afraid this maybe a daft novice question but a bit of experienced advice would be much appreciated.....
....i have 17wk cavalier puppy, ruby. lovely dog - still v much a puppy in lots of ways which makes her adorable.

thing is when she goes outside and gets wet in the current oh-so-glorious weather she often shivers for say 15 mins when she gets in again. this is whether she gets taken out for the loo early morning/late at might or also for example when we have just taken her for a 20 minute walk through a light shower (she was quite wet, but not through to her skin except on her lower legs).

I'm not risking her getting a chill am i? i am trying v hard not to be too much of a worrying 'new mom' but i would be mortified if i mad eher poorly and my instinct is (i) to look after her but (ii) remember she's a dog not a baby!

thanks xxxxxxxxxxx

Don't worry about her getting a chill. Puppies are hardier than they look. The trick to getting her warmed up when you get inside is a warm towel. If you have radiators or a wood stove you can place a towel on it a few minutes before you go out with her. So when you come in just wrap her up in the warm towel, ruffle her fur up a bit and you end up with a warm dog. My two girls hate being walked in the rain but love the warm towel part. :) This method also does wonders for bonding.

you could get her a coat:)

my mum keeps on about getting a 'doggy jacket' (to quote) but it just can't be necessary can it, i mean that's why dogs have their own far more beautiful and practical coats isn't it? or at least that's what occurs to me....

i'm glad you said not to worry about her shivering - i'm sure its just normal and actually once she's got used to the idea that we ARE going on a walk however much Miss Precious Paws wants to sit in the warmth, she does really seem to enjoy it! I think it'll help toughen her up a bit actually - and thinking about it since hte weather's got worse, i'm sure she's quicker doing her nighttime business, so that's a bonus - oh unless she decides that its a good time for a snail hunt....!

I'd say get a coat! I tried several on my boy at the weekend and ooohhh isn't he the male model!! Gave everyone in Pets at Home a fashion show!!! I thought he'd hate it but he loved it. Got my eye on a nice blue tartan one with fleecy lining - my friend (who has house cats) says its ridiculous but, hey, at 6am on a scottish windy, rainy, freezing cold morning, I wouldn't go out in just my fur I'm afraid. My dog doesn't appear to feel the cold and for a walk I'm sure he'd go naked, but he certainly doesn't mind wearing a coat and it has to keep him warmer I would think?

CG

I would say go with a coat, the weather is not going to be better and it is better to be safe than sorry, You can get them that are made out of the same material as waxed jackets. It would make her walks more injoyable if she is not feeling the cold