Training a Xolo puppy with sun protection

A hairless Xolo at 13 weeks — you've got something genuinely special, and you're right to be thinking carefully about training setup from the start. The first few months really do set the patterns for life, and the right tools make everything easier and less stressful for both of you — the wrong ones create habits that are hard to undo. Before I point you toward anything specific, I want to make sure I understand your situation: how old is your puppy exactly, what are you mainly working on right now — recall, loose-lead walking, basic commands — and are you doing most of your training sessions outdoors, indoors, or a mix of both?

That's exactly the right concern to have, and the good news is it's very solvable. Xolos have no coat insulation whatsoever against UV, and at 13 weeks her skin is still quite delicate — even mild sun exposure during a 20-minute training session can cause real irritation. Some owners use dog-safe sunscreen on the ears and bridge of the nose, and that's worth having, but for outdoor lead work the most practical solution is a UV-protective dog bodysuit. It covers the torso and often the legs, lets her move freely, and means you're not constantly reapplying cream mid-session. Can I ask — what does she weigh roughly, and do you know her measurements? Xolos can vary a lot in size even within the breed, so getting the fit right matters.

Perfect, that helps a lot. At 2.5 kg with a lean Xolo frame, I'd point you toward the Protego Dog UV Protection Suit — it's a lightweight, stretchy bodysuit specifically designed for hairless and thin-coated dogs, with UPF 50+ fabric. It won't restrict her movement during recall training or lead work, and it's breathable enough that she won't overheat on warmer days. The fit is snug but not tight, which matters for a Xolo because anything that bunches or rubs will distract her during sessions. You'd be looking at an XS for her current size, though I'd measure her chest girth before ordering — Xolos grow quickly at this age and sizing up slightly gives you a few more weeks of use. Pair it with a pet-safe mineral sunscreen for her face and ears on sunny days and you've got a solid outdoor training setup that protects her without slowing anything down.

Yes, and it's worth knowing because Xolo owners often only find this out the hard way. Without fur, she also has no insulation against hot pavements — her paw pads are her only buffer, and tarmac on a warm day can burn them in under a minute. The seven-second rule is a good habit: press the back of your hand to the pavement for seven seconds — if you can't hold it there comfortably, it's too hot for her. Training early morning or late afternoon sidesteps most of that problem anyway, and as a bonus those cooler sessions tend to be better for focus and recall work with young puppies. You're thinking about all the right things — she's going to have a really solid foundation.

Great plan. Measure her chest girth just behind the front legs — that's the measurement that tends to vary most with Xolos and it's what the sizing on that suit is based on. If you're ever in doubt between two sizes, go up rather than down; a slightly loose fit is much better than anything that pinches and makes her associate the suit with discomfort before you've even started training. Good luck with her — Xolos are incredibly smart and she'll pick things up quickly once you've got the basics in place.