Ten best dog things in 2020.
Best of 2020 for dogs
The best thing about 2020 for many people is its end. It's been a tough year for most of us.
However, as with most things, there has been at least some good to come out of the situation. I don't think dogs minded 2020 nearly as much as people in many ways. For example
1) Dogs got to see a lot more of their people. Since people were restricted to their homes for much of the time, they were there for their dogs. People weren't so crazy about it, but dogs liked it.
2) More shelter dogs found homes. Many people who were stuck at home felt that they had the time to take in a new dog and make them part of the family.
3) People did more training with their dogs. Since people were at loose ends, they were looking for stuff to do with their dogs. Many of them decided to work on training with their dogs.
4) People took more online classes, many of which helped them in their relationships with their dogs. Again, considering the lack of things to do at home, people turned to online classes to fill the time. Many of these were dog-related, so dogs benefitted.
5) For the most part, dogs didn't catch COVID-19. I heard about a couple of dogs that may have caught the virus, but I never heard about it causing any serious illnesses in dogs.
6) Dogs got walked a whole lot more. People sought activity, especially outside, so dogs got to go on many more walks than they did pre-COVID.
7) Dogs got to comfort their people more often. As people worried about the changes they faced, dogs did what dogs do; they comforted their people. How can you not appreciate that love and care? Read this post for other things that dogs did for people.
8) Dogs gave people a sense of normalcy in the crazy world that was 2020. Being dogs, they don't worry about all the things. They appreciate the routine of eating, playing, walking, lounging with their loved ones. That sense of calm is contagious to dog people.
9) Dogs didn't get left home alone as often. Since people were home so much, dogs weren't alone nearly as much as pre-virus.
10) People had time to shop online and buy their dogs lots of stuff. I doubt any dogs were complaining about all the stuff.
I hope your dogs helped you make the best of 2020. I know mine did. Tell me about how your dogs made your life better in the comments below.
And while you're doing some of that online shopping, take a look at my website. Sign up for the Insider Group to get all the insider information to save you money and help you give your dog their best life. You can also save 20% on all of your orders. Can't do better than that!
Why does your dog need a custom dog coat?
A custom dog coat?
Why get a custom dog coat? You love your fur baby. And you want them to be happy and comfortable.
Dogs aren’t always prepared for the weather. A smooth-coated dog gets cold in Minnesota. Likewise, a long-haired dog gets hot in Phoenix. They can’t get comfortable. If they get wet, hot or cold, they might need some help. Does your dog need help to be ready for the elements?
Once you’ve realized that your dog needs a coat, the job of finding a coat begins.
Getting the right one
You may have noticed that there are a lot of coats on the market. Ready-made coats, especially from large chain stores, fit the “average” dog. Your dog might not be like the “average”, however. They may not fit your dog right or may not offer the features you want. if they don’t last, you’ll have to buy another right away.
Give your dog a coat that’s made JUST for them
What if you had another option? Made by De can help! I make each dog coat and include the features you want. I use the particulars of your dog to make a coat that they can be comfortable in. One that lasts. One that allows freedom of movement.
And you like doing stuff with them. Fun stuff like hiking, running or maybe throwing the ball or maybe competitions like agility or flyball. You can help them have more fun and perform better if they’re not too hot or too cold.
So, is it worth it?
If your dog
- gets hot
- gets cold
- doesn’t fit the “average” mold
You might want to consider getting a custom dog coat. It takes a little more effort to start out, but when the coat fits, your dog is comfortable and you don’t have to worry about it. All you have to do is put it on and enjoy your dog! Read Get a cool coat or Can a dog coat help my athletic dog? Or go to Made by De to see more of the custom dog products I make.
Don't forget to sign up for my insider group, here. You'll save 20% on all your orders from Made by De!
Dog coats help athletic dogs
Can dog coats help athletic dogs compete?
You have an athletic dog, and you want to help them do their best. Can a dog coat help?
Maybe so. It depends on lots of factors; fur length and color, muscle mass, face shape, and size of the dog and their level and type of activity. External factors play a part in the decision too. What time of year is it? Are the activities inside or outside?
You’ll need to decide what’s best based on the lifestyle and demands placed on your dog.
You have an active dog.
Maybe your dog’s job is to be your companion and hang with you. They might not need much help to stay sound and healthy.
However, if you want your dog to compete in agility, go on runs and hike trails with you, or any number of other physically demanding activities, they need to be treated like the athletes they are. The more active they are, the more factors you’ll need to consider to help them be their best.
Factors that affect your dog’s performance
1) Amount and color of fur. Would you believe that a smooth coated black dog like a Doberman has a more difficult time cooling off in the sun than a fluffy white dog like a Samoyed? It’s true!
Even though it looks like the Samoyed should be having more trouble, that fluffy fur insulates out the heat when the weather is warm, just like it insulates in the heat when the weather is cold. Smooth-coated dogs don’t get the benefit of insulation. Plus, smooth black coats like Dobermann pinschers or Rottweilers hold onto heat since black absorbs light instead of reflecting it.
2) Muscle. Muscle produces a lot of heat. For that reason, very muscular dogs like Rottweilers and bulldogs have a harder time in the heat than slender dogs like greyhounds or chihuahuas. Add activity with lots of muscle use, and the heat production goes up.
In cold weather, muscle use can help keep your canine friend warm. However, you have to watch that your dog’s muscles are warmed up enough to not injure themselves. Cold muscles can tear much more easily, no matter the amount of muscle. Like humans, dogs need to have their muscles gently warmed up before they do more strenuous activity.
