Looking good there, superstar

Whether it’s a costume for Halloween or a spiffy outfit for a family photo, dressing up your dog can be fun. There’s even an annual day dedicated to the activity – National Dress Up Your Pet Day on January 14.

Here are some tips for picking out clothes for your dog:

1. Take your dog’s personality into account. You know your dog best, so choose an outfit you think he or she will enjoy wearing. Put yourself in your dog’s shoes, and remember what it’s like to have to wear something you hate.
2. Think comfort. Make sure the outfit isn’t too loose or too constricting, and that your dog will be able to move around easily.
3. What’s the weather like? You don’t want your dog to get too cold or become overheated. Pick an outfit that’s appropriate for the season.

Here are a few more safety guidelines you should follow, especially for costumes and outfits that include accessories beyond a basic shirt or sweater:

• Make sure hats or other headwear doesn’t interfere with your dog’s hearing, vision or ability to breathe. And if there’s a strap, make sure it’s not too tight to choke him or her.
• Are there any parts to the outfit that can be chewed off? Inspect it thoroughly for small beads or other accoutrements that could pose a choking hazard.
• Prewash clothes to “set” any colored dyes and help prevent them from running onto your dog’s coat or skin. If colors do transfer, give your dog a good bath with a thorough shampooing.
• If it looks like your dog is experiencing an allergic reaction to the materials of the clothes or costume, take it off immediately and give him or her a bath with a shampoo formulated for sensitive skin.

Remember, dressing up your dog is first and foremost supposed to be fun. Some dogs simply won’t want to put on a sweater, so if it’s a struggle, don’t force the issue – it’s not worth the damage it could do to your relationship. Your dog is adorable either way, and there are still plenty of other things the two of you can do to bond and have a good time together.