Expert QA

A friend brought booties and a sweater for my dog, but my collie refuses to wear them, even on the coldest days. How can I get my pet to wear these items and feel comfortable in them?

From the Editors of The Dog Daily

Dogs are conscious of what's on their fur and skin, and for good reason. Parasites, thorns and other items can become embedded in dog fur, so dogs are sensitive to foreign objects and will often check for them. The sweater and booties probably trigger this natural "get rid of it" reflex. First, make sure that the items are the right size for your dog. Canines may feel uncomfortable in ill-fitting clothing just as we do. Use a cloth tape measure to figure out the dimensions of your dog's body, chest, neck and legs. To determine shoe size, be sure to measure around the widest part of your dog's paws. You then will have to train your dog to wear the clothing. Begin by introducing the items to her. Let her sniff and get used to them. Have her sit and stay, then introduce the items again and praise her, perhaps with a small treat. Next, put one of the items on her. Praise your dog and offer another food reward. Remove the item and then put it on your dog once more, this time for a longer period. Praise and reward her. Continue doing this for gradually longer stretches of time. If your dog seems particularly fidgety, you might have to stop and try again on another day when she's in a more accepting mood.