Pet Dog Clothes

While owning a dog involves a lot of responsibility, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun with your dog as well! There are many fun toys, treats, accessories and other items you can purchase to entertain your dog. However, a trend that has been rapidly growing in popularity is to dress up your dog in cute, customizable clothing. Dog clothing may either be designed to simply be fashionable, or to help protect your dog from severe weather conditions.

Decorative Dog Clothing

If you are simply looking to dress up your dog in fashionable outfits, you may choose to purchase decorative dog clothing. Decorative dog clothes are not designed to serve any purpose other than giving you the ability to dress up your dog in cute outfits.

There are hundreds of retailers that specialize in decorative dog clothing, which may be themed as anything from ballerina tutus to Christmas sweaters. When choosing to purchase decorative dog clothing, be sure to check to make sure that it is made of non-toxic materials. Some dogs may chew or bite at decorative clothes, which may be harmful if ingested.

Functional Dog Clothing

By definition, functional dog clothing is designed to help a dog in a useful manner. This may mean an insulated wetsuit for cold water, boots to protect paws from snow, or an insulating winter jacket. Most functional dog clothing is designed to protect a dog from cold weather.

If you live in an area that gets particularly cold in the winter, you may want to invest in some insulating protective clothing for your dog. This can help your dog to endure freezing temperatures, and can also help protect them from becoming ill. Functional dog clothing is available at many stores online, though may also be purchased at some pet care supply stores.

Getting Your Dog Used to Wearing Clothing

Before purchasing a large number of clothes for your dog, you may want to take some time to get your dog used to the idea of wearing clothes. It’s best to start slowly, as with any type of socialization training.

First, choose a simple, non-constricting outfit for your dog. Be sure that your dog is calm, and then gently slide the outfit over their head, securing it against their body. Your dog may resist, so it’s important that you praise them for exhibiting good behavior during this process.

Once your dog is dressed, allow them several minutes to become accustomed to this new sensation. Some dogs may bite at the clothes, so it’s important to keep your dog distracted with treats or toys. After repeated training, your dog will eventually become comfortable wearing clothes. This may take a bit of time, so it’s important to be patient.

When getting your dog used to wearing boots or shoes, you may  need to employ a slightly different tactic. Most dogs are initially uncomfortable with wearing anything on their feet, and may need extra treats or praise when becoming used to wearing shoes.