheet.
Pirate Big Dog Halloween Costume
You Will Need:
A Big Dog
Pirate Headband
Eye patch (optional)
Instructions: Purchase a simple plastic style headband. They’re usually plastic and for children. Make sure you read the DOG HALLOWEEN TIP above. Put the headband on your dog. It will fit better in front of the ears. It slides off if you put it behind the ears.
Other super easy ideas…
Fast & Easy DIY Costumes Ideas for Big Dogs
These are ideas you can use to come up with something that may fit for you. You may have materials, wigs, etc around the house that you can use for ideas.
Devil Big Dog Halloween Costume
You Will Need:
A Big Dog
Costume Devil Horns
Red Bandanna or Felt or Red Material
Red Dress Shirt Collar
Instructions: For the neck garment, you can use a red bandanna tied or clipped to hold in place. You can measure and cut a design from felt and secure with glue or hot glue. Any other red material you have that can fit around his neck. You could even cut out a collar of a red dress shirt.
Dinosaur Big Dog Halloween Costume
You Will Need:
A Big Dog
A dog mask-purchased or made-of any kind
Be sure to read the above on How to Get Your Big Dog Dressed in a Costume. Adjust accordingly to using a mask. Please don’t just try to put a mask on your dog’s face.
Ballerina Big Dog Halloween Costume 1
You Will Need:
A Big Dog
Girls Tutu Dress
Pink Collar (optional)
Instructions: First, please make sure you read above on how to measure your dog for clothing or a costume and how to get your dog accustomed to being in a costume. Put the costume on your dog and have a great time!
Ballerina Big Dog Halloween Costume 2
You Will Need:
A Big Dog
Girls TuTu
Small Leg Warmers or Socks
Instructions: Measure your dog’s area you want to put the tutu. You can get a tutu made for a child’s costume or dog costume. Just be sure it will fit the area. You do not want it too tight. You want it snug enough to stay on, but not tight. For the legs, you can look for children’s leg warmers or use a pair of old socks and cut off the ‘foot’ part. You can tuck the cut part under on the bottom of the sock. Or, if you’re crafty, you can sew a hem in the sock or hot glue it.
Notice this dog has mouth protection. If your dog is prone to snipping or being mouthy, it’s a very wise idea to use caution and take precautions to prevent possible incidents.
Bat Big Dog Halloween Costume
You Will Need:
A Big Dog
Bat Wings and Bat Ears Headband
Instructions: Purchase a simple bat children’s costume that comes with a plastic style headband. Make sure you read the DOG HALLOWEEN TIP above. To put on the bat wings: Put your dog’s paw through the elastic loop for the wings. Put the ear headband on your dog. It will fit better in front of the ears. It slides off if you put it behind the ears.
Mummy Big Dog Halloween Costume
You Will Need:
A Big Dog
Scissors
White Bandage Tape
2-3 Rolls of Gauze (or tear a white sheet into narrow strips)
Instructions: Wrap gauze snugly but not tightly around your dog’s legs, torso, head, and tail. Use bandage tape as needed. Make sure to leave openings at his anal area and leave his or her area open to pee. Did you see my most awesome tip for painting your dog? This would work great for wrapping your dog as well!
TIP: Make the costume even more stunning with an Egyptian type necklace of some sort around your dog’s neck.
Flower Big Dog Halloween Costume
You Will Need:
A Big Dog
Yellow and Green Felt
Glue or Hot Glue
Elastic Headband
Instructions: Cut out petal-shaped pieces of felt. You can use a paper plate to make a pattern and outline with a marker for the petal shape. Or just cut the shape out. Glue the felt to the elastic headband and voila! Add a layer of green “leaves” by gluing green felt pieces on the collar to really finish off the look with style!
Pirate Big Dog Halloween Costume
You Will Need:
A Big Dog
An Eye Patch on an Elastic band
A Red Bandana
Black T-Shirt
Instructions: Measure your dogs chest. Put a black tee-shirt on your dog. Fold the bandana diagonally, forming a triangle. Gently apply the eye patch by stretching the band over your dog’s head. Next, place the bandana so that the point of the triangle goes backward between the ears. Tie the other two ends of the triangle under your dog’s chin, making it snug but not tight.
Clown Big Dog Halloween Costumes
You Will Need:
A Big Dog
Clown Hat
Clown Suit
Clown Wig
Clown Accessories
Instructions: Make sure to follow the above tips to get your dog accustomed to the costume items. Also, make sure the items fit and are not tight or restricting. Make sure the clown hat and wig are secured with thin elastic.
