American Dog Shopper

The Downfall of Premier and Why I Won't Recommend Again!

2011-09-29T11:49:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies and gents. I know I've been away for awhile, but I've come out of hiding to put my 2 cents in on the Premier sell-out debate. I've been a long and loving customer of the Premier brand in all its forms and functions. I've counted the EasyWalk as one of the best products in my dog training arsenal and recommended it to everyone I know. That ends today!

As some of you are no doubt aware Premier, a company long known for its support of non-aversive and pet-friendly products has been sold to a company called RadioFence. RadioFence makes their bread-and-butter off of shock collars & underground electric fencing, but in recent years has made attempts to distract from these practices by diversifying. Apparently they now believe that we will overlook their encouraging the painful and cruel treatment of our pets, so long as they offer alternatives as well. Having bought the most recognizable positive reenforcement focused company in the general market, RadioFence seems to believe that we will all just roll-over and go along with supporting their company's cruel & abusive practices.

Recognizing the increasing backlash against the sale, RadioFence has determined that it will soon be dropping the Premier logo from their products and putting them under the heading of their PetSafe brand. Do not be fooled! All your money will be going to RadioFence to support the further manufacture of bark collars, shock collars, scat mats and electric fences.

I don't like to preach. I'm a firm believer in doing what works for you and what works for your dog, but I do not support the use of painful aversives in the training of animals and therefore can no longer support Premier as a brand. I will be removing all posts that paint Premier in a positive light and you will never again see their products on this blog in any form. I'll keep using the EasyWalks I do have until they are in tatters, but I'm removing all obvious branding from them and hope you will consider doing the same.

I'm compiling my own list of products that can be used as alternatives to the Premier brand favorites, but in the meantime please visit a wonderful post from Success Just Clicks!

Please join me in boycotting Premier, RadioFence & PetSafe. We must all make our voices heard with our most powerful tool: our money!

Cover Your Ears! Kong's New Squeezz Line

2011-08-05T16:00:00.000-04:00

Wandering around PetSmart the other day I decided it would be fun to take advantage of their recent rash of sales. The problem was there just isn't a lot of new stuff and I couldn't really think of anything we needed. I turned out to be mistaken on both counts, as there was something new that we, of course, had to try: Kong's new line of Squeezz toys.

I'm very fond of Kong as a brand, but have in the past been a bit harsh on their overall durability (especially when they venture out of their traditional red rubber realm). However, I inspected these pretty throughly and thought they were worth a try! They're made of a transparent non-toxic thermo plastic rubber and come in a variety of shapes (balls, sticks, dumbells, rings, bones), sizes and colors, all of which come with squeakers and have a nice strong, but bendy quality.

Demon dog and her stick

Cassie is very fond of the squeaky toys from JW Pet Co (the chickens are her favorite), but the Kongs came in such nice sizes and colors. On top of that the Kong Squeezz's have a quality I look for in toys that's a bit hard to describe. The best I can do is to call it "bite resistance." I'm not talking about durability here, though that is very important too. By "bite resistance" I mean the amount of give a toy has to allow the dog to bite down and derive pleasure from that chewing sensation, without the toy falling apart. There must be a technical term, but when picking up a toy (especially rubbery ones) I always give it a squeeze to feel how much give the material has behind it. Too much give or "bite resistance" and the toy is no more fun to play with than your average rock (and it probably won't bounce well either). Your dog will most likely loose interest and you've wasted your money. Not enough "bite resistance" and the toy will be too prone to damage and not provide your dog with that real pleasurable sensation that dogs take from biting and chewing. It's something I think Kong has always been really good at getting correct in the past with such lines as their tennis-ball material Kong Air Squeakair toys.

With their new Squeezz line they get the "bite resistance" balance spot-on! Another thing they got right was the squeak-factor. The squeakers are actually buried inside the body of the toy, which makes me feel safer, but this also seems to produce the most joyous, gleeful squeak I've ever heard! Cassie seems to agree. I selected the large stick for Cassie (due to her size and bite strength). I figured we don't need another ball and a stick would make it like we were playing a good-old-fashioned game of fetch (she normally gets real sticks taken away). She loved it! She ran like mad first around the house and then around the yard happily skipping and flipping the Squeezz stick in the air and thoroughly enjoying the sound it produced as she chewed on the trot! As a play-by-yourself-for-awhile toy it was a great success.

I do have some reservations about these toys though. Firstly, the sticks (and other longer shapes I tested) don't seem to bounce much when thrown. I tested the stick indoors on hardwood and carpet and outdoors on grass and decking...a dull thud was pretty much the best that could be expected (I managed to catch the best one on video). This shape certainly doesn't, as Kong claims, "causes [a] fun, erratic bounce." Well, I should be fair and say it doesn't create a big bounce, but rather nobbles around for a second on the ground. It was a bit of a let down for our game of fetch...though I guess real sticks don't bounce much either.

Hard to see recessed squeaker

The other area for some worry is that (once again) I'm not entirely confident about the toys durability. Care should be exercised any time that you give a pet a be-squeakered toy, as those little noise makers are just too easy to dislodge and swallow. Though Kong points out the toys have a "protected recessed squeaker," I'm always a bit cautious. So far, Cassie's not succeeded in so much as scratching the Squeezz stick. I did, however, also buy one of the Squeezz dumbbells for the infamous Guinness after his Hol-ee Roller escapade and it had to be taken away from him fairly quickly as the damage ensued (he's a toy monster to be fair)!

The Kong Squeezz line ranges in price from $3-9 depending on size, shape and where you buy your toys (available at Petsmart, Petco, Amazon, etc). For most dogs they will be a load of fun and should remain very durable. The squeakers do appear very well encased within the body of the toys and should prove difficult for a dog to remove and even more difficult to swallow. Kong's really got it right with these toys and I think from the video you'll be able to tell that the only thing that these toys are lacking are ear plugs! That's some squeak!

Introducing Rylee & The Tuffy Ultimate Tug-o-War

2011-07-27T16:07:00.000-04:00

During our break from blogging our household was very excited to take care of my sister's Golden Doodle puppy Rylee.

Rylee was just over three months old at the time and is, at present, smaller than Cassie. Though I didn't let my sister know (I wanted her to enjoy her vacation), I was a teensy bit worried that Cassie might be a bit too...shall we say...rambunctious for her little Doodle to handle. As you may remember (if you have very good memory), while Cassie has always loved playing with dogs of all sizes she has a tendency to play a bit rough. In the past some smaller dogs, especially a certain MinPin who is now on her way to her 15th birthday, have found Cass a pushy pest and a little bit of a bully. It was with this in mind that I thought Rylee might be a perfect device to teach Cass a new skill: channeling her play/prey drive off of another dog and onto collaborative toy play (ie tugging together).

Before our hiatus I had planned to review Tuffy's Ultimate Tug-o-War toy. That was going to be the first negative review Tuffy had received from me. I picked the toy up almost six months ago and Cassie had rarely been inclined to use it for more than a trophy to parade around the basement. It was initially purchased as a means of encouraging her tugging with me to amp up our bonding and excitement before and after an agility run. For this purpose I was very disappointed with the Tug-o-War, whose handles seemed to be too wide or uncomfortable for Cassie's mouth (surprisingly). This didn't make for very fun or effective tugging, as she would always drop or loose her grip on the handle when I gave a tug.

My opinion was softened as I watched Cassie drag the Tug-o-War around the house with Rylee firmly attached to the other end. It was a wonderful way to make sure they were playing without injuring each other too much....those puppy teeth can be very sharp. They still didn't seem to get as much of a hold on the tug, as I'd have liked and there are several pauses in play as a result. However, they really didn't seem to mind as Cassie very happily pummeled Rylee's face with the toy until play eventually resumed. So sweet how dogs play!

The Tuffy Ultimate Tug-o-War rates a 9 on the companies Tuff-scale and I don't doubt it. Cassie and Rylee gave it a real working over (as I'm sure you can tell) for an entire week and it still looks like brand new! I've always been very impressed with the quality of Tuffy's toys, especially those that are based on shapes, instead of animal forms. They are always a long lasting purchase, well worth the price tag. I was underwhelmed by the shape design of the Ultimate Tug-o-War, which didn't lend itself to really fitting inside a dog's mouth securely during play. Though the dogs did love it for running around together, I found they could do (and probably preferred doing) the same thing with a $4 rope tug I bought at Walmart. In the end, I'm not sure I would purchase the Ultimate Tug-o-War again, which is a rare miss for me on Tuffy's Ultimate line in general! Let me know what you think looks like more fun...the Tug-o-War or the Rope.

JW Pet Co's Hol-ee Roller (Take 2): Destroyed by An Anxious Dog

2011-07-21T16:16:00.002-04:00

   I had wanted my first product review coming back off of vacation to be a positive one (I'd even written it already), but when the following occurred today at the shelter I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to share.

   Most of my formerly regular readers will be aware of how fond I am of JW Pet Co's products, primarily due to their durability. Cassie's pretty tough on toys and I've always felt safe about leaving her alone with JW Pet Co products! The Cuz and Hol-ee Roller are particular favorites.

