Monkey on My Back: Homemade Pet Halloween Costume for Dog

Posted by Kathleen under Halloween, Holidays, Pets

I saw a really cute dog Halloween costumes the other day

(Cowboy Riding Dog, and Headless Horseman Riding Dog)

and I wanted to try to make my own version, with a monkey (of course!) It was really simple to make, and I wanted to share it with you all!

First gather a few supplies:

Wide piece of flat elastic 6″ longer than the girth of your dog’s chest (my dog was 26″, so I bought 32″ inches)
3″ of Velcro (do not buy the stick-on kind, it will be harder to sew!)
Long armed stuffed monkey
Needle and thread
Thick floral wire

How to make your Homemade Dog Halloween Costume:

1. Start by making sure the elastic is the right size to go around your dogs chest with about 3 inches of overhang on each side. Sew the Velcro onto the flat elastic, making sure that the pieces are on opposite ends and on opposite sides.

Sew Velcro on opposite sides, on opposite ends

2. To get the monkey to sit up you need to give it a wire skeleton. I cut a small hole in the butt of my monkey, and inserted several (maybe 5 or six) L-shaped pieces of floral wire into the body so he would sit up straight. I wanted my monkey to be holding up one arm like he was riding a bull, so I also inserted an extra long piece through his body and up through his arm. Make sure none of the floral wire is sticking out of the monkey; you don’t want it poking your puppy!

Heavy floral wire for skeleton of monkey

3. It is critical that you secure the butt of the monkey to the elastic band so that he is sitting upright! First, measure to the middle of the band, mark it, and start sewing the monkey to this spot. Try to catch some of the wire in your stitches. Another good way to securely attach Mr Monkey is by sewing the side area around the butt to the elastic. I went a good inch up his sides to get him to sit up straight. Try and loop the elastic around your leg to see if you have the monkey on tight enough so he sits straight up. Once he is sitting pretty, secure the legs to the elastic as well.

4. Now you just have to get Monkey on the back of you dog. Attach the band around the wide part of his chest, and loop the monkey’s other hand around your dog’s collar, and you’re all set! If your pup is anything like mine, there will be a period of agitated bucking. I used lots of treats to distract Basil, and he didn’t even notice it after a few minutes. But in the interest of your doggie’s safety, make sure you supervise them when they are wearing their costume!