CLOWN COSTUMES FOR BIG DOGS AT AMAZON
Recommended Easy Big Dog Halloween Costumes
Big Dog Costumes – Great For Warmer Weather
3 Easy DIY Costumes for Big Dogs Tutorial
Rainbow Lion – Unicorn – Business Dog
How to Make a Dog Shirt Out of a T-Shirt – 5 Minute Video
Big Dog Painted Halloween Costumes
THE MOST AWESOME TIP IF YOU WANT TO PAINT YOUR BIG DOG!!
You’ll need 2 people for this, a plate and peanut butter. Smear peanut butter all over the plate…the more you spread it the better. Have one person hold the plate with peanut butter on it at a distance and height that allows the dog to stand fully. While your dog is licking and licking the peanut butter, the other person does the painting. The person holding the plate may have to smear more peanut butter on it. Most brilliant idea!
See Other Non-Toxic Pet Dye and Paint From Amazon Here
DOG HALLOWEEN COSTUME TIP: Before the day you try to put a costume/hat/clothing on your dog, prepare ahead of time! Buy your supplies ahead of time and let your dog smell the items, show him and practice with your dog a bit before you actually expect him/her to sit still while you make them up 🙂
Easy DIY Big Dog Halloween Costume Projects
Chippendales Big Dog Costume
You Will Need:
A Big Dog
Black Woman’s Tights
Scissors
Glue or Hot Glue or Hemming Taps
White Medical Tape or White Material
Big Dog Bow Tie
Piece of Money (fake or real)
Instructions: Measure a pair of black women’s tights against your dog and cut out a hole big enough for your dog’s tail. You can use whatever color you prefer. White tights on a black dog would look good. Be sure to adjust the color of the ‘shirt cuff’ on the dog’s paws is changed too if desired.
Then, cut the crotch area of the tights big enough so your dog’s privates can go through the hole. Fold the edges in so the hole is a bit bigger and the material doesn’t get wet when your dog has to pee.
Cut the feet off of each leg of the tights. Seal the cut edge with glue, hot glue or hemming tape. When you put the ‘pants’ on your dog, roll up the end of each leg so it’s wrinkled looking.
Wrap the white medical tape around the bottom of your dog’s front paws at the joint area. If using white material…Cut a strip that will fit around the front paw joint area and glue with regular glue or hot glue.
Wrap the bow tie around your dog’s neck, making sure it’s not too tight and you can fit a finger under the strap comfortably.
Lastly, glue a piece of money to the back of the ‘pants’.
Spaghetti & Meatballs Big Dog Halloween Costume
You Will Need:
A Big Dog
Glue or Hot Glue
Off-White Yarn (or string)
6-10 Plastic Balls
Brown, Non-Toxic Paint (for the “meatballs”)
A Red Tee Shirt (as a base)
Instructions: Measure your dog’s chest to get a t-shirt size. Paint the “meatballs” with the brown paint and allow them to fully dry. Cut the sleeves off the tee-shirt, and lay it on a flat surface so the front side is down. Glue the balls to the fabric. Glue varying lengths of yarn (or string) to create a spaghetti platter design. Allow the glue to dry completely.
Beanie Baby Big Dog Halloween Costume
What you will need:
A Big Dog
TY Logo Print Out- click for template
White and Red Felt
Ribbon or String
Glue or Hot Glue
Scissors
Instructions: Print out the TY logo on computer paper, or draw your own TY letters. Fasten the paper heart onto a piece of the red felt with tape or safety/straight pins and cut out the heart shape. Fasten the paper TY log on the piece of white felt and cut out the letters. Center the letters onto the heart. Glue the letter onto to the heart, making sure they are centered.
For the hole to put the ribbon or string through…you can poke a small hole with scissors or a hole punch and put the ribbon or string through. Or, you can glue the ribbon onto the back of the heart, Carefully put around your dog’s neck hanging on one side.
If you’re not very crafty or don’t have time to make this for your dog you can get it here at Amazon…
DOG HALLOWEEN COSTUME TIP: Want a better dog Halloween Costume Photo? Before Halloween and costume time, practice with your dog taking photos and different poses. Make sure you have treats plenty of praise. Some dogs don’t like costumes. My Maximus doesn’t like having his picture taken 🙂
Mutant Ninja Turtle Big Dog Halloween Costume
HOW TO MAKE this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Dog Halloween Costume
DIY INSTRUCTIONS FOR TURTLE SHELL
Boxer Big Dog Halloween Costume
What you will need:
A Big Dog
Satin Pajamas
Glitter/Glue
Hot Glue Supplies
Felt Letters
Boxing Gloves
Rope
Instructions: Coat: Measure your dog for a coat. See the photo below for an example. This will help you find close to the right size of shirt for your dog. Purchase the correct size satin pajamas. The better the PJ’s fit, the less altering you’ll have to do.
