Dog fashion: Stylish Warm Dog Clothing?

If you are a true dog lover and have a dog in your house, especially a companion breed (those cute little fluffy ones- although there are some that are hairless) then you must have checked at least once on the Internet for some clothes for your little loved ones.

The rise in popularity of dog clothing, not only driven by celebrities like Brittney Spears, Paris Hilton and a host of others basking in the limelight, showcasing their pets to the paparazzi, much the same way as the affluent mothers of well dressed children of years gone by, but by the functionality and protection it provides for our pals. There are critics that say that this “new industry” is just another scam, as dogs don’t really care about what they wear, nor do they need clothes.

Modern dogs do not have to endure the ravages of nature as they did back in the days of wolf packs or even colonial times. Our pet dogs have become accustom to the same environment we enjoy. Even the professionals agree that because domesticated dogs physiology has evolved and adjusted to human environmental standards, they need extra protection from the cold as much as their human counterparts. This applies especially to popular smaller”lap dogs” and the “teacup” breeds with fine coats. They need protection from the colder temperatures, particularly the vulnerable under belly of the dog. So whether some like it or not, clothes for dogs are a necessary evil.

So yeah, one might ask himself why his little Fido needs a wizard’s hat and a cape for Halloween, or a biker’s outfit and well….at this point he might be correct. If the clothes for our little pals have their practical purpose in winter, this trend of dressing your dog with every occasion is somewhat useless, and maybe the only point where the critics are somewhat right. I mean a dog does not really know that he is supposed to be rebellious biker, or a powerful wizard or whatever. But the fact is we also enjoy seeing them dressed like no other dog is, to spoil them as by doing so we kind of spoil ourselves and keep up with the celebrities that are the ones that actually start “this year’s” trend in canine fashion.

To sum it all up, I should say that if while keeping your dog protected by the cold outside you also manage to make him look stylish with the latest hits in dog clothing rather than the usual piece of clothing you use, then it’s nothing wrong with that.

Train your Dog to Shake Hands

Dog training can be very fun and it is actually a great way to interact with him and you can do wonders in stimulating your dog. One common trick that everyone loves is shaking hands. Let us see how you can train your pet to do this.

The ideal starting position in this dog training routine is you sitting down at the level of the pet. Unfortunately you will need to have your dog sitting and staying so these two commands must be learned prior to shaking hands. You will have to take a treat and keep it in your left hand. Entice the dog with it and let him lick at it but make sure that he will not be able to eat it. Take your right hand and lift his paw slowly. Keep saying "Shake" at every second or so. As soon as the paw leaves the ground you need to praise your dog and give him his treat. Keep repeating this exercise and you will notice that eventually the dog will lift the paw alone. This is when we need to get to step two.

Now we will start the training session with the same treat in the left hand routine. Your right hand needs to be extended towards the dog's paw but do not grab it. Your hand should stop at around one inch away from his paw and this is when you have to give him the "Shake" command. As soon as the dog starts to raise the paw he needs to receive the praise and treat needed. As time passes your hand needs to get further away from the dog when you give the "Shake" command. Eventually the dog will learn to shake hands and all is needed is patience and treats.

Small Dog Safety Vests

Dog safety vests are usually used for hunting dogs, especially when doing night hunting or hunting in areas that do not have a lot of visibility. It prevents the dog from getting accidentally shot. What few people realize is that dog safety vests can be very useful even in cities and not only in remote locations. Also, small dog safety vests are not to be avoided. People tend to think that the dog is too small and will not have him wear them although it can be quite dangerous for the small pet as well.

In most cases small dog safety vests are needed when you take your dog out at night. It will aid by making him highly visible to both you and other individuals. Many small dogs are hurt or even killed every single month by cars due to the fact that the driver does not see them or sees them too late to avoid the accident. A small dog safety vest can avoid this type of problem. To make it even worse, late night walk with your small dogs can be problematic as bicycle-dog collisions also happen very often in parks and fields. In such cases it is clear to understand why the chosen dog safety vest needs to be reflective so that the rider/driver can have enough time to take the needed evasive action. You can save your dog from a lot of problems and even death with special dog vests.

The best part about this topic is that dog safety vests come in all sizes for all dog breeds out there. You can even shop for them online although buying one from a local shop is recommended. This basically means that your dog can try the safety vest on and see whether or not it is comfortable for him as this is highly important. You wouldn't want your small dog to be sad and not like it when you take him out, would you?