Shoutbox

Heat shrunken tubbing will become much less flexible. Though the degree depends on the thickness of course. It also isn't very cheap though and isn't available in very large sizes unless you pay a hell of a lot (thinking about the body of the dog itself).

It is also extremely hard to apply to stuff like the ears and all. eg: you wont be able to cut the tubes either, or even make a hole in it as that would render the shrinking useless; it must stay as a complete tube shape (hard to explain, but you know what I mean when you tried it)...

Anyways, it could indeed give it a real smooth look on the parts where it could be applied I guess...


Another material you could use is, and which is used to make real puppets, is a kind of foam. I dunno the proper English term (I think it is polyfoam) but it is similar to what is sometimes used as inlay in flightcases, but then in thin sheets. You can cut it any shape, glue it with normal hobby glue, or use a sewing machine, is paintable and is of course very flexible and extremely cheap.

Though you can't bring as much detail in it as with clay of course (hence it is mostly used for bigger models). But you could glue beats and other fabric or materials to make up your puppet... Though the smaller the puppet to more difficult of course.

Then there is the ultimate latex foam sculptures, but that requires making molds first and stuff. Though the big advantage is that you can twist and turn your model in any position without the surface being disturbed (like with clay) but while keeping the smooth and highly detailed look of clay.