How to Make a Service Dog Cape

Many service dogs wear vests or capes to identify them as assistance animals and, in the case of the cape, to protect them from inclement weather as their owner runs errands or goes to work. If you have received a dog from an accredited service-dog training organization, an identifying vest or cape is part of the package. If, for some reason, the cape no longer fits or you've trained and certified your pet as a service dog, you can make a cape for your own dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Newspaper
  • Pencil
  • Waterproof fabric
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine
  • Thread
  • Pins
  • Velcro tabs
  • Nylon webbing
  • Collar buckles
  • Letter stencils
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your dog from shoulder blades to mid-back, or however long you want the cape to be. Measure your dog's sides from the spine to halfway down the ribs. Measure around the dog's neck. Add one inch to each measurement.

    • 2

      Make a pattern. Take an old piece of newspaper and draw a large oval on it as per the dog's measurements. Cut the pattern out.

    • 3

      Select your cape fabric. Choose a bright color that the public will notice, like neon blue or yellow. A light, water-resistant fabric like nylon is a good choice if you are frequently outdoors with your dog in inclement weather. Sew a second identifying cape of light cotton for hot sunny days. You will need one yard for large dogs, 3/4 of a yard for medium dogs and 1/2 yard of fabric for small dogs. Purchase 1/2 yard of contrasting fabric if you want lettering on your cape.

    • 4

      Cut and sew the cape. Pin the pattern to the fabric and cut out. Cut into one end of the oval perpendicularly 4 inches for a large dog, 2 1/2 inches for a medium dog and 1 1/2 inches for a small dog. At the end of the cut, cut out a circle with the same circumference as your dog's neck measurement. Fold under all edges 1/4 inch, fold under another 1/2 inch, and stitch as close as the first fold as possible to hem.

    • 5

      Finish the cape. Add Velcro tabs to the front perpendicular cut to fasten. Sew a piece of nylon webbing to the center of each long side. The two pieces of webbing combined should fit around your dog with three to four inches to spare. Add collar buckles or snaps to the end of the webbing to fasten. Cut out letters to spell "SERVICE DOG" and stitch to the top of the cape.