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Dogs look cute once they put on costumes, but it surely’s uncommon to discover a canine who naturally enjoys carrying them. It often takes a superb quantity of coaching and publicity to get canines snug with placing on a fancy dress.
Since it’s doable for canines to take a number of weeks to months to get used to carrying costumes, it’s greatest to start out coaching as quickly as doable. Here are some steps you possibly can take to efficiently get your canine to placed on a fancy dress.
Before You Start
It’s often not a good suggestion to start out coaching with a fancy dress. Many canine costumes really feel restrictive, and a few of them will be made with uncomfortable materials. Therefore, purchase some canine garments or bandanas which might be made with gentle, breathable cloth, and get your canine used to carrying them first.
Even although it could take a major period of time, growing your canine’s publicity to garments and costumes in small increments will improve your possibilities of success. It may also make placing on garments a extra snug and constructive expertise in your canine.
The 5 Tips on How To Put a Costume on a Dog
1. Start With Something Light
Costumes can really feel cumbersome and proscribing for canines. So, in case your canine has by no means worn a fancy dress, it’s greatest to start out with a lighter and extra snug piece of clothes. A smooth cotton t-shirt or gentle sweater are each choices that may assist canines get used to carrying garments extra shortly. If your canine retains avoiding carrying a t-shirt, you possibly can strive beginning with a bandana and dealing your manner as much as get your canine snug with carrying a t-shirt.
2. Build a Positive Association With Wearing Clothes
It’s essential to create a constructive affiliation with carrying garments. Start small and lay out the clothes on the bottom. Let your canine sniff and look at it. Every time they get near the article of clothes, reward them with reward and treats.
Once your canine will get snug being close to the clothes, you can begin to place it on them. Try to get your canine to place their head by the neck gap. You can use treats to encourage them to poke their head by. Let your canine put on the shirt round their neck and proceed to reward them with reward and treats.
3. Put the Clothing on in Brief Intervals
After your canine will get used to carrying a shirt round their neck, you possibly can transfer on to placing their limbs by the arm holes. Let your canine put on the shirt for just some seconds. Give them loads of treats and high-value rewards to encourage them to maintain carrying the shirt and perceive that carrying it’s a good factor.
Make positive to watch out while you take the shirt off your canine in order that they don’t really feel uncomfortable. Wait a couple of minutes and put the shirt again on them. Continue to do that a number of instances a day in order that your canine will get used to placing on a shirt.
4. Extend the Amount of Time Your Dog Wears the Clothing
As your canine will get used to carrying a shirt, you possibly can prolong the period of time your canine wears the t-shirt. Work in increments and solely maintain the shirt in your canine for an period of time that’s snug for them. Your canine will ultimately get used to carrying the shirt for longer durations of time.
5. Put the Costume on Your Dog
Once your canine will get snug carrying a t-shirt for a very long time, you possibly can change to placing a fancy dress in your canine. If the costume has a number of items, begin by placing on the least restrictive piece and have them put on it by itself till they’re utterly snug with it.
Since costumes are usually extra uncomfortable than common canine t-shirts, maintain an in depth eye in your canine and ensure to take your canine’s costume off earlier than your canine tries to take it off on their very own. This will stop any accidents and also will proceed to maintain costume carrying a constructive expertise in your canine. Over time, your canine will likely be able to wear costumes for an extended period of time.
How Long Can My Dog Wear a Costume?
Dogs can often put on costumes for a few hours, however the period of time your canine can put on a fancy dress will depend on your dog’s comfort level. Some canines will get pleasure from carrying garments, whereas others merely don’t like them. So, it’s essential to be observant of your canine’s habits to make sure they continue to be snug and secure whereas in costume.
Costumes may also trigger pores and skin irritation, particularly in the event that they’re made with cheaper artificial supplies. So, verify your canine’s pores and skin for any chafing or rashes. Make positive your canine isn’t getting too scorching or overheated whereas carrying their costume. If you discover any heavy panting or different indicators of overheating, take the costume off your canine instantly.
Conclusion
When coaching your canine to placed on garments, be aware of your canine’s consolation degree. Making the expertise constructive and tolerable will assist your canine put on costumes for longer durations of time and resist taking them off.
Never pressure your canine into a fancy dress and regulate them each time they’re carrying a fancy dress. Be fast to take away the costume for those who discover indicators of discomfort, particularly overheating.
Featured Image Credit: Kashaeva Irina, Shutterstock