Why your dog needs a cool coat

Feb 15

Older dogs have a more difficult time regulating body temperature. They can benefit from a cool coat even on moderate days.

Many older, heavily muscled, or flat-faced dogs have trouble staying cool.  A cool coat can make the difference between comfort and overheating.

A dog cool coat from Made by De is made of synthetic chamois. The great thing about chamois is that it soaks up water so it helps dry your dog after swimming too.

A dog cool coat can help your dog feel their best, even when it's hot outside.  If you get one from Made by De, it can fit well because it's made for them. 

Hiking with your dog can be much more fun if they aren’t at risk of overheating. A cool coat helps keep your dog comfy and safe.

Adventure doesn't have to be put on hold because of the summer heat if your dog has a cool coat to keep them comfortable.

If you have a high-drive dog like this one, you might have noticed that they’ll work until they drop. Taking the precaution of putting a cool coat on them can help keep them safe from heatstroke.

Dogs can't cool themselves off like we can.  A dog cool coat can do the cooling for them. If you're in the market for a dog cool coat, take a look at Made by De.

 

When your dog needs a diaper, fit is important.

Feb 16

Even though they are sometimes necessary, dog diapers are not usually something your dog wants to wear. Made by De dog diapers are designed to allow maximum range of motion and an adjustable fit so your dog can be as comfortable as possible.

Not all dogs need diapers.  If you have a girl who's intact or an incontinent dog, finding a diaper that works for both you and your dog becomes a high priority!

Dogs with big, fluffy tails don’t usually like to have their tails pulled through the tail hole of a diaper. Great Fit dog diapers have a unique design with straps for each side of the tail instead of that uncomfortable hole.

You can find a number of different products on the market; anything from cheap and disposable to expensive and fancy, and everything in between. The thing is they don't all work the same. What are the things you need a dog diaper to do?

Athletic dogs, especially those with a long, lean build, can have a rough time having diapers that fit. Great Fit diapers adjust in several ways to help make the fit more custom. In addition, they are made just for your dog for the best fit possible.

Characteristics of a diaper that works:

1)  It keeps the mess contained!  That is the number one reason you would use a dog diaper.

2)  It stays on. This one is important because the diaper won't do any good if it falls off or won't stay in place.

3)  Your dog doesn't feel the need to walk funny.  Many diapers rub, bind, or otherwise restrict your dog's movement, leading to soreness, waddling or even refusing to walk.

4)  Your dog is comfortable enough to run and play or lie down and chill. If your dog is comfortable, they'll be happier and a lot less likely to chew off the diaper or run away when you need to put it on.

5)  It's worth the money.  Disposable diapers are less expensive than reusable ones in the short run.  However, since they're single-use when they're used, they're done.  A good reusable diaper can be washed many times, leading to saving money.  It's also easier on the environment if you're not adding to the landfill.

You don’t have to take my word for it. Here is what one of my clients said about Great Fit dog britches. Clients and their dogs love these britches for their fit and ease of use.

A Great Fit dog diaper from Made by De is designed to be extremely adjustable.  Each diaper ordered is made to the specifications of your dog. No matter whether you have a pug, a greyhound, or a mastiff, you'll get a diaper that fits YOUR dog!

If your dog needs a diaper, you have lots of choices available. But will they actually fit your dog? Will your dog be comfortable while wearing them? Are they made to be soft and breathable? Reusable? Great Fit dog diapers are all of these and more!

Take a look at my website for more information and to order.  While you're there, don't forget to sign up for the Insider Group.  You'll get a coupon good for 20% off all orders! 

 

Dog coats explained

Feb 17

You might wonder about whether dog coats are necessary for your dogs. You’ve probably seen the cute little pampered pooches with their fancy clothes on YouTube or Instagram, right? Their outfits look pretty, but not very functional. And sometimes, they’re downright frivolous.

Do dogs need dog coats?

Do you know if your dog needs a coat? They generally have fur, with a few exceptions, as any dog owner knows. They certainly shed enough. However, sometimes the coat they were born with isn’t enough for their living conditions.

History of dogs and people

Centuries ago, when early dog relatives were in the wild, they were suited for the environment in which they lived. If they were near the equator, they didn’t need thick coats and didn’t have them. Likewise, the insulation would help them survive if they lived near the poles, so they had nice thick coats. Their dog coats were well suited to their homes.

Then they started hanging around people. People decided dogs could help them with their work, so they raised dogs for those various jobs by selective breeding, choosing parents specifically to pass on the desirable traits. 

The more dogs were developed, the less they resembled their ancestors. The result has been that, while dogs are very skilled at their assigned jobs, they aren’t suited to live in the wild. They might have traits from their ancestors who lived in the tropics while residing in the northern reaches or vice versa. For that reason, they need us to help them by providing gear, like dog coats, that help them exist comfortably in the places we have them living.

Not all dogs need a coat. Some are very comfortable, just as they are based on where they live. For example, a Newfoundland in Canada has the perfect jacket for staying warm in those bitter winters. Likewise, a whippet with its lean build and smooth coat suits a desert home. Try moving a whippet to Minnesota and see how that works.

