On this page
Who could say no to this trick-or-treater? This Halloween dog coloring page shows a floppy eared puppy dressed as a bat. It sits on the front steps in big dark wings, a headband with two pointed bat ears and an orange bow tie. Its tongue is hanging out, and it clearly thinks the costume is a big success.
The puppy is large and simple, so kids from about 4 to 9 can enjoy it. The house behind it has more small parts for older children. Most kids will spend around 25 minutes on it.
What is on the porch
A purple front door stands on the right with a bright fall wreath on it. Look left and you will see a window with a small paper ghost taped inside, plus a yellow moon and a star in the glass. A lantern hangs on the wall between them. Lines across the wall show the wood siding.
Down on the steps, a pumpkin pail with a kind face waits for treats. Two more pumpkins sit by the dog, one big and one small. Three candies and two fallen leaves lie on the bottom step.
Halloween dog coloring page color ideas
Make the puppy look like your own dog. That one idea can get a reluctant colorer excited. Golden, spotted, chocolate brown and black and white all work with this shape. If you do not have a pet, ask your child to design a dream dog.
The wings should be dark so they read as a bat. Use navy, dark purple or charcoal. A lighter shade on the headband ears gives them some depth. The bow tie is a good place for one loud color.
Try keeping the wall a soft peach or pale yellow. A quiet background lets the wings and the door stand out. The wreath can take every warm crayon in the box, with red, orange and gold leaves mixed together.
Tips for a tidy page
Work on the wings first while your crayon tip is still sharp. The curved bottom edges have points that are easy to miss. Fill those, then sweep across the middle.
Soft fur looks better with light pressure. Let the paper show through a little on the chest ruff, and press harder on the ears. That contrast helps the head stand out from the body.
The siding lines can be a bore to work around. Color right over them with a pale crayon, since the black lines will still show.
Real dogs on Halloween night
This is a good page for talking about pet safety. The ASPCA Halloween tips say to store candy out of reach, because chocolate can be very dangerous for dogs. Sugar free candy with xylitol can also seriously harm pets. If your dog wears a costume, make sure it does not block movement, sight or breathing. Many pets are happier in a quiet room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treat hours.
What to do next
Have your child list three more costumes this puppy could wear, then pick one and draw it on the back of the sheet. A hot dog bun and a superhero cape are both popular ideas.
For a family project, make a tiny pet safety poster. Glue the finished puppy to a sheet of paper and write one rule underneath, such as keep the candy up high. Stick it on the fridge for the week.
One more thought. Kids who are afraid of real dogs sometimes warm up to a silly cartoon pup, so a page like this can start a calm chat about being gentle with pets.
More happy dogs to color
Print the puppy coloring page for another playful pup. If your child likes spooky bats best, the bat coloring page shows the real thing with a much friendlier face than you might expect.
Questions
What breed is the puppy?
It is not any one breed. The long ears and soft coat look a bit like a spaniel or beagle, so kids can color it to match their own dog.
Can we add a different costume?
Yes. Color the wings bright and call them butterfly wings, or draw a cape and a mask right over the chest.
Is chocolate really bad for dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA warns that chocolate in all forms can be very dangerous for dogs and cats, so keep candy pails away from pets.
