Dog experts get hot under the collar

[Ashley V]

Originally Posted by cinnamonmon

To each their own, but I dont believe in dressing up dogs. I have had several dogs in my 53 years and currently have 3 little ones, 2 yorkies and one Maltese, and none of them like clothes. I dont know that I believe it leads to bad behavior...that seems silly but I dont think its healthy either.
I live in Ohio and it gets pretty cold here too, but none of my 3 will wear coats. I never would dress them up any other way, but coats seemed reasonable. They will absolutely not walk with them on...Ive tried several different types and they just refuse to move, so I gave up. We walk everyday no matter what the weather and I never notice them shivering...in fact they seem more energized in the cold weather.

That's good your dogs don't get cold!

I actually don't put coats on my dogs unless it's like a blizzard, but we haven't had one of those in about 10 years. If it's cold I do put sweaters on my boys. Chip won't even go outside if it's cold and he doesn't have a sweater on. He just stands at the opened door like "uh hu you aren't getting me out there!"

[Ellie May]

Good grief.
If a dog gets too hot it will pant. If a dog is panting, you'd think the owner would know enough to take the coat off without an expert saying so.

Dressing or not dressing dogs is a personally preference and can't be linked to any health benefits or risks if it is done correctly unless the dog is allergy to fabric or dye. It does not cause injury and it is the owner's choice.

Don't they have anything better to do like arrest people who don't feed their dogs or leave them chained with no shelter?

[roxies_mom]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

I'm sorry, but if I am feeding, housing and picking up poop for the dog, he can wear a cute jacket for me. Also, I really don't think dogs experience social embarrassment the way people do. I can see the point of clothing being uncomfortable, but a dog does not care how "stupid" it looks. That's part of the joy of dogs! Thinking otherwise is MASSIVE projection of human experience onto another animal.

Also, when dogs get too hot, don't they, you know, pant? I'd think anyone with sense would take a jacket off a dog that's panting.

I kind of disagree in a nice way of course. We had a dog, bigger dog with a ton of hair. One summer we were so tired of the shedding that we decided to take the clippers to her. DH and I really had no idea what we were doing and being a licensed hair stylist I figured I could handle this. Pfffft...not the case at all. We basicely gave that poor dog a reverse mo-hawk the poor thing. The kids came home and looked at her and she was obiously so humilated and embarrassed it was written all over her. Her body language said it all. I agree with you that if the dog is panting and it's inside, not out where it's cold that yes it's a good sign that the dogs hot take off the coat. I wonder if any dog has suffered in anyway of overheating because of wearing clothing?

[Ashley V]

Okay I just thought of something. They kind of contradicted themselves in the article. They said that wearing clothing will help alter a dog's natural ability to control body temperature in all different types of weather BUT at the same time they said the clothes cause them to overheat?

[roxies_mom]

Another point that can be made is: what about dogs who have very thick undercoats. They pant all summer long and you can't take off their coat. They say that shaving them is cruel because panting is like their air-conditioning and so is the undercoat. It's all so confusing, kind of like your damned if you do and damned if you don't!

[roxies_mom]

Originally Posted by Ashley V

Okay I just thought of something. They kind of contradicted themselves in the article. They said that wearing clothing will help alter a dog's natural ability to control body temperature in all different types of weather BUT at the same time they said the clothes cause them to overheat?

Good point!

[hugz4all4]

Originally Posted by roxies_mom

Another point that can be made is: what about dogs who have very thick undercoats. They pant all summer long and you can't take off their coat. They say that shaving them is cruel because panting is like their air-conditioning and so is the undercoat. It's all so confusing, kind of like your damned if you do and damned if you don't!

well then Im cruel cause I keep my sheltie in a lion cut all year around. He has a super think undercoat and would mat very easy and he hates to be combed out so I just keep him shaved down. I live in upstate NY right next to lake ontario (5 mins away) we get tons of lake effect snow and frigid temps and all of my dogs do fine. I dont leave them outside long, we go for short walks so they are still getting some excercise not as much as they do in the summer of course when I notice they are starting to get cold we go in immediately. My toy poodle hates wearing clothing and although I do put sweaters on her when its really cold out you can tell she doesnt like it and as soon as you take it off she runs around like a little banshee. As if she is saying "Im free" Tucker doesnt seem to mind them but I dont keep them on him long after we get inside. I find it hard to beleive that, that many dogs over heat when left with sweaters on that it needed research done on it.

