Shelter Dog Gets An Adorable Spooky Season Makeover & Models His Costume Like A Pro
Every dog (and cat) deserves a second chance, which is where animal shelters and rescue organizations come in. But even the cutest rescue animal sometimes needs a little makeover to help it find its new forever home. That's exactly why this shelter dog named Fozzy got a Halloween "glow up" — but what no one expected was just how endearing he'd be while modeling his classic Halloween costume for the camera!
The "before" photo shared by Illinois' Effingham County Animal Shelter & Control on Facebook in early October 2026 shows a super shaggy doodle dog patiently waiting to be groomed. The "after" photos? You'd think it was a brand-new pup! Freshly shaved, wearing a cute little pumpkin costume, Fozzy looks like he's waited his whole life to pose for the camera and find a new home.
Guess what? It worked! The post was soon updated to say that this darling dog had been adopted. "Looks so much more comfortable now! He is so precious!" said one person in the comments. We hope Fozzy found his perfect forever family and gets to take his happy-go-lucky attitude trick-or-treating this year.
How to teach your dog to pose for the camera
Fozzy's excellent pose and adorable smile surely helped him get adopted. Unless your dog is naturally photogenic, getting a dog to pose for a picture usually takes practice, patience, and treats. Start by teaching basic commands like "sit" and "stay" so your pet can hold a position long enough for you to snap a photo. Next, introduce a cue like "look" to encourage eye contact, rewarding your dog with positive reinforcement whenever they turn your way.
Keep training sessions short and sweet, playing a quick game of fetch beforehand if your furry friend has too much energy to sit still. Once your dog understands the basics, bring out your phone or camera. Hold a favorite treat near the lens to grab their attention, then reward them when they look toward it. With repetition, your pup can learn to associate the camera with something positive rather than something suspicious.
Want to get really creative? Teach fun poses like placing its paws on a stool or resting them on your shoulder for an adorable selfie by using treats to guide each movement and reward progress. Most importantly, let your dog take breaks and keep things fun. After all, the best photos capture their true personality!