It’s almost Halloween and you know what that means—costumes galore! You might be excited to dress your dog up, but before you go on a shopping spree, the first thing you should ask yourself is, “Should I be doing this with my dog?”

Some factors to consider:

• Is my dog comfortable with clothes and costumes? 
• Will my dog be wearing this for more than a few minutes?
• Do I have the right tools to guide my dog through this situation?

Keep in mind that costumes are not appropriate for all dogs. But even if your dog doesn’t dress up this year, there are still lots of great ways to include them in the festivities. Try a Halloween bandana or throw on a funky new collar. Maybe even get them a nice, cozy sweater for the end of the year! 

Beginner Costumes

If your dog doesn’t mind getting dressed up, but you’re not sure if they will tolerate a full costume, try something like a Halloween-themed hoodie or other clothing articles that are easy to put on. It is best to avoid costumes with pieces that hang near your dog’s ears, face, or in front of their body. These are tempting to chew on and will be challenging for your pup to ignore.

Practice & Repetition

For those that are ready to flaunt their fancy attire, we have some steps to get you started in the right direction. The key to helping your pup feel comfortable in their costume is to prepare early, giving them enough time to practice and get used to the costume item before the big day. We want them to understand that this isn’t anything to be scared of, nor is it a chew toy—it’s actually part of a fun game that we play for a reward! 

Step 1: Introduction

Put your dog on PLACE. Bring out the item you want your dog to wear, but do not put it on your dog yet. They can give it a quick sniff, but watch for any signs of discomfort or over-excitement. Once they are calm and ignoring the item, give them a reward. Repeat as needed before moving to the next step. 

Step 2: Conditioning

Briefly touch the object to your dog’s back or head, depending on where it will be worn. Reward them for sitting still. Do this until you can hold the object for longer periods without your dog fussing over it or getting off of PLACE. Repeat as needed. 

Step 3: Practice & Repetition

Once your dog seems comfortable with Step 2, begin briefly putting the item on them. Do short reps, having them wear it for a few seconds, then taking it off and telling them BREAK with a reward. Build up to longer durations of them wearing it until they are fully comfortable with it on. 

*You should never force an uncomfortable dog to wear costumes or articles of clothing. Always stop and consult with your trainer if your dog is showing signs of fear or aggression*