Since Halloween is coming up this weekend I decided to post some cute pics of dressed up Dogsters. We’re going to have a little fun with the photos, we need some funny captions  so it’s time to put paw to paper and get creative. For each caption chosen the Dogster who submitted it will win 25 zealies!

Submit a caption for one or more of the photos and on Friday, October 30th I will pick the winners.

Beth Boo

Buster

Derringer McQuade

Lady

Bailey

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Halloween can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very scary for dogs. According to Liam Crowe, the CEO and master dog behavioral therapist of Bark Busters USA, Halloween is when they hear about more dogs dying or straying than any other holiday.

I would never have guessed that, but it makes sense when you think about it. There’s usually a lot more accessible chocolate candy in the house for dogs to get into, the result of which can be deadly. Plus, the overabundance of loud noises and door bell ringing can set off a dogs flight instinct.

As pet owners we can keep a few simple things in mind to make Halloween a fun and safe holiday for all our four legged friends.

1. Don’t leave your dog outside. Even if you have a fenced yard, bring your dog inside where it is safe. If your dog is usually kept outside, bring him in a few times before the big night to get him used to being indoors. Your dog may be used to strangers, but so many little ghouls and goblins running about may be too much. Remember also that it is a natural instinct for dogs to protect the family from strangers, and on Halloween there will be no shortage of strangers.

2. Keep your dog restrained. If your dog is timid or scared, or if he tends to love people a little too much, it is best to put him in a separate room away from the front door to limit his excitability, aggression, and chance of running outside and becoming lost.

3. Reassure your dog. The best thing you can do for your dog when he is feeling unsettled by Halloween activities is to act as you normally would. By over-reassuring your dog or giving him an unusual amount of attention, you inadvertently can communicate to him that because you are acting differently, there must be something to worry about. Read the rest of this entry »

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I posted this on October 2d but wanted to do a special re-post for any Dogsters who may have missed it.  The article has some great tips for a safe and fun holiday. Happy Halloween Dogsters!

Halloween can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very scary for dogs. According to Liam Crowe, the CEO and master dog behavioral therapist of Bark Busters USA, Halloween is when they hear about more dogs dying or straying than any other holiday.

I would never have guessed that, but it makes sense when you think about it.  There’s usually a lot more accessible chocolate candy in the house for dogs to get into, the result of which can be deadly. Plus, the overabundance of loud noises and door bell ringing can set off a dogs flight instinct.

As pet owners we can keep a few simple things in mind to make Halloween a fun and safe holiday for all our four legged friends.

* Don’t leave your dog outside. Even if you have a fenced yard, bring your dog inside where it is safe. If your dog is usually kept outside, bring him in a few times before the big night to get him used to being indoors. Your dog may be used to strangers, but so many little ghouls and goblins running about may be too much. Remember also that it is a natural instinct for dogs to protect the family from strangers, and on Halloween there will be no shortage of strangers.

* Keep your dog restrained. If your dog is timid or scared, or if he tends to love people a little too much, it is best to put him in a separate room away from the front door to limit his excitability, aggression, and chance of running outside and becoming lost.

* Reassure your dog. The best thing you can do for your dog when he is feeling unsettled by Halloween activities is to act as you normally would. By over-reassuring your dog or giving him an unusual amount of attention, you inadvertently can communicate to him that because you are acting differently, there must be something to worry about.

* Have your dog get used to costumes. Your dog may see his family members as strangers once they don their Halloween costumes. Before the kids put them on, allow your dog to scent the costumes. If your costume has a mask, keep the mask off when you are with your dog because dogs can become confused when they can’t see our faces.

* Check your dog’s ID tag. Be sure identification tags are secure on your dog’s collar-just in case.

* Keep candy away from your dog. Many candies-especially chocolate-are toxic to dogs. The severity of the toxicity depends greatly on factors such as breed, age, size, and how much candy was ingested. Problems may range from a mild upset tummy to vomiting and diarrhea, or even death. If you have any concerns at all, consult with a veterinarian immediately. If you want to keep your dog safe, make certain that sweets, including their wrappers, are kept well away from your dog.

* Protect dogs from candles and pumpkins. Excited or agitated dogs can easily knock over a lit candle or pumpkin. Be sure those items are away from your dog’s reach, or consider a battery-powered candle that does not burn

* Think twice about dressing your dog in a costume. While some dogs might enjoy being dressed up, many don’t. Experiment first to see if your dog likes being in a costume. If so, fine-he’ll most likely enjoy himself and the extra attention it brings. However, if he shows any resistance, don’t do it. Dogs feel enough stress around Halloween without also having to endure the discomfort and peculiarity of wearing a strange costume.

* Be prepared. If you take your dog with you while trick-or-treating, be prepared at all times. Do not let your dog approach the door of a house, and stay clear of possible gags or gangs of goblins who will gather at the door. Dogs do not understand that the person jumping out at you will not hurt you; they often think they can only help you by acting aggressively. Neither children nor adults in costumes should approach a dog without the owner’s consent.

