Should You Dress Your Dog for Halloween?
Every Halloween, the debate on whether or not your dog should don a costume is rehashed. Some animal behavior experts say that it is psychologically damaging to the dog and that they feel humiliated, while others say that is not the case.
Obviously to put a costume on any dog is not “normal” because they are just that – canines. However, because many Americans nowadays made their beloved dogs an integral part of the family unit, they are included in more things than ever before in dog history. We see more dogs with families in public, people taking them on vacation (hence the increase in pet-friendly hotels, etc), and some sleep in our beds! Even in this depressed economy, the sales of pet products continue to rise.
Deciding whether to dress your dog for Halloween should depend entirely on how willingly your pooch accepts the costume. Don’t think that your pet will just sit there and let you wrangle him/her into an uncomfortable costume on Halloween night. It just won’t work. If you are set on turning your dog into Yoda or a Pirate, you will have to work up to it well in advance of the holiday.
Some dogs actually enjoy dressing up because of how the situation is presented to them by their owners – they may love the extra attention and treats associated with the interaction. If it is done correctly, starting with a light and unrestrictive costume, such as a dog tshirt, they may tend to be more cooperative when presented with more complicated costumes.
Personally, our dog gets very excited when we bring out her football jersey on the weekend and will wear it for hours with no problem. This is how we prepared her for costumes and other items. The jersey is light and breathable and she was rewarded with liver treats the first few times we put it on her. We praise her behavior and never laugh at her. If you think a dog doesn’t know when they are being laughed at, you are wrong!
Some dogs will not take to costumes at all and therefore should not be forced into wearing them. Following are some guidelines to consider when planning a doggie dress-up day:
Once you decide on a costume, be prepared to do several practice sessions with your dog. After a week or so, you may succeed, however if they appear to be agitated or in pain of any kind, do not proceed. Halloween just isn’t their thing.
If your dog freezes in place when dressed in a costume, this is an indication that they are uncomfortable and overwhelmed. They may soon try to get out of the garment to escape the fear of being dominated. Don’t force the issue.
Make sure your choice of costume is the right size, not restrictive or tight, and make sure the design does not interfere with the dog’s usual actions. No costume should be worn that interferes with their sight or breathing – and definitely no shoes.
Finally, if you are successful in getting your dog to wear a Halloween costume and plan to be outside, please make sure you keep him/her on a leash to avoid a disaster should he/she become panicked for any reason.