Question to the expert: Do dogs need clothes in winter
Ksyusha Petrov
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In winter, the cold is taken by surprise not only people, but also their dogs. The current diversity of dog breeds makes the owners think about the temperature at which they will have to wear a little coat on their chihuahua and whether they need a down-padded coat and also a fur corgi. We asked the behavioral experts of dogs, the founders of the Pi-Bo Applied Training School, the authored authors of the upcoming publication of The Surface, Love, Praise, as well as a fun and useful blog about tail raising Nadezhda Pigareva and Anastasia Bobkova, how not to let an animal freeze and what else are the advantages in addiction to dress up your dog.
Nadya Pigareva and Nastya Bobkova
Behavioral Correction and Mental Health Specialists and PiBo Creator
The temptation of the owners to dress up their dog is quite understandable. The sweetest woolen friend is almost like a child - unless you deny yourself the pleasure of buying him a suit of cheerful colors, when all the pet shops are inundated with this good. Fortunately, a useful and comfortable suit will be useful to a dog of any breed - whether it is an American naked terrier or a chow-chow, famous for its "impenetrable" fur.
In winter, of course, clothing for insulation is relevant. All kinds of down-padded coats and fur blankets are able to warm dogs that, by virtue of belonging to a particular breed, are not adapted to the harsh Russian climate. This applies to decorative and short-haired breeds. But you should not dress the dog "by default" - it is important to monitor its condition in the cold and even temper it so that the pet can withstand a short walk without additional accessories. The condition of the dog can be determined by the temperature of the ears. Normally, they are a little cool, but running for new clothes is worth it if you notice that the dog’s ears become icy at a certain temperature of the air outside.
The Moscow climate in autumn and winter assumes, unfortunately, not only cold, but also dirt. The owners of shaggy dogs know what it is to wash a dog after a regular walk, so they also buy clothes, but not warmed, but protective. In case of bad weather, waterproof overalls will protect against splashing, and blankets will not allow the rain to wet the thick hair on the back of some hairy collie that will dry for too long. It is important not to interfere in the natural heat exchange and choose clothes from technological materials that are well breathable.
Some tailed need protection from the sun. We are talking about dogs without wool, whose skin can burn under ultraviolet radiation. These guys must keep light T-shirts and jackets in the wardrobe so that they can easily walk in the summer heat.
In general, clothing is chosen not only on the basis of a specific breed of dog, but also taking into account its individual characteristics. For example, Labradors are considered by default by those comrades who would only find the dirtiest puddle and wallow in it. But among them there are delicate daisies that will not walk in the rain for more than three minutes. Accordingly, the first handy protective overalls, and the latter can easily go naked for life.
But whoever you choose a new suit - it is worth considering how comfortable the dog will be in clothes. Check whether the convex seams pass through the delicate places of the dog's body. They may rub their armpits or abdomen if they are positioned incorrectly or the jumpsuit is too small. A short-footed and overly energetic beast is likely to be better in a crochet. She has no sleeves, and she sits freely enough so as not to rub and do not hold down movement. But if the dog behaves in the snow like a bulldozer, under a cowl without a collar during the walk whole snowdrifts can form, which also does not contribute to dog comfort.
Safety shoes and bee costume
For beauty, dressing up dogs is also not prohibited by any doctrine. But it is important that the dog is accustomed to any clothing. He doesn’t care what his brand new bee costume looks like, but far from being indifferent to the host’s praise for wearing it so proudly. Yes, and sincere admiration of passers-by also inspires - dogs very well recognize such emotions in their address. During the first fittings, it is important to praise and treat the dog, making it clear that it is the most beautiful on earth in these plastic wings. And only after she stops trying to tear off her clothes, you can go out in this all the light.
But to use shoes unnecessarily and simply is not necessary for beauty. The dogs are not very comfortable in it, the usual adherence of the paws to the surface due to hidden claws is lost. Pёsi boots and boots must be bought if there is a real danger of damaging the animal's paws with reagents or it is known that the dog cannot walk normally, because it constantly draws in the frozen paws. Warm waterproof boots will help from the cold. They will protect from reagents. But if the dog does not freeze, instead of shoes fit special balls made of thick rubber (for example, such). They are well fixed on the paws. In addition, after reaching the reagents at the place of a walk in the park, they can be removed, giving the dog the opportunity to run around without restrictions. These balls help well and protect a wounded dog-dog's paw, if it is in bandages and it cannot be soaked and soiled. But it is worth knowing that they will suit animals with a decent manicure, because too long claws are able to break through the material from which the patches are made.
Passers-by and fashion police
Dog clothes have one unobvious bonus that has nothing to do with protecting a dog from cold, rain or heat. With it, you can change the attitude of others to your animal. The owners of the dogs of the "formidable" breeds will not let them lie - on walks they often hear something like "they have delivered killer dogs, and now they will eat all our children." Although their cute bull terrier works as a nanny for the master's baby all her life, she translates the kittens across the road and plays merrily with the old women.
To reduce the intensity of these passions will help cute clothes. She is able to make a sweet baby out of the "killer dog", who urgently wants to be petted, and not called a precinct police officer to call for the elimination of "danger." If you have a big dog, especially black or brindle, choose her costumes in bright colors with funny prints. Any Doberman in a pink T-shirt with frogs looks a little less threatening than "naked." So much less likely to run into disapproval of passersby in the park, who believe that large dogs there is no place. And who will find the strength to scold a dog who was dressed in rhinestones and ruffles? It is very difficult to believe that such a stylish comrade can be the aggressor, and not her mother's berry.
Another useful dog accessory is bandannas. They help to emphasize the peace-loving nature of the dog, if he is too shaggy to wear T-shirts in the hot summer. Any colored kerchief around the neck of a Russian black terrier will not only allow it to be irresistible in the eyes of its own mother, but also motivates passers-by to take a photo of the memory instead of avoiding it for two quarters with swearing. Maybe this is a so-so alternative, but it's better than explaining to everyone he meets that the dog has been raised and is not dangerous.
Canine Power dressing
Some dog clothes have a therapeutic effect, and it is especially relevant on New Year's Eve, when all pet owners are frozen in anxious waiting for salutes. Many dogs are terrified of such loud noises and spend every New Year's holidays shaking under the bathroom. These guys will help soothing blankets like thundershirt or any tight T-shirt or sweatshirt. Such clothes have a so-called soothing hug effect. He was studied on farm animals by an American professor of animal husbandry, Temple Grandin. She also invented the “car for hugs”, in which she herself escaped during the moments of stress, which often visits her because of the autism spectrum disorder.
Such clothes can be used both at home and on the street to reduce the effects of stress on dogs, which are very afraid of loud noises. Fear of her, of course, can not be cured, but a little “fix” the dog in a panic and do not bring the matter to a heart attack. On the web you can find information about the soothing bandaging of dogs, which also imitates hugs. And everyone needs a hug when it's scary.
PHOTO: Petlike shop (1, 2)