Tips to Help You Find a Safe Halloween Costume for Your Pup
Believe it or not, not all Halloween costumes are safe for puppies.
There’s almost nothing more adorable in life than seeing a puppy dressed up as a pumpkin or teddy bear, but some pet owners get so caught up in how cute their pet looks that they don’t realize that the costume could be making them uncomfortable, or in some cases, could even be hurting their pet. Here at Sit Means Sit, we are proud to be your source for puppy training classes in Milwaukee, but we don’t stop there. We also want to help you keep your pup safe and happy, and that’s why we’ve come up with these tips to help you find a safe Halloween costume for your pup:
#1. Make sure the costume doesn’t limit your dog’s mobility.
When your pup sports their costume, they should be able to comfortably walk, sit, eat, drink, lay down and go to the bathroom. If the costume restricts their movements in any way, it is not a good idea to put it on your pup. And, it goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway, the costume you choose should NEVER hinder your dog’s ability to breathe.
#2. Pay attention to how they react.
Stress can do funny things to your dog’s personality, possibly even leading to them lashing out aggressively. And some dogs simply cannot handle wearing a costume, no matter how well it fits them or how comfortable it is. If you can tell that your dog is stressed in the costume — if they excessively pant, pace around the room, whine, or won’t eat — do not force your dog to wear the costume.
#3. Beware of possible choking hazards.
Dogs are a lot like kids — they’ll stick just about anything in their mouths. If the costume has pieces that could be torn off and swallowed, like frills, ribbons, bow ties, and buttons, it is not a good option for your dog.
#4. Don’t cover your dog’s ears or face.
Masks, wigs and floppy hats can be annoying enough for the people who wear them, and they at least understand what is going on and are probably voluntarily wearing them. But for pups who have no idea what’s going on or why they are being forced to wear something that covers their eyes or ears, the experience can be unpleasant, to say the least. Don’t choose a costume that will hinder your dog’s ability to hear or see, or that will get annoying for your dog to wear.
#5. Never remove your dog’s ID tag.
No matter what you do, do not remove your dog’s ID tag — even if it doesn’t go with the rest of the costume. Why? Because if your dog gets loose, there’s a much stronger possibility that they’ll be returned to you if they are wearing a tag with your contact information on it.
We hope that you have a fun, safe Halloween with your furry friend! Be sure to contact us if your puppy needs some training. We can help with housebreaking a puppy, obedience training, stopping your pup from chewing and so much more.