After analyzing these dog Christmas costume photos I happened upon online, I’d have to say that it seems that dogs don’t like Christmas any more than they like Hanukkah or Halloween.
You don’t need some fancy six-month online degree to know this about dog emotions: These are not happy faces.
Assuming you are the one who put the costume on your dog, his unhappiness probably has something to do with you. And yet, there you are taking the photo. It’s kind of like making your child wear a dunce cap when he’s naughty and then putting a picture of it on your Facebook page. Yay you for finding an effective form or punishment that is effective and photo-worthy!
Yes, I know that you weren’t purposely punishing your dog. But it can take a while for a dog to feel okay about something that is completely different than anything else it has every experienced. Like wearing a Santa hat.
With a little proper conditioning using positive reinforcement, I completely believe a dog can come to like a costume. Or even love it. Just to be clear, the “reinforcement” probably needs to be something more than just your praise. I bet the dogs in these photos were being praised. But not enough to make them redraft their plans for hari kari.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’re saying to yourself:
“But that kind of training takes time. You have to put the costume on, give the dog treats, take it off. Again. Repeat 20 times over a period of days or weeks or years. Blah blah. Thing is, I’m a busy person. Is there any kind of costume I can put my dog in and he’ll just like it right away?”
Yes, Virginia, there is a non-santa costume that he will like. Apparently, all dogs love kimonos.
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