On Dog Clothing...

Hey Everyone!

I read a tweet today that was supposed to be a tip on getting your dog to wear clothes. (For those of you who'd like to follow us on twitter, you can do so at www.twitter.com/BigwagDogBakery) When I followed the link, the advice I found was, in my opinion, less than helpful. Something along the lines of, start when your dog is young and make sure the clothes fit. While I'm not arguing that those are good points, I hardly think that is useful to those of us who have older dogs who can learn new tricks. But, it did get me to thinking. How exactly do you get your dog to wear clothes? And more so, why should you dog wear clothes at all? So I did a little research and here's what I learned:

Why your dog should wear clothes
Of course, some of us just enjoy having cute clothes on our dogs, but there are actually a multitude of rational reasons for putting clothes on your dog. (I know, I was shocked too! :D)

Protection from cold
The best reason for canine clothing is protection from the weather. I was always raised to believe that a dog's own coat was all it needed. But, if you think about it, you realize that different breeds of dogs were bred for different purposes and different climates. You realize that a Chihuahau was designed to live in hot southern climates while the Irish Wolfhound clearly was not. What does this mean? Well, Chihuahuas (and other lean, short haired breeds) don't have the fat or the hair needed to protect it from colder Northern winters. So, during the winter and even late fall and early spring, it may be necessary for dogs with lean profiles and shorter hair to wear a sweater to protect it from the cold. Many dogs could also use the protection of boots during cold weather, especially snow or ice, which can tear the tender parts of their pads.

Protection from sun & heat
Something else to think about - dogs with thin hair or dogs with light colored hair can actually get sunburned! Now, you can put sunscreen on them, we love HappyTails Flea the Scene, but it may be easier to put them in a light tee shirt to prevent skin damage. During the summer some type of footwear may also be useful if your dog walks on concrete frequently. Their pads are susceptible to burns from hot pavement just like the bottom of your feet!

Reduction of scratching & biting
Another reason to put clothing on your dogs - Allergies. If your dog has allergies that cause them to scratch or chew, sometimes putting clothing on them can prevent them from scratching or chewing. (It's not a surefire cure, but it can help.) Plus, if the allergens are airborne, limiting the amount of skin exposed to the allergens could reduce itching.

Just a few of the cute styles of clothing we carry

How to Get Your Dog to Wear Clothes
We've already established that you should choose clothing that fits. Beyond that it turns out that training your dog to wear clothes is a lot like training them to do anything else. You need to be loving, but firm. That means lots of praise when they leave the clothes on properly and gentle correction when they don't.

1. Allow the dog to sniff the clothing and generally "check it out" before you put it on. That way the dog knows that the clothing is okay. Do NOT allow your dog to chew or tug on the clothing or treat it like a toy during this time.

2. While you're putting clothing on, reassure your dog that this is okay using soothing tones and gentle praise. It's recommended that you start with a simple piece of clothing, like a t-shirt, because that will be the least foreign to your dog. Frills, ruffles, bells and whistles should wait until later.

3. Allow him or her to wear the clothing for short periods of time under supervision, praising continuously.

4. Gradually increase the amount of time your dog wears the clothing and incorporate wearing clothing into routines like eating, walking, playing and sleeping so that wearing clothing becomes normal. Always heap praise on your dog while he's wearing the clothing. Treats can be used as rewards, but incorporate verbal praise as well, because otherwise your dog may only wear clothing properly when treats are present. Plus, your dog loves your attention more than anything else!

5. Keep at it! Like anything else, training your dog to wear clothes is a process that will take time. So, if you're wanting your dog to wear a cute Halloween costume, get it in advance. Because more likely than not, if you throw it on the day of the party, your dog is going to be unhappy.

A few recommendations
1. Take your dog when you're shopping for clothing and actually try clothes on. Sizes vary with designer and style, so your dog might not always be a small.

2. If your dog is a stocky breed, like a pug or bull dog, you'll generally need to go up a size to accommodate the girth of their chest.

3. Look for clothing styles and sizes that are cut high enough that your dog won't soil it, especially for male dogs. It doesn't matter how cute the outfit it, if your dog pees on it, it won't stay cute for long. :p

4. Know your dog. If they're strong, don't buy clothing intended as a harness. If they're sensitive to having their ears touched, skip the hat! Clothes should make your dog more comfortable, not less comfortable.