   When I started working at the shelter I quickly realized that many of the dogs had little or no interest in toys, so the first thing I bought for my adoptable pups was a Hol-ee Roller ball to encourage playtime. It's a great toy (as I noted in my very first review). At our house we own three Hol-ee Rollers of varying size and shape. There is even one at our dog park that has survived two years of play with dozens of dogs and constant exposure to the elements! However, it was once again underlined for me today that no toy is beyond destruction, even the amazing Hol-ee Roller!

   One of the dogs we currently house at the shelter, a lab named Guinness, is obsessed with toys to the point of really becoming a psychological fixation. He came in while I was away one week and when I returned the Hol-ee Roller I had purchased for the communal play yard had somehow made its way into Guinness's run. When I asked about it, one of the techs said a bit breezily that 'he just loves it so much.' I let it go, though I explained that I didn't think it was good for Guinness to be quite so fixated on toys.

Guinness the Roller Killer

When I returned one day I found that Guinness had begun chewing on the Hol-ee Roller in his kennel, which I decided to keep an eye on (experimentally). When I came back an hour later the poor dog had ripped the thing to pieces. Everyone at the shelter was heartbroken that Guinness had destroyed the object of such great affection. So I, like an idiot, went out and bought him another one reasoning that the other one must have gotten too old or had some flaw I'd not noticed before. I left the new Roller with by my bag on the other side of the big dog kennels, resolving to give it to Guinness under supervision and keep it from him if any further attempts at destruction ensued. Unfortunately, one of the junior volunteers must have thought nothing of my grand plans and threw the new Hol-ee Roller in for Guinness' enjoyment.

And what a grand time he must have had! The new Hol-ee Roller lasted about twenty minutes before I returned to find Guiness' kennel lined with red rubber bits! Here are the results of his intense focus:

20 Minutes of Hard Focus!

Does this make me love the Hol-ee Roller less, not really. Guiness it great and so is the Hol-ee Roller! It simply reminded me that nothing is bomb proof when it comes to dogs! I doubt if any toy could stand up to Guinness' onslaught (though I'm currently using him to test out two Kong toys). Though the Hol-ee Roller finally met it match, I love it no less! I thank Guinness for showing me that even the Hol-ee Roller can be destroyed, when a pup puts his mind to it!

New Page on Adoptable Dogs

2011-07-20T15:10:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I've been doing some belated spring cleaning on the old blog. I hope you like it! One of the new features will be a weekly link to adoptable dogs at the Humane Society where I volunteer. Please give our new ADOPTABLES page a gander and let me know what you think!

WE'RE BACK!!

2011-07-20T09:26:00.000-04:00

   To all our lovely friends both on blogger and on twitter, Cassie and I (well mostly I) would like to make an apology for our extremely extended absence. Originally, we took off for a couple weeks during vacation and somehow things just got rolling after that. Needless to say, I've felt guilty just about everyday between then and now! I'm all apologies and promises to be better in the future.

   There is lots of good news!! During our time off I have:

Done a lot of shopping
Started a new round of dog training (with the amazing Pat Miller!)
Started working at my county's Humane Society

In the coming months there will be a host of new videos featuring some of the great dogs from my local area in need of a good home. They can be pretty rough on toys and surprisingly picky with treats, so I think it's safe to expect some pretty intensive testing! Never fear, Cassie and Lilly will still be more than happy to try out all the toys/treats/products along with the pups at the shelter.

So we hope you will wag around to see what we've got coming up around the corner!

Puppy Kisses and Wiggle Butts!

Jess the Dog Shopper (& Cassie)

The Bark Off - As Seen on TV

2011-04-14T12:38:00.005-04:00

   I've never really gone in for infomercial shopping, but I do admit to every once-and-awhile taking a spin around out local "As Seen on TV" outlet store. As many of you may have seen on TV recently they're advertising a product called the 'Bark Off' that the manufacturers claim will bring an end to all those annoying noises your dog makes to ruin your TV watching experiences. It's not typically something I would rush out to get, but when it was in the store (no shipping & handling fees) and at 50% off the original price ($4.95), I thought why not.

   Cassie is an attention barker, which as a positive trainer I would normally handle by just ignoring her, even when she progresses to some heavy mouthing. I've tried squirt bottles, bad smells and the only thing that has ever seemed to deter her are my threats of beating pots and pans together, which as you can imagine makes for a perfectly delightful evening! I don't like painful or stringent punishments and simply crating her only staves off the problem, so sound aversion didn't really bother me as a concept, especially since it had been so successful in our pots-and-pans past! Having a version that I didn't have to carry around or even listen to was like music to my ears (pardon the bad pun).   I should have been clued in to the 'Bark Off's possible faults when the cashier of the store said he had not heard the best reports from other purchasers as a means of explaining the heavy discount.

What it is:
   The 'Bark Off' is a plastic encased device that sets off a high pitched squeal (imperceptible to human ears) anytime it detects a sound it considers to be within a typical dog-bark frequency. The 'Bark Off' is equipped with two levels of sensitivity, so that, if you choose, it will only react to strong loud barks, as opposed to softer whining and yips. The intensity of the squeal it puts out is meant to never change.

  My only real concern, besides it not working at all, was that it would not be very selective about setting off the squeal...so that a dog bark on the TV or a similar sound to a bark might set it off when Cassie hadn't even done anything wrong. Not such a big deal when it's only Cassie around, but in a multi-dog home when only one of the dogs is a barker, how would you keep from punishing the whole group?

How It Worked:
   Regardless, home I went and started searching for a 9 volt battery, happily finding one at the back of a drawer. I let the dog out, placed the 'Bark Off' on a low shelf about five feet away switching it to the 'low' setting and waited to be serenaded! Within minutes the 'play with me' dance started and I ignored it for the sake of study.

   Cassie then gave a very loud and pronounced bark and then stopped, turning her head to question what had just come from the bookshelf. She'd definitely heard something that gave her pause and then proceeded to experiment with the sound in what can only be described as a game of "Barko-Polo!" It did stop her from barking the first night, a little. She didn't like the sound and was clearly confused by it, but after having it set to varying intensities for the last few days she now seems content to ignore the strange noise and has gone right back to barking her head off whenever she feels like it.

   I've tried it on Tobey and his 'killer dogs walking past the house' barking routine and he too just doesn't seem to care about the strange noise...he's too focused on scaring away that big German Shepherd Dog from down the street! How dare it go to the bus stop to pick up its children each day!

Final Verdict:
   The final verdict on the 'Bark Off' is that if you can find it cheap why not give it a try on your dog, if you're ok with aversion tactics. If you're suffering from insomnia one night and see it on TV, I really wouldn't waste your time.

   If you've had success with the 'Bark Off', please let me know and I'll update with your comments.

It Pays to watch the Today Show: THE NEATER FEEDER!

2011-04-11T16:30:00.000-04:00

As you may have heard, I've wanted to a Neater Feeder for awhile, but just couldn't justify spending that kind of money (up to $66 if you need leg extenders for the Large size) on a product that I wasn't completely sure would standup to Cassie and her messy water-slopping ways!

THE NEATER FEEDER

I think I should begin with some explanation:
The Neater Feeder is a feeding station that simply suspends two metal bowls over a reservoir into which run off water is diverted. The surface into which the bowls are inserted slopes gently toward a grate at the front that leads to the reservoir below. The reservoir is large enough to contain the contents of both bowls, but small enough to not make the feeder excessively tall. The design is fairly simple, while the reservoir collects the spilled water, splashing and dripping are minimized by the tall walls at the front and sides and a neck-height lip at the front. The body is made of a smooth but durable plastic and the bowls are your standard metal fare. The Neater Feeder comes in S, M, & L sizes and leg extenders can be purchased for taller dogs. They even make a version for cats.

Bowl surface and grate

Reservoir

The Old Way

Cassie's not a very messy eater, but she has a way of sloshing, dripping and slinging water that has to be seen to be believed...sometimes I wonder if there is something wrong with her mouth that so much water ends up on the floor. In addition to being a sloppy drinker she has a what I call her 'doggie beard' that always seems to end up in her water bowl and results in a Hansel-and-Gretel style trail of droplets. I've tried many products in the past, from doggie placemats, to bowl stands/holders and nothing made the problem better. In fact the placemat collected water underneath and after about a week's use I was left with a mat-shaped watermark on my hardwood. For months we'd been making due with a Tuperware tub and Pyrex bowls, because this was the only way to give some bowl height, that was easy to clean and that had a lip to prevent some of the water run off.

Hardwood Damage

   Regardless of my attempts, my hardwood has progressively become more damaged, until I now have several boards that are actually splitting and pealing away at the edges. I'm not a big fan of these manufactured floors (they were in the house when we moved in and have proved less than durable), but the water problem has done nothing but exacerbate the damage.

