Holiday Happiness - Choosing Comfort Over Costumes

It's the holidays and everyone gets a kick out of seeing little Charlie in a Christmas outfit, or Bella as a sugarplum fairy, or Max as a Reindeer. But are those dogs really enjoying being dressed up?  

Holiday Stress & Dressing Dogs Up: What We Often Miss in the Festive Excitement

The holidays bring joy. Lot's of lights, laughter, and plenty of adorable photo opportunities. Now don't get me wrong, I understand that you want your dog to be part of the celebration — after all, they’re family!

But let's look beneath the festivities, beneath the sparkles and glitter. The holidays can be overstimulating and extremely stressful for dogs. Unfortunately, one common source of discomfort is something many guardians don’t realize is stressful at all.

Dressing dogs up in clothing, costumes, or accessories.

Before you gather the tiny Santa hats or reindeer antlers, here are some careful considerations to help you support your dog’s comfort and emotional wellbeing this holiday season.

Holiday Stress Is Real for Dogs

Dogs experience the world very differently compared to us humans. What feels cozy and festive to us can feel extremely overwhelming to them. Too many smells, too many loud noises, too much movement, all of these things can affect our dogs negatively. 

Being cautious with things like Loud music, strong smells, food, decorations, visitors and children, not to mention changing schedules and things like bright lights. Add in wearing clothing and costumes that may not fit well, or just be plain scary to them and stress can rise quickly. 

Imagine being in something that restricts your movement, digs into your head or ears, makes you feel too hot or simply feels strange on your skin. That dreamy holiday fun soon becomes a nightmare.

Doggy Dress Up

Some dogs enjoy wearing clothes, for instance, some small dogs who feel the cold easily enjoy the warmth of a sweater. Some anxious dogs benefit from items like Thundershirt to help them cope with fears and phobias. 

In general, dressing dogs up for novelty is not usually a good idea.

Dogs don’t really need clothing, it isn't a natural occurrence for them. It can feel:

• Restrictive
• Heavy
• Too warm
• Strange texture or sound

Dogs communicate through their bodies. If their body is covered, restricted, or altered, they lose some ability to express themselves clearly and comfortably. They also can become so overwhelmed that they shut down - this is when most people think they are calm or happy, but that couldn't be further from the truth. It's good to be aware of signs of stress in dogs such as:

• Paw lifting
• Freezing
• Walking stiffly
• Avoidance
• Ears back
• Lip licking
• Whale eye
• Excessive shaking
• Yawing

Some of these signals can be easily missed, or localized to the situation (like scratching at the outfit). Many guardians interpret these as cute reactions, but they’re often early signals of discomfort. These signs can be overlooked at the expense of the dog. 

Clothing can also block your dog’s ability to stretch, scratch, shake off stress, communicate with others, move freely and regulate their temperature. 

Like I said earlier, I'm not saying that all dogs dislike clothing. Some tolerate it well, especially soft harnesses or lightweight coats for warmth — but festive costumes are rarely designed with dog welfare in mind.

The S.E.R.E.N.E.™ Approach to Holiday Outfits

Here’s how to check whether dressing your dog up supports or hinders their wellbeing:

Safety - Is the outfit safe? No dangling bits, tight straps, choking hazards, overheating, or restricted breathing? Would my dog be happier without the outfit?

Empathy - Does your dog want this? Are their signals saying “yes,” “maybe,” or “no thank you”?

Regulation - Does the outfit allow your dog to move, shake off, scratch, stretch, and decompress?

Exploration - Can your dog walk, explore, and interact normally, or do they freeze or become hesitant?

Nurture - Is this outfit for the dog’s comfort (e.g., warmth) or for human entertainment? What would the dog prefer?

Empowerment - Does your dog have the choice to walk away or say “no”? Are you listening when they do?

Better Ways to Include Your Dog in the Festivities

Here are some gentle, dog-centered alternatives:

• A holiday collar or bandana that’s lightweight and comfortable
• A festive harness in soft, familiar materials
• Cozy winter coats that serve a purpose (warmth, waterproof, wind/snow protection)
• Taking holiday photos during calm moments, not busy ones
• Letting your dog choose whether they want participate in photos
• Creating enriching holiday routines (sniff walks, puzzle toys, scent games)

Remember, your dog doesn’t need to be dressed up to be festive — their presence alone brings warmth to every room.

Dogs communicate so quietly sometimes, and choosing to honor their comfort is one of the kindest gifts we can give them. The holidays should be enjoyable for everyone, especially our furry friends.

So before reaching for the costumes, ask is this joyful for my dog, or just for me?

Choosing your dog's comfort is never boring. 

It’s compassionate. It’s connection. It’s S.E.R.E.N.E.™