We put sunblock on our skin and we wear sun protective clothing when we’re out in the sun for long periods of time.

Dogs also have sun sensitivity.  Dog breeds with the shorter, thinner hair; or dogs that are elderly and having hair loss are most susceptible for burning in the sun. Ears and bellies will become sore and hair will begin to fall out if the skin is sunburned. Their noses can also easily get sunburned and become sore, dry and cracked.

If it is hot out your dog probably won’t appreciate being fashioned in his full fashionable puppy clothing.  But if you are going to spend hours out in the sunshine it is wise to use a sunblock pet spray to keep his skin protected from those harmful rays.

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Dog Pajamas!

It makes sense.  Dogs love to be wrapped up as much as an infant does.  Makes them feel warm and secure.  There are tons of soft fabrics and patterns to chose from.  If your dog is a shedder dog pajamas do tend to keep the hair in one place; inside their pajamas!  This is nice if you sleep together, then you don’t wake up covered with quite as much hair.

As always, if you are going to put your dog in clothing you need to make sure your trendy pup is safe and comfortable.  If the clothing is too tight, pajamas especially, your dog is going to hate it.  So be a good parent and make sure this process is fun for you and your dog.

For your next sleep-over make sure Fido is wearing his dog pajamas.  Maybe he has a yellow ducky robe or plaid grandpa pajamas; whatever it is, he is going to woo you straight to happy dreams.

Sweet Dreams *zzzzzzzzz*

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In many places, the end of January is a very cold time of year. Some people believe that covering a dog up in a coat is silly.

“They already have fur!”, is a favorite response when they argue.

Well, people have hair on their heads and we wear hats to keep warm and dry.  Yes, a dog is less vulnerable to cold elements than you or I because of their thick fur coats but this doesn’t mean they don’t get cold or wet.

Winter dog coats are made to keep dogs dry and keep their body heat on their bodies.
When you and your dog are out taking a walk in the misty morning on a chilly January day that dampness is going sit on your dogs fur and make him cold and wet.
If it is snowing out, the snow is going to do the same thing.
If it is pouring down rain then do you really want to coax your dog out of the house, have him get soaked to the bone and then have him come back inside where he shakes all that wetness into the middle of the living room?

A winter dog coat isn’t an accessory or a trivial piece of clothing that is unneeded by your canine friend.  Your dog will probably appreciate his winter dog coats and like that the winter elements aren’t affecting his walk.

You want to make sure that your dog is properly fitting in his dog coat. If the coat is tight it is too small and this will make your dog uncomfortable when he tries to walk.  Winter dog coats should fit somewhat loosely, especially under your dogs legs (in their armpits) because material will twist and bunch in that area.  Also, there should not be anything dangling off the coat. No zippers or threads or anything that will trip your pooch or snag on the ground.

Winter dog coats are functional and once you try them out you will see that keeping your dog warm and dry in the winter months will also keep you happy.

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Dog sweaters can cost anywhere from $7 to $$100’s of dollars.  I saw cashmere dog sweaters at a boutique in New York selling for $398!  Rugby and Patches did not get those for Christmas!

You can spend whatever your heart desires on a nice, protective sweater to keep your dog insulated and dry on his walks.  Having him covered up is also going to be more pleasant for you because when you come into the house your dog will track less water onto the carpet and furniture.  You should keep a towel by the door to dry off paws and faces; otherwise they will head right to your furniture to wipe themselves off.

What is most important when buying your puppy sweater is the fit.  Make sure that the sweater does not fit too tightly, especially under your doggies leg’s.  If the dog clothing is too tight in the areas where your dog moves (the “armpit” area) the material will bunch up and be uncomfortable and then your dog will be sad.  We don’t want that.

Pay close attention to sizing and fit to keep your pet liking their dog sweater.  Also, the material is another important factor in choosing the perfect pet clothing.  If it is pouring and wet outside you don’t want your pets clothing to be wool or light cotton because then the fabric is just going to get soaked and cling to your dog and make him cold.  For wet days make sure you get a water resistant fabric, maybe a dog jacket instead of a dog sweater, to ensure your dog is dry, warm and happy.

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We all have plans and places to go and things to do for the upcoming holiday festivities.  Thanksgiving is this week!  Can you believe it?
What are you going to do with your puppy dog during this exciting time of year?  Are you going to be traveling with your pet or leaving him home for a long day or putting him up in a kennel?

