07-30-2011 at 2:45 PM

x3 I don't think I'm going to post much in this debate anymore.<br /> I'll probably just lurk in it.

07-30-2011 at 1:55 PM

Not to be a bug. But a "Smile" can also be a sign of stress. Dogs will stress pant. They will also move more when stressed.<br /> Ironically a "grin" can also be a happy sign. It's the overall body language that has to be looked at.<br /> http://www.dogscouts.org/uploads/Dog_Body_Language_101.pdf

07-30-2011 at 6:19 AM

<img src= http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/shadowwolf2028/100_2782-1.jpg><br /> <br /> :| I put dog shirts on my Cocker Spaniel.<br /> <br /> I don't have a real problem with dog clothes, so long as the animal is comfortable with it.

07-30-2011 at 5:24 AM

I put my maltese in sweaters and he has his own jacket. But I do it because he really doesn't have fur and the slightese cold makes him shiver. In the winter, YES, we do have sweaters for him to wear around the cold house, and a jacket for the outdoors.<br /> <br /> At the same time, we do have a halloween costume for him which I removed off of him once I knew he didn't want to wear it anymore (started to bite it, sat down a lot, etc.) And for Christmas we did have a bandana of jingle bells and reindeer antlers, but oh boy...the SMILE he had when we put them on. I mean, we'd put the bells on and he'd run around making them jingle. <br /> <br /> I don't think that making a dog wear clothes/bikinis in warm weather is too acceptable, but for the cold, its okay. So, speaking from experience, I don't REALLY have a problem with it.

07-30-2011 at 4:48 AM

<a href="http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad178/i_heart_dakota/5thmemorycardpictures043-2.jpg">Does anything about this dog's body language suggest discomfort?</a><br /> <br /> Dakota is one to really show discomfort in his body language even if he is just tolerating something. He has no issues with his outfit for the costume fundraiser for the local shelter.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad178/i_heart_dakota/5thmemorycardpictures062.jpg">He even started rolling around on the ground, snorting, like a dork.</a>

07-30-2011 at 2:58 AM

My dog likes wearing bandannas. This is a smaller example, but I bet it's the same with other doggie clothes with other dogs.<br /> He will actually bring me his bandanna's sometime and drop them at my feet and wait patiently for me to notice. If I don't, he'll sometimes put them on the couch next to me and staaaaare at me. I'd say he enjoys it.

07-29-2011 at 9:48 PM

Rusten - how do YOU know they don't enjoy it? Do you speak dog? Do you know what goes on in their minds? Are you a dog who gets dressed up in clothes?<br /> <br /> ... No?<br /> <br /> Okay then. You can't say for a fact that they don't enjoy it. My dog ENJOYED it. Other people's pets enjoy it. Other people's pets enjoy the attention they get from it. Mine loved the attention she got from it.<br /> <br /> So I'm sorry it disgusts you that our pets happen to have enjoyed the experiences that stemmed from being in clothing, or just enjoyed the clothing itself.

07-29-2011 at 8:45 PM

No, that animals are not "enjoying" it, more "tolerating" it, I'd say.

07-27-2011 at 11:32 PM

If the dog likes the dressing up and the attention it gets them, what's the problem? Does it "disgust" you if the dog enjoys it? I don't see the big deal unless the animal is being forced into something they don't like.

07-27-2011 at 9:29 AM

Thats exactly how I feel, Rusten. x3

07-27-2011 at 9:28 AM

I believe a dog should be treated as a dog. Sure, they're part of the family, but it disgusts me when people dress them up. It disgusts me even more when they treat dogs like replacement children.<br /> I am ok with people putting coats over their dog's back to go out, but not dressing them up to the nines in boots and hats and stuff.

07-26-2011 at 6:19 AM

My pittie loves to be dressed up. She has 2 jackets that fit her (they used to be mine) and she loves wearing them!

