How to Make a Rain Slicker for Dogs

Many dog owners do not want their dogs to get wet in the rain, so they fashion clothing such as rain slickers, booties and hats for their canine friends. Creating your own rain slicker for your dog involves simply trimming down a rain slicker for people to fit your dog and making sure it is comfortably and safely secured to your dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Rain slicker with belt, size depending on size of dog
  • Scissors
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Find a rain slicker at a discount store such as Target or Wal-Mart that will fit your dog. Depending on the size of your dog, you may need to find the rain slicker in the children's section or the adult male section. Make sure to get one with a belt, but don't get one with a zipper.

    • 2

      Drape the rain slicker over the back of your dog to see where the arm holes fall and how long the slicker is on the dog. Cut off the bottom of the rain slicker so that it does not go past the tail. Make sure the cut is straight.

    • 3

      Cut the sides of the rain slicker if they fall past the middle of the dog's legs (the knee area). You will end up belting the raincoat around the dog comfortably, but if there are edges that are too long, the dog may trip on them or they may become caught. Use the scissors to cut each side of the raincoat straight so that it falls above the dog's knees.

    • 4

      Cut out each of the sleeves right in front of the seam on the rain slicker, so the seam is remaining but the sleeves are gone. This will make it more comfortable for your dog, and it will be easier to get the rain slicker on and off as well. There are two ways to cut the sleeves: You can cut off the sleeves leaving a round hole for the dog's front legs to go through, or you can cut the sleeves out along with the material between the armholes and the two front flaps of the slicker that go over the chest. This step depends upon what is easiest for you and the way the slicker fits your dog.

    • 5

      Place the rain slicker on top of your dog's back. Even it up with the collar area and place the arm holes where your dog's legs will go. If you chose to just cut out the arm holes, gently insert each of your dog's legs through the armholes.

    • 6

      Take the rain slicker belt and loop it from under the belly of your dog, up to the middle of your dog's back. It should loop around your dog's middle, and both ends of the belt should be on top. Tie the belt on top of your dog's back securely, but not too tight. Step back and see if your dog can walk comfortably and safely with the rain slicker. Adjust as necessary.