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1. Comfort is key.Avoid clothes that are too tight, that obstruct your dog’s vision, or just generally irritate him. The Pups Closet ALWAYS recommends measuring your pup before picking a new outfit. Every product we carry has a convenient sizing guide to make finding the perfect size easy! 2. Keep it simple.A little bit goes a long way — especially in terms of dressing up your dog. Your dog will thank you for keeping things low-key. Too many pieces at once may get your pup a little warm especially if indoors or when a case of the zoomies hit. 3. Never leave your dog unattended.It goes without saying that as a responsible dog owner, you’re constantly supervising your furry friend. But it’s important to note that they need some extra attention if you’re putting unfamiliar items on, especially if they could be pulled or chewed off. 4. Consider a test run.Don’t assume that your pup will take kindly to a costume right off the bat. Especially if it’s his first time wearing something, you may want to try it out before the big day. Remember to have a lot of patience and give your dog positive reinforcement with some high-value treats. 5. Take the temperature into consideration.If you’re dressing up your canine companion for some fun in the sun, it can definitely get hot. Regardless of how adorable something is, putting clothes on a dog when temperatures are high can be dangerous. Keep this in mind before you pick out a costume. 6. Don’t go overboard.Your dog’s safety and comfort take precedent over your fashion sense. Choosing the correct size and type of clothing is key here. If your pup seems to not get along with hoods, try a sweater! 7. Keep photoshoots short.Obviously, you want to capture the perfect Instagram-worthy shot, but remember that your dog isn’t a professional model and may get annoyed sitting for an extended period of time in a costume. Try to take pictures early on, then let him relax a little. 8. Safety If your dog looks uncomfortable or if he’s in danger, ditch the costume. Your pup’s comfort is paramount. If he’s showing signs of disliking an outfit or if it’s restricting him in any way, it’s time to take it off. The Pups Closet is home to designer inspired fashion, just for your furry friend! We take every effort to ensure the items you buy are comfortable, high quality and made to last.

There’s no better feeling than treating your pup to a new toy, don’t you think? Seeing the excitement on their face is one of those wonderful simple joys of being a pet parent.Dog toys, such as chew toys, squeaker toys, dog puzzles and boredom busters for dogs, form such an important part of our fur baby’s lives – providing them with the mental and physical stimulation they need to feel happy and content.While watching your pup during playtime, have you ever wondered why it is that dogs like squeaky toys so much? Despite making a loud, high-pitched and ever so slightly irritating squeak, the joy dogs find in chomping down on squeakers is enough to melt your heart…and test your ear drums!But is there any science behind this widespread canine phenomenon? Let’s find out! First things first. If your pup is borderline obsessed with squeaker toys, don’t worry – they are certainly not alone!In fact, most dogs enjoy playing with toys that make a loud noise when chewed. While there are some breeds that have a higher affinity for playing with squeaky toys, generally speaking, the majority of all dogs get satisfaction from this type of play. Like us, dogs enjoy both social play and solitary play. ‘Solitary play’ includes time dogs spend with toys. As for the squeak, there are a number of theories that help to explain why dogs just can’t get enough of that sweet squeaky sound…Reasons why dogs enjoy playing with squeaky toys: 1. PREY DRIVEThe most popular theory is linked to the idea that dogs are descended from wolves and have somewhat retained their natural instincts to hunt prey. To a large extent, squeaky dog toys provide a way for dogs to fulfil this inclination, with squeaks mimicking sounds made by small animals. 2. REINFORCED BEHAVIOURIf there’s one thing we can agree on, it’s that dogs love to find ways to get our attention! Pups will often drop their squeaker right in front of their human owners in a bid to initiate play.From throwing squeaky tennis balls, to initiating a game of tug of war, by engaging with our dog’s play we increase their interest in the toy itself. And, it’s unsurprising that dogs that are introduced to this type of interaction from a young age are more likely to find joy and satisfaction in this. 3. SOUNDS & RESPONSESThis theory considers the fact that squeaky toys are the only type of toy that react to a dog’s efforts to engage in play. Research indicates that certain sounds and sensations also help to trigger parts of the brain that are able to release feel-good chemicals, such as dopamine. It is believed that when dogs chew down on squeakers, the auditory sounds released help to provide a gratifying sense of happiness that makes them want to squeak again and again! Are squeaky toys bad for dogs? As a whole, no, squeaky toys are not ‘bad’ for dogs! Though most canines share a common love of squeakers, it’s important to remember that every dog is different and you should monitor how your dog responds to these toys during playtime.Over time, you will be able to better understand your dog’s chewing habits. Keep an eye out for any increasing signs of aggression, as toys have the potential to lead to destructive behaviour. Ensure your pup is safe when playing:There is a huge range of squeaky dog toys out there for your pup to enjoy. However, it’s vital to choose toys that are safe and non-toxic for pets. Whenever purchasing a new toy, be sure to buy from a reputable seller that provides information on materials, as well as which breeds / dog sizes the toy is suitable for. Despite their abilities to bring high levels of satisfaction and keep dogs entertained for hours on end, these squeakers also have the potential to become choking hazards – so make sure you take the time to clean and inspect them for damage after each use. Over time, squeaker toys can get worn down, and you need to keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t get completely destroyed.

