10 Ways To Win a Dog Halloween Costume Contest

It’s not easy to win a dog Halloween costume contest, but it helps to know an insider. My Cocker Spaniels have participated in dozens of in-person and online costume contests over the past 30+ years. I’ve also judged many Halloween contests for dogs and I run a successful Halloween dog photo contest every year.

Pet parents often ask me for tips to get the judges to notice their dogs. Sometimes, it’s just luck, especially when there are thousands of entries. As a judge, I can definitely share some insider tips and things not to do.

Here are the top ten things I’ve learned (as both a judge and contest winner) to help your dog win top dog, best costume, and move to the front of the pack.

Dog Halloween Costume Contest Ideas

The most important tip is to be original and do something to stand out. You never want your dog to be uncomfortable or in harm’s way. Even in pictures, judges are judging and will eliminate your photo immediately. The same holds true for in-person canine Halloween events.

Because we’ve hosted over a dozen online Halloween photo contests for dogs, we know a thing or two about what costumes catch the judges’ eyes.

So that you can refer to the ideas and bookmark them for future use, be sure to save our 90 Best Dog Halloween Costume Ideas and 113 Dog Photo Contest Contests to Win Halloween posts.

10 Ways To Win a Dog Halloween Costume Contest

Here are our best ten tips along with things on to do when entering your dog in a costume contest.

Concept Costumes For Halloween

concept costume is my absolute favorite type for Halloween. It is based on a specific concept, theme, or idea rather than a traditional character or creature.

For example, my Cocker Spaniel, Dexter, won first place dressed in a concept costume at two different Halloween events. In fact, he won contests a few times dressed in different costumes build around a concept.

An example of a concept costume includes dressing your dog as the four seasons of the year. You could incorporate elements like flowers and butterflies for spring, sunshine, and beachwear for summer; fall leaves for autumn, snowflakes, and winter clothing for winter.

Here is a picture of my Dexter participating in Halloween fun. Can you guess what he is? The answer is at the bottom. Try not to peek ahead!

Opposites Are Fun

One of the most memorable costumes and how to make a judge take notice is to do the unexpected. For example, a dog dressed as a squirrel. A pup dressed as a cat.

Make A Pack Statement

If you don’t have multiple dogs, take photos or enter a Halloween contest with your dog’s canine friends. Many online Halloween contests, including ours, have specific categories for multiple dogs.

Some ideas are dogs as the Wizard of Oz, a football team with cheerleaders, and the list goes on.

Ripped From The Headlines

Take something in the headlines or made news that year and turn it into a costume. For example, dog mom Judy Fridono had a clever idea when the swine flu was in the news. She entered our dog Halloween photo contest with her pup dressed as “Swine Floozie.” She crossed swine flu with floozie and won!

Music and Pop Culture

Look at who is hip, trendy, or memorable in music, art, or pop culture. These make for fabulous Halloween costume ideas.

I met this gang at an in-person costume contest for dogs. They dressed their Chihuahuas as members of the Jersey Shore television show (with the owner resembling Mike “The Situation”). They won first place. Or check out Michael “Cocker” Jackson from Patty Troup. Gotta love that glove. He sure gave us a “Thriller.”

Modify a Kids’ Costume for Dogs

My first Cocker Spaniel, Brandy Noel, was a pirate for Halloween.

I cut and modified a child-size pirate costume and added a parrot purchased at a party store for $5.99. I super-glued that on; she was the most unique pirate in the parade. This is my pirate girl Brandy, eternally missed.

Dynamic Duos

Two dogs can dress up together as sooooo many things.

Use props creatively to add that special touch to your photos. Think beyond traditional props like pumpkins and consider using unexpected items that tie into your dog’s costumes or theme.

Instead of just posing your dog, try capturing them in action. Action shots can add excitement and energy to your photo, whether they’re playing, jumping, or running in their costume (as long as it is safe and goes with the theme). Maybe a runaway ghost?

Oh and pay attention to contest rules. If your dog has a caveman costume and you are the cave woman, while that is cute, most Halloween contests don’t want the human to be a part of the things.

Comfort and Enjoyment Are Essential

Your dog needs to enjoy it and not look uncomfortable – the people constantly adjusting something their dog isn’t happy with won’t (and shouldn’t) catch the judge’s eyes or votes. Some dogs look grumpy all the time when they actually are happy, I know.

Doggy Doppelgangers

Create a costume that matches your dog’s breed or personality. For example, if you have a fluffy white dog, you could dress them up as a cotton ball or a cloud. If your dog loves food, you could dress them up as their favorite snack, like a hot dog or a taco.

You can also go the celebrity route. I attended an Oscars look-alike party for dogs. My Cocker Spaniel, Dexter, went as Ryan Gosling. He wore a similar tuxedo Ryan wore to the Oscars that year. We had a blast. Your dog doesn’t even have to look like a celebrity. Be creative and match the celeb in some way.

Use Music To Your Advantage

 If you are partaking at an in-person Halloween contest for dogs, bring music along and use it wisely. When my Brandy was a clown, I added balloons and played the famous song, “It’s a Small World” on a tape recorder I held in my pocket (yes, the tape recorder days). She won first place, and there were several clowns there.

Don’t Do This For Dog Halloween Costume Contests

Don’t overthink things. I used a dog’s polo shirt I found at a pet supply store for 6.99 and used it as a base for several photo contests.

Don’t photoshop. I immediately eliminate photos that are altered, such as putting a dog’s head on a child’s body or placing a dog in a fake scene. It’s not fair to the entrants who didn’t alter their photos. You can lighten or brighten photos, but judges notice altered photos.

Don’t forget to read the rules. I can’t begin to tell you how many people are in the photo entries with their dogs. The rules clearly state no humans, but some folks need to read the rules. Use that to your advantage.

Don’t have to explain it to me. If I cant tell what it is when  I look at your dog (or with a little thought), it isn’t good costume fodder. Don’t tell me “Now this glitter represents the galaxy and my dog is a star in it, etc.” – let the costume speak for itself.

Don’t forget to get your dog used to clothes before going for the full-on Halloween gear. Ever see that dog who is so miserable he sits and looks like someone just took his favorite toy away? Or he tries to roll and scramble to get out of it? Comfort is key.

My dogs are accustomed to clothes (mostly for warmth in the winter), but my pooch wears a bathrobe after his tub time. He knows clothes. Plus, if you start with a piece of clothing made for dogs and modify that, they won’t know the difference.

Answer to Halloween Quiz

Now the answer to what my Dexter is dressed as in the photo at the top. See the bloodied plastic spoons and knives? How about the small boxes of cereal? He was, of course, “a serial killer.” Total cost for this costume, by the way? $14.99