Why your dog needs a coat?

How about your dog? How can you tell if your dog is comfortable? Just observation and common sense will tell you a lot. Dogs feel cold like we do. Ways you can know that you need to buy a dog coat:

• Your dog is shivering

• They don’t want to go outside

• Your dog may be all huddled up or curled up, trying to stay warm

• The natural coat is smooth

• Their build is lean, with little fat

• Temperatures are cool enough that you feel chilly or even cold, meaning they will.

  
  

If you see any of these, it’s time to consider dog coats.

Fortunately, many people have noticed that dogs need help staying warm sometimes and have designed coats to help them. And the choices are almost limitless. Big stores like Walmart, pet specialty stores like Petco, and smaller boutique stores all carry versions of dog coats. You can even get them custom-made for your dog or create your own if you’re handy. 

Finding the right dog coat

If you decide to get your dog a dog coat, take a look at Madebyde. I make each coat just for your dog.

No one option is always best. To get the best coat for your dog, consider

• Does your dog need to stay warm, dry, or both?

• Is your dog going to spend long periods outside or go for potty breaks?

• What activities is your dog going to perform in that coat?

• Does your dog have special health needs, or are they elderly?

  
  
  

Once you’ve figured out what specific needs that new dog coat should fulfill, you can search for a suitable option. The main point is that if your dog needs a dog coat, they’ll be much more comfortable if you get them one. You'll both be happier.

Keep your dog safe and comfortable with a dog coat.

Don't forget to sign up for my insider group when you go to my website. You'll save 20% on all your orders from Made by De!      

 

How should a dog coat fit?

Feb 20

How should a dog coat fit?

Dog coat fit. You’ve decided your dog needs a dog coat.  But how do you get the right fit?  That’s not as simple to answer as you might think.  Dog clothes are a lot like people's clothes. People's clothes fulfill different needs; function, comfort, style, identification, climate………..   Dogs’ clothes do the same! No matter what function they are performing, however, dog coat sizing is important. 

Your dog wants to be comfortable.

The dog coat has to feel good for your dog if they will wear it instead of shred it.  They hate tight clothes just like we do (if we’re honest).  Back in the day, tight jeans were the trend.  The problem is that you couldn’t bend, sit or move very easily, although we wore them anyway because it was cool! But secretly, we couldn’t WAIT to put those comfy pants back on. Dogs, not feeling the need to be fashion conscious, don’t put up with the discomfort. They insist on a coat that isn’t binding and doesn’t restrict movement.  A dog will run away, refuse to move with the coat on, or chew it to get it off rather than deal. So a good fit is important. 

A comfortable dog will be able to work better. If they aren’t overheated because of a dog cool coat, that helps. And if that cool coat fits, they’ll be able to move like they aren’t wearing anything at all.

How do you get a good fit?

Coats for dogs come in lots of different styles, so measurement practices vary.  The most important thing is that the coat is proportionate to your dog.  And serves the function it needs to.  Usually, the maker will have a set of standards they use to make a coat.  You’ll want to use the specific standards of your intended maker to get the proportions right. If they don’t have them posted or aren’t sure if you are getting it right, contacting the company can be a great idea.  

Length

A good place to start is length (A in the diagram below) since the coat proportions generally are based on length. A too short or too long coat is likely to have fastenings or other features in the wrong place.   A couple inches in front of the tail might not be a problem.  Or you may want a few extra inches if you are considering a coat to keep that hind end dry and warm. However, you should specify the actual length plus or minus to be clear. 

Neck

The neck (B in the diagram) needs to have enough room but not too much to feel good. A couple of fingers should fit between your dog and the neck of the coat.  If the neck is too big, the coat will hang low over the shoulders and get in the way of movement. 

Chest or girth

Chest or girth (C in diagram) is the third measurement that is important. If the coat won’t fit over the ribcage or just barely closes, your dog won’t want to move (remember tight jeans?) if you can even get the coat to stay on. Again, you should allow at least a couple of fingers between your dog and the coat for movement. 

Other considerations

The shoulders should have enough clearance that your dog can walk, run, jump, etc., with ease. Measurements for special features like a hood, pajamas, etc., need to be considered on a case by case basis.  The key is to make sure that the garment, whatever it is, does not restrict your dog.  There are lots of options for dog coats out there.  You may be able to find a great fitting coat that is readily available.  Or you might need to consider having a custom dog coat made for your dog.  Whatever you decide to do, you will have more success in helping your dog if you watch fit carefully. 

Observe your dog.  Their nonverbal communication will tell you quite a bit about what they think and how they feel.  

A dog coat should cover all the parts it’s supposed to and none of the parts it isn’t.

I make custom dog coats. This is the system I use. If you’re looking for a quality dog coat for your canine friend, go to my website, Made by De, to find out more.

Don't forget to sign up for my insider group here. You'll save 20% on all your orders from Made by De!