January 14th is Dress Up Your Pet Day, and you may be thinking about dressing your pup up in a cute bow tie or a sweater. But before you dress your dog up, step back and think about your pet.
Does your dog have the right personality for costumes and gear? Will your dog enjoy the warmth that clothing may provide? Will your dog be miserable and unhappy or feel frightened?
Some of you may already know that your dog does or doesn’t like to wear clothes or costumes, but for those who are thinking of trying it for the first time, here’s a quick guide to see if it’s right for your dog and tips for how to celebrate Dress Up Your Pet Day in a safe way.
You Know Your Dog Best
Does your dog run up to greet guests in your home? Does your dog love going on walks, meeting new people, and running errands with you?
You may have the kind of outgoing dog who would enjoy wearing matching hoodies with you on this chilly winter day. They may like being touched and pampered and fussed over, and maybe they’ll enjoy wearing an outfit.
Or…
Is your dog frightened by the doorbell? Does your dog run in fear when they hear a loud noise? Do sudden movements startle your pup?
If your dog is shy, it’s better to leave the costumes to other people and pups, and just let your dog enjoy the day in all of their natural, furry glory. They may not enjoy the feeling of being confined in clothes. There’s nothing wrong with your dog staying in their birthday suit.
Give It A Try, But Take It Slow
If you’ve decided to give it a try and dress up your pup, take it slow. If your dog recoils or reacts fearfully to the sweater or hat or bow tie you’ve decided to try out, this tells you something.
You’re not going to make a shy dog more friendly or outgoing by forcing human adornments on them. Your dog is just perfect the way they already are.
Better take that doggy costume back to the store while the tags are still on, and you can exchange it for some nice treats or toys.
Pick The Right Costume Or Clothing
If you have a shy dog, avoid the costumes and go with something simple like a bow in the fur or maybe even a simple bow tie that attaches to the collar.
Never pick any costume that constricts, restricts, or constrains your dog’s movement or prevents them from going potty, eating, drinking, or moving around.
Never put something on your dog that blocks or restricts their vision or interferes with their ability to do any of their usual doggy things.
Most important: Never leave a dog in a costume alone. You never know what can happen. A costume could get stuck and hurt a pet. It has happened before. Don’t let it happen to you. Play it safe. Get your pics and remove the costume ASAP so your dog can get back to being a dog.
Have a happy and safe Dress Up Your Pet Day!
Do you plan to dress up your dog on Dress Up Your Pet Day? Does your dog prefer to stay naked? Let us know in the comments below!
