Just wondered if any of you put coats on your dogs for walks? I have never used them before, angel was always so active she never really had the chance to get cold, but as we will be lead walking soon (at least to end November) and she is still quite furless on her hip and under her belly - should i use a coat to help keep her warm and dry or am i fussing over nothing?

I'd say it depends on how long your walks are and how cold it gets.... If the walks are shortish I probably wouldn't bother, as she'll be able to warm up again soon after. If you stay out longer and she is shivering extremely, I'd get a coat.

Thanks Susanna, the walks will be very short to start off with (only 5 mins each time) but as she has to return straight to her crate, i was worried that if she got wet, then she wouldn't be doing much to warm up. I spend my time worrying about Angel than i spend worrying about my family

After my weim had surgery I got her a coat for the same reason you suggest, slow walks with no opportunity to run therefore warm up plus having spent three months in the house over summer.

Although pricey I would check out Equafleece - you can get nice coats that will keep her warm and even if it is raining she won't get wet and soggy. I use them on my working dogs at lunchtime and can really recmmend them. From my point of view they seem to irritate the dogs less than standard coats.

www.equafleece.co.uk

We only have a coat for Jess when she is out picking up. she has it on when they stop for lunch and wears it home at the end of the day. On normal exercise No.

Thanks guys - you have given me something to think about!

I bought mine coats as we were going up to Dartmoor in the snow. One dog came back without it on and the other dog came back with a massive rip in it. If i was road walking them in the winter then I'd defiantly buy them new ones.

I bought Charlie a hotterdog fleece (like equafleece only cheaper but with less colour choice and less choice regarding sizing, Kelly wrote a thread about it in the reviews section) as he shivers like mad whenever he gets wet and no amount of running warms him up until he's dry. He will shiver in the house when we get in from a walk if he's wet, even if the house is quite warm.

He's a little underweight and still has thin puppy fur so although I only use it when he gets out of the river or when we get in after he's been out in the rain, I will use it for walks if necessary when the weather gets colder. He doesn't seem to mind it and will sit nicely while I put it on him, he even brought it to me in the lounge the other day It is supposed to keep them dry if it's raining too so maybe you could use it whilst walking in the rain to keep her dry and then you won't have to worry about her being cold and wet in the crate?

Charlie (6 months old) has a small one and my collie Jim has a medium one. My other half disowned me when he realised the jumpers that arrived in the post were for the dogs!

And guess what it keeps the mud inside the jumper and off the walls until it's dry and can be brushed out!!!

does it go over their head like a jumper???

Angel who used to be so well behaved is turning into demon dog Really don't know if she would let me put it over her head

Where has my little Angel gone and will her good behaviour ever return - can you tell we have had a bad day Just feel like the dog i have had for the past 4 yrs has had a personality replacement rather than a hip replacement

Yes it goes over their head, Charlie tried to rag it the first time I tried, he now lets me. I like to think it's because he knows it will make him warmer but I think it's really because he's so chilled he couldn't care less about putting on a jumper!

Our collie uses a clip on coat (has straps that go across the chest and under the body) that has a waterproof outer and fleecy pile inner when he's out on the mountains in winter. It's great, not as warm as a jumper and doesn't keep his belly warm but keeps the weather off. He's been up cairngorm in hideous winter weather and been fine except for frosty whiskers (think howling wind and temperatures that freeze the clouds on you so you're covered in glassy ice!)

Sorry to hear Angel is giving you a hard time I think it must be very hard for an active springer to sit in a cage all day, missing out on walks and all the excitement, having as much energy as usual even if it would hurt to use it, she must be very miserable. Fingers crossed she'll come round once she starts getting out and about again, once she's feeling better and life is back to normal I'm sure she'll love you more than ever

I'll try and find a link for Jims coat.
Becca

Thanks for the pep talk Becca, i think thats what im worried about - that she hates me for keeping her caged (still got 2 months to go) But at the end of the day it is for her own good, despite her taking a flying leap straight over the sofa this evening (bear in mind she was actually on the lead so not only did she nearly put her hip out but nearly strangled herself to boot).

She has her first 5 mintue walk in the morning - i am so dreading it! So anyone in the midlands, keep your eyes peeled for a kite in the shape of a fat woman flying through the sky - so if you see it give me a wave!

LMAO!!

Here is a link to the coat we have for Jim, we've had it for 4 years, it's been through the washing machine numberous times and is still fab and it's very cheap. There are loads like it so I'm sure you could pick up something similar from other shops.

Joe Browns

Good luck tomorrow, the hard work will be worth it in the end.
Becca

Personality change does come with the territory but believe me it is transitory. My weim had two summers of confinement, first for bilateral hip surgery aged 2 and the following year for bladder resuspension.

She was a nightmare at the time, depressed and frustrated but it did come good and once we were over those months she was back to her normal loving, naughty self.

Cheers Becca.

Sue when she is finally allowed out, will all the training ( ) she has had over the past 4 yrs go to pot? Will i have to start from scratch?

With the exception of pulling (which despite trying everything) we have never cracked, Angel was really good, through a lot of practice and training, we managed to stop the running off, dodgy recall etc and over the past 2 yrs i couldn't wish for a better dog - she hates having her ears cleaned but as soon as i picked up the cotton wool she would come sit between my legs without me even calling her and rest her head on my knee so i could do it. Its just all gone! I feel like i have the delinquent pup i started off with!

When she is allowed freedom you will need to be strict for the first few weeks but she will remember and you will get 'her' back as long as you are firm but fair and don't let her take the P in your happiness that she has a better quality of life.