We get it, pups are messy...but that shouldn't stop you from having the home of your dreams! The following tips are some of the best ways to spice up your home while keeping it perfectly functional for your furry friends!1. Choose a Colour SchemeTo get started with a colour scheme, take a look at the main pieces in any given room. If your vibe is monochromatic, choose black and white pet accessories that match. A fan of greys? Look for blush accented dog bowls to add the perfect accent colour.By general rule, a room’s colour palette should have one main colour (i.e. walls), one secondary colour (large furnishings, rugs etc) and a few accent colours and textures and bring them all together. One expert tip is to start with a piece you love – be it an artwork, rug or wallpaper – and draw your colour palette from there.Whatever pieces you choose, extending your colour scheme to your pet supplies allows them to integrate seamlessly into your home as another gorgeous piece.2. The Bed is EverythingJust like us, dogs need a good bed to sleep in, relax, and have their own personal space to call their very own. And because even the smallest dog beds aren’t small, they unwittingly become a major piece of a room whether you like it or not.Invest in a dog bed that has classic lines, durable materials and a sophisticated palette (step away from the paw prints!) Look for hypoallergenic foam fillings, and washable exteriors that make for comfy dozing and easy cleaning. 3. Quality MaterialsThe materials you choose for your pet supplies will literally make or break your quest for a stylish pet friendly home. Poorly made beds, collars and bowls will just cost you time and money in the long run as they will easily tear, wear and disintegrate with use.What you want to look for is durable, practical, yet stylish finishes. Heavy duty cotton, leather, and brass finishings all offer a luxe feel while putting up with everything your dog throws at them (be that slobber, dirt and multiple attempts to rip apart!) 4. Dine in StyleFor this step, you need to be practical – think, does your dog eat and drink inside or outside? Do they need multiple sets of bowls? Do they need a raised feeder? Do they have a tendency to knock over their water bowls? A beautiful yet totally functional go-to option are ceramic bowls. Weighted on the bottom, they’re too heavy to knock over or move around (No spills! No mess!) Plus the glazed finish gives a luxe, timeless quality other bowls just don’t have. 5. Have a Dedicated Pet StationOne of the easiest ways to keep your home looking beautiful is to have dedicated storage area for your pet’s things. Grooming products, lint rollers and apparel can all be stored neatly in a dedicated shelf or basket. Choose a spot tucked away out of sight, but easily accessible. That way you no longer have random pet products cluttering up your living space.Woven baskets make great hidden-in-plain-sight toy storage, whereas beautifully crafted collars and leads can hang proudly on display. Got a stunning, handmade leather leash? Hang that baby in plain sight and let people see how lovely it is! 6. Make Throws your FriendPop them on your lounge, on the foot of your bed, on the floor…a well placed throw (matching the colour scheme you’ve chosen, of course) hides a multitude of sins, protects your furniture AND adds a stylish textural element to any room. 7. Grooming is KeyBy now, you should have a magazine worthy home, with all your pet goodies blending seamlessly into their surrounds (and the not so seamless ones tucked away in their own space!) But to keep it that way you need one final step: grooming. Because who wants a gorgeous home that on close inspection leaves everyone covered in fur and smelling like whatever the dog just rolled in?A quick brush every day keeps dog hair at bay, while a fur freshener will keep your home smelling luxe too. That’s it – less than five minutes and your home is good to go.The only thing left to do is get your paws on some new outfits for your pup!

