Summer is coming!!!!

 

Keeping your dog cool in the heat!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dogs can get pretty hot during the summer weather.  They are much more sensitive to the heat than we are so we have to watch out for them.

 

Our canine companions can't tell us in words what they are feeling, so we have to pay attention to their cues.  When a dog is hot they will

 

1)  pant

 

2) get less energetic

 

3)  try to lay in a puddle or on cool cement 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some breeds, such as pugs or French bulldogs or boxers, have an especially hard time cooling off.  They have flatter faces that make panting and the evaporative cooling from panting less effective.  They also have more stocky, muscular builds with less surface area to release heat.

Plus, muscle produces more heat, so more muscular dogs have trouble as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cool coats such as these, made of synthetic chamois, help cool.  When you get them wet, they dry and cool the air immediately around them with evaporation.  You can FEEL the temperature change when you move your hand closer.  You can also see the changes in your dog's behavior; less panting, more energy, more willingness to move around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are several varieties of cool coats made for dogs.   I make a variety with synthetic chamois made of rayon.  Each coat is made specifically for a breed of dog or for your dog in particular.   See www.coatsmadebyde.com for more info on my coats.

 

 

 

Enter to Win!!!!!

 

 

You can also stay up to date with my email newsletter.  Please click the link below.

 

http://eepurl.com/bgkOO1

 

 

And, if you sign up right now, you are also entered for a drawing for a free custom dog coat.  The drawing will be 4/1/15 (yes, April Fools Day, but this isn't a joke) and the winner will be announced by newsletter that day.

 

 

Thanks!!!

 

Girls will be girls,

or

Even dogs just want pants that fit!

We all know there are certain "times of the month" for humans or "seasons" for dogs that we have to deal with.  If possible, we want to handle these times with a bit of grace and dignity.  Girl dogs, although not as concerned about being discreet as their human counterparts, still want to be comfortable during these times.  

There are also times older or otherwise impaired dogs are incontinent of urine or stool.

Standard britches with tail hole, 

with velcro closure at waist

If we want our dogs to still be part of the family, it is generally a good idea to contain the mess and usually diapers of some sort are the best way to do that.  There are many places you can get doggie diapers, dog panties, seasonal panties, bitch britches........ there are lots of names for them. Some of them are disposable, some intended to be reused.  

Open tail design, wrap around waist with straps that come up

 around either side of tail and velcro to waist band; 

tail does not have to be threaded through hole

These premade diapers might fit, but more often they could fit better.  I started making my reusable dog diapers because I saw a need to 

1) have a custom fit for the greatest comfort and ease of use

2) use soft, absorbent fabrics to decrease irritation

3) have a little fun with cute, colorful fabrics

so that those "times" are a little easier to deal with.

Suspenders that attach to the britches to help keep them in place

I have several styles to choose from, depending on your dog and your wants and needs. All of my britches are made with soft cotton flannel lining and either flannel or cotton broadcloth outer with my diaper suit being made of tricot for stretch. All are machine washable and dryable.  A pantiliner or poise pad with sticky tape can be placed in the britches to absorb bodily fluids.  The britches fit in front of the groin so your dog can move freely and they can snug up so they don't slide back.  See my webpage at http://www.coatsmadebyde.com/dog-britches/ for more information.

Styles:  

-  Standard style with a tail hole and velcro closure at the waist.  

-  No tail style, made without a tail hole for breeds that don't need it.  

-  Open tail style that wraps around the waist and has straps that come up on either side of the tail.

-  Houdini or suspender britches, which work with the 3 styles above, using straps around the chest to help keep britches in place.

-  Doggie diaper suit, made of tricot (swimsuit material) that is designed to cover the underside of the dog, with straps that come up over the back end to secure the whole thing in place.  

I make each set of britches with your dog in mind.  If you have measurements, breed information, or special needs, you can let me know when you order so that I can provide you with the best fitting diapers possible.

While it is certainly easier when it isn't that "time", my britches can make it easier to cope with in style!!!!

It's Spring!!!!!  Time for a giveaway!!!!!