07-24-2011 at 8:12 PM

I agree with the majority of this thread. <br /> <br /> As long as the dog/cat is comfortable with the outfit, I feel it's fine to dress your pet up.<br /> <br /> I personally LOVE seeing pets dressed up for Halloween. If I could, I'd do it with my own cats, but my female doesn't like outfits/hats on. She doesn't mind bows though =3 My tom could care less. <br /> <br /> I don't put clothes or other "accessories" on my cats, unless they don't mind.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad233/Dalek4life/IMG_0528.jpg?t=1311526903">Toby in a bit of a "Hula Girl" Outfit</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad233/Dalek4life/Pets/IMG_3221.jpg?t=1311527043">Missy posing in her Christmas Bow</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad233/Dalek4life/Pets/IMG_3231.jpg?t=1311527048">Just to show how comfortable she was in it XD</a><br /> <br /> Toby may look a bit annoyed, but he was really fine with it on, and walks around the house comfortably with it on. It was loose, and did not harm him in any way. Same goes with everything else I put on my babies.<br /> <br /> I would never harm my cats, and I think they look very cute with them on =3 Also, Missy has worn a diaper before, for traveling. That was the most hilarious thing ever.<br />

07-24-2011 at 1:21 PM

Meredith - on the point of "they'll get used to it" - I think you really do NEED to let them get used to it before making a decision to not use it.<br /> <br /> I pointed out that my dog loved her halloween outfit. Well, that only came -after- having to dress her in a frilly jacket for cold weather. It was the only thing my stores had. It was "Fashionable" and she kept trying to rip it off at first, but once she got USED to it, she loved it because it kept her warm.<br /> In other words, animals are not typically going to be okay with any form of clothing, no matter how functional (track booties for sled or other pulling dogs, anyone?). So it's good to get your dog used to that kind of environment - because you never know what your dog is going to end up needing to wear next, and you might as well teach them to view it as acceptable now, instead of force them to accept it later when it's absolutely necessary.

07-9-2011 at 10:42 AM

if the dog loves it, why not??? if the dog doesn't fancy fancying up then only dress the pup up with like a lifejacket during boating, a Comfortable not fashionable rainjacket during a storm, something that might keep a dog warm (again, it's comfort not fashion!) then i understand, but don't make it a regular thing and don't make the dog suffer through it. if they're trying to take it off, don't be like "they'll get used to it" take it off!

07-9-2011 at 3:28 AM

One year, I made my dog a little bat costume. Full black vest with wings.<br /> <br /> She LOVED it. She especially loved going out and going door to door meeting people. She sat pretty and begged for treats at the houses that actually had treats inside (and a LOT of houses had treats, even if it wasn't specifically for Halloween, though one house did have Halloween doggie treats). At the houses that didn't have treats for her, she wagged her tail happily and did little tricks for them if they asked.<br /> <br /> To say that this was degrading to her, to say that she was "freaked out" over it - this is false. My dog loved doing this, and it was not one bit harmful to her at all. In fact, it was a great exercise in how to behave when around strangers.<br /> <br /> <br /> This isn't saying that dressing up and going door to door is something every dog can do - but it's certainly not something you can say with a definitive answer that it is bad or good.

07-9-2011 at 12:58 AM

I'm against dressing up animals. It's not natural and I would think that it would upset some animals. The only reasons I would clothe my animal are for identification (example: my dog wears a collar with his name and my home phone number on it in case he gets lost) or if it has short hair/is used to living in warm climates and it's really cold outside (example: my grandmother puts a little sweater on her Chihuahua during the winter months).

07-8-2011 at 7:43 PM

I think it's OK unless the animal is in danger, or is upset by it. Normally, people dress up dogs. Dogs will always love you, it's in their genetics. And like Carni stated, "I will agree with the point that if the only reason you have a dog is to use it as a fashion accessory and otherwise don't train, nurture, and care for it, then you obviously got a dog for the wrong reasons." <br /> <br /> So yeah, I agree with her on almost all of it. I'm pro dressing up animals.<br /> <br /> And as human as animals are, you must remember that they're also color blind, so dressing them in pink doesn't make a difference at all.

04-29-2011 at 12:41 AM

Haha yeah sorry, I'm so used to debates doing that. :x<br /> <br /> And no problem. :)

04-29-2011 at 12:38 AM

Things go off topic sometimes, Serpent. X}<br /> <br /> Thanks for the links, Celest. :}