The Toy & Teacup Dog Clothes Guide › How to Put On (and Take Off) a Teacup or Toy Dog Bodysuit
From Houndz in the Hood, based on the fitting notes of founder Terri Goodwillie, who has made breed-fitted dog clothes in New York City since 1999. Updated October 2026.
Short answer: gather the suit and pull it over your dog’s head like a turtleneck, tuck the front legs into the leggings, slide the suit back, then put in each back leg. To take it off, reverse it: back legs first, then the front legs and head.
Putting it on
- Over the head. Gather the suit and pull it over your dog’s head, like putting on a turtleneck.
- Front legs. Tuck each front leg into its legging and pull the suit back toward the back legs.
- Back legs. Insert each back leg into its legging.
- Check the fit. The suit should lie smooth along the back and chest, and the leash opening should sit over the harness ring.
Taking it off
- Sit your dog on your lap with its back against your chest.
- Keep the back legs bent while you slide the back leggings off.
- Once the back legs are out, pull the suit off the front legs and over the head.
Why there are no zippers or velcro
Our bodysuits stretch for easy on and off, so there are no velcro, zippers or clasps.
Harness and leash
Put the harness on first, then the suit, and bring the harness ring through the discreet opening on the back. Hooded styles have a second leash opening on the hood, and the Windblock Fleece Bodysuit has one on the high neck.
Care
- Indoor/Outdoor Bodysuits: machine wash in cool water, tumble dry on low.
- Heavy Fleece Bodysuits and Heavy Fleece Hooded Bodysuits: machine washable and dryable.
- Extra Heavy Fleece: machine wash cool, dry on low; it air dries in minutes.
- Windblock and Extra Heavy Windblock: wash in cold water and air dry only. They dry in minutes.
Still choosing? Compare every Toy & Teacup bodysuit.
Hooded styles
Put the hooded bodysuit on the same way, then settle the hood over the head and ears. The hoods are sewn in, without attachments or strings, and do not interfere with your dog’s vision. On the Extra Heavy Fleece Hooded Bodysuits, the hood rolls back into a turtleneck when your dog doesn’t need it. Clip the leash through the opening on the hood or the one on the back.
Bathroom breaks
There is no need to take the suit off for a walk’s bathroom stops. Our bodysuits are cut to allow all bodily functions, and the Heavy Fleece Bodysuit is designed for walking, running in the snow or going to the bathroom.
If it’s a struggle
If the suit is hard to pull over the chest, check the size. Compare your dog’s measurements with the size 8 and size 10 chart, and email us. Size exchanges of up to 2 garments are re-shipped free within the US.
Ready to find your tiny dog’s fit?
Browse all Toy & Teacup clothes, check the Toy & Teacup sizing guide, or send us your dog’s measurements and we’ll help you choose.
Frequently asked questions
How do you put a bodysuit on a Teacup dog?
Gather the suit and pull it over the head like a turtleneck, tuck the front legs into the leggings, pull the suit back, then insert each back leg.
How do I take a bodysuit off my tiny dog?
With your dog on your lap, back against your chest, keep the back legs bent and slide off the back leggings first, then pull the suit off the front legs and over the head.
Can I put a bodysuit on over a harness?
Yes. Put the harness on first, then the suit, and bring the harness ring through the opening on the back.