   Then as if the Dog gods had heard my anguished cries, I was sitting on the couch eating my breakfast, watching the Today Show and low-and-behold the weekly 'Jill's Steals & Deals' segment featured the Neater Feeder. When I heard that I could purchase any sized Neater Feeder for $15, I nearly spilled my coffee in the race to the computer. After checking out the details and trying in vain several times to get through to neaterfeeder.com, I decided I should make sure you all knew about it too! Then for the next 30 min I repeated the process of getting through until my order had been successfully sent! In total, I spent $24 for a large-sized Neater Feeder (including shipping and handling)!

  A couple weeks later and the Neater Feeder has arrived! Since that moment not a single drop of water has hit our floors. I'm at a loss to say much other than that it works perfectly! Even Cassie's beard dripping has ceased. What had kept me from rushing out to purchase this product in the past (besides the price) were these thoughts:

1) With the Neater Feeder being made of plastic will Cassie just start chewing on the corners? This happened to the placemat on several occasions and ended with Cassie upsetting entire bowls of water on the floor!
2) What size should I order?? The size recommendations suggested the Large, but that sounded so big for a medium sized dog.
3) Will this be just another clunky thing taking up room in my house...along with the collections of mats and bowls??
4) Will Cassie like drinking out of it? The tall walls made me worry she might be wary of sticking her head in to get a drink.
5) Will it actually work for all the water dripping or just prevent big spills?? I really doubted the beard trails would ever be preventable.

The Good Things About The Neater Feeder:

   It does exactly what it says it will do, nothing more, nothing less! From the moment I ripped it out of the box and set it up next to the old Tuperware tub Cassie showed not the slightest hesitation about eating and drinking out of it. In the past she has been grumpy about using metal bowls and so I've used pyrex instead, but with these she seems to have gotten past that phase. She's also not so much as nibbled on the edges, so either she doesn't see it as something worth chewing or she's just biding her time. Though it's big for a feeder, it's almost exactly the same size as our Tuperware tub and is much more attractive.
   Most importantly, it works! I've left it out for days and my floor is completely free of water marks. I've given it some swift kicks, sending water cascading out of the bowls like Old Faithful and its all swirled down the drain and into the reservoir, marring neither the floors nor the walls. Even the beard trails, which I thought were a just fact of life with a long haired dog, have disappeared! We have a miracle!

Facts That Are Going to Take Some Getting Used To:

  When I bought the Neater Feeder I knew I was going to loose the one big advantage of my Tuperware tub: the fact that I had an all-in-one kibble storage/serving device. The Neater Feeder is not a storage/feeding device and it's not an automated feeder. It's a mess-free feeding product, plain and simple! That isn't so terrible. I'm just going to have to find a more attractive way of hiding the dog food, while keeping it tolerably accessible.

The Only Real Area For Improvement:

  All that said, I do have one small quibble you should be aware of before ordering your own Neater Feeder (besides the fact that you can no longer pick one up on the cheap like I did): the sizing recommendations can be confusing. As I mentioned, the Neater Feeder comes in three sizes (S, M, L) and you can buy extenders for taller dogs. However, strangely the size-recommendations the company provides are all figured by the weight of the dog with a minimum height, instead of a range for both. For instance, they suggest that the Large suits a 35-100+ dog with a 15-20" shoulder height. But what if your dog doesn't fall into those ranges?

  I know at least one of you got in on the deal with me, because Elizabeth over at The Chronicles of Cardigan blogged about it last week and noted this sizing conundrum. Unlike Cassie, who the size recommendation ended up working out for fairly well (though I was nervous), Elizabeth's Cardigans are...well let's just say it...an atypically-shaped breed. They are shorter than you would expect them to be for their weight. This is true of several breeds (standard Corgis, Bulldogs, etc) basically any dog that is longer than it is tall I think will result in some size confusion with the Neater Feeder.

  A simple solution is for the company to develop a weight-height comparison chart and suggest sizes for the various ranges (a bit like sizing pantyhose). Better still would be a generalized breed appropriate size suggestion list like those commonly found with other products such as head halters, harnesses and some toys and chews. I think this update would make customers more confident that they're purchasing the right size for their dogs. I always think more information is generally better than less.

For your immediate assistance I've provided a photo of a recognizable dog standing next to a Large size without leg extenders:

Overall, I love the new Neater Feeder! It's fit into my home with such immediate satisfaction that I can't help but be a little smug each time I pass it! If you have a messy eater/drinker whose destroying your hardwood like mine was, I would dare say it's worth the investment! I shudder to think what replacing this hardwood is going to cost when we go to sell!

[I'll upload some video as soon as I can get the Cassie Dog to cooperate!]

The Neater Feeder Has Arrived

2011-04-06T12:56:00.000-04:00

You may remember that a few weeks ago I blogged about a great deal on the Neater Feeder that ran on the Today show. It took a little patience, but our Neater Feeder arrived yesterday and so far so good! We will be blogging about it early next week after Cassie has had a chance to put it through its paces. A couple of our readers seem to have gotten in on the offer as well, so I'll be including links to their blog-posts, along with my own review! I love it when we can all interact over our love of dogs! Till then, you can check the Neater Feeder out at www.neaterfeeder.com!

Wildcatch For Pets Salmon Jerky

2011-04-04T13:51:00.001-04:00

Jeff, the owner of our local organic pet food store (Bentley's Specialty Pet Foods) clued us into the new Wildcatch For Pets Salmon Jerky treats the last time I was in and I have to confess the dogs really loved them! Wildcatch normally spends their time manufacturing for the human population, so you can be pretty sure that the quality's going to be high. They boast that 47% of the Salmon Jerky comes from protein and of that 95% comes from all natural sustainable wild salmon. What's in the other 53% of these treats is always of note for me, because I try to feed as grain-free as possible. The answer: mostly organic Brown Rice flour. Since they're just for a treat I'll let them get away with that. I should note that this formulation seems to be somewhat new for Wildcatch, which had been producing a product called Wild Sky Sockeye Salmon Jerky Treats that look very similar to this and are still the only thing advertised on their website...so I think it's just a marketing change.

I brought these home the day before Jinx came to stay and from the video I think you can tell how popular they were. I nearly lost some fingers there Mr. Jinx! I mainly judge the quality of the treat by how well the dog works for it and how much focus it generates...this one was a clear success!

   The real test came a few days later when Cassie had her first hydrotherapy appointment. We're still trying everything to work on this puppy sit, which is getting better, but just won't go away (we're still working out on our FitPaws Donut, with some success). Cassie's not afraid of water, but she's never been terribly fond of swimming. Therefore, keeping that doggie-nose pointed forward and walking on the underwater treadmill for the first time required some very powerful motivators, namely: cheese and Salmon Jerky. I wish I could have taken video, but I was so focused on keeping her moving in the pool that I didn't have a free hand.

   Once she was harnessed up and inside the tank the water was filled up to just below her withers and she was huddled in the corner of the tank giving me an annoyed look as if to say: "What are you doing to me now?" The goal was to turn her around, align her on the treadmill and then keep her walking for the next 20-30 mins. We started with dry biscuits the physical therapists kept on hand. Needless to say an epic failure, but I let them try it anyway. I then moved onto Pure Bites Liver, which was still not enough to entice her normally greedy butt out of the corner of the tank. Finally, I switched to string cheese and finally we had movement! She was very slowly lured away from the corner and onto the treadmill, but once the belt started moving she quickly lost interest even in cheese. So, I brought out the big guns: Wildcatch Salmon Jerky!

   As soon as I dropped my hand over the edge of the tank she was instantly moving forward, led by her ever curious twitching sniffer. That the best thing about these treats: they're super smelly! The physical therapists even commented on how strong smelling they were. I say if it worked, it worked...we all seemed to survive the stench!

  Without a doubt, these treats are great motivators. The dogs loved the taste and the smell and the jerky texture was solid enough that you could break them up with little-to-no mess. What I didn't like so much was the price. I paid almost $10 for a 5oz bag. That means I probably won't buy them too often, but instead saving them for special day treats. Anytime I have a competition, a really hard trick, or a place where I'm going to need extra focus Wildcatch Salmon Jerky is a great treat!

Firstrax Port-A-Crates: Definitely Not Aussie Proof!

2011-03-28T12:23:00.003-04:00

   Jinx has been with us since Thursday and as he (and our dogs) is used to being crated at night and when the humans are missing his mom Tracey sent him along with a very sturdy looking soft-sided crate that she often uses at Agility and Flyball competitions. Tracey won this crate new a couple years ago in a Flyball raffle and since then it has always been one of her favorite travel kennels. Well, this weekend sort of brought an end to that love affair.

  The kennel was manufactured at the end line of a company called Backyardpets, which has since started operating under the Firstrax label (it took a lot of trademark research to figure that out). Until recently they offered this exact kennel as their Firstrax Port-A-Crate E-28. They've only just stopped manufacture on this specific item, but continue to have similar products on the market like the NoztoNoz line. Therefore, this negative experience should be taken with that in mind. The crate was a few years old and the new crates on the market from this company are somewhat different, though not much. However, I'm sure many people still own this crate and should be aware of its....how should I put it....limitations!

