dog coat?

[Lorraine]

dog coat?

Hi all dog lovers i'am having a dilemma, just wondering if anybody has any suggestions
I have a small Jack Russell x Chihuahua with a body mass of about 3.1 KG
Trying to get a coat on her (ROXY) she runs and hides under furniture if you try to get her she literally savages you
if you pick her up before and try to put the coat she is still going for you and her heart is really fast then she urinates all over and nearly dies
So i have give that up has a bad job, leave the coat, recently when i go anywhere she becomes very cold, she wants to come back if its just around the block, if we go walking for any length of time, but keeping going, not stopping for her to get cold she goes in a trans and like a nervous wreck

She was a rescued dog we got her in May 2017 she was a bag of nerves all hunched up, it took us a few weeks to get her to feed through hand feeding her, she wont let us get near her with a towel to dry her if she gets wet, comes out with the same reaction as the coat, people have said put the towel on the floor and she will roll on it, she won't go any where near it, she let us bath her

Were she came from wasn't intentionally cruel they just did not have a clue, they had three kids who hounded her 24 hours, she was approximately 10 months old and i think she had learnt to retaliate and that why she had to go, we think maybe she was dressed up and dropped occasionally, i know she was only taken to private school to drop the boys off and mostly carried and never allowed to sniff around

I will be more than happy and most grateful if anybody can suggest anything, i am full of anxiety watching this little friend, freeze to death and what about when she gets older

Thank you all very much for reading this topic

Lorraine

 

[Asterix]

I think a slow introduction to towels and coats may be the way to go,put them near her bed and over time bring them close and finally into the bed. Try rewards if she gets on them,don't wash them but let a scent develop so she recognizes them as hers,it may be a long process but make a big fuss and give rewards whenever she makes even the smallest step. Hope that helps, hopefully others will have more suggestions,most fears can be overcome with time,patience and rewards.
As a small breed,keep the walks very short,regular and don't change the route,let her explore in her own time but keep it short enough that she doesn't get soaked through or too cold.

 

[Lorraine]

thanks for your comments,ROXY has the run of the house she has 2 beds in lounge she goes on armchair in front of window in front room, she has a bed in our bedroom, a couple of weeks ago i put the dog coat in front of the bed in lounge, she disappeared under the sofa in front room at least 4 hours and my husband Jeffmossey said to move it, she does retire to the bed upstairs do you think i should try it there but don,t show her what i am doing, but that is where she sleeps at night and she might not go to bed

Normally she walks for miles especially on the meets because she want too at the moment has soon as she has done her ablutions she whats to go back, would you suggest that i leave her in the Motorhome when i arrange the dog walks

Thank you very much for your comments they are much appreciated

Lorraine

 

[Asterix]

It's tough getting a dog over its phobias,maybe you need to just use one bed and move it upstairs at night,but keep the coat close to it and gradually move it closer and finally into the bed. She sees it as a threat so it's important to give her space from it but near enough that she's aware of it but not in her personal space. There's no quick fix unfortunately so small incremental steps are what's needed. It may even be an idea to carry the coat on walks so she associates it with something she enjoys. I would only limit the walks if it's cold/wet.

 

[yorkslass]

I have the same problems Lorraine,with Sunny, the only difference being he has a long coat so doesn't suffer from the cold as much. I think some of it must be the breed, cos he wasn't pestered with kids when he was younger, but heaven help your fingers if you try to put a coat on, dry him when he's been out, or even brush him. The tines on his comb are bent.

 

[Lorraine]

I have the same problems Lorraine,with Sunny, the only difference being he has a long coat so doesn't suffer from the cold as much. I think some of it must be the breed, cos he wasn't pestered with kids when he was younger, but heaven help your fingers if you try to put a coat on, dry him when he's been out, or even brush him. The tines on his comb are bent.

thanks Sue for reassuring me you have mentioned this on meets, the only thing that i cant handle is i would like to go for walks and she keeps me as a prisoner limiting me to how far i go
Anyway its lovely to hear from you hope you are well give my love to your hubby i believe hes doing well
see you soon
Love Lorraine

 

[Green Man]

Does Roxy have any doggy chums? She might be prepared to walk a bit further with a canine companion rather than just you. If you can find a nice gentle dog of a similar size ask the owner if they’d mind say doing a circuit of the park together rather than a forced route march. You never know, you might make a new friend yourself too.
I wouldn’t stress about getting her into a coat. It rarely gets cold enough to warrant a dog coat in the UK, even for short haired breeds. In fact, if you ARE anxious about getting her in a coat that could be enough to initiate the response you mention.
As for drying her with a towel you can buy micro fibre mitts which might be better. She might be more comfortable being stroked by a mitt than swaddled in a towel.
As with all dog behaviour you have to go at her pace. It sounds like she doesn’t trust you completely yet so lots of praise, love and treats will be needed but you will get there.

