I am not only overseeing the beef soup production, but I'm also keeping this chaotic moose calf and his green dragon sidekick from creating total havoc. I can be compensated with beef soup on my dinner. #ComfortFood

Not every dog wants to be a skeleton. Some would rather just be a couch. If your dog actually likes the costume, you can get them used to it with short sessions and treats so it starts feeling like a good thing. But if they're panting, stressed, or giving you that look like they regret every life choice, take it off. A dog that's miserable in an outfit isn't being festive. They're being held hostage in felt and velcro. Taking them out for trick-or-treating sounds cute until you remember the neighborhood turns into pure chaos. Costumes everywhere, decorations that make noise, and those animatronics that jump at the worst possible moment. Your dog's brain is trying to process way more than it signed up for. Make sure they have lots of room and don't have to get too close to the giant animatronics or people in strange outfits. Keep an eye on their body language. Lip licking, wide eyes, tail tucked. If you see it, just head home. A scared dog can panic and make bad choices, and that puts everyone at risk. You're in charge of both ends of that leash. And please, if they look like they're smiling, remember that there is a good chance they're stress panting. Home needs to stay calm. All those strangers in masks ringing the doorbell nonstop is a lot for most dogs. Set them up in a quiet room with some white noise, a stuffed Kong, and zero access to the door. They didn't sign up to greet the world's creepiest parade. Halloween's for the dogs too. It's fine to mess around at home with them in their costumes before the trick-or-treaters show up, then just settle them down with their own treats. Either way the goal's the same: your dog feels okay, and you get to enjoy the night without dealing with a meltdown. Admin