A costume can be a color scheme rather than a complete outfit. Choose only something your dog is comfortable wearing, keep movement, breathing, vision and hearing unrestricted, avoid loose pieces, and supervise. Joining the photograph without a costume is always an option.
These ideas revisit AP’s original collection as a written planning list. The original inspiration credits are retained below.
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Thing One and Thing Two
Matching red outfits can make a coordinated pair; the person can handle the elaborate hair.
Original inspiration: Farmhouse 38
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Beanie Baby
Use a heart-shaped label in the photograph’s background rather than dangling it from the dog.
Original inspiration: Pugdemonium
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Fairy dog
A pastel color theme can suggest a fairy without attaching wings.
Original inspiration: Popsugar
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Allbark Einstein
Let the person supply the wig and laboratory props, with a matching white accessory for the dog.
Original inspiration: Pinterest
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Robin Hound
Green fabric and a woodland setting can suggest Robin Hood without a bow or arrows.
Original inspiration: natannepiccolo via BuzzFeed
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Lawn gnome
Let the person wear the pointed hat and beard; the dog can join in coordinating colors.
Original inspiration: katieo4dd60f5f9 via BuzzFeed
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Ladybug
Red fabric with black spots gives a recognizable ladybug look.
Original inspiration: LoveToKnowDogs
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Horse and jockey
The person can dress as the jockey while the dog participates without a rider or weight on its back.
Original inspiration: Stephanie Lynn
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The 2016 election pair
This was a topical idea in AP’s original collection: a person and dog in coordinated campaign colors.
Original inspiration: Hilary Gilcris via Apartment Therapy
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Evel Knievel
Red, white and blue can suggest the stunt performer without any actual stunts.
Original inspiration: Ammo the Dachshund
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Chia Pet
Use a printed plant pattern rather than attaching plants or loose material to the dog.
Original inspiration: I Found the Place via Country Living
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Christmas caroler
The person can carry a songbook while the dog wears a familiar seasonal accessory.
Original inspiration: MattiOnline via Etsy
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Pikachu and Ash
Let the person play Ash and use a yellow color theme for the dog.
Original inspiration: Kurt Andre via Brit & Co
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Squirrel
A brown accessory can suggest the character without adding a large tail.
Original inspiration: High Society Canine
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Knight and horses
Let the people wear armor-inspired outfits while the dogs remain in comfortable coordinating gear.
Original inspiration: Karen Miller via Huffington Post
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Monkey and banana
Use brown and yellow as a paired theme; a person can hold the banana prop.
Original inspiration: Karen Miller via Huffington Post
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Football players and referee
A striped shirt for the person and team colors for the dog make the roles clear.
Original inspiration: Katie Klein Gara via Huffington Post
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Lion and tamer
Use gold tones for the dog and a ringmaster outfit for the person, without a mane around the dog’s face.
Original inspiration: Casey Hildreth via Huffington Post
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Rosie the Riveter
A denim-and-red color theme can echo Rosie’s outfit.
Original inspiration: Underbite Textiles via Brit & Co
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Ghostbuster
Let the person carry the equipment props while the dog joins in tan or green.
Original inspiration: Halloweencostumes.com
From the original collection
Photo Credit: LoveToKnowDogs
P.S. The feature image was taken by Found Animals Foundation. They have some great pictures, check them out here!
For a practical plan around doorbells, visitors and costumes, read How to Halloween with a service dog or your pet.