• A Japanese man named Toco spent $16,000 on a realistic border collie costume to live like a dog.
• He shares his dog lifestyle on YouTube and has gained over 73,000 followers.
• Toco launched a business offering others the chance to experience life as a dog but faced low demand.

A man in Japan made headlines for living out his dream of becoming a dog. He spent about $16,000 to do it. The man goes by the name “Toco.” He always wanted to become a dog and finally took the leap. Now he wears a lifelike border collie costume and lives like a dog in public. His story gained attention online, especially through videos on his YouTube channel. People all over the world are both amazed and confused by his lifestyle.

Custom dog costume built by professional prop makers

Toco hired a professional company called Zeppet to create the costume. Zeppet builds realistic props for movies and commercials. It took them 40 days to finish the project. The costume looks exactly like a real border collie. It includes realistic fur, accurate bone structure, and a movable jaw. The suit also has special features that support movement. These include joint resistance and proper weight balance. The suit weighs about 4 kilograms and allows Toco to move like a real dog while keeping it believable.

Toco acts like a real dog on his YouTube channel

Toco shares his dog-like life on YouTube. He has gained more than 73,000 subscribers. His videos show him walking on a leash, eating dog treats, and even chasing toys. He says he wants to fully enjoy what it feels like to be a dog. His channel has sparked strong reactions. Some viewers find it inspiring, while others see it as strange. But Toco doesn’t seem to care. He said he just wants to have fun and follow his dream.

He picked the border collie for its ideal size and look

Toco chose the border collie breed for a reason. In an interview with Japanese media outlet Mynavi, he said the border collie was the best choice. He called it the “ideal model.” He liked that it was big, had four legs, and looked cute. He felt this breed would look the most realistic when turned into a costume. That’s why he picked it over other dogs.

Doctors warn about health issues from costume use

Some doctors have warned Toco about health risks. Medical experts in Japan say wearing a full-body costume like this can cause harm. They worry about the heat inside the suit. It can affect the body’s ability to stay cool. They also say walking on all fours for a long time can hurt the spine, knees, and elbows. One doctor said the pressure could damage joints and cartilage over time. These concerns are serious, but Toco continues to manage his time in the suit carefully.

He limits movement to protect his body and stay realistic

Toco said he avoids moving too much. He often lies down or crawls slowly. He explained that if he moves too fast, it won’t look like a real dog. So he keeps his movements slow and careful. He also said the costume creates resistance when he tries to move. That helps him stay in character and prevents injury. He knows the limits and tries not to overdo it.

New business lets people experience life as a dog

In January, Toco launched a new business idea called “TokoToko Zoo.” The goal is to let others experience life as a dog. Customers can wear an Alaskan Malamute suit and act like a dog for a few hours. The experience lasts two to three hours and costs about 60,000 yen for two people. That’s around $400. People must book at least a month in advance. Toco wanted to share his love of dog life with others.

His new business paused due to low demand

Even though the idea got attention, the business didn’t do well at first. Few people booked sessions. So Toco paused the project. He plans to reopen the service in July and believes more people will try it once they understand what it’s about. He hopes to build a community for people who want to live out similar dreams.

Toco hides his identity but his family supports him

Toco keeps his real identity secret. He fears people around him won’t understand and hasn’t even told his close friends or coworkers. He worries they will think he’s strange. Only his family knows about his dog life. He said they support him and respect his choice. That gives him strength to keep going, even when others don’t get it.

Becoming a dog was a dream he refused to give up

Toco said he has dreamed of becoming a dog since childhood. Now he feels happy and free. Even if some people laugh or judge him, he doesn’t plan to stop. He hopes others with similar dreams will feel encouraged. He wants people to know it’s okay to live in a unique way. For Toco, living as a dog is more than play. It’s the life he always wanted.