* Have fun but think of your dog’s safety. Finally, if you want your dog to be included in Halloween festivities, think about his safety much as you would the safety of a small child. Your dog does not understand Halloween, so he needs you to provide the guidance and safety that you always do.

Thanks to Bark Buster’s for sharing those great tips.

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Halloween is a week away,  busy doggy parents everywhere are scrambling to get ready.

According to a survey done by Dogster, 65% of dog owners will be including their pooches in Halloween festivities this year.

Fun doesn’t just mean staying home to answer the door and pawing out candy. Local pet supermarkets and boutiques host activities ranging from costume competitions to parades.  For a small fee, donated to charity, many of the sites offer a souvenir picture to take home.

This Sun., Oct. 26 the world’s largest Halloween pet event will once again be hosted by the Haute Dog. The Howl’oween Parade, as seen on TV, had more than 600 costumed dogs in the 2007 parade and expects an even bigger turnout this year.

You still have time to join in all the Haute Dog events so be sure to stop by and visit their site for all the fun filled details.

So..will these pups be showing up dressed to the nines or au natural?  Dogster’s survey showed 40% of dog owners have definite plans to dress up their pets, and 72% of those plan to buy their costumes rather than make them at home.

For dogs entering contests, Haute Dog founder Justin Rudd suggests tried-and-true ways to beat the competition. “You’ve got to do something to stand out. It could be a motorized float or a grouping of dogs. In last year’s parade, we had five pugs in jail suits, riding in a wagon called the Pugitentiary.” Other winners included a choo-choo train, gnome, grim reaper, aviator, geisha and lobster.

Casey Whitcher, owner of the high-volume web retailer GlamourDog, says newly available costumes are always the most popular, and October brings in huge sales-second only to the December holiday rush.  They have great costumes, new styles for 2008 as well as the perennial favorites.  Check it out soon, there’s not much time left to order for  arrival before Halloween.

While dressing your dog up may be fun for you, it isn’t always fun for your furry pal. According to Dogster’s survey 43% of the respondents admitted their costumed pooches resent having to wear holiday garb, though many end up in it nonetheless. The majority of dogs, though, can’t wait to embrace the eerie events-according to their human companions anyway.

Survey Highlights

* 65% of dog owners will be including their pooches in Halloween festivities this year.

* 40% have definite plans to dress up their dogs.

* 72% of those dressing up their dogs will be buying their outfits rather than making them at home.

* 46% percent think the coolest costume last year was Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean.

* 43% say their pets resent wearing costumes.

* 19% of dog owners say their pets love getting gussied up for Halloween-the more outrageous the outfit, the better.

Remember,  Halloween night is often accompanied by noises your dog isn’t used to, which can be scary.  There are some safety tips to keep in mind to make this a fun and safe day for all.

Boo!

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I came across this article and I thought it would be fun to see what Dogsters thought on the subject.

In Dallas, TX it seems that dog owners love to dress up their dogs.  I’m talking  everyday apparel, not just Halloween.

Parent: Denise Devora, Dallas

Pup: Chiquitita the Chihuahua

Ms. Devora, 32, an administrator at Mountain View College, got Chiquitita last April in San Antonio. Doggy couture wasn’t a natural fit for Ms. Devora, although she’s become a convert. “I never thought I would dress up a dog. I never saw that coming. We always had outside dogs; she’s only the second inside dog I’ve ever had.

“But you see these cute little outfits, you think how cute she’d look in that, and one thing leads to another …
“She just eats up the attention she gets when she’s got them on,” Ms. Devora says. “I take her to the mall sometimes in a carrier, and she’ll be really good till someone notices her. Then she’s sticking her head out, and then it starts. Then there’s no stopping her.”

The movie  Beverly Hills Chihuahua was number one at the box office last weekend. In the movie dog star Chloe has her own wardrobe. The producers obviously realized that dressing your dog isn’t just a trend, it’s here to stay.

Go into any doggy boutique or national chain, like PetSmart, and you’ll see sections devoted to dog clothes.  I admit Lisa and I dress the pups up for Halloween, but the neighborhood kids look forward to seeing them every year.  Okay, we do it for ourselves too.  Other than that they go au naturel for the rest of the year.

Last year Bo even wrote a blog entry letting us know his feelings about being dressed up.  You can read Halloween Humiliation and find out what he thought.  I know Bo’s feelings about the subject but I wonder if other dogs like to be dressed up?

The other day I was in the store picking up dog food  when a lady with a small dog started trying to put a Halloween hat on him.  He was squirming around looking like he was about to jump out of the cart when the woman turns to me and says, “He doesn’t like be fully dressed, but he enjoys this.”

That wouldn’t have been my assessment, but what do I know.  So….who out there likes to dress their dog year round?  Who thinks you shouldn’t dress your dog?  Fess up, give me a bark.

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Looking for some early Halloween fun?  Disney is on a quest to find the best dog costume photos.

Trick out your dog and win a sweet treat! Submit a photo of your best friend in costume for your chance to win a year’s worth of dog food, training, pet insurance, and $2,000.

Go over to Disney to find out contest rules and prize information.

I asked Bo what he would do if he won, his response “I’m going to Disneyland”, of course.

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