Cold dog????

[winny]

Hi, now I know there will be 2 schools of thought on this so please hear me out. We have always worked odd hours andhave had dogs which live outside in a yard and kennel. They come in when we get home and go out when we are out. They have plenty of room and fresh air and have always been fine in fact the vet suggested it for one dog with health problems as better for him.
Well, Meggie the lab has been ill and has been indoors over the holidays and has lost weight. She is on the up now but when we return to work will have to go back outside as she has no concept of holding her bladder due to never having a need to. I am contemplating buying her a jacket but not sure of the best sort as a non waterproof one will probably soak any rain up andf she will be cold all day. On the other hand would a waterproof one be cosy?? Any suggestions and ideas welcome as to types or brands to get.
I do have neighbours who would let her out if I asked them but would prefere not to keep bothering people if there is a suitable alternative.
We have looked into a dog door but due to the fact we did have lots of scrap stolen from the yard while she was in it then the house would deffinatly not be safe with a dog flap.
Many thanks, Debbie

[Bigeye74]

I personally would be dubious of unattended dog coats, in case they get caught on something and hurt the dog. Are you in the position to lag the kennel with carpet or similar?

[dizmouk2009]

Carpet sounds good! If you can keep the wind out as well they would be a huge bonus.

[Postdog]

On my walk, there is a cat kennel by the front door, carpeted inside, and the door is covered with heavy plastic strips that can be pushed aside for access but keep draughts out.

[lankeela]

You can get waterproof ones with a warm lining, but make sure it fits well or else she may get her legs caught up. Try looking up weathertogs they make them to measure. Most greyhounds wear a kennel coat in the cold weather and they have no problems.

[lankeela]

http://www.weathertogs.co.uk/

[winny]

Thanks all. Come to think of it before we moved it to a shady spot we did have carpet flaps at the door. The sides are sheilded by the house/fence and shed but carpet lining sounds good. Dont know why i not thought of that! I have had a look on ebay and some real nice wax ones with like belly covers which look fairly non slip although the weathertogs ones look like they have a similar cross over the belly like the horse rugs always were. Hum!! I shall choose soon. Thanks again.

[dizmouk2009]

Have you thought about lining the outside with horse matting? It's amazing stuff and in summer it will be really nice for your dog/s to lay on (black) :)

[leelapops]

Hi winny. Our new greyhound has a gorgeous coat we picked up on Ebay. It's waterproof, with a very cosy fleece lining!
Snug fit, with a head hole and adjustable middle strap. Hope you find what you need.x

[tamborine]

coats stop the natural growth of fur. I use heat lamps installed in outhouse

http://www.heatlampsf...-fg-Z4CFZ1h4wodzDTMJA

[winny]

Which one did you get leelapops, I have 2-3 on ebasy that I keen on . Not sure about heat lamps though, bit worried bout fire, it only a small kennel not really a shed size

[kita1]

Be careful of heat lamps - a kennel I worked in a few years ago had one on an inside kennel with a *** with pups - the heat lamp exploded leaving sharp daggers of glass strewn across the kennel floor. Luckily the pups were tiny and not yet walking around.

I would never leave one in a kennel again.

[lankeela]

The glass heat lamps can explode if they get wet, such as a wet dog shaking and the water hitting the hot glass. You can get the ones made of the stuff like the old fashioned plant pots, but you need to have well insulated wiring or else they can short circuit and could cause a fire.

[woofgang]

those pot heaters, also called dull emitters or pig lamps can also shatter if they get sprayed with cold water although they are less likely to. If cash is no object, how about a tube type heater?

http://www.cnmonline....KaG_p4CFY8A4wodjDsmJw

[leelapops]

winny, I don't recall the seller-but it's black waterproof material with a red trim and strap and grey fleece lining x

[lankeela]

Greyhound/whippet coats tend to be a different shape, they are longer over the back legs and more cut up under the tummy, to follow the line of the body.