So, clothes don't keep them warm, Huh?

[Gracie2006]

I was at PetCo today, found tons of new outfits for the girls. As I was checking out, this snippy little clerk says "You know, those clothes do nothing for them". She went on to say that she had gone through training and was told that no matter the breed, even Chi's, don't get any warmth from wearing clothes. All the clothes do is hinder the dog's ability to generate its own warmth, and, clothes can lead to over heating. I thought to myself "you sure don't want to sell any clothes, do you?" I then told her that Yorkie's are not like other dogs, they have human like hair and get cold. She shook her head and insisted they did not. I then proceeded to tell her how at the beach, the girls were shivering in 48 degree weather until I put their sweatshirts on them. With that, I finished paying for the clothes and left. As I left, the gal said "They do look cute in those outfits, you got to give the clothes credit for that". So, what do you think? Is there any truth to what she was saying?

[Lovetodream88]

She sounds like she dosent know anything and that she probably had her mind made up to think what she was going to think no matter what you would have said my grandpa is like that he wont even listen cuz hes mind is made up. But I think shes wrong. When we went on our trip the hotel room stayed pretty cold and she would shake and I put her pjs on her and she stopped so obviously clothes do warm them up. But if she has clothes on and is panting I take them off so she dosent over heat. But if the clerk said that they can make them over heat then obviously they help warm them up when they are cold.

[mayers]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

She sounds like she dosent know anything and that she probably had her mind made up to think what she was going to think no matter what you would have said my grandpa is like that he wont even listen cuz hes mind is made up. But I think shes wrong. When we went on our trip the hotel room stayed pretty cold and she would shake and I put her pjs on her and she stopped so obviously clothes do warm them up. But if she has clothes on and is panting I take them off so she dosent over heat. But if the clerk said that they can make them over heat then obviously they help warm them up when they are cold.

Exactly! What a stupid thing to say. They don't keep them warm but they will over heat them. I suppose Rambeau's raincoat doesn't keep him dry and his life vest doesn't make him float 'cause he's a dog. Sheesh!

[FL Tink]

I wouldnt pay attn to what she said...BUT if It were my business I would want to know if one of my employees was trying to discourage me from buying ANYthing

[marcerella02]

i think she was talking just to hear herself talk. i KNOW Layla's clothes keep her warm. We live where there is snow and if I put Layla outside without her winter jacket on... she would freeze.. and you could probably even call it animal abuse. She clearly does not know anything about yorkies and sounds like a pretty crappy employee.

[KitKatJam]

The clerk has no clue what she is talking about, one day when I took my puppy outside it was about 75 out but a bit windy, I thought it was perfect out but he started to shake from being cold, I went inside and put a shirt on him (his first time wearing clothes) and he didn't shake anymore, so yes I believe they get cold. I think the clerk only said that because she doesn't like dogs wearing clothes and she was just trying to be polite without flat out saying "I don't like dogs in clothes"

[MyFairLacy]

Sounds like an idiot to me... And anyway, she shouldn't be making comments to customers about their merchandise like that. Her goal is to serve the customer and sell the merchandise...not spout off whatever her little mind makes up.

[2Parises]

That is an illogical argument. I'm not even sure I would have bothered to respond. LOL

Aside from that...How Bizarre????

[Nancy1999]

Gee, I would be tempted to talk to the manager, you should not need to explain yourself to a sales clerk, but maybe you taught her something. I hate it when they group all dogs together and make blanket statements. Dogs show so such much variety, more so than any species I can think of. I heard a TV vet say dogs should never be given a bath more that every 3 months, "it destroys their natural oil, and will cause skin problems", this just isn't true with yorkies. Joey's breeder told me if you need a sweater, Joey needs one too. Joey starts shaking at anything under 70 degrees.

[ScootieBootie]

I disagree.
Dogs DO get cold, and do benefit from wearing some thing to help out with that.

Their paws are also affected by hot surfaces and they can burn, tear, lacerate their pads...I guess the clerk would say that would never happen and "doggie shoes" don't do anything for them either...

[Sloan]

Sounds like they have a Nitwit behind the counter at that store. They need to educate their employees better.

[ellie81]

she doesn't know what she's saying . I know that here is florida clothes are not really necessary because it's never cold (excepts for a few weeks in the winter), but I'm pretty sure the babies up north really appreciate that clothes are made for them

[Potter]

The clothes that you were buying, were they the last piece? Maybe she said that to change your mind so that she could buy it herself lol. I would be pretty mad if I am the store owner and one of my employees do that

[browniesmom622]

Chihuahua's can not hold there body Heat So she really doesn't know what she's talking about.

[Gracie2006]

I did some research online, and even P.A.W.S. recommends clothes for the smaller breed dogs, as well as those who are old or sick. They clearly state that clothes help keep dogs warm. With that, I sent the following complaint to PetCo:

"Today, I purchased several items of clothing for my two Yorkshire terriers. Sarah was the clerk that checked me out. Without asking for her advise, she told me that clothes do nothing to help keep dogs warm. No matter the breed, clothes hinder a dog's ability to generate their own heat, and, will over-heat them in warmer weather. She referenced some training she had on the subject. This makes no sense. If clothing will cause a dog to over-heat, then clothing must provide some warming properties. When I attempted to correct her, she argued with me and was rather snippy. I have done some research online, including looking at recommendations by P.A.W.S. All say that clothes do help keep dogs warm, especially the smaller breeds who do not have as much body mass. If you are teaching this crap to your employees, please provide me with the source of the information based on veterinary research. I probably should not have purchased the clothing and other items to the tune of $111.64. Comments like that did not deserve a sale in return. I will think twice before purchasing from your store again."

I am debating on returning the clothes, but they are so dang cute! And they even have button holes for the harness lead to come through. I'll be happy if sweet little Sarah gets a good talking to.