Prep your pet to dress in his Halloween best

Top Paw® Angel Halloween Costume for Dogs

PetSmart - Debbie McKnight, Accredited PetSmart Trainer
June 2, 2009

• Start small. If your dog has never even worn a bandana, expecting him to be enthused about wearing the full pirate outfit, complete with eye patch, might be going a bit overboard. Try a bandana and see how he does. If wearing the bandana goes well, try a t-shirt or a cape. Remember to reward him when he’s calm and doesn’t try to remove the costume.
• Once he’s doing well with the t-shirt (you’re still rewarding him for being good right?), you can try the costume you really want him wear. Leave off the accessories (shoes, hat, etc.) for now.
• If the costume has shoes, put all the shoes on (so he can’t stand on two or three legs to shake them off) and let him walk around the house in them. You could try this with or without the costume at this point. Don’t forget the treats and make sure you reward for the good behavior.
• If the costume has a hat, put it on your dog and make sure it’s a good, comfortable fit and isn't too tight around the head or under the chin. Once it’s on, make sure you reward him like crazy for not shaking or pawing it off. Let him practice walking around the house in it and continue to reward for good behavior.
• If everything has gone well up to this point, try dresing him in the entire costume. Put it on, reward him for being good, and then take a picture! You’d hate to miss him looking adorable. 

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