This is the view out my back door, and this is why I love the country.  The sky is soooooooo blue. It's still pretty brown now, but you can actually see the green in the field if you look REAL close.  I love the great wide open space and all the growing things that will appear very soon.  

It's the first day of spring.  Such possibilities and potential for all things outside, as it stays light later and warms up,  

My grandson playing ball with one of our dogs

One of my barrel horses, taking a break

 I can spend more time outside with my dogs and horses. 

One of the pumpkins from last year. 

One of our kittens photobombed it.

 I'll be putting in a garden before long.  And the hay will be growing and smelling fantastic!

A friend's dog who loves agility

Rio is wearing one of my cool coats so he can cool off and have fun at what he loves

If you have dogs that are active with you in agility, coursing, hiking trails or biking, they're going to have a tougher time cooling off as it gets hotter.  It's going to be summer before we know it.  My dog cool coats can keep your best friend comfortable in the heat. 

They work through simple evaporation; low tech but very effective. You get them wet and wring out the extra water if you'd like. If you don't wring out the extra, they are drippy but stay cool longer. These coats will keep your baby comfortable for several hours. Your best friend will be much more willing to be active with you if the heat isn't so much of an issue.

Enter to win!!!!

I make these coats in several styles to fit all types of dogs.  You can see my webpage, www.coatsmadebyde.com for details.  Or sign up for my newsletter at http://eepurl.com/bgkOO1 or on my webpage at http://www.coatsmadebyde.com/newsletter-sign-up/ .  

The added bonus of signing up for my newsletter is that it automatically enters you for my drawing for a free custom dog coat of your choice!  Drawing 4/1/15 with results announced in my newsletter.  Once you sign up for my newsletter, you can enter additional times by

1) sharing my Facebook post on  https://www.facebook.com/MadebyDe

 or 

2) favoriting or commenting on my post on Instagram at https://instagram.com/coatsmadebyde/

Enter as many times as you'd like.  Good luck!

Why does your dog need a dog cool coat?

A functional dog chamois coat with velcro at chest and girth

People ask "why does your dog have a coat on in the summer?"  Seems  like it's too hot for any coats. But here's the thing; chamois coats cool even when a dog's natural cooling methods can't work very well.  

Panting helps some and that's what dog's naturally do for themselves.  Or you might find your dog lying down on cool cement or grass or in water puddles.  Unfortunately, sometimes panting isn't enough and you can't exactly take a cool floor or a water puddle with you.  

Dog cool coat with tummy panel

That's where dog cool coats come in.  People cool off when they sweat and the sweat evaporates. When dogs pant, the saliva from their tongues evaporates and helps cool a little. Evaporation is scientifically proven to decrease air temperature by several degrees.  Dog cool coats are soaked in water and provide evaporative cooling on a larger scale than tongues can.

Designer dog cool coat with beads

When a wet cool coat is applied, you can tell it's working.  When you put your hand next to it, you can feel the cooler air temperature.  You can watch your dog get more relaxed and pant less as well.  

Dog cool coat with tummy panel

People who do activities with their dogs such as hiking, agility or showing conformation don't have very willing, enthusiastic partners if their dogs are hot.  These dog cool coats can be put on and keep dogs comfy for hours at a time so they can participate and have fun!

Designer dog cool coat with fancy trim

I make cool coats of many varieties, to suit the needs of all types of dogs.  Each dog cool coat is made custom for its wearer for the best fit possible.  Dogs who are more difficult to fit, such as this handsome English bulldog (below) or gorgeous miniature bull terrier (above) especially need assistance cooling off and my coats can fit them all.

Blingy dog cool coat with tummy panel

My cool coats are made with synthetic chamois, a 100% rayon fabric that is machine washable. Unlike other types of chamois, mine don't get hard when they dry so they don't have to be kept refrigerated or frozen, but can air dry between uses or after washing.  The blingy dog coats have a fashion fabric outer with fun trim options for a look with more pizzazz.

Designer dog cool coat with tummy panel and beads

Big news!!!!!!!

