29 Dog Things From the 1980s That Made Owning a Puppy Look Like a Costume Party

Here are 29 dog things from that decade that will take you straight back, and how they changed since.

1. Dogs in sweaters that matched their owners

Matching knitwear was the height of style, and the family dog was not spared. Grandma knitted one for everyone.

Today a sweater is about warmth for short-coated breeds. Back then it was about the Christmas card photo.

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2. Bandanas tied on every dog

No 1980s dog was fully dressed without a bandana, usually red paisley, knotted a little too tight.

They are still around, but now they come with snaps and cooling fabric instead of a quick double knot.

3. Giant spiked collars

Heavy metal had arrived and so had the studded leather collar, even on dogs who were scared of the vacuum.

Modern collars are lighter and padded. The spikes mostly live on in old photos.

4. Poodle cuts on everything

The pom-pom poodle clip was everywhere, and some owners tried it on breeds that were never meant to have it.

Groomers today lean toward the easy-care teddy bear cut.

5. Bows the size of the dog's head

Small dogs wore enormous satin bows, often in the same colour as the owner's scrunchie.

Bows are smaller now and usually clip in, so nothing pulls the hair.

6. Dogs riding loose in the back of pickups

It was normal to see a dog standing in a pickup bed on the highway, ears flapping.

Most owners now know how dangerous that is, and many places have rules against it.

7. Kibble from a 50-pound paper sack

Dog food came in one flavour and one giant bag, scooped with a coffee can.

Now there are hundreds of recipes, and the coffee can has been replaced by a measuring cup.

8. Table scraps as a food group

Leftover meatloaf and gravy went straight into the dog bowl after dinner, no questions asked.

Vets today warn against fatty scraps, onions and cooked bones.

9. Dogs at every birthday party in a party hat

The cone hat with the elastic strap went on the dog the moment the cake came out.

Dog-safe birthday cakes exist now. The hat is still optional.

Also read: 12 Things You Do Every Day That Are Secretly Stressing Out Your Dog

10. The doghouse in the backyard

Many dogs lived outside in a wooden doghouse painted to match the family home.

Today most dogs live indoors as part of the family, and the doghouse is often just for show.

11. Rawhide bones by the dozen

Rawhide was the go-to chew, bought in big bags at the grocery store.

Many owners now choose alternatives that are easier to digest.

12. Big hair at the groomer

If the owner had a perm, the dog often came home just as fluffy.

Grooming today focuses more on comfort and skin health than on volume.

13. Polaroids of the dog on the fridge

Every fridge had at least one fading instant photo of the dog, stuck on with a fruit magnet.

Now we take a thousand photos a day and print almost none of them.

14. Hand-me-down baby blankets as dog beds

The dog bed was whatever blanket the kids had outgrown, folded in a laundry basket.

Orthopedic dog beds are now a whole industry.

15. Dogs dressed for Halloween in homemade costumes

No store-bought outfits: the dog went as a pumpkin made from a pillowcase and markers.

Costume aisles now have a dog section, but the homemade ones were funnier.

16. The family photo at the portrait studio

The laser backdrop, the soft focus, and the dog squeezed onto someone's lap.

Phone portraits made the studio trip rare, but those old prints are treasures.

17. Retractable leashes arrive

The new leash that went out and snapped back felt like the future.

Trainers now warn they can teach pulling and cause injuries, so many owners went back to a simple fixed leash.

18. Dogs in aerobic gear

Leg warmers and headbands were for the whole household, including whoever lay on the workout mat.

Today the gear is a light running harness and the workout is a real jog.

19. Flea collars that smelled like chemicals

The white plastic flea collar was part of every dog's look.

Monthly treatments from the vet replaced most of them.

Also read: 20 Dog Care Mistakes That Make Your Dog Age Faster

20. Dogs at the drive-in movies

The dog came along in the back seat and usually fell asleep before the second feature.

Drive-ins are rare now, but many still welcome dogs.

21. Breed fads from the movies

Every hit film with a dog started a run on that breed.

Shelters later filled with those dogs, which is why vets and rescues now urge people to research first.

22. Cartoon-printed food bowls

Plastic bowls with paw prints or cartoon bones were the standard.

Stainless steel and ceramic took over because they are easier to clean.

23. Matching tracksuits for dog walks

Shiny nylon tracksuits were the walking uniform, and the dog sometimes got a matching vest.

Now it is leggings and a hoodie, and the dog gets a reflective harness.

24. Dogs in the background of every vacation slide

Family slide shows were full of the dog on the beach, the dog at the campsite, the dog in the canoe.

Some things never change. The dog is still the star of the trip.

25. The dog dish full of water from the garden hose

Water came from the hose, and the bowl was an old cake pan.

Many dogs now drink from filtered fountains.

26. Squeaky toys shaped like newspapers and slippers

Toys looked like what the dog was not supposed to chew, which confused everyone.

Toys now are tougher and many are made for puzzle play.

27. Obedience class in the church hall

Group training met once a week in a hall with a linoleum floor and a lot of pulling.

Reward-based training has largely replaced the old choke-chain methods.

28. Mullets on people, shag on dogs

The owner had a mullet and the dog had never seen a brush.

Groomers and owners both look tidier now.

29. The family dog in the Christmas card

Every December the whole family posed by the tree in matching outfits, with the dog wearing antlers.

The tradition lives on, just with better lighting.

Which of these did your family dog live through?

Dig out the old albums. The dog photos are always the best ones.

Also read: 21 Vintage Dog Collectibles Worth More Than You Would Guess