[Lou]

If you could see my little Cassie come in from outside with her little teeth chattering and shivering all over you would have to agree that a coat is a necessity for her. Poor thing freezes outside if it is below 32 degrees. And Yes she wears a coat even if she is just running out for a quick pee!

[Britster]

Originally Posted by cinnamonmon

To each their own, but I dont believe in dressing up dogs. I have had several dogs in my 53 years and currently have 3 little ones, 2 yorkies and one Maltese, and none of them like clothes. I dont know that I believe it leads to bad behavior...that seems silly but I dont think its healthy either.
I live in Ohio and it gets pretty cold here too, but none of my 3 will wear coats. I never would dress them up any other way, but coats seemed reasonable. They will absolutely not walk with them on...Ive tried several different types and they just refuse to move, so I gave up. We walk everyday no matter what the weather and I never notice them shivering...in fact they seem more energized in the cold weather.

i feel the same way!

[ARCHIE]

Originally Posted by roxies_mom

Good point!

I believe they ment that a dog (not a Yorkie) manages his body temp
naturally and if a coat is on the dog he can overheat himself.
Also if a dog is left in a car with a sweater or shirt on during warm weather
it can do the same.
I believe a dog can become embarrased. Buddy get's embarassed when I put
on his sweater! I know he does but forget's about it when he get's outdoors.
I thought the article was informative and I believe what they said.
Some toy dogs who are treated much like a baby can become brats.
They are not trained for good behavior because the are so cute doing bad
things and get away with it because they are tiny. I've seen it on It's the
Dog or Me and Ceaser.
I also believe that's why the Yorkie and Chi are known to be winny, barkers and bite because so many get away with doing these things and are never
trained not too. It's easier to ignore than to train.

[bellasmomok]

I can understand the author's point.....to a point. Excellent points about Yorkies having no undercoat, and therefore needing extra clothing (sweaters, jackets, etc...) when it's very cold out have already been made. But, aside from the necessity of dressing up pooches in cold weather, I think you have to take it by situation. For example, I rarely dress Bella....rarely!! She's more comfortable around the house naked, and she stays warm enough inside (because I am cold natured!) so I don't dress her at home. More oftne than not, she's naked when we're out running around, however, I do VERY occasionally dress her up even when it's not cold. She LOVES the attention of others, and all dressing her does is make people fuss over her even more. NO ONE has ever laughed at her!! They just think she's precious....and she is! I know she doesn't care for clothing, so if I think she's too hot (just by feeling her body heat....she NEVER pants when clothed, because 1) I don't clothe her when it's hot and we're outside, and 2) I never let it get to that point for her) the clothes go!

So, moral is, I can sort of see the point of the article, but I think it made very broad, over-generalizations. They made a lot of specific points that just don't apply to a GOOD pet owner! Yes, dogs should have rules and boundaries (just as people should), and yes, you should take into consideration the comfort of your pooch. That's just common sense and being a good pet parent! I'm sure there are those who needed to be put in check by that article, but I highly doubt any of those people actually read it anyway!!!!

[bellasmomok]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Good grief.
If a dog gets too hot it will pant. If a dog is panting, you'd think the owner would know enough to take the coat off without an expert saying so.

Dressing or not dressing dogs is a personally preference and can't be linked to any health benefits or risks if it is done correctly unless the dog is allergy to fabric or dye. It does not cause injury and it is the owner's choice.

Don't they have anything better to do like arrest people who don't feed their dogs or leave them chained with no shelter?

Well said!