And here's the best part.........I'm having a drawing for a free dog coat.  To enter, sign up for my email newsletter.  Once you've signed up for the newsletter, you can enter more times by sharing my post on Facebook or Twitter.  Enter as many times as you'd like.  The name of the winner will be drawn on 4/1/15 with results announced by newsletter that day.  

I look forward to hearing from you and wish you luck!

www.coatsmadebyde.com

Dogs and kids

Joey and Jack

This is my grandson Joey playing with one of our dogs, Jack!  They LOVE to play ball together. Jack is patient and caring with Joey and Joey is learning to be patient and caring with Jack.  Dogs seem to be born with these qualities; kids sometimes not so much.  However, one of the things that is so great about having kids and dogs is that the dogs are great teachers if we let them be.  And dogs are great examples!

Dogs always love someone, even when they are left behind or ignored.  They will sacrifice their own comfort for the people they love.  And they are always happy to see their people when they return. 

Adult supervision is necessary because the dogs will allow the kids to do things that can be hurtful, simply because of the love they have for their kids.  Or, if the dog has no other way to protect itself, it could cross a line and cause harm as well in the wrong circumstances.

Kids are often oblivious to what is going on outside their own little circle.  They can learn to stretch that circle and be loving and caring human beings if they are encourage to be.  That's where dogs come in.  The encouragement the kids get from their best friends helps them to build skills and qualities that will last a lifetime.

Dogs in my life!!!

My dogs are very abused (yeah, right).  They have their own couch in my living room, or at least they think so.  And they're ALL asleep.  I love my dogs and wouldn't have it any other way.  They are an important part of my life and I would be lost without them.  I'm sure some people look at my house with the scattered dog bodies and dog fur on everything and think "What a mess!".  However, I'd take a messy house with all that doggie love over a clean house ANY day.

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for the Newsletter!

Be sure to get all the latest info on special sales, new products and event appearances!

My Brand New Product; Doggie Diapers with a Unique Twist!

Doggie Diaper Suit by Made by De

So, people who have dogs, especially show dogs, often have to deal with issues around heat cycles for the girls, marking with the boys, or incontinence as dogs age.  I make all types of britches (seasonal panties, dog diapers, bitch britches......) and a couple versions of belly bands (weenie wraps, cumberbunds.........)  

What is different about this one is that the fabric is swimsuit fabric, a nylon/lycra blend called tricot.  This fabric is stretchy (so it will be comfortable), breathable and lightweight (so it won't be hot) and durable.

This diaper suit stays in place because of its unique design. It can't slide back or to the side because it covers the whole underside.

For the Boys

My new suit pulls over the head, with a panel that pulls between the front legs, secures at the waist and extends underneath the back legs/privates.  The straps then come back up through the legs and secure at the waist on top.  Panel underneath is modified as needed for boys vs girls and their anatomy.

For the Girls

The fabric itself is not absorbent, so you put an incontinence pad or feminine pad with sticky tape in place to catch the moisture.  This also allows you to keep the suit clean and just change out the pad as needed.  

And I have all of these fabrics available to make this doggie diaper more fun.  Hey, if you have to deal with it, it might as well be as enjoyable as possible.  As with all of my products, these are made custom just for your order so I can fit any dog.

What do you feed your dogs?

As you can see, my dogs are more than happy to help themselves because they obviously don't get enough to eat.  Right............

There are so many choices out there; dry food, canned food, raw, prepackaged fresh food, menus for making your own dog food and treats.  All qualities, all price levels, all convenience levels.  

This is an ongoing debate that I hear frequently when I'm out and about, or even at home.  You hear or see commercials everywhere touting their product as "THE BEST".  Then you hear about all the recalls and possible toxins that are found in the food and treats you might be giving your dog.

I don't know what the right answer is for every dog.  What I have found is that when our dogs eat better, more healthy, wholesome food, they look better.  Their fur gets shinier.  Their weight balances out.  They seem to feel better.  Kind of like us humans, hmn.

What do you feed your dogs?