CANINE CAHOOTS - 5 favorite Halloween costumes for dogs

 

Halloween has gone to the dogs! Gotta love all those clever costumes for canines.

 Arf! Arf! Check out our five favorite trick-or-treat outfits for our four-legged doggy pals. (To save you a trip to the local pet supply shop, you can simply click each title link to find that costume on Amazon.) Prices vary.

 Maybe you CAN teach an old dog new tricks … at least, for Halloween treats!

 (Many of these pet Halloween costumes are also available in sizes to fit cats.)

 

Action Hero

 This dog is armed and dangerous, but only in make-believe for Halloween. Look out, neighborhood. Here he comes! Available in sizes from XS to L.

Crowned Canine

 Any dog is Alpha Dog in this kingly getup. Constructed in velvety fabric, it includes a royal chemise, robe, and crown. The royal majesty pup will reign on Halloween, rain or shine, in this ensemble.

 

Rock-and-Roll Rover

 Strike up the band with this cool dog costume. He’ll be tuning up for treats on Halloween! Available in M to XL sizes.

 

Rodeo Rider

 Saddle up your pup with this Wild West Halloween costume. The saddle (with attached cowboy) fastens around the pet’s mid-section with Velcro. Comes in sizes from XS to L. Get along, little doggy!

 

Tuxedo Dog

 Black tie’s in vogue with this uber-formal Halloween dog costume. Maybe we’ll call him James Bone.

This bandanna-style outfit comes in all sizes, from S to XXL, to fit various dog breeds. There’s also a coordinating bride costume, in case Mr. Dog is hitched to Mrs. Dog.

 And for honorable mention, here’s a festive pet costume for Thanksgiving:

 

Gobble-Gobble

 We’d call this Turkey Dog, but that wouldn’t be right. Hit the streets for a Thanksgiving-themed race or festival, or just go over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house with the pup dressed up like a Thanksgiving turkey. (No, not THAT kind of dressing!)

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FELINE FRIGHTFUL - 5 favorite Halloween costumes for cats

 Feline frightful for Halloween this year?

 Here are some of our favorite trick-or-treat get-ups for our furry feline friends. (To save you a trip to the local pet supply shop, you can simply click each  title link to find that costume on Amazon.) Prices vary.

Aren't these Halloween pet costumes just the cat's meow?

 Most of these costumes are available in sizes to fit various dog breeds as well.

 

Cat Gone Batty

Black bat wings (constructed in felt) attach to cat with Velcro (making them adjustable).This costume seems particularly well suited for black kitties. (Just be sure your cat is current on rabies shots. Sorry, had to!)

 

Cowboy Cat

Round up the fun with this Wild West costume for kitty. It even comes with a jaunty cowboy hat. Yee-haw! Let the fur fly!

 

Lion Kitty

This fuzzy-maned masquerade outfit, made of soft plush comes in small and medium for cats. Choose from traditional lion, spotty leopard, or black panther. It’s roaringly fun.

 

Pirate Cat

Bring in the bounty for Halloween with this pirate costume. This is more high-seas fun than Captain Hook could imagine.

 

Vet Cat

Available in a full range of size (XS to L), this cotton costume fits the bill. (A pink nurse version offers another option, and this one comes with a nurse cap.)

 

Why shouldn’t kitty play along for Halloween, even if he or she will cower under the couch anyway?

 

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Active dogs make super fitness trainers

Motivation is magical, when it comes to exercise. Maybe it also makes us miserable at times, but those are usually the moments when we need the extra nudge.

Let me back up and explain that. I’ve never been much of an athlete, but I just ran a full marathon. And I credit my two high-energy dogs with a lot of the training oomph I received. There were many days when I didn’t feel like stepping outside to rack up mile after mile, but my Border Collie and my Lab mix didn’t let me get away with blowing off training.

These are my fitness trainers. Just try telling them we're not running today.

Having a dog means finding time for outdoor exercise, even when we don’t really want to.

Owning a running dog (or two) makes that all the more true.

I’m the stubbornly determined runner lady, who trots all over the county with two excited dogs leashed to my belt. They jog along together, matching each other step for step and urging me onwards. These two are good for anywhere from three to eight miles (depending on the weather and how far we went yesterday).

I leash the dogs and tell them, “Team up.” And they take their places.

My dogs know their positions. We run against traffic, if we’re on roadway shoulders. The Border Collie is always next to me (on the inside), so she can herd the Lab mix off the pavement when vehicles approach. (Yes, she is that smart.)

They also pick up my “I’m-going-running” cues. I can’t even slip into sneakers without them bouncing and panting all around me. It nearly breaks my heart to dash off to the gym and leave them behind on those non-outdoor training days. That’s how much they love to run.

Maybe some of that ready-to-roll enthusiasm will rub off on me. In the meantime, I’ll be wearing this performance wicking headband from Bondi Band. That’s our story.

Love this headband? Get 10% off at BondiBand with my RUNDERDOG code.

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Fitness training dogs – personal copyrighted photo.

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Gearing up for cani-cross

Cani-cross, or cani cross, is gaining traction as a fun and competitive fitness event for humans and dogs to share. Currently, I am training my young Lab mix for this pursuit, and we are having a blast together. In fact, each time I take her along for a jaunt, we trim at least a minute and a half per mile off my regular training pace. This high-energy pup makes a super fitness trainer!

We’re aiming for a cani-cross trail race in early December. Our training needs to include both fitness conditioning and dog-to-dog socialization, because we are sure to encounter plenty of peppy pooches on the trail!

What is cani-cross?

Cani-cross (also called dog joring) is cross-country running with a canine. Essentially, the runner completes the trail course with a harnessed dog (or multiple dogs) attached to his or her waist belt (usually with a bungee leash). This sport is growing rapidly in popularity, with pet owners training dogs of countless breeds to participate.

The sport of cani-cross is similar to bike joring, dog sledding, and ski joring (which may be led by either a dog or a mounted horse). 

 

Find this cani-cross design on tons of gift and apparel items at CafePress.

What gear is needed for cani-cross?

The beginning gear requirements are pretty simple. Cani-cross is a hands-free sport, so an appropriate trekking belt is a must. Mine has handy pockets to hold my smart phone, a water bottle, and some treats for me and my dog. (Watch for a product review to come.)

Most cani-cross participants choose to put pulling harnesses on their dogs, rather than traditional dog collars, as this helps to prevent tugging or choking dangers, especially when dogs feel like running faster. A cani-cross harness may feature chest-plate padding and multiple adjustable straps, perhaps criss-crossed over the dog’s back. Sturdy snap buckles are a plus.

A bungee leash offers extra flexibility and safety, especially if it comes with quick-release snap clips at both ends. If the stretchy leash comes with a loop handle at one end, rather than a second snap, a standard carabiner clip can be added.

A double-dog lead is handy, if one is running with a pair of canines.

Cani-cross equipment may be purchased separately or in multi-product sets.

In addition to the dog-related equipment, cani-cross runners will also need suitable athletic footwear (such as trail sneakers) and appropriate reflective gear.

Cross-country running is extra fun with a canine companion!

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Cani-cross artwork adapted by this user

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