 

[saxonborg]

Perhaps a word with your vet may help, maybe he could prescribe a medication which will make her less hyper, We have used skullcap and valerian on our dogs generally around November 5th. This helps to calm them down I suppose similar to a mild sedative, just a thought, I hope you get it sorted one way or another.

 

[Minisorella]

I think Asterix is right... it'll only work eventually with patience and familiarity. How about making her a fleece blanket for her bed and a matching small square of the same material in lieu of a coat for now. Maybe keep them both on her bed to get them smelling the same and slowly get her used to just laying the square over her back when she's calm and comfy and being made a fuss of. Once you can do that regularly without her flinching, you could try putting a button and loop of elastic on it for under her tummy and seeing if she'll keep it on for a while.

 

[Clunegapyears]

Hi.
Mad also have a rescue dog - fortunately fewer issues than yours. But my dog friend guru sent me this link. https://www.brilliantfamilydog.com/
a couple of the books / manuals are free to download .... AND THEY WORK!

 

[Campervanannie]

Start by tying really quickly a neckerchief round her neck and then once she is used to that put one round her tummy at the same time that's what we had to do with Derby our black dog he is still not keen but tolerates a coat now, he still fidgets when you put it on but once it's on he's ok with it.

 

[Lorraine]

Does Roxy have any doggy chums? She might be prepared to walk a bit further with a canine companion rather than just you. If you can find a nice gentle dog of a similar size ask the owner if they’d mind say doing a circuit of the park together rather than a forced route march. You never know, you might make a new friend yourself too.
I wouldn’t stress about getting her into a coat. It rarely gets cold enough to warrant a dog coat in the UK, even for short haired breeds. In fact, if you ARE anxious about getting her in a coat that could be enough to initiate the response you mention.
As for drying her with a towel you can buy micro fibre mitts which might be better. She might be more comfortable being stroked by a mitt than swaddled in a towel.
As with all dog behaviour you have to go at her pace. It sounds like she doesn’t trust you completely yet so lots of praise, love and treats will be needed but you will get there.

Thank you for coming back

ROXY has lots of doggy friends on the meets, very friendly with both dogs and people she is one of those, that submits, I don't really have trouble on the length of walks, its just that she becomes cold and starts shivering, its only when we are at home that she thinks its out quick toilet then back in, she never does route marches as it take her a length time just to get around the block (smelling, maybe that's why she gets cold, or maybe she doesn't like the dark, you make me feel less anxious when you say rarely get cold enough to warrant a coat

As for the drying i will try those mitts, i'll buy some and leave them lying about so she gets use to them and i'll stroke her at other times with them, at this moment the coat has been put on the back of the armchair she looks out of the window and watches the world go bye, she just ignores it and gets on at side of it

Thank very much
Lorraine

 

[Lorraine]

Start by tying really quickly a neckerchief round her neck and then once she is used to that put one round her tummy at the same time that's what we had to do with Derby our black dog he is still not keen but tolerates a coat now, he still fidgets when you put it on but once it's on he's ok with it.

Thanks Annie

I will try that, sounds most logical, if she gets panicky when i'am fixing the neckerchief do you suggest i leave it and if i get any further do you suggest i do the same with the one around the tummy

Thank Lorraine

 

[Lorraine]

Hi.
Mad also have a rescue dog - fortunately fewer issues than yours. But my dog friend guru sent me this link. https://www.brilliantfamilydog.com/
a couple of the books / manuals are free to download .... AND THEY WORK!

