Dressing Up Dogs

[kewtee]

Oh my god - those sites are so funny - and how creative people are in sewing clothes and crafting items!
I see why some people could mistake the dog for a toy with all the stuff you can put on it - it's like a doll to dress up!

I wouldn't do something like that, it's not natural for a dog to be dressed other than for warmth in heavy snow or rain, but I don't think the dogs suffer at all from these kinds of things.

Maybe this is a way for grown up women to keep playing dress up with dolls in a legit way? I don't quite understand the motivation for dressing up a dog - so those of you who do that, please share your reasons and thoughts with me, so I might get wiser in the ways of yorkie dressers!

[chloeandj]

This thread was meant to help people who want to dress their dogs, not a thread for criticizing it. Dressing our dogs is basically a form of domestication. Dogs weren't meant to live in cozy houses and be fed out of a bowl either. I'm offended by your remarks. Especially since I have a site listed here. (Do YOU feel it is NATURAL to dress YOURSELF? As nature didn't make your clothes.)

[Yorkie_GirL]

Originally Posted by kewtee

Oh my god - those sites are so funny - and how creative people are in sewing clothes and crafting items!
I see why some people could mistake the dog for a toy with all the stuff you can put on it - it's like a doll to dress up!

I wouldn't do something like that, it's not natural for a dog to be dressed other than for warmth in heavy snow or rain, but I don't think the dogs suffer at all from these kinds of things.

Maybe this is a way for grown up women to keep playing dress up with dolls in a legit way? I don't quite understand the motivation for dressing up a dog - so those of you who do that, please share your reasons and thoughts with me, so I might get wiser in the ways of yorkie dressers!

First of all. I put this site/thread over here because a lot of people were requesting places to go to buy clothes for their dogs. i understand we all have opinions. if this is something you wouldnt do, please do us all a favor and not critisize because we do. this isnt a reason for grown up women to play dress up. cause heck i'm a grown woman and i play dress-up with myself! .. why do we do this? because we can! and we want too! if you don't understand that, i feel sorry for you. jmho. take it or leave it.

this thread wasn't mean to be bashed on people for buying doggie clothings. this was meant for those who didn't know where to purchase these kind of items. so please if you have nothing nice to say, bring it somewhere else.

this thread has been up for so long without anyone having to bombard it. so if your new to Yorkietalk, please just be nice. is all i'm asking.

[StewiesMom]

I think doggie clothes are great, but we have to remember that it is a very much so a "North America" thing. Many of my European friends wouldn't dream of dressing their poochies and get disgusted by the fact that I dress mine.

And yes, I'd have to agree that it does kind of remind me of my childhood begging my parents to buy me Barbie dresses - only now I have a job and can buy my living thing, my dog some t-shirts and jackets.. and I do.. I love Stewie and take, what I believe to be, great care of him. Whether he owned a shirt or not, I still believe I'd be taking great care of him. He's not a toy or a play thing, but I can see the association. Its a motherly (or fatherly) instinct.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

I am going to apologize from the outset for this post because it always seems that I am defending someone on here.

Mette, I thought your post was very nicely phrased when you asked about why we like to dress our dogs. I did not take it as criticism but as an honest request for knowledge and understanding. I know I get teased all the time by my friends and family who think dressing a dog is silly and pointless, but I try not to take it personally and get overly defensive.

I do dress my dogs. They seem to like it and I certainly do. I loved to dress my kids when they were younger too and I love to dress myself. I have always enjoyed fashion.I never thought about the fact that, for us, as people, dressing is "unnatural" as well, but it is. I learned something today. I can use that argument on my friends and family who might tease me for dressing my dogs.

AND...I am jealous of all of our members and others who own these stores and get to buy for their job!! How great is that?

[StewiesMom]

Kim - I just wanted to say that that was very well said

[chloeandj]

I realize that a lot of people think it is silly to dress a dog. I have been teased for dressing my dogs many times by family members and good friends as well as strangers. I have never felt like I have had to hold up for myself because I do what I like, I'm not embarassed to be me. However, this was the part that offended me: "Oh my god - those sites are so funny" I just felt like she was making fun and belittling something that I work very hard at. I also thought it was an inappropriate place to put such a post. Especially for the audience that would read this thread. I probably would not have even responded if it was a separate posted thread of her own.

Also it is not like dressing a doll for me. I have kids, I'm not "playing" house. I enjoy pretty things and accessories, she's my dog therefore she will be accessorized too!

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Originally Posted by kewtee

Oh my god - those sites are so funny - and how creative people are in sewing clothes and crafting items!

ChloeandJ: I totally see where you are coming from, but I think you have to include the rest of her phrase because she actually tones it down quite a lot with the compliment about creativity and crafting. I think you would have to try to put yourself in her shoes and imagine someone from another culture who is not as used to seeing things like this as we are here in the US. She is from a country where this is very unusual and I can see where it might look "funny". Even I would have thought it was hilarious and, yes, slightly ridiculous, several years ago.

