How to Create a Puppy Costume

Cute dog, funny dog, scary dog - a Halloween costume honoring your favorite pooch is safe, comfortable and great-looking.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Halloween Makeup Kits
• Fur Coats
• Dog Collars
• Fabric Glue
• Fabric Paints
• Fun Fur Fabrics
• Scrap Fabrics
• Training Collar And Leash
• Identification Tags
• Craft Wire

1. Attach ears to a ready-made hairband. Cardboard is good for perky Airedale ears. Fun fur is best for long, floppy bloodhound ears.

2. Blacken the bottom of your nose with face makeup; extend the black line from midnose to upper lip, with dots on both sides for snappy whiskers.

3. Draw simple, black eye outlines looping up or down for a friendly, worried or goofy look.

4. Put on a store-bought or construction-paper collar and oversize license with your new name written on it - Fido, Spot, Daisy and Dumas are good doggy names.

5. Make the costume body with a leotard or white shirt and gym shorts over tights, sweatpants or leggings.

6. Glue fun fur, swab paint, or baste paper beagle patches, dalmatian spots or poodle poufs.

7. Give the tail extra attention, since it's crucial to a pup's personality. Flannel-covered wire tails twist and stand up; faux fur, leather strips or cardboard tails droop and swing, making you look good from the back.

8. Go crazy with the footgear - anything can add to the look. If accuracy is important, make paper spats to cover, or slip big socks over little paws.

9. Bark, howl and say "Trick or treat" like Scooby Doo (every word starts with an R).

Tips & Warnings

• Shop thrift stores and rummage and garage sales for leotards, sweatpants or even old pillowcases. Collars, leashes and pet toys make excellent props.

• A black handball, pink rubber ball or Nerf ball can be slit open for a big, funny nose.

• Fabric stores sell fun fur remnants and scraps for less. Flannel squares are good bargains.

• Start a Halloween scrapbook.

• If the costumes are for little ones, make sure the tails aren't too long.

• Teaching kids to bark or talk in funny ways may last longer than Halloween.