Hounds of Halloween: A Halloween Party for Dogs in London
Looking for a proper dog Halloween party in London? Not a pub that puts up with dogs, a party actually thrown for them. Hounds of Halloween lands at Wild Bush Putney on Saturday 31 October, and your dog is the guest of honour.
Let's be honest, most of us are a bit past trick-or-treating. That's no reason to let Halloween slide by. Dress the dog up, dig out a costume of your own if you're feeling brave and come and party with the pack.
The quick details
- When: Saturday 31 October, from 12pm
- Where: Wild Bush Putney, 195-197 Lower Richmond Road, London SW15 1HJ
- Who: Dogs first, humans second. Puppies are welcome as long as they're fully vaccinated and happy in a busy room.
- What: Fancy dress, a Best Dressed Dog competition, a free tipple on arrival and plenty to eat for dogs and humans
- Tickets: £5 early bird until 21 October, then £10 for a dog and their human. Book through Eventbrite, with refunds up to a day before.
What's going down at Hounds of Halloween
Think of it as a proper Halloween party where the dogs are the main act and the humans are very welcome plus-ones. No awkward small talk required. Your dog will introduce you to everyone in the room within ten minutes.
Here's what's waiting for you:
- A free tipple on arrival. Because walking in with a drink in hand beats walking in empty-handed.
- Sweet and savoury snacks. Treats and nibbles for the humans, served throughout.
- Dog treats too. We'd never leave our four-legged guests out.
- Bring your own drinks. If you want to keep the Halloween spirits flowing, you're welcome to BYO. Within reason, obviously.
- Places to sit. There'll be spots to relax, chat and watch the costume parade go by.
- A videographer on the prowl. We'll be capturing photos and video on the day, so make the outfit count.
The Best Dressed Dog competition
This is the big one. Prizes are being kept under wraps, but trust us, you and your dog won't be disappointed.
Whether your dog turns up as a ghost, a goblin, a superhero or something completely barking mad, they're in with a shot. Our favourite entry so far is the idea of a hot dog dressed as a hot dog. Somebody please make that happen.
Not every dog loves wearing clothes, and that's fine. A costume isn't compulsory. A spooky bandana or a bit of orange and black still gets you into the spirit. We'd just love to see as many creative, silly and properly scary looks as possible.
DIY dog Halloween costume ideas that won't make them miserable
The best costumes are the ones your dog barely notices. Skip anything that covers the face or tangles round the legs, and go for looks that work with what they'll already tolerate.
- The vampire: A simple cape fastened at the chest. Easy on, easy off, maximum drama.
- The pirate crew: A hat and a pirate waistcoat. Even better if you've got two dogs to turn into a full crew.
- The ghost: An old white sheet or pillowcase with a big hole cut out for the face, so they can see, breathe and hear properly. A long sheet is fine for a sitting photo, but trim it shorter before the party so nobody trips.
- The pumpkin: An orange jumper does most of the work. Have a look through our dog jumpers for a base layer they'll actually keep wearing after Halloween.
- The witch: Perfect for black dogs. A pointy hat, a little cape and a lot of attitude. Done.
- The Frankenpup: Green bandana, a couple of felt "bolts" on the collar and a slightly unhinged stare. Most dogs already have the stare.
- Dog and owner costumes: You go as a vampire, they go as a bat. You go as a witch, they go as the black cat. Coordinated chaos always wins over a crowd.
How to dress your dog without the drama
A costume should be fun for your dog as well as for you. A few minutes of prep makes a big difference on the day.
- Do a dress rehearsal. Try the costume on at home a few days before, in short bursts, with plenty of treats.
- Check the fit. Your dog should be able to breathe, see, hear, move and go to the toilet normally. Nothing tight round the neck or chest.
- Ditch the chewable bits. Buttons, bells, sequins and elastic bands are all tempting to chew and easy to swallow.
- Never leave them alone in it. Costumes are for supervised party time only.
- Read the signals. A tucked tail, freezing, lip licking or constant wriggling means they're not into it. Take it off and go for a bandana instead.
The Kennel Club has more advice on keeping dogs comfortable over Halloween if you want to dig deeper.
Get party ready with a pre-Halloween groom
Costume sorted? Now for the hair. A fresh groom in the week before the party means a clean coat, tidy face and neat paws, which also happens to make any costume sit better and look sharper on camera.
Book them in with our groomers, grab a coffee in the café while you wait and walk out with a dog who's ready for their close-up. Halloween week is a popular time, so get in early if you want a slot before the 31st.
Halloween safety for dogs at home
The party's the easy bit. It's the rest of Halloween night that needs a bit of planning, especially once the sweets come out and the doorbell starts going.
- Chocolate: Toxic to dogs, with dark and baking chocolate the most dangerous. Keep the treat bowl well out of reach.
- Sugar-free sweets and gum: Many contain xylitol, sometimes listed as birch sugar, which is extremely dangerous to dogs even in small amounts.
- Raisins and grapes: Watch out for chocolate-covered raisins and fruity bakes. Even a small handful can cause serious problems.
- Wrappers and lolly sticks: Dogs will happily swallow these along with the sweet, and they can cause choking or blockages.
- Pumpkins and candles: Wagging tails and curious noses don't mix with real flames. LED candles do the job without the risk.
- Doorbell chaos: Constant knocking and costumed strangers can stress even the coolest dog. Set them up in a quiet room away from the front door, and check their microchip details and ID tag are up to date in case anyone makes a dash for it.
- Fireworks: Halloween kicks off firework season. Get the evening walk done before it gets dark.
If your dog eats something they shouldn't, call your vet straight away, even if they seem fine. Don't wait for symptoms to show up.
More dog events at Wild Bush
Hounds of Halloween is just one night in the Wild Bush calendar. We run dog yoga, puppy socials, expert talks and seasonal celebrations across our London branches, so there's always something worth leaving the house for.
Take a look at what's coming up on our events page, and if you need treats for the party season, our dog treats are a much safer bet than anything in the trick-or-treat bowl.
See you on the 31st
Grab your witch's hat, dust off the dog cape and come and join us for a howlingly good Halloween at Wild Bush Putney. Good vibes, great costumes and a room full of dogs. Grab an early bird ticket for a fiver before 21 October and the free tipple practically pays for itself.
FAQs
Are there any dog friendly Halloween events in London?
Yes. Hounds of Halloween takes place at Wild Bush Putney on Saturday 31 October from 12pm, with a dog fancy dress competition, treats for dogs and humans and a free drink on arrival. Early bird tickets are £5 until 21 October, then £10 for a dog and their human, booked through Eventbrite.
Does my dog have to wear a costume?
No. Some dogs just don't enjoy wearing clothes, and that's absolutely fine. Fancy dress is encouraged though, and even a Halloween bandana counts.
Do humans need to dress up?
You don't have to, but anything goes. Witches, vampires, pumpkins, superheroes or a matching outfit with your dog will all go down well.
Can I bring more than one dog?
Yes, the more the merrier. Additional booking requirements may apply, so check the ticket options on Eventbrite before you book.
Is the event suitable for puppies?
Yes, as long as they've had all their vaccinations and are comfortable in a busy, social setting.
Can dogs eat Halloween sweets?
No. Chocolate, raisins and sugar-free sweets containing xylitol are all toxic to dogs, and wrappers can cause blockages. Stick to proper dog treats and call your vet straight away if your dog gets into the sweet bowl.
Is it safe to put a costume on my dog?
It can be, as long as the costume lets them breathe, see, hear and move freely, has no small parts they could chew off and is only worn while you're supervising. If your dog looks stressed, take it off.