Puppy Halloween Costumes: Conditioning Your Puppy to Wear Clothes
If you can’t stop shopping for puppy Halloween costumes (we get it, RIP wallet), check out these tips to help your puppy get used to wearing clothes.
As soon as September rolls around, Halloween madness descends on the internet. You start seeing puppies and dogs everywhere dressed up like bumblebees, Ewoks, pumpkins, cowboys…you name it. We really are living in the golden age of puppy Halloween costumes, and it couldn’t be cuter.
If your social media feed is packed with pups wearing costumes and grinning for the camera, you might be wondering: is it witchcraft? How are people getting their puppies into these costumes and KEEPING them on? Where are the reels of puppies playing tug-of-war with their festive lion manes?
Well, first of all, keep in mind that social media isn’t reality. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes, including LOTS of bloopers (after all, puppies are walking bloopers, right?).
With that said, lots of puppies can and do learn to enjoy wearing costumes, and the process is a lot easier than you might think. Here’s how to make dressing up together super fun and stress-free.
Start Conditioning Your Puppy to Wear Clothes Early
If you want your puppy to love wearing costumes, it’s best to get started with introducing clothing soon after you bring them home.
Puppies are still learning about the world! If they learn from a young age that sometimes their people put them in pajamas and puppy Halloween costumes, they’ll see it as just another part of normal life, like wearing a collar or getting groomed.
Keep Comfort In Mind
Many dogs LOVE wearing clothing, especially dogs that get cold easily, but comfort is key. When you’re starting the costume conditioning process, make sure you're introducing comfy clothing that’s not too tight and not super loose. That way, you can help ensure your pup’s first impressions of clothing are positive.
It’s important to note that some costumes are STUPIDLY cute and also really awkward to wear. Feel free to buy these to your heart’s content, but save them for a quick photo shoot only.
If you’re planning to have your puppy wear clothing for a longer period of time, opt for comfy jackets, sweaters, and pajamas. Remember to be mindful of the weather–some puppies overheat quickly.
Break Out the Good Stuff
When you’re teaching your puppy to wear clothing, it’s time to break out the good stuff. Milk Bones and kibble won’t cut it. Novel food and high-value treats like cheese and freeze-dried meat will help you show your puppy that wearing clothes = good stuff.
Don’t Make it a Big Deal
Puppies are really, really good at picking up on our moods. If you approach them with a costume, acting all shifty, they’re going to think they have a reason to be suspicious. Have confidence, and don’t make it a big deal. If you don’t think it’s a big deal, your puppy probably won’t either.
Get Your Puppy Moving
Whenever you put something new on your puppy’s body, they’re likely to stop and think about it. They’ll probably think it’s weird and either freeze or try to get it off of themselves.
If you get them moving, however, they’ll forget about what they’re wearing in two seconds flat. Put the hoodie on and start a game of tug or throw a toy. Call them to you and give them some high-value treats. Let them chase you!
Keep Sessions Short
When you first break out the puppy Halloween costumes, don’t expect your pup to feel totally comfortable right away. If they do, great! If they need a little bit more conditioning to realize that costumes are Fun, Good Things, keep the sessions short.
Don’t leave their clothing and accessories on for more than a minute or two at the beginning if they’re unsure. As they get more comfortable, you can increase the time they spend wearing them.
Have Fun With It
At the end of the day, your puppy doesn’t need to wear a costume–but it’s a lot of fun! Don’t stress out about the process, and just have a good time with it. Laugh at the bloopers. Enjoy taking pictures. Chances are good that if you’re having fun, your puppy will too!
Puppy Halloween Costumes CAN Be Fun For Everyone!
You’ve probably heard from at least one person online that putting dogs in costumes or even clothing is wrong and selfish. Some people claim that it’s impossible for a dog to get used to wearing costumes.
Ignore those people and look at the dog in front of you. Are they going to love the costume the first time you put it on? Probably not. But unless they’re truly panicking when you dress them up (and if that’s the case, stop!), you can probably get them to be okay with wearing puppy Halloween costumes pretty quickly. And if you’re lucky? Your puppy will like wearing costumes as much as you like buying them.
Looking For More Fun Things to Do With Your Puppy?
We’ve got you covered! SuperPup Academy offers a lineup of approachable online classes designed to help you find new ways to have fun with your puppy or dog. From basic puppy life skills to agility and the show ring, we’re excited to help you play and bond with your pup.
