social

Can Clothes Effect a Dog's Behavior?

I have a female Chihuahua. I haven't really dressed her up until recently. It seems that when she is wearing clothes she acts more mellow. She doesn't jump up or play as hard. She still eats and poops normally.

Advertisement

It seems so strange to me that the clothes can make her chill out. She even barks less. She just follows me around and sits close to where I am. Once I take off the clothes she goes back to being more active and mischievous. I have checked the clothes to make sure that they are not binding or harming her in anyway. Has anyone else experienced this?

By Ana

Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 162 Posts
May 10, 20110 found this helpful

Ana,
They make a product called "Thunder Vests" that can help calm dogs during stressful times (like thunder storms). My vet recommended one as an option for my dog who freaks out on the 4th of July. Maybe clothes calm your dog the same way.

 
December 25, 20160 found this helpful

Its funny because we got our chocolate lab puppy a shirt for christmas and it has mellowed him tremendously. The minute you take it off he goes back to being hell on 4 paws.

Advertisement

We like the shirt. Our we being cruel? Its not tight on him at all. Lets us know.

 
January 23, 20180 found this helpful

We also have a Chocolate Lab and put a shirt on him, too. He also calms down. He is a very big Lab and none of the products fit him, so I use one of my husband's shirts and it works great! You are not being cruel, because what you are doing works and causes no harm.

 
May 11, 20110 found this helpful

I too have heard of Thunder Vests for dogs, they act to help negate anxiety. I'm not sure the exact science behind them but it does seem that maybe there may be some correlation between dressing your dog and him behaving more!

 
May 11, 20110 found this helpful

The clothes might have your dog scared to do anything out of the ordinary.

 

Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 407 Feedbacks
May 11, 20111 found this helpful

Well I can see someone else already told you about Thunder vests. I have a Boston Terrier and he too is much calmer when I put a sweater or his winter coat on him in the cold weather.

Advertisement

He doesn't mind wearing them, he just seems to cease activity. He'll even fall over on the couch when I'm trying to get him dressed. It's like he's gone boneless!

 
January 7, 20200 found this helpful

Hahahaha same with my Shorkie!!! I am on this page with the same question lol. He is a totally different puppy! He is a hellion on 4 legs when it's off. Drives my 8 year old Labradoodle nuts lol. Put his winter coat on, he's calm as ever. I love it haha

 
December 24, 20120 found this helpful

Any type of clothing for dogs calms them. As to why, you'll probably have to ask an animal trainer. I would simply like to point out that you do not need to pay any extra for a dog clothing item simply because it claims to have a calming effect.

Advertisement

The $5 shirt does just as well as the $50 shirt.

 
February 7, 20130 found this helpful

I have a bull mastiff/ amstaff .. He is just a little over a year old. He is huge! I bought him a KU sweeter for Christmas and he calms down almost immediately. Lays down next to me and just chills. The sweater fits him fine, he eats at dinner time, goes out when it's time.. He simply just is calmer. Does anyone know why?

 
 
December 13, 20190 found this helpful

I understand that it works on the premise of swaddling like for a baby.
Also the weighted blanket to calm autistic children.

 
Anonymous
December 19, 20190 found this helpful

I HAVE A CHIWEENIE THAT WEARS A SHIRT ALL THE TIME. AS SOON AS I TAKE IT OFF HER STARTS TO SCRATCH AND YAWN. HE DOES NOT SEEM TO MIND THEM AT ALL, AND HE IS DARN CUTE IN IT. HE NOW HAS A WARDROBE OF ABOUT TEE SHIRTS. HE DOES NOT LIKE SWEATERS OR COATS.

Advertisement

IT HAS TO BE A TEE SHIRT WHICH IS FINE WITH ME I WILL ACCOMIDATE HIM. HE DOES NOT LOOK RIGHT WITH OUT IT NOW BECAUSE I AM SO USED TO SEEING HIM IN THEM. I HOPE THAT HE IS OK BECAUSE OF THIS.

 
December 1, 20140 found this helpful

My dog Toro does the exact same thing! I do believe that clothes do effect a dog's behavior.

 
December 23, 20160 found this helpful

Our 90 pound lab recently had surgery on his stomach and the vet recommended a tshirt if he scratched at it. Well he did, so we put a large v neck t on him. At first he hesitated to walk but only for a few moments. He has no problem letting us change it when needed so he must not dislike it.

Advertisement

I thought the tshirt was to help prevent injury if he scratched at it, but have found he actually is scratching much less as well. I definitely believe clothes effect their behavior.

 
October 12, 20180 found this helpful

Yes my chiauhauh is the same way! It's really weird. I call it his magic cloak! Lol

 
December 4, 20180 found this helpful

I just got a mini Schnauzer and we dress him up too and we notice same, he just calm down when he is wearing clothes

 
Anonymous
January 4, 20190 found this helpful

I call my chihuahua jumper, her naughty jumper because I put it on her to calm her down. Pleased so many people are doing the same was worried I was being cruel too.

 
February 9, 20190 found this helpful

My Chi does the same thing, but I actually think he is pouting. He does not seem to like clothes at all. He even tries to rub them off on the bed or a rug. But I feel so bad for him when he shivers and shakes during the winter when it is extremely cold so I continue to try and put sweaters, nothing binding or too fluffy, or even just tee shirts on to take the chill away. I start feeling like a bad Mom when I see him pout and just take the clothes off and put him under covers which of course he really loves. Not sure if I need to continue trying to get him use to clothes or just let it go?

 
August 23, 20190 found this helpful

My dog (toy Poochon) calms right down with clothes on but he loves it. I have a bin of baby clothes he will pick a shirt out of (usually his green alien shirt) and bring it to me to put on him.
He will wear pants but doesnt like them as much.
He is crazy and runs like wild unless his shirt is on and he is calm and really happy.

 
August 23, 20190 found this helpful

My dog (toy Poochon) calms right down with clothes on but he loves it. I have a bin of baby clothes he will pick a shirt out of (usually his green alien shirt) and bring it to me to put on him.
He will wear pants but doesnt like them as much.
He is crazy and runs like wild unless his shirt is on and he is calm and really happy.

 
Anonymous
November 14, 20190 found this helpful

I have also experienced this

 
December 15, 20210 found this helpful

Its totally happening to our puppy too who is part chihuahua! Its so nice to see her two personality! Lol! She also loves the sun so she gets cold when there is no sun so its cool seeing her comfy!

 
July 12, 20230 found this helpful

Yes, it seems to be the case with my hyper active doggie..I almost think something is bad wrong with him??
He stays in his kennel, wont mingle around or be social at all!! Judy was wondering if it could be shirt?

 

Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!

 
Categories
Pets Dogs AdviceMay 10, 2011
Pages
More
🍀
St. Patrick's Ideas!
🎂
Birthday Ideas!
💘
Valentine's Ideas!
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
Instagram
Categories
Better LivingBudget & FinanceBusiness and LegalComputersConsumer AdviceCoronavirusCraftsEducationEntertainmentFood and RecipesHealth & BeautyHolidays and PartiesHome and GardenMake Your OwnOrganizingParentingPetsPhotosTravel and RecreationWeddings
Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2024-02-12 18:28:20 in 3 secs. ⛅️️
© 1997-2024 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90864066.tip.html