Hi all:

http://www.gundogsonline.com/dog-vest/remington-neoprene-dog-vest.html#

I got this Remmington Neoprene Vest for Garrett. Some of you may remember that we had him shaved this summer due to his non-ability to shed and properly regulate his body temperature – Cushing’s induced.

Well it’s getting colder and I did notice him shivering the other day. He’s only grown back the strange tufts that made his coat look so awful to begin with. They are much softer though and easily brushed as opposed to the wiry wool that was built up after two years of non-shedding. Aside from these tufts, there are many bald spots or spots that haven’t grown back any hair. Not really bald, just haven’t grown from the initial No. 7 blade used to shave him.

So this vest, it’s really warm – I stick my hand in there and it’s nice and toasty. He seems to like it and prances around for a few minutes when I first put in on him. He was doing the water shedding shake thing quite a bit to begin with, so I took this to mean he wanted it off. However, when I take it off, he comes right back up and noses me to put it on again. He lifts his legs and everything. He really wants it on.

My concern though, as you can see in the ad, these seem to be made for thinner chested dogs. Garrett has a very stalky rib cage area. I initially got the large and ended up with XXL, largest one they had, which seemed a bit snug but fit well in the summer when he was just shaved.

My question is, does anybody know about this neoprene material. It seems to be squeezing his ribs just a little. I would like to make a little slice in it so that there are no restrictions what so ever. Would this ruin it or is there a way that I can modify it to meet his specs? I have to head out here, but I can post a picture later of him in it if that would help.

I can help, I used to make custom dog blankets.
I need pictures to really see what the problem is.
I wouldn't cut the material if there is another way to do it.
Do you have a sewing machine?
Close ups of where it is binding or not fitting well.

The shaking could be from where his hair is getting caught up in the material....its kinda grabs the hair and if the vest moves then the dog will shake it back into place.

Nico has that exact vest and is very barrel chested.
We bought it because she would not stay out of water no matter how cold it was. She seems to have gained some common sense with age though, so I don't worry so much now.

It did end up stretching once it got wet and dried on her a few times.

I have found with her that she seems to prefer it when it is tighter rather than looser because it doesn't slide all over the place. But she is also a short hair single coat dog so that might make a big difference in comfort.

Wow, that would be great Willy; here are a few shots. Camera said memory card is full so I’ll have to wait till hubby gets home to get some better ones. He’s much better at pictures than me.

And no, I don't have a sewing machine but I'll bet I could find one pretty quick.

Please don’t mind my messy house; we haven’t been around much this weekend. That Windex bottle seems to be a permanent fixture on that table with all the mud shaking they do in the house. I really need a mud room.

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/GarrettsVest012.jpg

Don’t mind the extra ear here; Echo was far too interested in what Mom was doing
http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/GarrettsVest004.jpg
You can see the bump in the vest behind his front let, this is his ribs. Quite tight right there.

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/GarrettsVest002.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/GarrettsVest011.jpg

In the front here it seems to be pulling a little, not the best picture.
http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/GarrettsVest007.jpg

Great information too Jennifer. Garrett won’t go in any kind of water but I wonder if rain would do the same thing for stretching? It came with a couple of floatation packs which we removed but they were pretty sleek, didn’t help much.

And it sure doesn’t seem to slide around at all when he does his shaking thing. Really a snug fit which I kinda thought we were looking for until it seems to have snugged up a bit too much.

And Willy, I’ll bet your bang on with that shaking business. It must be ruffling his feathers somehow but he seems to love it on. Really well made. Nice tough zipper that is incredibly protected. I don’t think I could catch his hairs if I tried.

Any suggestions to loosen this up a bit would be greatly appreciated.

He sure does look handsome in it!

I need to check my sewing kit for something..
I should have a plan in a day or so.
It looks like it won't be too hard.

These vests are good, but really made for a lab body.

We are actually having this discussion tonight on the HuntingPoodle group. A number of us have had vests custom made by http://www.benik.com

They make neoprene medical braces and supports, but also make custom waders and dog vests.

If you e-mail them they will send you a pdf form that tells you how and where to measure your dog for a custom fit. There are several colours to choose from. It's a quality product and runs $65 not including shipping.

We all love our vests!

I have a custom brace from Benik... for ME. I love it. lol.

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

He sure does look handsome in it!

Yeah, I think he thinks so too the way he prances around in it. He seems to have an extra spring to him. I wonder if it has any of the same effects as that Tellington Touch stuff. I have a girl friend into that, I should ask her.

 Quote: Willie Tilton

I need to check my sewing kit for something..
I should have a plan in a day or so.
It looks like it won't be too hard.

Hey Willie, take your time. I appreciate any efforts and maybe it’s not even possible. I haven’t got a clue. Like I said, I was going to take the scissors to it. I really do like it though and it would be so nice if we could get it to work.

He’s going to work with Bob for the next few days so no hurry. He’s due for his blood tests and Bob just wants a bit of quality time with him. He'll get him out for his excersize during the day when it's warmer.

 Quote: Melissa Blazak

These vests are good, but really made for a lab body.

We are actually having this discussion tonight on the HuntingPoodle group. A number of us have had vests custom made by http://www.benik.com We all love our vests!

Sound like you’ve got a pretty neat club there Melissa. This is the first vest I’ve ever had to buy so I’m a total noobie, hence the lab vest for a husky… duh I knew I should have come here first. Their versatility and the fact he loves/needs it so much has me hooked now too. Plus it is quite cute on him.

That looks like a great site. If we can’t get this one to work I’ll definitely look into those guys. Thanks for the link!!

If Willie’s sewing ability is anything like her dog training ability though, I have complete faith I’ll have this one sewn to specs in no time. Willie – think brand new dog owner, we need to keep this simple.

 Quote: Kelly Byrd

I have a custom brace from Benik... for ME. I love it. lol.

They sound like a great distributor. Saved the link to my favorites.

Ok, so I couldn't find what I was looking for in the sewing kit.

It was 2" wide black elastic that was 4 way stretchy.....so not just stretchy along its length, but it's width as well.

I would use a seam ripper and tear out the seam along each side there, and sew a panel in of this elastic.
Don't use the whole width, just enough to give him some ease.
Then take darts in the shoulders where it gapes, and shape the part in between his legs where it is rubbing.
Pretty simple...sry I couldn't show you that elastic....sigh.