Chill out: Suzy Azalea explains methods to keep your dog warm in winter

Suzy Azalea Photo credit: BaxterBoo.com

Suzy Azalea knows that the winter season can be harsh on animals. An independent dog breeder and trainer, she has seen her fair share of dog owners who are confused with which ways to care for their beloved pets when the cold sets in. While covering one's dog with a blanket is helpful, there are many other ways to keep one's prized canines feeling nice and cozy when the season of frost sets in.

Suzy Azalea Photo credit: cute-pets.net

• Outside dogs will need copious amounts of hay in their doghouses. This is done in order to prevent the pads of their feet from coming into direct contact with ice or snow.


• Inside dogs benefit the most from snuggling under a blanket during winter. Suzy Azalea explains that as they are used to living in a nice, warm environment, they cannot be placed outside for very long in winter weather. Doing so will result in them easily freezing to death or getting pneumonia.


• Keeping your pet’s heavy fur brushed is also important at this time. That prevents the forming of knots, which bare the dog's skin to the elements and could possibly pull hard enough to tear the skin loose.


• Small, short-haired dogs like chihuahuas and rat-terriers need special attention as they have very little built-in natural protection.

Suzy Azalea Photo credit: Petswelcome.com

For more helpful hints, follow Suzy Azalea on Twitter.

Bringing Gioia: Suzy Azalea on transcending stereotypes by bringing joy

Pit bulls are notorious for being temperamental and violent. Many are scared of adopting them because of the breed's unfavorable reputation. Canine expert Suzy Azalea begs to differ.

Suzy Azalea Photo credit: audreyjm529

Having lived in California most of her life, Suzy is familiar with the horror stories and stereotyping of pits. She owns a pit bull and enjoys bonding with the dog. Yet one day while driving along South Central Los Angeles, she witnessed a scene that's bound to change the way the world perceives pit bulls forever.


Suzy saw a small and dirty pit bull running up and down a street in downtown Los Angeles. The puppy was running from one person to the other, begging wordlessly to be picked up. Suzy was about to act when she saw a woman inside a car from across the street watching the stray dog earnestly.

Suzy Azalea Photo credit: tearsofscarletx

As someone who knew the strength of the bond between a dog and its owner, Suzy Azalea decided to watch what would happen next. The woman, Cora Palma, pulled over her car. The pit immediately ran up to her and almost leaped into her arms.


Suzy witnessed the initial bond between the two of them, and knew that the dog had then and there been placed in good hands. A week ago, as she was browsing the Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan's site, she read about the story of Cora and how she adopted Gioia, an Italian girl’s name that means Joy.


True to her name, Gioia proceeded to provide Cora as well as her friends and family with joy, given her boundless energy and innate friendliness. Their full story may be accessed here.

Suzy Azalea Photo Credit: ZooToo.Com

Suzy Azalea is a dog breeder and trainer. Additional information about her is available at SuzyAzalea.com.