   We'd planned to take the dogs hiking on Saturday, but it was so cold that we decided to leave them at home while we ran errands, putting them safely away in their respective crates. About three hours later, Chris and I came home and opened the door to find Jinx eagerly awaiting our entrance. That's funny...I don't remember leaving a dog running loose...how did he open his crate zipper without thumbs? The answer: he didn't. He just clawed his way out! The super heavy-duty rubberized mesh was no match for a determined Aussie! Luckily, there was no damage to report (other than to the crate itself), though I'm worried for Jinx's safety when his mom shows up to find her favorite crate in tatters! Just kidding.

He must be a contortionist to have fit his butt through that hole...but I guess like mice, if it's a big enough hole to fit the head through the body will always follow! Maybe Jinx's dad Steve was right when he resignedly explained why this happened: "Jinx is a freak." A circus freak more like! My curiosity implores me to try to get him to do it again so I can watch, but Tracey wants to try and repair the damage, so no fun can be had.

The company must be aware that this and others of their crates are not without fault, for they sell replacement covers at a little more than half ($65) the original price ($106) on Amazon! That's great if your dog is at home as Jinx was when tragedy strikes, but if Jinx had been in the crate outside at a trial (as he often has been) when this happened he would have been long gone. He could have ruined someone's run, been badly hurt or lost or at the very least ruined Tracey's day! This crate appeared to be very sturdy, but this experience is perhaps best a reminder that soft-sided crates need to be used with care and supervision: No matter how durable the company claims they are!

A Tail of Things To Come...Our Weekend with Jinx

2011-03-28T10:18:00.003-04:00

Sorry we've been a bit out of touch lately! We've had a house guest since Thursday morning in the form of our friend Jinx! It's been fun, but we are all a little tired now (especially Jinx's ears, which Cassie seems to find endless fun in biting). You may remember Jinx from the Bacon Bubbles review. In honor of his visit we have a few reviews coming up this week that we think you will enjoy! While I work on putting them together and recovering from the mealy here's a preview!

Bitter Apple: Other uses for the dog owner's long time love!

Wildcatch For Pets' Salmon Jerky: We were asked by our local organic dog food store (Bentley's Specialty Pet Foods of Hedgesville, WV) to give some feedback on these as they were a new product Jeff (the store's owner) just put on the shelves! We are happy to oblige!

The BackyardPet company's Soft-sided dog crate: From a company that's now owned and run by Firstrax (Model E-28), it's something else that claims to be durable and still isn't Aussie proof!

We Got Through!! The Neat Feeder Is On Its Way!

2011-03-22T10:09:00.003-04:00

   After almost an hour of trying to get through to the checkout page at Neat Feeder, we have a receipt in our mail box! We bought the large size and with shipping to WV it was $24.99 ($15 for the feeder & $9.99 shipping, sales tax was $0)! Less than the small size normally costs!
   I been debating whether to pick one of these up for oh about five months and the deal put me over the edge! Very excited to see it arrive! We will post a full review upon receipt!

  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING IN ON THIS DEAL THEY ARE NOW SAYING THAT THEY WILL ALLOW IT TO RUN UNTIL 9:30 AM ET Wednesday!! Good luck!

If You've Wanted A Neater Feeder: Today is the Day!!

2011-03-22T09:30:00.004-04:00

Hi everyone,
   I don't normally spread the word on deals too often, but today's is too good to miss... For today only, you can buy any size Neater Feeder from their website www.neaterfeeder.com for only $15. That's around a 75% savings for the large size! Limit one per shopper! Today only!

Here is what you need to do:
   Go to the Today Show Website and Click On: 'Jills Deals'
   Find the Neat Feeder and Click on the link
   Select your size and click on the appropriate link
  Click 'Add to Cart'
   In the Coupon area type in 'today15' and then click 'apply'
   Check out as a new customer

   We are trying to get one now, but the site keeps crashing...Good luck getting through!

Great deal, we'll update if we finally get one!

JW Pet Co's Cuz: A Life Saver For An Anxious Dog

2011-03-21T11:50:00.001-04:00

   Sorry in advance for the long review, but I write a great deal about Cassie and her exploits and thought for a change I would bring you up to speed on Tobey! This is the story of how a simple toy, the JW Pet Co Cuz saved Tobey from himself.

   Tobers is a four year old Min Pin/Rat Terrier mix (we think) who came to my parents at about four months old. Before he was picked up by the local animal squad it's believed that he spent much of his life, as my mother puts it with a pouty face, "on the mean streets." As a result of this harsh upbringing, he came with some very significant guarding and aggression issues (not great in a house that at that time had two other dogs) that we have worked very hard to get him through. In the beginning he was always tense, almost on a razors edge even when he was sleeping and would easily become fixated on guarding places, food, toys and people. With some positive reinforcement and handling training and some exercise he has come a long way. He still has a few grumpy moments, but his real 'problems' have pretty much disappeared, especially now that he's the only dog at my parents'.

   When he moved in it was also difficult to teach Tobey to play. He was (and still is) very food motivated, so teaching tricks was easy, but really playing with him was hard to even get started. I found he liked to chase balls, but was not happy to bring them back. People often don't realize when they adopt a shelter dog that many have missed out on those important weeks of puppyhood where they learned things like socialization, sharing and yes, even play! This is no excuse not to adopt an older dog, but still an important factor to keep in mind. Many shelter dogs will need some help learning the basics of what we consider 'doggie-hood.'

   My mother, for instance, was very sad that Tobey was not acting like a 'normal' dog and determined to find a toy he would like. After some tennis balls and soft toys (which he liked to sit on), she brought home a red Cuz that came to be known as Tobey's friend. This one toy would, in my opinion, go a long way to helping Tobey overcome not only his guarding issues, but his general day-to-day rubberband-like tension.

   It started out simply enough. We gave him the toy and treated him for sniffing it and then picking it up. After a little while we took it out back and gave it a toss and off he went as if it were a tennis ball. We stood there watching him run like a shot in the direction the Cuz had disappeared and then started across the yard after him ready to lure it away with a treat when he ran off with it. To our surprise a great squeaking could be heard and from the other end of the yard Tobey came charging with the Cuz in his mouth giving a squeak with each stride. He loved it! When he reached us I quickly pulled out a treat and as he opened his mouth I said: "Drop it" and placed the treat in his mouth.

  From that moment he wouldn't let the Cuz go...he raced around the house by himself squeaking the Cuz as he ran, he would chase the Cuz when we threw it for him and bring it back. Interestingly, he would even lie on his blanket and just squeak the Cuz with his eyes closed. I wish I had pictures of this, but sadly I don't. The Cuz did more than give Tobey an outlet for his nervous energy (though that did help I'm sure), it's hard rubber had just enough give to make squeezing it pleasurable. As when people who are stressed grind their teeth, nervous or anxious dogs often carry a lot of pent up energy in their jaws. T-touch massage techniques teach you to massage the anxious dog's jaws by holding thier heads or using a circular motion, but for Tobey (who didn't like people touching his face), chewing on the ball seemed to relieve his anxiety. The Cuz acted as a self-soothing device and allowed Tobey to see that when he was more relaxed the world wasn't such a scary place!

   He has gone through many Cuzes since that first one and now doesn't really need to use it that much, though he still loves it. Since then he has learned to love other types of play as well and I am thinking about starting him at home with some agility training very soon. He's very smart and still super fast!

  Though this is a great story it's not much of a review, so here you go:

   The Cuz, like most JW Pet Co toys is very durable. The hard pliable rubber is a joy for dogs to chew, but seems to outlast even the strongest chewers I've seen! Cassie has a few of these types of toys and they have lasted well over a year. With Tobers, his first Cuz lasted about a year before the squeaker fell out inside of the Cuz and a new one had to be purchased. We've since bought him two others and the squeaker always seems to be the fail point. They bounce very well and because of the odd shape and the feet at the bottom the bounce is unpredictable, making the dog have to think while they are chasing it. The squeaker is the best part; it gives a loud and satisfying sound that seems to drive the dogs crazy!

  Cuzes come in a variety of sizes (S,M,L) and colors, including: red, green, purple and yellow/orange. They also come in both a Good Cuz (no-devil horns) and a Bad Cuz (with devil-horns)...Tobey started out with the Bad Cuz, reflecting my mother's feelings at that point in his life and now has two Good Cuzes. You can buy a Cuz at Petsmart, Petco, Amazon or many other places online from between $5-$10 depending on size and style. They're a great foundation to JW Pet Co's squeaky toy line from which many other shapes can be purchased, even a Cuz with a fluffy tail! Overall, a stimulating alternative to a boring old tennis ball and one that will last for ages!

Some New Ideas

2011-03-15T13:22:00.001-04:00

I'm trying to come up with some fun new ideas for the blog that will help us all interact. One thing I'm hoping to start is a page for photos and videos of all you bloggies testing out products I've reviewed on American Dog Shopper! So if you have tried anything I've reviewed, whether you read about it on here first or not, please email me some cute pics to put on our soon to come "friends" page (including pet names and a small caption)! I give you this photo of Cassie as inspiration!

Look out Mom! Here I come!

I'm also planning some more polls in the near future, so look for these too!

