If you’ve ever had a difficult time locating your dog in a sea of doppelgängers at the off-leash park, your confusion will be a thing of the past with this hot new trend taking manes by storm: dog chalking.
Maybe you have commitment issues when it comes to your own potential tattoos. (They can’t be that bad, after all—you have a dog.) If you can’t quite face going under the needle, now you can just send your dog to the groomers to go under a far duller point. Read on for more.
Here’s a Tutorial
So What’s the Deal?
White just not cutting it for your sartorial samoyed? Why not chalk ‘er up nice and purple? Even Free People offers dog-friendly chalk so you can match your sidekick while rolling out and about town this summer.
For a little quick ‘n easy pizzazz, chalk is a way to rally with the home team or get heads turning on your walks out together. Who’s not going to take notice of a zebra-striped dog strolling down the street? Petsmart also offers the creative coloring service starting at $2.
Do It Yourself
OPawz makes it easy to DIY a tattoo at home. Whether you’re going all out with Seahawks regalia or just adding a little floral flourish, their chalks come in 10 different colors to get the job done.
Your dog’s activity level will determine the chalk’s staying power, but generally this chalk lasts anywhere from a few hours to a full day and doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients.
Opawz chalk works best on long-haired dogs and for the best coverage, you’ll want to cover both sides (front and back) of your dog’s fur.
On the Other Hand…
Amy Bullet Brown, the founding force behind the National Association of Professional Creative Groomers tells the New York Daily News that some groomers utilize bleach and oxidizing dyes, which is a big no-no. Always do your research before making an appointment with a groomer to ensure that all materials used during the process are non-toxic—you can even ask your vet for recommendations.
So…Creepy or Cool?
Simply for the novelty of it, chalking can be a fun way to temporarily transform your buddy. Chalk it up to your dog’s comfort level—he may or may not be a good fit if he’s finicky.
So creepy or cool? You decide what’s the right fit for you and your pet. And if you do decide to go for the chalk, be sure to do your research and make sure the cosmetics used in the process are 100% dog friendly.