A Kennel?

I know kennels can get pricey and much like day care for children, dogs get sick from other dogs and tend to come home feeling ill.  You can tell if your dog or cat has a fever by feeling their nose.  Pet noses are usually moist, if not completely wet (ick) and cool to the touch.  When your pet is feeling under the weather their nose will be dry and warm.  But, kennels are a safe place for dogs to go to be fed, walked and sheltered.  If you are going away overnight and cannot travel with your pet, research your local kennels.

Keeping Your Dog Home Alone

If you aren’t going away for longer than 10 hours or so you can keep your dog at home.  The younger the dog the less he can wait to go potty, this goes the same for senior citizen dogs.
You can section off a place in your home to keep your puppy safe.  Make sure your puppy has some toys to occupy his time with.  Also, make sure he has a comfortable place to lie down and sleep.
If you are going away for longer than 10 hours and opt for keeping your dog at home alone then you can hire a person to come over to feed and walk him.
Depending on who you hire, this could be less or comparable to putting your dog into a kennel.  It is sometimes a very reasonable option-if you will not be gone for an extended amount of time.  Dogs are social animals and will become depressed without affection and the presence of their loved ones.  You can check your local newspaper and also Craiglist.com for information on dog walkers/caretakers in your area.

Traveling with Pets

Fido is going to grandma’s with you!  How exciting!
First you need to dog proof your car.  Maybe get a travel crate for your dog if he is going to try to pounce around the car while you attempt driving.  Also, if your dog is a chewer, you’ll want a crate to avoid him turning your seat cushions into fluff.
Bring lots of toys to occupy your puppy’s teeth and boredom.  If you have a long car ride bring bottled water and a bowl so you can give your puppy some laps of water when you take your restroom breaks.  Don’t forget a leash!
When traveling with a dog it is a good idea to have him in a harness or in a dog sweater.  That way if your puppy makes an escape off his leash or out of the car door before he’s on his leash you have something to grab him by!

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http://ihasahotdog.com/2008/09/28/funny-dog-pictures-pic-u-up-for-promz/

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If there is an accident on Halloween and your very curious puppy ingests chocolate please look out for these signs if there is trouble:

Trembling/Nervousness (this is due to the caffeine in chocolate)
Vomiting/Diarrhea (put your dog in a safe place with a tile floor so you can easily clean up the mess)
Muscle Spasms and Seizures

These things usually happen in about 12 hours after consumption.  Keep in mind that a larger dog would have to eat about 2 lbs of chocolate in order to be toxic so a little miniature Hershey bar isn’t going to hurt him.
All dogs are different though and that doesn’t mean your puppy’s system won’t be harmed by small amounts of chocolate.  It is best that they never have any.  If you keep chocolate to yourself and leave the dog biscuits to your dog, you’ll both have a happy life together.

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Thought you puppy fans might enjoy…

Puppy Fashion Show

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If you are planning to dress your puppy up for the Halloween shenanigans please be safe and keep these things in mind!

1. Make sure you puppy likes his costume! Once you get your howl-goblin all costumed give him a few moments to adjust. If he cries, whimpers and looks terribly uncomfortable maybe it’s best to remove the costume. It’s only fun if you are both having fun. If your dog is miserable then he is going to hate Halloween. Keep in mind that costumes, just like your regular puppy clothing, should not block your dogs eyes (like bandanna’s, crowns, or eye patches for that puppy pirate). When a dog can’t see they will become more aggressive and we don’t want to make him feel vulnerable and unsafe, that is not nice.

2. Halloween means many people will be out on the street. Keep your puppy close to you if you decide to go outdoors to show of his snazzy cute costume. He should be leashed, collared and tagged with all his information! Dogs have been known to be abducted on Halloween so please keep him nearby so he is not teased or stolen by any non-friendly Halloweenies. Also, if you stay inside and answer the door to pass out candy to your trick-or-treaters be sure your dog is blocked away from the door. People wearing costumes could scare your puppy.

3. Don’t let your dog eat any candy! Candy is not for pets. It messes with their digestion and is toxic to their bodies! Wrappers are also unsafe and can obstruct your doggies intestines. Plus, there will be a huge mess to clean up. Please make sure the candy bowl is high out of reach from sniffy, curious puppy noses!

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