If you have any ideas...don't be a shy...send them my way! Till then, I'll keep thinking....

Save Some Bones by Making Tugs At Home!

2011-03-14T11:24:00.004-04:00

I'll be honest and admit (as you may have already guessed) that I spend way too much money on dog toys/treats/food/training etc. This isn't really a problem in my mind, but my husband thinks I'm a little bit crazy. In order to assuage his exasperation there is a solution: make some toys myself! There are several books on making dog toys and clothes, but by far the easiest project I know and one I've used repeatedly is the fleecy tug!

Cassie picked her own colors

For example, I went to a JoAnn Fabrics sale a few weeks ago and for $7 bought two yards of pill-free fleece (in my favorite combo, blue and green) and made a total of 7 tugs of varying size. The fleecy tug is a must have for agility, fly ball and trick dog training and a great pleasure for any dog that loves to play with its person. They're also wonderful for encouraging puppies to play interactively and to bond with their owners! Online I've found small tugs going for $4-10 from companies like Kyjen and they look pretty much just like what I've made, only smaller!

So you can buy these tugs, but I say why buy when you can make them in minutes so much less! You'll need a few tools before you begin including: a sturdy rubber band, a pair of sharp scissors, a minimum of a 1/4 yard of pill-free fleece and a friend or good hitching post!

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Decide the size tug you want to make (both length and girth). Length will tell you how long you want to cut your three strips and girth will tell you how wide to cut them. Obviously, the longer your strips the longer your tug and the thicker your strips the fatter the braid will be!

Step 3: Finished sides up

2) Cut three strips of approximately equal length and width

3) The fleece will have two sides a rough fleecy side and a slightly smoother underside. You want to arrange your strips in a stack with the fleecy sides facing up. If you're making a two/one color combo, like I am, put your odd color in the middle of the stack.

4) Loop a rubber band tightly around the top of the stack about 3-5 in. down, depending on the length of your tug.

Step 4: Rubber-banded

5) If you are making a fatter tug read this step carefully: fan the strips out slightly and then roll each strip in on itself, so that you end up with a long fleece tube that has only the fleecy sides showing. Tie a knot at the bottom of each individual strip when you are finished rolling so that the roll stays in place. It doesn't have to be perfect and as you braid the tug it will come unrolled at some points, but this one step really does make the tugs both more durable and nicer looking!

6) Hitch your rubber band end to something in your house like a hook or have a friend hold the end while you braid...the more tightly the end is held the easier and nicer the braid will be!

Step 5: Fleece Tubes

   7) Start braiding, doing your best to keep the tubes rolled while you do so and keeping the braid as tight as possible.

   8) When you reach about six inches from the other end take the longest strip and untie the knot you made to make the tube (it also helps to have a friend at this point, but I do it on my own just fine). Loop the untied strip around the other two, overlapping where you just finished braiding. Then tuck the looped strip under itself to make a knot around the braid and pull as tightly as possible. Then untie the knots at the end of the two remaining strips

   9) Remove the rubber band from the other end and repeat the end knotting process.

The Finished Product!

From there it's just use your imagination! You can cut the tails short or slice them up the middle to make them more pompom-like. You can add jingle bells. I've seen people braid loops into one end of these tugs (I'm not that talented), drill holes through tennis balls and thread one end of the tug through it, add plastic balls or tire toys and even turn them into leashes! My friend is incorporating jump-rope as one of the strips to make her tugs have less give. If you have the imagination and the plaiting skills the sky is truly the limit!

Our 1st Toy From The www.mydogtoy.com Tester Program: Tuffy Ultimate 3WayRing

2011-03-10T11:25:00.001-05:00

  Sorry I've been away for a few days...I think I need to slow down on the reviews or I'm going to run out of products to talk about by the end of the summer!! But back to the present:

  The UPS man dropped off a present for the Cassie dog yesterday and since then she has been busily testing its durability and general 'funness.' You may remember that a couple weeks back we signed up to be a toy tester for www.mydogtoy.com (a website that represents VIP Products including: Tuffy, Mighty Dog Toys, Silly Squeakers, etc). For agreeing to buy a certain number of toys from mydogtoy.com throughout the year (you decide which toys and how many) and reviewing them on their website you receive a discount that increases with the number of toys you agree to buy. Though most of the toys on the website are more expensive than buying them from Amazon, the 'tester discount' makes them cheaper. It's a good program if you can afford to buy a number of toys throughout the year and they are some of the best toys I've ever found for durability and fun!

   Our first selection was the Tuffy Ultimate 3WayRing in Camo Blue (which is neither sold in Petsmart nor on Amazon)! This toy is much like the standard rings, but because it has three nicely sized openings it keeps your fingers better protected during enthusiastic games of tug and makes it easier to keep a good hold. Despite it's odd 3-D shape it also throws pretty far without much effort and Cassie has not had any trouble picking it out of the air when I toss it up for a catch. She seems to find the revolving motion very stimulating and hasn't grown bored of tossing it up in the air herself and catching it. The 3WayRing ranks a 9 on the 10-point Tuff-scale designed by Tuffy (who don't make a toy that scores below a 5), so durability is a strong selling feature with this toy. Cassie has put that to the test with an onslaught of chewing and very strong tugging and so far not so much as a stitch has popped! I expected this due to our previous experience with Tuffy toys, which seem to be nearly indestructible and highly weather/washing machine proof! This toy comes in four very pretty colors: Camo Blue, Pink, Red & Yellow. We don't have many blue toys, so I went with the Camo Blue...it looked even better in person (and show dirt less than the pink and yellow).

   The only problem I found with our 3WayRing is that none of the 3 squeakers work! One of them makes a small sound like a baby-bird chirping, but the other two not so much as a peep! It's a shame, because Cassie does love running around the yard squeaking whatever is in her mouth, but it's only a small flaw in what is otherwise a wonderful toy!

I typically recommend Tuffy toys to anyone whether they have a heavy chewer or not, because they are very long lasting, easy to wash, and are a lot of fun...that said my next review is going to be another Tuffy toy that Cassie got for her birthday...for the first time it won't be such a ringing endorsement...till then: the 3WayRing is a winner!

Saturday Pet Blog Hop!

2011-03-05T14:53:00.002-05:00

This is our first time on the Blog Hop and we are very excited! I'm off to see what everyone else is on about, but welcome to everyone who is visiting! Hope you have a fun time!

May we suggest the following archived reviews of items you might enjoy!:

Thanks for visiting and we hope you come again soon!

What's In A Wubba?: With Guest Bloggers Elyse & Riley

2011-03-03T12:58:00.002-05:00

   A few weeks back I had the good fortune of running a poll about desired reviews in the same week that one of our readers/favorite doggie bloggers had a very eye opening experience with one of the items on the list...the Kong Wubba line!

   I asked all of you to tell me which dog items you would most like to see a review of and Wubbas came in a very close second to Treats! So I did the treat review and thought why not let Elyse provide her thoughts on Wubbas!

Elyse's Wubba Tale:

   Hi, my name is Elyse and my Australian Cattle Dog, Riley is a notorious toy destroyer around our house. Riley is a medium to medium-large size dog (53 pounds of muscle). Stuffed animals don't last more than 5 minutes around our house, Riley has destroyed at least 3 different types of frisbees, tennis balls don't last, and Nylabones are typically chewed down in a few days...just to give a little background. I would classify Riley as being an aggressive or serious chewer.

I had been thinking about getting Riley a Wubba and when I got an e-mail from Barking Deals that they were offering 3 Large Kong Wubbas for $13.99 and free shipping, I jumped at the chance to purchase them for her. The Wubbas got here within about a week and I decided to give one of them to my sister for her two Boxers.

Riley took to the Wubba right away. I just squeaked it and tossed it to her. She had a grand time holding it by one of the fabric tails and shaking the daylights out of it. We played fetch with it for a while, then she decided she would lie down and get to work on tearing it apart. This is where I should have stepped in and confiscated it, but I didn't want to spoil the fun. Here are day 1 pictures:

Day 1

The tips of the tails were easily chewed off and the stitching around the body of the toy was easy for her to get apart. Needless to say, this is what the toy looked like on day 2:

Day 2

Riley has had great fun playing with the big squeaky ball (that has since lost it's squeak) and really enjoyed tearing that little fuzzy, yellow tennis ball into microscopic pieces all over my bed.

We're now on our second Wubba which I've only allowed her to play fetch with outside and not chew. We've been playing with that one for about 2 weeks or so (only under supervision), and it has held up reasonably well. She has managed to sneak in chewing off the tips of the fabric tails on it, but the side stitching is still intact. If you don't have a serious toy destroyer on your hands, they're probably safe to leave alone with the Wubba. If you've got a "destructo" dog like mine, use this toy only under supervision. Despite this experience, I would definitely buy Riley another Kong Wubba to play with only while I supervise her because she's had so much fun with the first two. It is a really fun fetch/shake toy and those are the two things Riley really loves to do.

My Thanks to Elyse, who writes a wonderful blog called Adventures of A Cattle Dog about her certified therapy dog Riley the Australian Cattle Dog!

