Halloween has gone to the dogs: How to prep your pup for a spooky holiday

It’s time for kids and adults to put together Halloween costumes, buy trick-or-treat candy and plan parties. But what about the dogs? This season, with new dog Halloween costumes galore, store-made Halloween dog treats and pet parades, it’s possible for every dog to have the best Halloween ever. Just follow these steps:

CHOOSE THE COSTUME

Halloween costume shopping for dogs can be like shopping for humans. There are different ways to approach it. If you prefer the “grab and go” method, pick up costumes off the rack in national stores with local locations, such as Halloween City, Spirit Halloween and Target. Dog costumes range from witches to sushi to tarantulas. 

Dog boutique owners in both Fetch in Huntington and Dog & Co. in Bridgehampton suggest a different approach.

“We encourage dogs to try on costumes right in the shop because it’s the best way to be sure they’ll be comfortable and safe,” says Mindy Montney, CEO of Dog & Co. “Our take on Halloween dog costumes is they should be things dogs can continue to wear throughout the fall.”

As examples, this year’s three newest costumes are hand-knit sweaters: a lion with a fringe hood, a rabbit with a rabbit ear hood and a cow-dog. Montney mentioned customers mix and match accessories in the shop and come up with incredibly creative costumes. Last year, a customer bought a hand-knit sweater that said “taxi,” a dog toy camera and sunglasses. Combining the three, the dog was a New York City tourist.

At Fetch, for a more casual look, dogs can try on Halloween tank tops, bow ties and bandannas. Exotic choices include Hawaiian shirts and sundresses, jumpers with feather accents, a rock star sequin sweater and doughnut pajamas.

As a finishing touch, design, customize and sew your dog a reversible Halloween bandanna at My Style Camp, a family friendly fashion design studio in Port Washington. Sign up online for a Halloween workshop and you’ll be asked your dog’s name and neck measurement. When you arrive at the workshop, you’ll be ready to choose two trendy Halloween fabrics in your dog’s size and sew a reversible bandanna that will include your dog’s initials. You can also make a Halloween scrunchie for yourself that matches your dog’s bandanna.

DOG COSTUME DETAILS: Dog & Co.: 2491 Main St., Bridgehampton; 646-450-8518; shopdogandco.com. Fetch: 310 New York Ave., Huntington; 631-824-6636; fetchshops.com. My Style Camp: 2-8 Haven Ave., Port Washington; 209-782-7895; mystlecamp.com; Dog Halloween Bandana Workshop: Oct. 24 1 to 3 p.m. 

HALLOWEEN DOG TREATS: DESIGN AND DEVOUR

At Barkfield Road, a bakery and supply shop for dogs, owners Kevin and Gabriella Neglia say with a smile, “When dogs enter our store, we say 'hi' to them first, before their owners.” At the bakery counter, you’ll find store-made dog treats shaped like ghosts, pumpkins, skele-dogs, mummy dogs and bats. Buy each treat a la carte or pick up a “Mystery Box” filled with a surprise mixture of Halloween snacks.

The owners are also offering new design-your-own dog Halloween treat goodie bags. The bags come with instructions and all the ingredients you’ll need to decorate your own spooky dog treats at home. If you’re having a party, the owners will bake your dog a Halloween cake. On Halloween, you can go trick-or-treating at the shop. Every dog will get a Halloween goodie.

DOG TREAT DETAILS: Barkfield Road: 3 Hewitt Square, East Northport; 631-651-9292, barkfieldroad.com

DOG PARADES

In Old Westbury Gardens on Oct. 30, wrap up your dog’s Halloween celebration at a parade for pooches. Paul Hunchak, director of public programs, describes the scene: “Some owners dress their dogs in store-bought costumes, others sew their own costumes. The creativity is amazing.”

Last year, there was a dog dressed as a fortuneteller, while another dressed as Seymour from “The Little Shop of Horrors.” Hunchak fondly recalls a time when a person was dressed as Dorothy and the dog was Toto. Another time, a person was Toto and the dog was Dorothy.

There are often 70 to 90 canine and owner parade participants. Individuals and entire families can march along with their leashed dogs. Other dogs and owners are equally welcome to watch the parade on the sidelines. As the parade progresses, everyone walks past a group of judges and there’s a costume contest at the end. 

If you and your dog haven’t had your fill of parades, join The Downtown Hauntington Children’s Costume Parade in Huntington, where dogs and owners can march down the town’s main streets. Though it’s not a “dog parade” by design, on-leash dogs are encouraged to come in costume. Happy Hound-a-ween.

DOG PARADE DETAILS:

Fall Dog Parade & Costume Contest at Old Westbury Gardens: 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury; 516-333-0048; oldwestburygardens.org; General admission $14, seniors & full-time, full time students $12, children 7-17 $12, children under 6 free. Dog parade and costume contest: Oct. 30, 3 — 5 p.m., Register online in advance. Parade begins at 3 p.m. Dogs must be leashed.

Downtown Hauntington Children’s Costume Parade; Oct. 31. Participants are asked to line up by 4 p.m. at the Gerard Street Post Office in Huntington Village, 55 Gerard St., Huntington; Parade begins at 4:15 p.m. Dogs must be leashed.