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!
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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