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It鈥檚 been a long time since Halloween was just a holiday for children. These days, there are plenty of dog costumes in pet stores, big box stores, and online, and you can even hand-make them. But before getting a , here are some things to consider.
What to Do Before Buying a Dog Costume
Keep in mind that your dog likely isn鈥檛 as interested in Halloween as you are. They probably think their coat or fur is just fine and no costume is necessary.
If your dog is more shy or reserved, it鈥檚 probably a good idea to just let them relax at home without a costume. But if your dog is a social butterfly, then they may not mind wearing a silly outfit for their favorite person. Just plan ahead, so they have time to get accustomed to wearing the costume before Halloween.
Once you find the perfect costume for your dog, do a safety check before purchasing it. Try to avoid buying a costume that would make your dog too hot, restricts movement or breathing, or has toxic elements they could choke on. Make sure your dog鈥檚 field of vision isn鈥檛 blocked, too.
How to Get Your Dog Into a Costume
Try to purchase a at least two weeks before your dog will be wearing it to an event. Introduce your dog to the costume slowly. First, simply show it to them and give them some dog treats. After a couple of days, drape the costume over their back, then give more treats. After a few more days, put the outfit on them and treat again.
You want to give your dog a reason to believe that, if they wear this outfit, great things will happen to them. By giving them treats and using positive reinforcement training techniques, your dog will associate wearing the outfit with rewards. This way, the dog will begin to build that relationship between a costume and in their mind. Remember, it鈥檚 important to always supervise your dog when they鈥檙e wearing a costume.
What to Do if Your Dog Gets Overwhelmed
When purchasing a costume, think about how people may react to seeing your dog in it. They could shriek with delight, point, or laugh hysterically, behaviors that may make any dog pause. Loud noises or big gestures from people can make them very uneasy or even anxious.
If your dog appears unhappy, try to remove them from the situation and take off the costume. Signs of stress in a dog include the whites of the eyes showing more than usual, ears pinned low, or a tucked tail. A dog may also cower, holding their body and their head low.
Remember, always consider your dog鈥檚 safety and comfort, regardless of how you choose to celebrate Halloween. After all, dogs deserve to enjoy the party, whether or not they鈥檙e in disguise.