3) Face shape. Brachycephalic (“smashed face”) dogs aren’t able to cool themselves as well since their shorter faces aren’t as efficient when they pant. Dogs with a more “normal” or longer snout are better able to use panting to cool off.
4) Size. Larger dogs have a more difficult time cooling off than small dogs but an easier time staying warm. They have a lower surface/muscle ratio than that of small dogs so that the heat dissipates more slowly. Smaller dogs with higher ratios have more surface area to dissipate heat. This makes them more heat tolerant but less cold tolerant.
5) Environment. If your activities are in a temperature-controlled building, your dog may not need help staying warm or cooling off. However, if the two of you are working outside, you’ll have to consider the time of year, temperature, weather, etc. Either a cool coat in warmer conditions or a winter coat in cooler conditions could make a difference.
How dog coats help athletic dogs
In warm weather, a dog cool coat can help keep your dog from overheating and becoming fatigued. Especially for dogs at risk of overheating, a cool coat can keep them safe. Plus, if your dog feels good, they can perform their best.
In cooler weather, your dog could be at risk of injuries. Cold muscles aren’t as elastic, and injuries become more likely. A coat can keep those muscles warm until they have had a chance to warm up. Plus, shivering uses up energy that could be used to excel in your sport.
How do you know what your dog needs?
You know your dog. If you consider the conditions you’re going to be working in, you can decide how best to help. You can observe for situations that could be improved with a coat.
If you keep your dog as comfortable as possible, they are more likely to enjoy your activities and stay healthy. Athletes perform best when they can concentrate on their physical performance instead of outside factors. And isn’t that your goal; to have a happy, healthy, athletic dog?
For more info about helping your athletic dog succeed, read this article from Animal Wellness Magazine. In addition to dog coats, I make dog diapers and dog cool coats. Check it out at www.madebyde.com.
When you go to my website, don't forget to sign up for my insider group here. You'll save 20% on all your orders from Made by De!
Purposes for dog clothes; they aren't all the same.
Dog coats aren't all the same.
A dog coat is a dog coat, right? That isn't exactly a true statement. It's what people usually think of when it comes to the term "dog coat." But there's so much more to it than that.
In general, if you go to good old Google, when you look up "dog coat," you'll find lots of links that refer to a product that's intended to keep your dog warm. But if you look a little closer, you'll see that the products have a whole bunch of differences. You'll find dog clothes made of a wide variety of fabrics. Each product will have different features. They'll most likely be intended for different types of dogs; big dogs, little dogs, specialty dog breeds, etc. And their purposes may range from keeping warm to staying dry to cooling.
How do you decide what your dog needs, or if they need anything at all, with so many choices? Here are some factors to consider.
Your home climate
The first thing you'll need to do is consider the situation you and your dog live in. Do you have a long cold winter with lots of snow, ice, and wind? Maybe you live someplace more temperate and only have the cold stuff once in a while. Or do you live in a rainy climate? Some people and their dogs live in hot, dry places. Each of these places could place different demands on your dog. If you live
- in an arid climate, your dog may need something to help cool off.
- where there's a lot of rain, you'll want something waterproof but not necessarily warm.
- someplace that gets cool but not cold, you'll want something warm but don't need bulk.
- where it's freezing, you'll want to look for a more insulated coat, probably waterproof as well since getting wet makes it more difficult to stay warm.
Read more about keeping your dog warm in winter, here.
Your dog's adaptations
Once you've considered climate, the next thing to look at is your dog. Do they have a thick fur coat or a smooth one? Big or little? What is the heritage of their breed or breeds? What purpose are they bred for? A Newfoundland, bred to work in the North Atlantic's cold waters, will most likely enjoy cold winter weather. On the other hand, a chihuahua that's bred to be a lap companion is definitely NOT suited for the cold. Factors include
- Size: a small dog tends to get cold more easily than a big dog due to surface/body ratio
- Amount and color of fur; a dog with a thick double coat is less likely to get cold than a dog with a smooth coat. If staying cool is the purpose, a dog with a light-colored fluffy coat is more able to insulate itself from extreme heat, so cooling off may be easier for them than a dog with a smooth black coat.
- Muscle mass: since muscle creates heat, a heavily muscled dog won't get cold as quickly as a more lean dog. Heavily muscled dogs are more likely to need help cooling off for the same reason.
AKC has a great post about this.
The activities the two of you participate in
If you and your dog stay in a temperature-controlled environment most of the time, they may not need any assistance in the form of clothing. However, if you have a smooth-coated dog that loves to play in the snow with you, they may need some help staying warm so that the two of you can have fun together.
- Activities: If your dog is an indoor dog that only goes out for brief potty breaks, they probably don't need something as warm as a dog that spends a lot of time outside in the elements.
- Environment: A dog walking on a leash around the block probably doesn't need something as durable as a dog that's running off-leash through underbrush or forest.
- Sports: If your dog participates in strenuous activities, the clothes they wear will need to appropriately keep muscles warm, be durable enough to hold up, and allow freedom of movement.
Purposes of dog clothes
Each dog and owner team will have its own needs. That's why you need to consider all the factors to decide what's best for you and your canine friend. Once you've considered the needs, you can choose something that suits your purpose.
At Made by De, I make dog clothes for a wide variety of purposes and dogs. I'd be happy to work with you to get your dog the perfect clothing for your needs. I make each item custom so I can help the two of you get the perfect outfit.
Don't forget to sign up for my insider group here. You'll save 20% on all your orders from Made by De!
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