The one thing about dying is to determine how long you want to put up with the color and choose your dye based on that
Manic panic is the BEST, I love it, BUT once it's in there it's in there if you know what I mean. The dye is pretty much perminate until you cut the color out. It won't wash out completely though will fade quite a bite int he first couple of washes and then a little at a time everywash after. I dyed Jazz in December for Christmas and in April she still has red dye in her coat. I finialy clipped her down shorter to get rid of the bulk of the color.
Food Coloring, is good for simi perm, (meaning by my def that it won't run when wet and won't come off on your hands) I found it to be a little more perminate than I wanted but I'm starting to wonder if there is something about Jazz's hair that holds color better?? We did the green foood coloring in March and it took about a month for it to wash completely out. Notice the stripes on the legs?? Thats the still in there manic panic and this pic was taken March 16th...
Sidewalk Chalk (I use crayola) is fantastic but also doesn't always wash out right away though it doesn't stay as long as the manic panic.
Blow Pens - if you can find them wash out with just water 99% of the time the very first time. If you use the red pen expect it to hang around for a while, I've been reading up and apparently I am not the only person for whom red blow pens seem to be semi perminate. Another thing about blow pens is that you have to blow into them for long periods of time and sometimes with quite a lot of force. It can give you a headach. Also the ink in the pens tends to run out or dry out so you ALWAYS need to buy more than one package if you're using them, even for a small dog it's a good idea.
CoolAide, I have never used (yet) won't run when wet, and won't rub off. It is also semi perm. It probably won't wash out in a hurry.
Crayola Washable markers, LOVE 'EM !! If your dog's hair is reasonably short they are super easy to use. Basicly the equal to the blow pen. I reccently used them for the first time for Jazz's red,white,blue look for memorial day. I rinsed her with water today and a little shampoo on the colored areas and everything done with markers came right out no problems. Of course the red blow pen in the ears hung around and for some reason not all the blue on the tail came off, but again everything done with the markers came off super easy.
Spray on Food Color, never used it, don't know anyone who has. The only reason I know about it is that I saw a video on u tube where they were using it.
Human hairspray color, WILL run when wet. A client came in right before St. Patty's after having used it on her two Dals for some pet event. It started raining and she had green all over her care and the shop... Nice, Good for super temp. color.