I don't think I have to say much more, but it is my blog so I guess I should add my own thoughts:

I completely agree with Elyse that Wubbas should be used only with "parental supervision" especially if, like Elyse and I, you have a super-chewer in the house. Wubbas are great things to play a light tug and fetch with, though in my opinion they don't actually throw very well (I much prefer the Dogzilla Throw Toy available at Walmart stores). Wubbas come in various sizes, colors and forms (regular, Tugga, fleecy Snugga, animal-shaped Friends, etc) each one less durable than the last. Kong has recently come out with a "Ballistic" line, which I have yet to try, but will soon! In addition, Wubbas can get to be pretty pricey ranging between $8-20 retail (though there are some good deals on Amazon) and when you think about how long they last in my opinion they're often not worth the money unless, like Elyse, you get a good deal.

Cassie always seem to get them as gifts and I have to smile and say thank-you knowing that the well meant and expensive present will probably be dead a few minutes after we get home! I've put up two of Cassie favorites, the Tugga Wubba and the Snugga Wubba, to supplement Elyse's experience with the traditional Wubbas. Cassie has succeeded even under my watchful eye to eat all the arms off the Tugga Wubba, though I have to admit she does love playing with it. I've just made the mistake of leaving the Snugga Wubba on the table and in a matter of moments some one (whose name rhymes with Wassie) quietly took it off the table and to the corner and chewed a hole through the snuggy material...which does just seem to beg to be ripped open!

For any dog that likes to chew even the littlest bit this must be a throw, play and put away toy! Most importantly because, as Riley has demonstrated perfectly, though the Wubba might be correctly sized for your dog the little tennis balls inside are certainly not and can easily become a trip to the ER!

Starmark Everlasting Fun Ball: A New Way to Pass a Rainy Day

2011-02-28T14:04:00.005-05:00

   It's been raining cats and dogs here (no pun intended)...we've even had a tornado warning this morning! As a result, I've had to pull out all the stops to keep the Cassie dog from becoming bored. A few days ago I determined that a treat ball would be a great new way to keep her busy for awhile. So to Petsmart I went and was actually surprised by the incredible number of options there are on the shelf. Everything from wobbling giant-sized Kongs to hard plastic cubes to stuffable bouncy balls and even one that claims to talk! Needless to say I was there a little longer than I had intended to be.

   I went into the store planning on picking up the Kong Wobbler having seen it on other sites, but in the store I recognized instantly that Cassie would become frustrated with the design very quickly and this combined with the fact that she's not too fond of dry biscuits told me I would be left with a fairly expensive toy that would just be taking up space in my house.

   I moved on to the Buster Food Cube, which was both double the price of the Kong Wobbler and also made of a stiffer, but seemingly less durable plastic. I worried: 1) that Cassie would be bored by the design and 2) that she would actually break the cube due to her fondness for picking up toys and dropping them to get the food out (she has mastered her regular Kongs in this manner).

   After looking at a few ball designs I settled on the Starmark Everlasting Fun Ball Dog Toy, which seemed both durable and simple enough for Cassie to figure out and remain interested. I liked the bounciness of the ball and and its obvious durability. It's light enough for Cassie to pick up and drop without causing damage to my hardwood and still enough of a challenge that it keeps her busy for an extended period of time (depending on how many treats I put in it). The surface of the ball is variegated for easy grip and, though the large one I bought is probably a bit big for her mouth, Cassie seems to have little trouble picking it up before slamming it on the floor.  The Starmark Fun Ball is also a breeze to clean and though you can't open it like the Kong Wobbler to clean the inside a few dunks in a some warm water seem to be all that's required.

   This ball is easy to fill with just about any treats. I've been mixing up her regular kibble with smaller soft treats, so that she doesn't get too fat from my laziness. It's true, I could be getting up to play with her every time she's bored, but if I did I would be on my feet at her beck-and-call all day long. The treat ball is a great alternative (one that I am trying not to abuse) and is better than crating her when she is becoming fussy. I also find that it's oddly satisfying to watch your dog working for something. She has fun while I relax! That sounds like progress to me!

   As I mentioned, you can use any treats you've got lying around, as long as they aren't too big or awkward to get stuck inside for good (though I would suggest sticking with ones that retain their shape fairly well). Starmark do make treats that are designed to work with the Fun Ball called Starmark Every Flavor Treats.  They are soft and come in a variety of flavors like chicken, beef, liver and even vanilla (which I find odd). I normally don't like to give Cassie treats with additives and artificial colorings, but in this case I opted to buy a bag out of convenience. She does seem to really like them (typical kid liking junk food), so I will probably pick up another bag to mix in with the kibble and keep things interesting.

   I realize that I'm not really doing a review of the other products, so maybe you've tried them and can let me know your thoughts on the Kong Wobbler and the Buster Food Cube (or any other treat dispensing toys). They probably do work for some dogs, but for Cassie the Fun Ball was cheap and simple and clearly lots of long lasting fun!

Fox-On-A-Stick: I Just Found Out You Can Buy It On Amazon!

2011-02-24T13:57:00.002-05:00

One of Cassie's favorite games is "fox/duck on a stick." I picked this one up from Victoria Stilwell and it was a great way to allow Cassie to chase something crazily and burn off a lot of steam quickly. It also happens to be great fun!

I (like Victoria) simply made my own version by tying a stuffing-free fuzzy fox toy to the end of an old lunge whip I had around from my horseback riding days. This worked great if you had access to a tack shop, but otherwise a bit of an ask to tell people to go out and hunt down a lunge whip....happily someone decided to make a purchasable version specifically designed for dogs that is actually cheaper than going out and buying the lunge whip/fox combo.

The Kyjen Tail Teaser Dog Toy is just what I described before
(a little shorter and more manageable than my makeshift version), but it is cheaper ($16) and comes with refill animal toys. I can't vouch for it's durability (I'm going to stick with my old version since I already have it), but it looks almost exactly like what I made myself. When the snow is gone I'll have Chris tape Cassie and I with the fox-on-a-stick outside; it's a game best left for the out-of-doors.

Bacon Bubbles...Fun with Kids' Toys

2011-02-23T12:28:00.002-05:00

   Though most of the time I blog about products specifically manufactured for the dog market, there are certain toys made for kids that are fun for dogs too. Most of the props I've picked up for our tricks class have been kids toys and Cassie has never seemed to realize! Another toy that I have used just about every sunny day is our bubble blower. Most dogs love to chase things that move and floating, swishing bubbles are almost irresistible. They're actually a lot of fun for owners, as well...I have trouble not laughing at the excitement a little dish soap can produce!

   You have several bubble options when you walk into the kids aisle at any local store (Walmart, Target, ToysRUs). There are bubble machines that sit on the ground and blow a constant stream of bubbles, there are hand held bubble guns that shoot bubbles at your whim without much mess and there are the traditional old fashioned loop on a stick bubbles. I use a bubble gun mainly out of convenience and the fact that they are still pretty cheap. I paid only $3 at Walmart for the one I use, unfortunately mine seems to be out of manufacture now.

   If I were to pick up a new bubble gun it would be something like the Sizzlin' Cool Exstream Bubbles, available from ToysRUs for about $7 or the Toy Galaxy Bubble Blower Gun available on Amazon for a comparable price. I like a bubble gun, because it allows you the freedom to direct the flow and direction of the bubbles, helping to ensure that your dog doesn't jump to high and that the game can instantly stop when you say. The problem I've found with the stationary bubble machines is that the dog doesn't chase the bubbles, but instead will stand right in front of the blower trying to bite them as they come out (and that's not nearly as amusing as running wildly around for them). Also, the gun will encourage you to stay out with the dog instead of leaving it alone with a tray full of bubble liquid in the bubble machine (that could cause a very upset tummy if lapped up all at once).

   The great thing for dog owners is that thanks to the geniuses at the Happy Dog Toys company you can purchase bubble liquid that is flavored for your dogs. These bubble replacement packs come in Sizzlin' Bacon, BBQ Chicken and Peanut Butter flavors and are only $5 for a pack of two. You can get hours of play out of each bottle. Amazon suggests some "puppy" bubble guns and machines, but don't spend the extra money. Just buy the cheapest bubble gun you can find and then keep one of the bottles it came with; you can clean that out and then fill it up with the flavored bubbles to use with your gun.

Normally the dogs are a little less distracted and more focused on the bubbles (it was a windy day). This game will keep your dog amused and moving on a sunny afternoon for as long as you can keep from dying of laughter...The only word of warning is that you will want to supervise children and dogs with the bubbles, because your dog will probably get very excited and a child could be mobbed as the bubble source (you can see what I mean at the end of the video)! Always better safe than sorry!

My New Favorite Thing: H2O4K9 Water Bottle

2011-02-21T12:23:00.002-05:00

This product, I promise, is for every dog owner that ever leaves the house with their pup in tow.

Since Cassie was a puppy she has always had a problem with overheating very suddenly. Australian Shepherds are known for being very sensitive to heat and humidity (mostly due to the thick coat and large amount of muscle), but it's still worrisome when your dog lies down in the middle of the road after a 10 minute walk on a crisp cool morning. This tendency led Chris and I to start taking cool water with us even on short walks, a somewhat cumbersome task when you are just out for a morning stroll. We tried just about everything:

- Sigg bottles and a collapsible bowl in a backpack

- Camelback and a collapsible bowl

- Bags of ice cubes

- Plastic water bottles and a cupped hand

Everything we tried was either messy, complicated, cumbersome or all of the above.

In addition to the walks, I need to take water with me everywhere I go with Cassie including: the dog park, classes, competitions (we're only spectating), hiking, etc. What I did for the longest time was the Sigg-and-Collapsible-bowl-in my-purse routine, but it was annoying having to carry two bulky items in my small bag and then awkwardly take them out during a class and pop open the bowl, take the lid off the Sigg, pour water in the bowl and then set it down on the floor or (more often than not) hold the bowl in front of Cassie's face to get her to drink. What should be such a simple thing could turn into a time consuming ordeal, especially if Cassie doesn't feel like cooperating.

On top of that, what do I do if she doesn't finish all of the water in her bowl? I can't just pour it back into the Sigg, because the bowl's too wide and the Sigg's mouth is too narrow. So, I was often left with a bowl half full of water or at the very best still too wet to be put back into my purse...which led to me carrying a wad of paper towels around in my purse on top of everything else. Enough said...what I was doing wasn't ideal, but was getting us by. Then I found the best solution ever:

The H2O4K9

It's a simple Sigg-like water bottle with a lid that acts as a dog nose shaped cup. The metal body of the bottle curves inward for a comfortable grip and the hard plastic lid fits snugly around the bottle and has a loop at the top that comes with its own carabiner. I can stick it in a bag, loop it to a backpack or belt loop or simply carry it with us on walks. There are two sizes: A large 25oz bottle that works great for big dogs (especially those with long snouts) and a 9.5oz version for smaller dogs and those with smushy faces (This one's so popular it's out of stock until next week).

The bottles have wide mouths that make pouring undrunk water back into the bottle a snap. They are pretty much mess free and you don't waste any of the water you brought with you by pouring out the excess after each drink stop. You can also easily plop ice cubes through the mouth to keep your water cold on long days out. This is important, because unfortunately the stainless steel welds will not allow the bottles to be frozen.

H2O4K9s come in a wide and very attractive variety of colors (we picked the Tree Frog Green). You can even purchase a matching neoprene shoulder bag called the Neosling, which H2O4K9 claims will keep your water cool and insulated.

The company states that the bottles are made of food grade stainless steel and all plastics are BPA free. That's all an added bonus, but I'm much more interested in the design and price, which even for the big bottle (at $20) is cheaper than just buying a comparably sized Sigg...We love it and won't leave home without it ever again...I think this is a winner for all of us who love our furry friends.

The ORKA Flyer: Great Chew Toy (Just Not A Great Disc)

2011-02-18T12:02:00.006-05:00

   In light of the fact that Valentine's was this week (and I forgot to say happy Valentine's to everyone), I thought I would make this post center around my husband.

   As many of you know, I am always on a quest for the perfect frisbee/flying disc dog toy. Though I think I've come pretty close to finding it with the Hartz Tuff Stuff Flyer, the Tuffy Ultimate Rings and the Kong Frisbee, my all-college Ultimate Frisbee champion husband seems to think I need to keep looking. His biggest gripe is that my soft "unofficial frisbees" don't fly "reliably" enough. That may be true dear, but they work just fine for me...Enough with the familial discord, I invariably keep buying discs for him to test out with the Cassie dog.

   Last week, before the cold-that-will-not-end set in, we were at Target together in the pet aisle buying chewies and my easily distracted husband picked out his own flying disc that he felt "looked better than the useless one's you pick out." Such a kind and supportive man.

   His disc of choice was the Petstages ORKA Flyer and my initial reaction was impressed. Off the bat I thought the ORKA looked durable. It's made of a chewy-soft clear rubbery material that the ORKA brand is based upon. I was pretty sure that even Cassie wouldn't be able to take it apart easily. It was bendy enough not to hurt my hands/thighs when it was returned and looked easy enough to throw, being that it has a smaller circumference than a regular frisbee. Like the Kong Flyer it lacks a hole in the middle a feature that I tend to enjoy in a dog disc, but that Chris thinks "slows the disc down" and makes it unreliable.

The second we were in the door Chris made straight for the backyard and I waited for his official verdict on the new toy...he and Cassie were only outside a few minutes when Chris was back (demonstrably dogless). His review (and subsequently mine) was this: the disc is too heavy to fly fast or far and the rubber came out of the box slightly warped, making it unpredictable. That, however, was the least of his complaints. The biggest problem was trying to get the disc back from the dog after she made off with it. Cassie has always been a pretty good retriever, bounding back to us excitedly and sometimes slamming into us with all that Aussie energy. With the ORKA Flyer she didn't seem to want to come back, instead she preferred to lie in the grass and happily chew on the edges of the disc. From the video you can see that I've had to walk over to her to take it away and then when she goes to fetch it, she just stands there mesmerized (sorry about the grainy focus of my old camera).

A week on we are still allowing her to have her way with Flyer and it still has not a single tooth mark. It is incredibly durable and easy to clean and many other wonderful things, except a good frisbee disc. Lesson: If you want a great long lasting chew-toy the ORKA Flyer is a great option. If, however, you want to play a wonderful and tiring game of frisbee with your dog...you should probably look somewhere else.

Sick In Bed

2011-02-17T09:15:00.003-05:00

Hi all,
Just a message to say that I'm sorry for no post today...Cold is back and I'm going back to bed...hopefully, I'll see you all tomorrow!

THE WINNER IS...TREATS

2011-02-16T10:30:00.005-05:00

  By a narrow margin treats have beaten out wubbas as the next topic you would like my opinion on...That's great, I love treats (talking about them...not eating them). I also have a plan for wubbas, since they received some votes, as well.

   Treats are perhaps our greatest tool in dog training...a clicker can be replaced by the verbal cue, a piece of rope will work as an impromptu leash, but the treats (or motivators) you select will determine so many things about how your training session will go. If the dog becomes full to quickly then it will loose interest in training. If the smell of the treat is not appealing to the dog she won't work for it. If it's so messy that it gets all over your hands you will fumble with it or drop it or worse confuse the dog. If you have to spend three seconds breaking a treat into pieces you have missed your window to treat following a click and your training has just become useless. So in the theme of High Fidelity...here are my Top 5 All Time Greatest Treats:

   1) Zukes Mini Naturals (Salmon):

   Zukes are great all natural/high protein treats. The minis are the perfect size for training sessions with any sized dog, because they pack a big taste into a small low-calorie bite sized treat. Unlike many small treats they are moist and chewy. The chewiness amps up the flavor, though when Cassie was a puppy I found that she would spend a little too much time chewing them. Unlike other moist treats, I have never had the problem of them disintegrating in my pockets or covering my fingers in residue.
   Though Salmon is Cassie's favorite (and the most smelly) they also come in Chicken and Peanut Butter flavors. The Zukes brand offers a wide variety of treats, from crunchy bites to bigger jerky pieces and all are made with the best ingredients. That said, they are a little expensive. I alternate between buying from my local organic dog food shop (yes there is one on my doorstep, even in WV) and buying from a friend who gets them wholesale. They can be picked up on Amazon for what I consider a very fair price (a $2 savings over my local shop and only $1 more than my wholesaler). If you are training with your dog, I think you will see the benefits.

   One word of warning: The bag must always be sealed tightly and the treats should never be left out to the air or they turn into little rocks. I have even taken to putting them in a ziploc for class, because I have noticed they are less moist by the end of a training session.

   2) PureBites Beef Liver:

   Ok, another expensive choice...but well worth it, if you can afford it. PureBites treats do exactly what they say on the tin...ie they are made of 100% freeze dried beef liver. They are high protein (obviously) and only 10 calories per treat. Unlike the Zukes, they are more like a crunchy treat, though not exactly a biscuit. They have a wonderful earthy smell that you have to become accustomed to, but I actually really like it now. Also unlike the moist Zuke Minis, the PureBites Liver treats don't go off in your pocket. I've found some in old coats and they are just the same as new. I tend to go through several in a session, but I break them up turning each treat into about 5 mini-bites. They also work for training obedience, because one big piece can be nibbled at very easily when walking at heel.
   PureBites come in many flavors other than beef liver, including chicken breast, cheddar cheese and various fish combos. I've tried all the others and though they're wonderfully healthy, I find the liver works best for training, because it doesn't disintegrate easily. You will have some liver dust in your pocket, but the freeze dried chicken and fish are just plain messy and difficult to work with. I've also found Cassie prefers the taste of the liver to the other flavors.
   The only thing that might put some people off (besides the smell, which I promise you will come to love) is that because these treats are literally just freeze dried pieces of liver, they are not always of a consistent size or shape. Some of the 'edge' pieces can be large and difficult to break up...I use these for "jackpot" treats!
   The price on Amazon is a good one...only a few dollars more than my wholesaler and whole lot cheaper than my local store.

