Here are some great ideas for cute dog costumes:

If you’re looking for an easy dog costume think about dressing as Dorothy and taking your terrier along as Toto or, if your dog is large enough, the Cowardly Lion. A large, furry dog may also make a great sidekick if you’re going as Han Solo or Princess Leia.

Up to creating some truly spectacular Halloween dog costumes? Consider how fun it will be when your family parades down the street, you or your son dressed as Spiderman and your dog as “Dog”ter Octopus. This unique dog costume idea can be easily achieved by attaching some water noodles or pipe insulators to your dog’s harness. Or let your pup don a yellow cape and red vest and join Batman as his loyal sidekick Robin. For female pets a tiara and tutu, often available at pet or costume stores this time of year, or child’s sized fairy wings attached to a dog harness can turn the family pet into a princess or fairy that can parade alongside the little ones.

For a little bit of Halloween laughter consider buying, or creating out of thin couch foam (available at your local fabric store), a ‘hot dog’ dog costume and dressing yourselves as the mustard and ketchup. Another great idea for a Halloween laugh is to bundle your small dog up in a bonnet and blanket and take them for a stroll in a stroller as the trick-or-treating “baby” of the family. Or dress your Boxer as a prize fighter by attaching a hand towel and some commemorative miniature boxing gloves to its harness.

If you’re looking for cheep dog costumes this Halloween season take some time to check out your local dollar store, where items are only a dollar. Many of these stores have started carrying small dog costumes, from princess to cowboy. For a large dog costume you can easily use the many children’s costumes they have, from pirates to witches, and modify them to work for your dog by attaching capes to harnesses or adding chinstraps to a Pirate or Witch’s Hat.

For large dog costumes consider dressing your dog as a horse by making a saddle out of some upholstery vinyl (available at your local fabric store) or an infants devil tiara and cape can be easily adjusted to fit a large dog.

Small dog costumes are easy to come by commercially, but what if you want a unique costume? Taking a white dog sweater and creating a red and white striped pattern will turn your lapdog into Waldo of Where’s Waldo? Or a red sweater with a Star Trek Communicator badge attached to the back will make them the dreaded “Red Shirt”, a perfect compliment for your own Captain Kirk outfit.

When thinking about your dogs’ costumes don’t forget about your pet. Don’t pick a costume that will be too cumbersome, or uncomfortable for them. Check pet costumes to make sure they won’t chafe, or obscure your pets’ vision.

The key to a having a hot dog costume this Halloween is creating a costume that either compliments your own or brings out your dog’s unique character. So use your imagination and let your best friend join in the Halloween fun!