Thank you very much for this, i will down load this and spend time over it, i have always thought ROXY was a very clever dog especially when it comes to learning tricks, she as come on leaps and bounds in the 8 months we have had her she was a very scared dog about being touched, used to be snappy if you went over her head, didn't know how to play with toys, she plays now even plays with toys her self, she is not a lap dog, if she climbs on your knee and you stroke her she is off, used to jump at the slightest thing, if the air freshener went off on timer she would jump, i need to sort this out for next winter, it will be were they don't need anything to keep them warm in a few weeks
Thank again
Lorraine

 

[Lorraine]

I think Asterix is right... it'll only work eventually with patience and familiarity. How about making her a fleece blanket for her bed and a matching small square of the same material in lieu of a coat for now. Maybe keep them both on her bed to get them smelling the same and slowly get her used to just laying the square over her back when she's calm and comfy and being made a fuss of. Once you can do that regularly without her flinching, you could try putting a button and loop of elastic on it for under her tummy and seeing if she'll keep it on for a while.

Hello my little friend hope you are well, thanks for your comments, we have put her coat (sheepskin on the inside, so therefor left inside out) on the back of the armchair in front of the window that she jumps up on and watches he world go by, she still uses the armchair but ignores it, if she would keep it on for a while I am sure she would like it (the warmth) she would experience something nice
Thank you

I'll see yo soon

Lorraine

 

[Lorraine]

Perhaps a word with your vet may help, maybe he could prescribe a medication which will make her less hyper, We have used skullcap and valerian on our dogs generally around November 5th. This helps to calm them down I suppose similar to a mild sedative, just a thought, I hope you get it sorted one way or another.

Hi thank yo very much for you comments, but i'am not quite sure what yo mean, do you mean prescribe medication for a one off to originally get the coat on?
The medication is what i need to be looking at after giving it another 5th November, because she was quite bad this November gone, whether she calms down or not?

Thank you

 

[Campervanannie]

Thanks Annie

I will try that, sounds most logical, if she gets panicky when i'am fixing the neckerchief do you suggest i leave it and if i get any further do you suggest i do the same with the one around the tummy

Thank Lorraine

If you don't get anywhere with the neck just do the tummy one she will get used to it its just you have to be calm when putting it on my vet said to us if we cannot get a neckerchief on him try wrapping an elastic bandage round his middle and treats lay the jacket on his back make him families with something on or around him when he is in the house so it probably will work for your little dog eventually

 

[Campervanannie]

Thanks Annie

I will try that, sounds most logical, if she gets panicky when i'am fixing the neckerchief do you suggest i leave it and if i get any further do you suggest i do the same with the one around the tummy

Thank Lorraine

We used to put the neckerchief loosely round Derbys neck and give him a treat oce on when he was ok with having material on him we then put one on his neck and one on his middle it kind of mimics a coat without being as cumbersome once he was used to running round the house with them on we substituted them with a very lightweight fleece slip on with a Velcro fastening under the tummy then when he was happy with that we then progressed to a proper thick dog coat as I say he still makes a bit of a fuss but once it's on now he associates coat with nice walk lol Taya is the same now she loves wearing a coat but she didn't at first but hated leads

 

[saxonborg]

Hi thank yo very much for you comments, but i'am not quite sure what yo mean, do you mean prescribe medication for a one off to originally get the coat on?
The medication is what i need to be looking at after giving it another 5th November, because she was quite bad this November gone, whether she calms down or not?

Thank you

I thought a vet may be able to prescribe a medication that would calm her down over a period of time during which you could introduce her to the coat/towel etc . Once she is accustomed to them you would then hopefully withdraw the medication, just an idea maybe I’m being balmy.

 

[Lorraine]

We used to put the neckerchief loosely round Derbys neck and give him a treat oce on when he was ok with having material on him we then put one on his neck and one on his middle it kind of mimics a coat without being as cumbersome once he was used to running round the house with them on we substituted them with a very lightweight fleece slip on with a Velcro fastening under the tummy then when he was happy with that we then progressed to a proper thick dog coat as I say he still makes a bit of a fuss but once it's on now he associates coat with nice walk lol Taya is the same now she loves wearing a coat but she didn't at first but hated leads

Thanks Annie

i will try all the suggestions you have mentioned, i can't get near her to put the neckerchief around her neck even if you offer a treat, so goes under furniture and you cant get her out, if she see anything she goes away and if you get her first she acts as thou you are making her do things she doesn't what too, please will yo show me on Derby when he his next with you

Thank you