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.

2/19/26 When your dog needs a diaper, fit is important.

 

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! 

 

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!  

 

Have more fun with your dog this summer with a dog cool coat.

Feb 21

Your dog needs a cool coat so they can play instead of wilting in the heat. Keeping your pup cool can help prevent heatstroke too. Read on for more information about how a dog cool coat works to help your best friend.

Why does your dog need a cool coat?

With the warmer weather of summer, you and your dog will be spending more time doing stuff outside.

– Hiking

– Outdoor agility trials

– Playing at the dog park

– Bike rides

– Hanging out

The more your dog does, the more they build body heat. With the already warmer weather, They can reach the level of overheating pretty quickly. A cool coat can help keep them comfortable when their own defenses are beyond their limits.

But can’t my dog cool itself off?

As much as you like trading in your jackets and boots for shorts and sandals, your dog can’t just shed that fur coat to cool off. Their natural mechanisms are pretty limited. To decrease body heat, dogs

– Sweat, limited to pads of feet

– Pant

– Self-limit activity

– Find a cool spot

This only helps so much. The more active your dog is, the less their defenses can help, so your dog gets hot. A dog cool coat helps decrease body heat, so the heat doesn’t build as much.

Options

In the last several years, many creative options for keeping your dog cool have appeared on the market.  Cool coats have become more popular, with several different types available. Here are a few.

Evaporative cooling – Soak the coat in water and let it dry, changing the temperature by several degrees.

Reflective – preventing heat by reflecting the sun’s rays away from your dog.

Thermoregulatory – space-age technology designed to regulate the temperature of your dog experiences.

Results vary, depending on preference, climate, activity, etc.

Made by De coats use evaporation

Evaporative cool coats are a great option since they are inexpensive and effective. Evaporation has been scientifically proven to decrease the air temperature.  If you have something damp, you can put your hand close to it and actually FEEL the lower temperature. When a damp, cool coat is placed on your dog, they feel the coolness too.  You can watch the panting and restlessness slow down right before your eyes.

Made by De dog cool coats

Take a look at my website for more information about cool coats. I make a variety of cool coats from synthetic chamois. Each one is made just for your dog, so the fit is fantastic! This fabric type is durable, lightweight, and holds onto enough water to keep it damp for hours without being drippy.  Pretty cool stuff! And unlike real sheepskin chamois, it doesn’t get brittle and stiff.  You can let it air dry and then fold it up when you’re not using it. 

A dog cool coat can help your dog have more fun because they stay cool and comfortable.