COATS, jackets and T-shirts small enough to fit diminutive dogs may sound like a barking-mad business idea.

But Naomi Reddyhoff from Brightwell-cum-Sotwell’s online business Tiny Togs for Dogs seems to be hitting the spot.

Ms Reddyhoff came up with the idea when her pet Chihuahua Ms Daisy Diamonds was a puppy.

She explained: “She was so little, I couldn’t find anything to fit and even collars were all miles too big.”

“If you have a tiny dog, you want a tiny, delicate collar.”

Three years later, Ms Daisy is the proud owner of 25 outfits and Tiny Togs for Dogs is carving out a slice of the niche market catering for extra-small four-legged clients.

Ms Reddyhoff, whose background is in mobile phone and newspaper advertising sales, sources doggy clothing and accessories from six suppliers across the UK and Europe.

She added: “Ms Daisy Diamonds has got a great wardrobe, in fact, she’s got more outfits than I have.”

The 57-year-old is cashing in on a trend for designer dogs started by celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Misha Barton, who take their pint-sized companions everywhere.

Some of the most popular breeds include a Maltipoo, which crosses Maltese and toy poodle, a Munchkin blending Chihuahua with Bichon Frise, a Morkie which mixes Maltese with Yorkshire Terrier and a Chiweenie, which crosses Chihuahua with Dachshund.

The, often wealthy, owners of these miniature designer dogs think nothing of splashing out on a wedding dress or ski suit for their pet.

They are also tempted by car seat harnesses which clips into a normal seat belt, doggy ruck sacks, jewellery, cycling helmets and lifejackets.

Other popular items include glamorous dog-carrying bags with pockets to store pooper scooper bags, a water bottle and change of outfit.

And also an extensive range of collars, mats and jackets with aquacool technology designed to keep cool in hot weather.

Ms Reddyhoff studied on a 10-week City & Guilds accredited marketing course at Abingdon & Witney College to help her grow her business.

The programme includes digital marketing, analytics and other modules vital to making a success of an online firm.

Tutor Tracey Lee, who runs marketing consultancy Adapt Communications, explained although there are many similarities between online and traditional businesses, there are also important differences.

She said: “Online businesses literally have access to the world to promote their goods or services, which can be both exciting and daunting.

“The principles of marketing, whether on or offline, remain the same though and that's sometimes where people go wrong.”

She added: “Marketing to everyone can waste a huge amount of time, money and effort.

“People think it’s an easy way to make a quick buck and depending on your product or service, maybe it is but it is so competitive online.

“You have the vast opportunities but you are also competing probably with a lot of other people.”

Ms Reddyhoff says the techniques she learned on the course are working.

She was “delighted” when togsfortinydogs.co.uk was mentioned on ITV’s This Morning programme recently and as a result of the national TV exposure, she received 70 online orders.

She said: “Until I went on my marketing course, I didn’t realise the extent of how important engagement through things like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram is.

“I knew it should be done but now I understand why.

“You need to build your audience first, then sell to them.”

And she has no doubt that, having got the techniques right, she has chosen the right niche market.

She added: “People will spend a lot of money on their designer dogs.

“It’s a billion-pound industry and you would be amazed how many people have little dogs.”