Bringing home a furry friend can be quite the stressful task. Check out some of the tips below that’ll make you pup parent of the year!1. Keep food items out of reach. Gone are the days that you can leave a half eaten pizza on the couch, a cooling pie on the windowsill or a freshly made sandwich on the countertop. You’re a dog lady now! (or dog man!) Due to their amazing sense of smell – and an uncanny ability to sense food from two towns over – given the opportunity to grab a snack on the go, a new puppy will eat anything that crosses their path. Not only does this ruin their balanced diet, many people foods can be extremely harmful to dogs. So before they come home ensure all food items are stored out of reach, including preparation utensils, plates, pet foods, mints and gums, and decorative food items. And by out of reach, I mean out of reach. Never underestimate a puppy’s ability to get to food. They are wily little muffins.2. Store poisonous items and household chemicals out of reach. This one seems like a no brainer, but is actually quite an extensive job. Start in your kitchen and laundry, moving onto your bathroom, bedrooms and garages ensuring all cleaning products, medications, pesticides, car kits, and beauty products are put away out of reach. Even the most seemingly harmless items, such as herbal supplements and hairspray cans can be toxic and dangerous.3. Keep electrical cords out of reach or safely secured. For years this used to be as easy as securing the television, toaster and iron cords and walking away. However with today’s technology, you need to ensure laptop cords, phone chargers and ethernet cords are also kept safely. If the cords are fixed, ensure they are secured where they cannot be reached. If the cords are transported throughout the house, get into the habit of packing them away whenever they are not in use. 4. Make your garden pet friendly. Puppies love to explore, and if you’re lucky enough to have a garden, your new pup has years of frolicking to enjoy. Before they come home, go through your garden ensuring any plants that may be poisonous to your new pup are removed or securely protected. For a full list of harmful plants visit here.5. Check your fencing. If you have a backyard, scour the perimeter of fencing, checking for gaps and places where your puppy could dig and get out. Also check the sturdiness and security of your gate. Close off staircases, balconies and any open high spaces to prevent falls and injury. If you’re not sure how to keep your pup contained, consider investing in a baby gate to limit their access.6. Keep toilet lids down and train everyone in your house to do the same. In this case, training is not just for the pup! But ensure all household members know the importance of keeping the lid down to prevent your puppy trying to drink from the toilet or falling in it. 7. Declutter. Puppies explore with their mouths, so for their safety AND YOUR SANITY ensure all small items, breakables and knick knacks are placed out of puppy’s reach. This includes your shoes (spoken from an owner who had over 5 pairs destroyed before learning her lesson); choke hazard items such as coins and pins, and sentimental pieces that can’t be replaced. Puppies don’t generally care if something was your family heirloom – in fact I could swear they find sentimental heirlooms and expensive shoes the tastiest of all.8. Keep dangling blind and curtain cords out of reach. Just like small children, puppies can be fascinated by hanging cords, which can quickly become dangerous hazards. Tuck them away.9. Cover your trash bins, laundry hampers, washing machines and dishwashers. All of these items carry significant scents that attract a puppy’s attention. By ensuring they are closed and/or covered your new puppy can’t break in to them causing mess or compromising their safety.10. Establish puppy safe zones. Your best tool in puppy proofing your home begins when you bring your puppy home. While you can protect them through the above preemptive tips, nothing beats training them from day one where they can and can’t go. Depending on your household, maybe it’s the busy kitchen that will be out of bounds, or maybe the garage is a no-go zone. With your guidance, they’ll quickly learn where the secure places are to be. Puppies enjoy having a safe haven. Whether you crate them or create a safe place with their bedding and dining zones, they will soon develop an affinity with their protective dens.