People change and society changes and it is so much about what your frame of reference is and what you are used to.

I personally do not think she was intentionally trying to offend. I think she did not realize that some of the members on here actually owned the stores or the sites and would read her post, maybe.

[chloeandj]

I grew up all over the world. I understand different cultures. I also understand if I told someone their culture was funny that they would be upset with me.

I don't really have an explanation of why I am a "dog dresser". My best answer would be: Just because (as my, oh so knowledgable, 7 year old would say).

And there is no feud here to calm. I'm just posting my opinion as she did and I am done.


Why would I NOT want to dress these little guys? Don't they just look too cute?!?

[kewtee]

Thanks for replying all!

I can see I stirred up something with my post and would like to take the time to reply.
I fail to see my critisism and I hope you can show me where it is you see it - please! Maybe I can't see it because my english is so rotten - I used to be no 1 english student, but it has faded terribly through the years and I often have trouble finding the right words or spelling things. (Maybe I shoudl take a refreshment class? )
If I offended someone in my attempt to understand your custom of dressing animals I am sorry you feel that way

You are right - I come from a culture where dressing dogs are silly and unthinkable, but that doesn't mean I see it that way! I really would like to understand what it does for you to do it. See, I am also from a culture where nothing is taboo, we can talk about everything and talking is what makes us understand each other better = no predujice.
We can't all like the same things - and that's what makes the human race so always intriging.

Btw - I am sure that if I lived in your culture I would dress up my dogs - they really look funny in clothes and we all could use a laugh now and then

Hope this post settles your feelings of being offended!

[Bitsy]

That is a good question....makes ya think! I guess I dress Sophia because I can. She is pretty and looks cute in the clothes. It is sort of like playing dress up....I do it with myself and my kids. Since Sophia seems more like a kid then a pet I think it is just natural to try to treat her more like a kid. If I didn't adore her SO much, I'd probably never dress her.

All I can say is that I am now one of those crazy dog people that before I had Sophia I could never relate too!! LOL! I dress her, take tons of photos of her, have a frame of her sitting right in front of me on my desk, have tons of clothes and accessories for her and I am POSTING ON A DOG FORUM....something I NEVER thought I'd do!!! But, I love it, so I don't mind!

It makes me happy to dress her up and see how cute she is! And yes, LOTS of my friends make fun of me...but that is o.k. I don't mind....they are just jealous that they don't have a cute pup of their own to spoil!!

[kewtee]

It is sort of like playing dress up....I do it with myself and my kids. Since Sophia seems more like a kid then a pet I think it is just natural to try to treat her more like a kid. If I didn't adore her SO much, I'd probably never dress her.

I really love that explanation - so much I actually think about trying it myself - my dogs are my kids and maybe dressing them would make me feel that even more so.

[Bitsy]

Glad to help! Soon you'll have tons of clothes for your dogs! Be careful...it is addicting!!

[schatzie]

Originally Posted by kewtee

Oh my god - those sites are so funny - and how creative people are in sewing clothes and crafting items!
I see why some people could mistake the dog for a toy with all the stuff you can put on it - it's like a doll to dress up!

I wouldn't do something like that, it's not natural for a dog to be dressed other than for warmth in heavy snow or rain, but I don't think the dogs suffer at all from these kinds of things.

Maybe this is a way for grown up women to keep playing dress up with dolls in a legit way? I don't quite understand the motivation for dressing up a dog - so those of you who do that, please share your reasons and thoughts with me, so I might get wiser in the ways of yorkie dressers!

Hi Kewtee, welcome to YT. Schatzie has a wardrobe which will grow as she does. I have attempted to sew her own outfits but not sure if I can personally accept your nice compliment to being creative and crafty so I will leave that for the member's which have posted such adorable clothes that they have made.

Yes, I can see how people might compare me dressing up Schatzie as to those who dress up their dolls. My Schatzie is my doll baby but in life form so of course it's not all childs/adult play. Why do I do it? Because it makes me happy and Schatzie truly does seem to enjoy the one on one attention she receives. She often even jumps up on her pedestal for photo's after being dressed as she anxiously awaits for the opportunity for attention and praise.

You are correct in thinking that dogs wouldn't suffer by being dressed. However, being dressed in restrictive clothing/hair bows etc could be harmful so close supervision is given with Schatzie to insure comfort in what she wears.

"bonding time" is a phrase I would use to describe some of the ways i share my life with Schatzie regarding "dress up time".

[Yorkie_GirL]

I just do it because I Like it. and can afford it, I think it's fun... end of story. now i'm off like a prom dress *POOF*