Are there any ideas of what to do for Toto in the Wizard of Oz?  We opted not to use a live dog but I think we may regret it.  We ordered the Toto in a Basket that you find online in the costume shops, but I'm disappointed in the size of it - it's very small and actually kind of looks like a cat.  I'm thinking about a puppet of some sort, but haven't been able to find anything that I like yet. 

I know this is an old thread but people might still be looking at it in the future =) 

I wasn't involved with the production, but a theatre I work with a lot used a kid in a dog costume.  I just cringe at it ....... but, I have to say it was a hit with the audience.  I never heard one negative comment and lots of "she was sooooo cute" type comments. I think I was the only one that didn't like it ... at least no one said so if they didn't.  In fact, I was careful who I told that I didn't care for it.  Don't want to be the Grinch. 

We did Oz at our school a couple years back.  I had two sisters in the show (both munchkin age) and thier grandmother had a yorkie that we used as toto. Grandma came to all the rehearsals.  The dog did a great job following on the leash.  When the dog was suppose to run to dorothy from ms gultch, she looked off stage and called for toto as a stage hand gave the little guy a shove through the curtain.  As for times when he was "in the way" like in the munchkin land dance numbers we would hand him off to the littlest sister and she would fuss over him.  When there were no convient munchkins around we used the basket to hold him place. The lease was attached to the basket.  Though the dog was only a couple pounds he started pulling the basket around.  So we weighted it with a half brick. that worked for a couple of rehearsals then he started pulling it.  Finally there was enough weight to hold him fast but poor dorothy about died carrying it all around.. (ps   Oz in July, hope I find another good dog)

I started this thread - and I'm glad that it's still generating some response!  This was one of the most challenging aspects of this show for me as a director, but we finally ended up going with the puppet as well.  I spent a long time online searching for the perfect Toto and finally found a cute puppet that actually looked realistic.  (Unfotunately I can't remember the website.)  We went for the comedic effect with it - and had Dorothy hold it, move it around, etc.  During the scenes when Toto had to bark or come in from off stage, we had an offstage cast member do the "Toto Bark" (which was different every show!) and she took it upon herself to poke Toto out from behind the curtain and move around, etc. - all of which the audience seemed to enjoy.  It was a little silly - but it was definitely the most practical for us.  The last thing I wanted to do was to stress out our Dorothy since she really has to carry the show from the opening line to the last line.  Keep the ideas coming though - I love reading them!