Does My Dog Like Wearing Clothes?

There are lots of different reasons why we might want to put clothes on dogs and it’s not always because we think it looks cute. Just because a sweater is cute doesn’t mean it doesn’t have to serve a purpose. One of the main reasons pup parents put clothes on their dogs is to keep them warm and protect them from the cold. You might see a pup wearing a festive Gingerbread Man Dog Jumper but that could be just as much for style as it is to keep them nice and warm.

Short-coated dogs can easily get cold in the winter, especially while out walking. Breeds with thin skin especially like greyhounds and lurchers can really benefit from an extra layer when venturing out into the cold. To battle against wind and rain, many pet parents will choose to put a coat like the Rufus & Rosie Yellow & Black Jacket Dog Coat on their pup to avoid having to bathe them after every walk. Coats and sweaters don’t just keep them warm but they also keep the splashes of mud off their fur so you only have to rinse off their paws after a mucky walk.

Clothes can also protect against injuries. Some dogs find it less stressful to wear clothes as opposed to an Elizabethan collar around their necks. You can get boots like the Mikki Dog Boot to protect injured paws whilst out walking and stop your pooch from bothering them in the house.

If your pooch is comfortable wearing clothes then you should be able to tell by their body language. Every dog is different and they won’t all have the same boundaries. While some might enjoy a cosy sweater, others who are not used to wearing anything may find the process uncomfortable. If your pup runs away whenever you pull out the dog walking clothes then chances are, they aren’t a fan.

While signs like running away are obvious, some signals that your pup doesn't appreciate clothes might be a little more subtle. Displacement behaviours like sniffing the ground and avoiding eye contact with you when you want to get them into a jumper are common. Appeasing behaviour like a stress yawn or a full body shake when you’re putting an outfit on or talking it off can be a sign too. If they don’t want to move while wearing clothes or their movement changes, they are likely a little uncomfortable wearing it. Paying attention to what your dog is telling you and understanding body language will tell you if your pup loves their new coat or not.

If you’ve popped a coat on your dog and they suddenly can’t walk or if they run away when you try to get them dressed then you may just have to accept that your pooch is not one for dressing up.

It is something you can progressively work on. If your pup is only used to wearing a collar you could progress them onto a harness to get them used to something around their body. Use lots of treats to show them that it’s a good thing. Some harnesses can be quite robust like the Doodlebone Smokey Camo Snappy Dog Harness so if they’re comfortable wearing something like that, they’re bound to find a coat a little easier to accept. A jacket like the Rufus & Rosie Waterproof Jacket is lightweight and doesn’t have any narrow openings that require them to put their legs through. It’s a great option for pups getting used to clothes.

If your canine companion doesn’t enjoy clothes, they may be able to wear something minimal like a waterproof jacket with some positive, reward based training but if they’re not keen or they’ve previously had negative experiences, they may just be happier to go without. Clothes should only ever benefit our pups so there’s no use in forcing the matter if they really don’t want to.

If your dog doesn’t like to wear clothes, it isn’t the end of the world. If they get wet on walks, they will just need to be dried off when you get home and if it gets a little cold at home during the Winter you can get extra blankets for them to snuggle up in. You can even get your pup their very own hot water bottle to keep them nice and warm with the Snugglesafe Heat Pad.

From clothes to cosy blankets, you can find something for every pup whether they love to dress up or not, you can find everything you need in store and online.