Getting Dressed for Work: Introducing the Puppy Jacket and Head Collar

Introducing the puppy jacket and head collar are not only fun, but also incredibly important for future guide dogs who need to be comfortable wearing all their work gear! We will start by introducing our puppies to the feeling of wearing a puppy jacket and head collar. Both are supplied by GDB and you will need to trade them in for larger sizes over time. Later, some puppies may also need to be introduced to wearing an Elizabethan collar (recovery cone), in-season panties, or dog booties and you can use these same concepts.

If the puppy seems uncomfortable, go back to an easier step for a while longer, and reach out for support!

Level 1 – Introducing Equipment

Allow the puppy to check out the item before you try to put it on them! Encourage and reward with kibble and a happy voice when they investigate and sniff it.
Practice touching the puppy with it: on their head, legs, body, etc. Pair with a happy voice and kibble!
Think about what might happen when you put on the item. With a jacket, the pup will feel the fabric over their head, laid on their back, and the belly strap touching their legs and chest. Getting the puppy comfortable with these things beforehand will help them feel at ease when you do put it on!

Once the puppy is comfortable being touched by the equipment, hold it so the opening is obvious and lure the puppy’s nose through using several pieces of kibble. Repeat this several times. Once the jacket or head collar is on and you can clip it in place, wiggle it around a little bit so the pup gets used to the movement as well!

It’s a good sign the puppy is having fun if they start to “target” the opening of the jacket or head collar with their nose in hopes of getting a snack! If the puppy doesn’t seem eager to interact with the jacket or head collar, go back and revisit the easier steps, and reach out for support before moving on.

Dressing for Work Means FUN!

Once the puppy is eager to put the item on and doesn’t mind you fiddling or tugging on it a bit, let the party begin! Use plenty of kibble and encouragement. They should be so busy having fun they forget they’re wearing something new and unusual! Keep your first party short. If they do pause to scratch or paw, use your food and/or toys to distract them to play with you again before you remove the item(s).

Party Ideas:

Catch me if you can! Encourage the puppy to follow you around and reward with food and a happy voice when they catch up to you.
Play with toys! Maybe a game of tug or get the pup to chase a toy- however they like to play!
Grab your Kong Wobbler or even a food bowl and get dressed for a meal!

Level 2 – Guide Dog Puppy Uniform

Puppies who are comfortable wearing the jacket and the head collar separately can start to be introduced to wearing them at the same time. For puppies who have already been introduced to walking on leash, you can also start adding in a lightweight leash (like your nylon puppy leash) clipped to the head collar. Follow the same steps from Walk with Me: Introducing the Leash & “Let’s Go”, but this time clip the leash to the head collar.

For more information, see "Puppy's Public "Uniform" in Public Access.