Our 15 Best Ideas for Your Pup’s Howl-O-Ween Costume

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Things are getting serious, Hounds! There are only 4 1/2 days left for clients to enter our First Annual Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest by email us their best photos of their dog in costume. If you’re still stumped about what to dress your dog as for the best holiday of the year, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of 15 paw-sitively amazing ideas:

  1. Alexander Hamilton: What could be better than dressing your pooch up as the most popular founding father? With the incredible popularity of the new hit musical, everyone will know exactly which duel-fighting, document-writing historical figure your pup is supposed to be.
  2. A ghost: As anyone who has come to see us this month has likely noticed, our lovely trainer and resident artist, Nicole, has drawn a lovely dog in a ghost costume on our spa door to highlight this month’s Pupgrade. Nicole’s rendering of a ghostly hound has yielded dozens of compliments, so imagine how many your dog would receive as a real live version!
  3. Their dog best friend: You know, you could keep it simple and dress your dog up as, well, a dog. But here’s the twist! You hit the craft store and assemble a costume likeness of your pup’s favorite furry friend, and let them feel what it’s like to walk on his or her paws for the holiday.
  4. Beyonce: There is literally nothing more culturally relevant than Beyonce, and there never will be. Get those fingers snapping and put a ring on your Hound for a truly Queen-like look.
  5. A hipster: Honestly, we love ourselves a good hipster, especially when that hipster walks on paws and has a tail to wag. Fit your dog into a cozy flannel, affix some black-rimmed glasses to their head, and make sure they are carrying around a dog-sized copy of The Catcher in the Rye. 
  6. Tom Brady: This is truly the Year of the G.O.A.T. Brady is back and ready to systematically exact revenge upon the NFL, one team at a time. Show your support by dressing your dog up as Touchdown Tom and know what it feels like to be #1.
  7. Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton (or Gary Johnson or Jill Stein): This election cycle has been nothing if not unpredictable, and each of the candidates offer their own unique quirks and characteristics. No matter who has your vote on November 8th, you’re sure to get a really awesome Howl-O-Ween costume out of this election.
  8. A Pokemon: Few mobile games have set the world on fire the way Pokemon GO did this year. Sure, we had the Angry Birds and the Temple Runs and the Doodle Jumps, but it’s been a while since a new gaming phenomenon has occurred. Well, be careful what you wish for, folks, because now we have Pokemon and people driving their cars into bodies of water because of it. But aren’t the actual Pokemon adorable?! Dress your dog up like one of those guys and you’ll have a cute little cuddly monster on your hands.
  9. An alcoholic beverage: I mean, it could also be a non-alcoholic beverage, but wouldn’t it be more fun to see your dog as a big ole can of PBR? Or as a fancy cocktail like one you’d find up the street at The Gallows? What about using the cone of shame to turn your dog into a martini? Either way, your pooch will be the life of the party!
  10. R2-D2: This one works especially well if you have a dog of the short and stout persuasion. Have a pug? Dress it as everyone’s favorite robot. Other breeds that lend themselves to the R2-D2 likeness could be boxers, english bulldogs, frenchies, and – oh, nevermind! Don’t restrict your dog’s Howl-O-Ween creativity just because they look a certain way! If your greyhound wants to be R2-D2, that is something we at the Urban Hound most definitely encourage.
  11. An emoji: There are endless possibilities in this category! Is your dog feeling sassy and confident? Red salsa dancer! Feeling in love? Heart eyes emoji! Up to no good? Go with the purple devil! And – if your dog has two more furrriends to go with him or her, why not the three monkeys? You can get a lot of mileage out of this one.
  12. An alligator: If your dog has a big old chomper, an alligator is an excellent option. For an enhanced effect, take that alligator costume and add some red food dye to the teeth, then stick something alarming like an arm or leg in there. Fake arms and legs work best, but if you’re in a pinch, everyone will understand.
  13. Teletubbies: Of course, this one works best where there are 4 dogs involved, but it never hurts to fly solo when necessary. Pick the Teletubby that your dog most relates to and use some felt to craft the corresponding costume. Just steer clear of that creepy baby/sun situation…
  14. Lady Gaga: In case you didn’t know, Lady Gaga’s latest album drops tomorrow (Oct. 21) and is sure to be amazing. To celebrate the comeback of this fantastic queen of pop culture, pick one of her most iconic outfits – Bubbles! Birds Nest! Ice Queen! – just, you know, maybe don’t try the Meat Dress unless you want your dog’s costume to be demolished within seconds.
  15. A cat: You know what’s fantastic? You, as a human, have the power to embarrass your dog and not feel too, too bad about it, since you do clothe, feed, water and clean up after them. AND, you pay for their daycare and training. So, use the holiday excuse to dress your dog up as its arch nemesis, the cat. You’ll get some good laughs.