Pants: Try to look for satin pajama shorts. If you can’t find them, get long satin pajama pants to make into shorts. Cut the legs off into shorts (not too long) and glue or hot glue the hem.
Coat Lettering: Purchase felt letters and put glitter glue on the letters. You can use plain glue and put glitter on it as well. Lay the coat out flat and lay the letters on the back where you want to glue them on. Hot glue each felt letter onto the back of the jacket. Let the glue dry for a while.
Put the shorts and coat on your dog. Cut a piece of rope that’s long enough for the gloves to hang on your dog’s neck. Tie a knot at each end of the rope. Use the Velcro on the gloves to hold them on the rope. The knot at the end will keep the rope from slipping. The costume photos and instructions are from Make & Build Dog Stuff.
Halloween Safety Precautions for You and Your Dog
- Trick or treat candy isn’t for your dog. Chocolate (especially dark chocolate) can be dangerous, even lethal if your dog eats too much.
- Don’t leave your pet out in the yard on Halloween…avoid pranksters and stress for your dog
- Do not let your dog bit on glow sticks.
- Make sure a candlelit pumpkin is nowhere near your big dog.
- Make sure your dog has his identification on.
- Keep decorations out of reach of your dog.
- Be mindful of choking hazards when preparing a Halloween costume for your dog
- Keep your dog away from the door (and possibly running out) during trick or treat time.
- Consider the weather when choosing a costume-your big dog can easily overheat in a restricting costume.
- Don’t get a costume with small pieces that can fall off or that are sharp.
- Don’t allow your dog’s costume to drag too much
- If your dog has on a costume with a cape, make sure the cape is secure and he can’t get tangled by it hanging.
- If your dog is prone to snipping, being mouthy or the possibility of aggression exists at all…please consider some type of mouth protection for your dog and others around you and your dog. It’s much better to be safe than sorry.
Big Dog & Owner Halloween Contest Winning Costumes
Halloween Time Dog Stress and Anxiety
The Holiday season begins with Halloween and this holiday can be stressful and scary for some dogs. As in humans, some like the Holiday, some tolerate it and some just don’t like it. Halloween time brings strange costumes, loud and/or unusual noises, strange smells, strangers coming to his home and a whole lot of activity. This scenario can cause anxiety, stress or even aggression in some dogs.
What should you do? Here are some ideas to help him (and you) feel more comfortable.
But, first and foremost, if your dog has a habit of snipping, or the possibility of aggression exists at all you must consider some type of mouth protection. This is for the safety of your dog, other humans, and dog around you. If your big dog feels confused, anxious and stressed in a situation he doesn’t like, he may lash out. Just be cautious.
Tips for Helping Halloween Dog Stress and Anxiety
- Let him stay in his crate (give him a Kong to keep him occupied)
- Make him a little area as his place to feel safe. You can also give him a Kong to help keep him busy
- Take him to a trusted dog sitter
- Consider homeopathic anxiety tool
- Consider other anti-anxiety tools (CBD)
- If you are out with your dog, watch for signals that he may be stressed
- Talk to your veterinarian if his stress and anxiety are severe.
Homemade Halloween Dog Treats
Banana Coconut Bat Dog Treats
When everyone else is enjoying treats, your big buddy can too! No tricks! Try making your dog some Banana Coconut Bats.
Check out this video on how to make Pumpkin Spice Jack O’ Lantern dog cookies. You can give your dog some special Halloween treats for being such a good dog and amusing you by wearing these strange clothes 🙂
Pumpkin Spice Dog Cookies
More Halloween Costumes For Big Dogs
For those that just aren’t crafty or don’t have the time to make a costume for your dog, here are some ideas from Amazon. Please follow the above on getting your dog accustomed to clothes or a costume. I researched some best selling costumes for big dogs. This will give you some ideas for your dog(s).
Halloween Collars and Bandannas
So, your big boy just doesn’t want to wear clothing or a costume or anything on his head, Do not punish him! Some dogs are just that way. You can still add a touch of Halloween spirit! Here are some Halloween themed collars and bandannas that your dog can wear.
3 Ways to Tie a Bandanna on Your Dog
I sure hope this Big Dog DIY Halloween Costume Guide has helped you make or find a great Halloween costume for your furry friend. And that it gave you some good information about this holiday and your big dog that you may not have been aware of.
I wish you many years of Happy Halloweens for you and your big dog.
*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.
