How To Get Your Dog To LOVE His Costume Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff
With a properly trained dog, and dog-loving neighbors, you can take your dog trick-or-treating with his new costume. Some dogs love getting the attention that a costume brings, but other dogs just don't like being laughed at. How do you get these dogs to like the costume? Here are some tips:
Don't put the costume on right away and expect your dog to go along with it. A few weeks before you expect him to wear the costume, use treat training to get him motivated.
Drape the costume over his back for a few seconds, and then give him a little treat. Do this for a few seconds several times, then daily, longer each time, treating and praising all the while.
Put the costume on loosely, and follow the above instructions, for a few seconds, then a few minutes, with praise and treats galore.
Enlist the help of a friend. Let the friend give treats when the dog is in costume and when the costume comes off, the friend (and treats) go away.
Soon your dog will be glad when he sees the costume being taken out for him.
Now your dog should be ready to cooperate whether at a party, getting pictures taken, or "Woof or Treating"!
With a properly trained dog, and dog-loving neighbors, you can take your dog trick-or-treating with his new costume. Some dogs love getting the attention that a costume brings, but other dogs just don't like being laughed at. How do you get these dogs to like the costume? Here are some tips: