Dog Owner Chat v2

[.Middy.]

It's fine to state your opinion but you don't need to state your opinion in an offensive way. If I still had Clemmy, I would put t-shirts on her for some of our walks. Part of that is because I think it's cute and part of that is because people will actually stop to pet her (which she LOVES) when she's wearing clothing. But to you, that's 'unacceptable' because she doesn't NEED it. Your calling that cruel is like saying that's on the same level as people who hit their dogs or starve them.

I'm allowed to be upset when someone says something offensive. You can't say something offensive then act like it's the other person's problem for being offended by it. And no, it being your 'opinion' doesn't stop it from being offensive.

Did wearing a shirt help people not be so afraid of Clemmy? Princess has that same problem when I take her out, people see her looks and don't want to pet her. (Usually calling her a pitbull) She would love some way to get people to come up and pet her more often!









Some previews for those that don't want to take time to go look at the Facebook albums!

[Imzadi83]

I've also heard that cute clothing helps make dogs appear less threatening and more friendly. I think it also might make their owners seem more approachable as well. People often want to believe that people who own so called dangerous breeds are nasty, rude, criminal types, but it's harder to make that assumption about someone who's walking a pit bull wearing a tutu.

[Saracirce]

@Middy: I never actually put a t-shirt on her because I don't have any that would fit her and the stores up here don't sell them her size but when she wore her sweater people would stop to fawn over her. Generally the very same people who would otherwise just pass her by and keep their distance. I remember in particular this one mom who literally pulled her kids down a side street when she saw us approach. A month later, she had her sweater on and the mom was totally fine with just passing us by. They didn't stop to say hi but still goes to show the power of cute clothing.

[Imzadi83]

@Middy: I never actually put a t-shirt on her because I don't have any that would fit her and the stores up here don't sell them her size but when she wore her sweater people would stop to fawn over her. Generally the very same people who would otherwise just pass her by and keep their distance. I remember in particular this one mom who literally pulled her kids down a side street when she saw us approach. A month later, she had her sweater on and she was totally fine with just passing us by. They didn't stop to say hi but still goes to show the power of cute clothing.

I feel bad for big dog owners because of the lack of clothing choices. There's not much in stores around here either, as far as selection goes, which is why I mostly shop online. Though I know I'm lucky to have a small dog in regards to clothing.

[.Middy.]

Guess we will give it a shot then! She gives me this sad look whenever someone passes her without saying hello. She is so sweet, she doesn't understand why everyone doesn't want to give her love.

Thanks Sara! Since we are going for Halloween costumes anyways, I'll see if we can grab her a cute little shirt and sweater! (It's starting to get cold here... Well not cold since we live at the coast but you know what I mean lol)

[Saracirce]

@Izmadi: Yeah, I'm not able to buy online right now. Plus, where I live it's either Wal-Mart or the feed store for pet stuff and the feed store is very practicality/working dog oriented. Anyway, there's not nearly as big a selection for big dogs as there is for little ones. At least not for dogs over 50~ pounds. Most of the shirts I've seen for big dogs are sports jerseys or costume parts.

@Middy: Clemmy has the same problem. She just adores people and wants to meet them but everyone's scared of her. It doesn't help when they see her freak out over another dog and people think that all aggression is the same.

[Keeki]

I really don't agree with putting a sweater on your dog, or even dressing it up. It's not a person, it's an animal.

[Cardinal]

I really don't agree with putting a sweater on your dog, or even dressing it up. It's not a person, it's an animal.

What about working gear like padded/armored harnesses? Backpacks? Lifejackets?

What about breeds that live in cold places and have little body fat and little/no fur?

[Saracirce]

Putting cute clothing on your dog doesn't mean you think they're a person or are treating them as one.

Keep in mind that 'scary' looking dogs often get more attention when they're wearing a piece of clothing versus when they're not because it suddenly makes them cuter (I've experience this first hand). Extreme Pieds (like white boxers), double merles and albinos get sunburns and are more prone to skin cancer, as do hairless dogs. So instead of spending a fortune on dog sunscreen, the owner puts a shirt on them and only put sunscreen on the exposed spots. Dogs lacking pigment in their eyes (double merles, albinos, some extreme pieds) find the sunlight too harsh and doggles help. Dogs who regularly are taken running on concrete or go hiking can shred up their paws. Dogs who live in hot places can burn their paws. Dogs who live in places where it snows/ice ends up on the ground can get chemical burns on their paws from the rock salt. All of those should be wearing booties. Single coated dogs in severely cold places benefit from snow suits. AND MIGHT I MENTION, long haired single coated dogs are just as intolerant of the cold as short, single coats. It offers no more protection from the cold and wet then your hair. Some dogs have a general distaste for getting wet and wearing rain coats allows them to go out without them protesting... as much.

Also, what exactly am I supposed to do with single coated dogs in a place where it regularly stays in the -20s and 30s F throughout winter? I personally don't have room for a treadmill in the apartment I currently live in. Clemmy wasn't the type of dog to be happy with just running around inside. Tiring out her brain instead of her body only lasted so long.

[Keeki]

Those are all right, but when you dress your animal in a costume.... it doesn't benefit the dog.