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Tips for fitting a dog coat

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Fitting a dog coat correctly is important, and there’s a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right dog coat for your dog.

If your dog has thin or no hair, or is elderly, and you’re choosing one for them to wear inside when it’s cold, make sure it is soft and comfortable so they can easily sleep and move around in them and they aren’t restricted in any way. The DGG Knitwear or polar fleece warmies are perfect for this.

If it is toasty warm inside though, do take their coat off so their skin can breathe and they don’t overheat. Always take it off if it gets wet too.

Fitting a dog coat with the right measurements

To get the right size when fitting a dog coat, you should measure from base of the neck to the base of the tail, and around the chest. A coat should be snug, but not so tight that it hinders the dog’s movements, causes a rash or cuts into their skin.

Always feel around the neckline – you need to at least be able to put 3 flat fingers comfortably underneath it. You’ll want to also check you can fit 2-3 fingers underneath the stomach strap.

You don’t want the coat to be putting weight on their tail or restricting their ability to toilet freely with no mess.

Size and style is important

Ill-fitting coats that are either too large or too tight could also affect your dog’s behaviour and cause them to feel anxious or irritable. I find those with sleeves can restrict a dog’s legs, and can be really hard to fit properly, so I don’t generally recommend them.

The hoodies you see on some dog coats are more of a fashion statement than designed to actually be worn on the dog’s head, so when fitting a dog coat, leave those down. We don’t want to be restricting their ears or have it flopping over their eyes, as this can really distress dogs.

Take them off too!

It’s important to never leave your dog’s coat on for long periods either. Their hair can become matted underneath, so always take it off at the end of the day and give them a quick brush, and again in the morning if it has been left on overnight.

To find the perfect coat for your dog this winter, check out the DGG apparel range in quality pet stores, and ask for some help to find one that fits properly if you are unsure if you are fitting a dog coat correctly for your dog.

You can also check them out online at doggongorgeous.com.au


Lara Shannon is a certified dog behaviourist and trainer, pet food nutrition specialist, Executive Producer and Host of Pooches at Play on Channel 10 and editor of Poochesatplay.com. Lara also runs her own dog training business in Melbourne’s Bayside area and is the Author of World of Dogs and Eat, Play, Love (Your Dog).

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