# Dress up for a few minutes & give treats
First time you put any clothing on, do that for very short periods: put a vest or jacket on, give a treat, praise, take it off in a minute. Then increase the time wearing it based on how your dog reacts to it. If he feels pretty comfortable, leave it on for 5 – 10 minutes, if he looks lost, scared or freezes, give more treats, praise, start playing with doggo, take vest off.
Your goal is to prove your dog that it’s fun to wear clothes and fun things can happen when human shows a coat!
Depending on age and dog’s personality, this process might take from a day to a few weeks but your doggo will be way happier if he has time to get used to wearing clothes rather than have a jumpsuit put on and kept it for a full day.
Be very patient. Again, act as it was any trick you’d teach your iggy. Don’t rush and let him take his time. Every doggo learns in their own pace.
Easy to dress, loose fit, soft and sleeveless clothing are best to start with. Long sleeved pieces cover the body more which might cause too much stress. See #3 and remember – one step at a time 🙂
Is It Cruel To Put Clothes On Dogs?
I wouldn’t put a dress on a wolf unless he was a character disguising himself in a children’s book. I would put a tux on a dog who didn’t mind doing so and whose personality didn’t suffer for it.
Some say it’s cruel for dogs to wear clothes because dogs aren’t humans. I know this.
If the fates honor me with my dog-sharing life for a solid 15 years or more, unlike a teenager at age 15, my dog isn’t asking for the car keys, won’t enter the dating world, and will never become a source of gray hair as I worry because he is out 10 minutes past curfew. His time is getting limited, at this ripe old age.
The lifespan of a dog is short — a flicker, if you will, compared with a human’s. He will pass from this world and leave behind a hole in my heart where it used to be, well, “whole.” I’ve been down this road, and I will again and again. Being in a room where needles to stop pain are injected into a dog is a surreal and life-altering experience.
I live a bit more vicariously and in the moment since becoming a dog mom: And after all, aren’t dogs always living in the moment? They’ve taught me well, these creatures amazing beings called dogs. I’ve yet to see my dog worry about what just happened, or panic at something that’s going down tomorrow. Dogs have taught me to live life to its fullest because, at any time, it can end.
If my dog hated wearing clothes and put up a fuss against it, I’d stop. I’d still want him to be warm and protected from the elements, so we’d face that hurdle. So far in my life, this has never been the case with my dogs.
If your dog genuinely hates clothes, puts up a major fuss, and won’t move no matter what, then your dog is unhappy. You can try encouraging your dog to wear a functional sweater or coat in winter weather. But otherwise, your dog doesn’t need to wear clothes just for fun.
If you have your heart set on clothes, consider a doggie bandanna or fancy leash, collar, and collar tags. Etsy and Amazon have a lot of bowties for dogs that easily clip or slide onto their collars.
If your dog is forced to wear clothing and left alone, she may try to escape from the garment and wind up stressed out or hurting herself.
If you had to go outside in a bitterly cold snowstorm and walk until you urinated and defecated, could you do it without a coat on, would you do it? If you had to poop badly enough, sure you might. Your dog has no choice. If you need something to keep warm, so does your dog.
Many dogs are fine with wearing clothes. Some hate it, will tuck their tail between their legs, hide behind furniture, or try to eat the outfit. Take the clothes off, start with a smaller or more lightweight item, and work up from there.
Positive reinforcement is key with plenty of praise, a happy tone, and a treat or two. The same holds true with dog boots or paw apparel. Start with one boot in the house and let them get used to it.
When is it okay to put clothes on my dog?
When your dog is comfortable
You’ll be able to tell if your dog doesnt like wearing a particular item of clothing — theyll try to shake it off, try to bite at it, and look generally uncomfortable. Often, if you can see the whites of your dogs eyes while they’re wearing a costume, the chances are they dont want to be wearing it. If your pup seems unhappy in what theyre wearing, you should take it off.
Other than it being unfair on your woofer to leave them in a piece of clothing they dislike, it can also be hazardous. Your doggo may chew it at and swallow pieces of material, which could result in serious health issues.
If your dog has thin fur and low body fat
If you have a short-haired or hairless dog like a Greyhound, Chinese Crested Dog, or a Xoloitzcuintle, you might want to put them in a sweater, especially on a cold winters day. If you live in a part of the world that frequently experiences freezing temperatures and snowfall, dogs with thin fur and low body fat may struggle in such conditions.
Bear in mind that even if you have a dog with minimal fur, you still shouldnt force them to wear something they dont like. If your pupper doesnt like wearing a sweater, get them to try on a clip-on doggy jacket instead, as they may find it less restricting.
If your dog is older
Similarly to dogs with thin fur or low body fat, older dogs may struggle in cold temperatures. Its important to keep old dogs active, even in wintery conditions. However, some older dogs have issues with their metabolism and other health problems that make it difficult for them to go outside during the winter. Try out a range of different doggy clothes to see if you can find one that your elderly canine compadre feels comfortable in.
If your dog has a skin condition or allergies
If your dog has allergies or a skin condition, you may want to get them a comfy sweater or shirt so they dont itch. When picking out clothing for your dog, make sure its not going to cause any additional irritation. You should check with your vet before putting dogs with skin conditions in clothing, as this may interfere with their treatment or exacerbate the problem.
14 Signs Your Dog Doesn’t Love You (Even if You Think They Do)
Most dogs don’t need clothes, but it’s fun to dress them up in cute outfits, whether it’s to take a photo or celebrate a special event. But do dogs actually like wearing clothes? The short answer is both yes and no. Dogs are products of their environment, and if they are conditioned and de-sensitized to wearing clothes, they usually enjoy the attention and adventures that come with it. Dogs that aren’t accustomed to wearing clothes don’t tend to like them.
While cute Halloween costumes and doggie party dresses aren’t necessities for your dog, there are certain circumstances where clothing might be important for your dog to wear. So, should you dress your dog?