How to Train Your Dog to Wear a Sweater
You’ve scoured the Internet looking for the perfect sweater for your dog and it finally arrives. Now is the real test. How does it look and will your dog wear it? After stuffing your dog into his new sweater, he refuses to walk forward. Yup, this happens a lot.
Most dogs will either stand still, pancake to the ground, or, worse, run and hide. Some dogs will growl while you’re trying to stuff them in the sweater. They’re not happy. Understand wearing clothes is totally new to your dog. If you ran around naked most of your life and then someone stuffed you into a tight turtleneck sweater, you would cringe and stiffen up too. Thankfully, we can teach dogs wearing sweaters is a good thing!
Fit is everything when it comes to dog sweaters. You can’t expect a dog to enjoy wearing a sweater if it impacts his movement.
RELATED: Fit Matters When Choosing a Dog Sweater
Dog Sweater Means Treats
Take your time introducing the sweater to your dog, especially if you plan to purchase an extensive wardrobe for your pooch! Teaching your dog to enjoy putting on and wearing a sweater (or clothes) ensure proud prancing while wearing fabulous garments.
Putting It On
Before training your dog to wear a sweater, you’ll need several super yummy treats and your dog’s new sweater. Better yet, practice with an older sweater or a child’s shirt. This prevents stretching and stains.
Head First
Bunch up the fabric, so only the neck portion is visible. Hold the neck hole in front of your dog’s face and hold a treat on the opposite side. Basically, your dog will follow the treat through the neck hole. Once the sweater is around your dog’s neck, give him the treat. Now, stop there and take the sweater off your dog. Practice teaching your dog to push his head through the neck hole and reward every time.
Now the Body
After a couple of sessions, lure your dog’s head through the neck hole. Give your dog a treat as you pull the sweater over one leg at a time. Sometimes, it’s easier having a person hold a spoonful of peanut butter in front of your dog, so he can lick away while you’re maneuvering the sweater in place.
If your dog backs away when putting on the sweater, allow him to collect himself for a few minutes and decide if he’ll engage again. If he’s confused, go back to luring his head through the sweater neck hole and move slowly.
Wearing It Proudly
Once the sweater is on, have a party! Good things happen when wearing a sweater, so clap, speak in happy high-pitched tones and, of course, reward with lots of super yummy treats. Then, take the sweater off and end the party. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to put the sweater back on, right?
If your dog refuses to walk forward, sprinkle a few treats about a foot in front of your dog like a trail. This will surely get him moving. Keep sprinkling treats until he’s walked a few feet. Don’t forget to have a party while he’s wearing it. Once the sweater is off, the party stops. Keep practicing, and soon your dog will run toward his new sweater, happily stick his neck through the hole and walk around proudly!
If you take your time, your dog will love his sweater! Have a sweater party!
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