Seeking advice from costume designers / makeup artistes

I agree with Tony, Peter and Jeff. 

Let the performers ply their craft. After all as Peter stated - it is part of their "basic training" (and they probably haven't used it since acting classes!!)

A hint of costuming, maybe ears or a wire based fur tail, may make the character more obvious at first sight - but these attachments would soon be ignored/forgotten by the audience once the actor is in full flight.

I saw a production at DramaFest (Roleystone ?) some years ago where a young man (his name escapes me) portrayed an excellent "dog"..... complete with being distracted by interesting smells, scratching/nibbling at an annoying flea, nuzzling crotches and even the cutesy behaviour of rolling over for a tummy-rub.

He had the entire audience totally enthralled throughout the one act play - yet not so much that it took anything from the "mains" or the story-line. (VERY skilfull direction shown there!)

BUT.... I guess it depends on whether you are looking for a realistic or comedic portrayal of the canines, how far your writings need the actors to go....and how fine a balancing act you need between "people" and "canines" ...... the doggy antics can easily overtake the other action on stage in audience interest value unless kept in check.

In any case it sounds like an interesting script  - I'm looking forward to the workshop for this one John!!

"Each morning is the dawn of a new error" - anon.