   3) Dogswell Vitality (Chicken Breast):

   My last budget breaker is the Dogswell Vitality line. Like the PureBites, these are just dehydrated pieces of chicken breast, but unlike the PureBites chicken version they're more of an infused crispy jerky than a crumbly piece of flaky chicken. Dogswell also infuses their chicken treats with omega 3's from flaxseed, which I think has added a sheen to Cassie's already pretty coat. They also claim that the chickens are all cage free, non-antibiotic, no hormones or fillers...etc...though I'm a little more practically driven (ie how well does the dog work for it), these are all good things. What I really like is the smell, which is just that of cooked chicken breast...as it should be. I'll admit, I've popped them into my own mouth and they do taste nice (though I did spit it back out).
   I like to take these on walks, because I can pop two or three in my pockets and then break it up into about 20 little treats per slice. If you break them up in your pockets like I do, you will start to notice some chicken dust in your lining, however not nearly as much as with the PureBites version. Otherwise, they are not messy and are very convenient. They last a long time, so a big bag can go a long way, but it is important to keep the bag well sealed!
   Dogswell makes similar treats in duck and sweet potato, some of which are focused on older dogs and dogs with hip problems. I have only tried the Chicken breast so far, because it's been such a success.

   4) Nutro Natural Choice Crunchy Fruit Treats (Apple):
   I haven't actually used these in awhile, though when we did Cassie really liked them. Nutro is a good brand and these treats were recommended by a clerk at our local Petsmart, so I gave them a try. Cassie isn't normally into dry crunchy biscuit treats, so I was a little worried she wouldn't take to them. I also try to keep her away from as much grain as possible, but what got me again was the smell. They really smell like apples (the favorite fruit of the Cassie dog) and have a very light texture making them easy to carry and break up into smaller bites.
   When we use them now it tends to be for 'good night' treats...ie get in your kennel and have a treat! They also work well as treats to hide under a finger when you are doing things like training a 'nose bridge.' If you've ever seen Celeste Meade on youtube, then you will know why it's often difficult to find treats of an appropriate size and texture for what she does.
   Going back to the smell, they are also good for playing games like Kyra Sundance's 'Shell Game,' where the dog has to find a hidden treat under a cup. The apple smell is very distinctive and I've found much easier for the dog to isolate than meatier treats.
   They are very delicate though, even for a crunchy treat. I've pulverized several trying to break them up, so you will probably have to empty your pockets of dust more than once in awhile. They're a good healthy alternative to meat based treats and offer the dog a little something different.

   5) String Cheese:

For everyone out there who, like me, is always spending a fortune on dog treats I have to say we're really wasting our time and money. Nothing will ever top the simple string cheese!!! Not a lot needs to be said here. As long as you buy the low fat, low sodium (this is very important) version you can buy as cheaply as you want. It all seems to taste the same to the dog. It works well in just about every training situation, whether you chop it up into little bits for tricks class and agility or you simply twist off large pieces to teach heel work in obedience, string cheese is a winner and what all my trainers use. I've hid it in Nina Ottosson toys, chopped it up and put it in food release toys and even stuck a whole stick down the middle of a kong full of wet dog food and frozen it. As long as I have cheese, Cassie will never stop working. I normally go through about three or four sticks per hour long class if I'm not using any other treats. Though for digestion, it is often best to intersperse other treats between cheese sticks. They are cheap and easy to find and probably the best thing on the market. The only draw back is that you will sometimes get messy fingers and they don't keep outside the fridge for too long before turning into a gooey mush.

I'll keep trying treats and update you off and on about them...do you have a favorite that I've missed???

Oh, Leashes I Have Loved (& Hated)!

2011-02-15T12:01:00.010-05:00

   There are few things more essential in a dog owners tool kit than the basic collar and leash. I am particularly particular about my leashes, because I believe that they either greatly enhance or completely ruin what might otherwise be a wonderful walk/training session!
   With Cassie I always have to be careful about selecting leashes that are appropriate for the task at hand. For instance, your average nice leather leash might work fine in the obedience ring, but take one on a walk she will be both out of control and overly enthusiastic about using it as a chew toy! Therefore, I thought I would just say a bit about the leashes I have now or have purchased in the past and why I do or don't use them now.

   1. Top Paws Luxurious Nylon Leash:

Graduating from Petsmart

   These leashes are available at Petsmart (so I thought it fitting to show Cassie wearing it during her one Petsmart Puppy class) and are probably the most versatile leash you can purchase. It's just your bog-standard nylon leash, but unlike some nylon examples it doesn't seem to burn or blister the hands as much. They are also very sturdy, so work well for strong pullers or for obedience training (as there is little to no give). The Top Paws brand in general is middle-of-the-road, but the basic leashes are of good quality. Cassie had a pink Top Paws Nylon leash as a puppy with a matching harness. Unfortunately, she decided it would be fun one day to chew her way through the leash and another day she chewed straight through the harness in a matter of minutes. The last one was my fault, having just washed the harness and not fitted it properly before putting it back on her.
   We've gradated to a heavier gauge 6' nylon and love it. I almost feel nervous taking a walk without it. It's both a good weight and a good length and the material is just thick enough to be strong, but not cumbersome. It's a great everyday leash!

   2. Premier Eco Leash:
   I've written about my unhappiness with the Premier Eco Line in general, but in particular the leash is probably the worst product I've ever purchased.  In theory, Premier has done a good thing by sourcing their Eco line from recycled materials. I have to admit what drew me to this product originally were the bright colors (especially the granny smith green) as opposed to the more muted shades of the traditional line. I was to be disappointed on many fronts.
   Firstly, a cursory look at the Amazon comments will show that many people are upset with the quality and durability of the product. It's very light weight, but not strong enough to stand up to any medium/large sized pulling dog and it won't withstand even the lightest chewing. It also stretches to a degree that makes it useless for Obedience training. Worst of all, I took it to an agility class (because it was light enough for a puppy to drag without getting caught on obstacles) and before we got in the door a squirrel sent Cassie on a tear and ended up costing me several bandaids worth of cut fingers and blisters. The leash sliced right through my skin and basically ruined our evening before it had begun. I know that some pain may have been caused by any leash when a dog takes off full sprint, but the thinness of the leash mixed with the material acted almost like a knife. This has never happened with any other leash I've owned (even the cheap ones from Walmart). I wouldn't by the Eco line from Premier in any form or for any function. It just isn't worth the money (or the pain).

   3. Kong Control Grip Plus Leash:
   After our escapade with the Premier Eco leash I had to find a substitute that would ensure I wouldn't be injured again on my way to class! Thankfully, this was almost the exact week that Kong came out with their new line of leashes. We picked up the Control Grip Plus in pink and have had it ever since!
   The people at Kong really knew what they were doing (for the most part), the leash loop is padded with a soft spongy material and the loop itself actually has a release buckle so that if necessary it can act as an instant tether. I haven't had to use this feature much, but once on a walk with Cassie my husband came across a neighbor's dog running loose. He quickly released the buckle and snapped Cassie to a mailbox, while he chased after the other pup (he had gotten loose while they were leaving for work and hadn't been noticed as missing!). So the Kong leash saved the day!
   In addition, the manufacturer has added a sort of brake to the leash. This bone shaped piece of heavy duty flexible plastic can be easily positioned at any point on the leash and with a little bit of thumb pressure can instantly be used as a soft extra-strong handle to hold back the more exuberant pup. It really works and has been very helpful in encouraging Cassie to sit politely for petting (without having my arm pulled off).
   What I also like about this leash is that it has a very sturdy (almost industrial looking) clip that can be snapped onto a D-ring with two fingers. The snap is a little heavy, so I wouldn't use it with a head halter (or 'choke'-style training collars, for those who use them), but for a standard collar it keeps a perfect amount of resistance on the dog's collar without having it flopping around during the walk.
   The leash only comes in four colors (grey, red, pink, blue), which is a bit boring, but all have strips of reflective material stitched in for added safety in dim light. The only downside I've found is that the longest length you can buy the 1" in is 4 feet, while the light weight 5/8" leash comes in 6 feet. It makes no sense to me why the heavier gauge wouldn't come in a 6 foot version, as well. My husband is 6'5" and can't use the leash without keeping Cassie constantly at heel. Still a great product that I think every dog owner would enjoy!

4. A Fleece Agility Tugger:
   These leashes from Clean Run are lovely for certain things, but not for everyday use! I'm almost of two minds on this one. It's made of braided fleece with a loop at one end and a basic clip at the other. My friend Tracey won one at a Flyball show and I was so taken by the softness of it that the green-eyed monster I am went straight to Clean Run to pick it up!
   Like I said, it's good for some things like: agility training and tricks class. It is very light and so doesn't slow Cassie down or catch on things (like tunnels) when we are moving through a course. I can keep a leash on her while she's working and then because of it's fleeciness, use it as a tug reward at the end. If you've ever seen agility competitions, the dog is not allowed to have a collar on, let alone a leash, but at the end of the course you will leash your dog and most people have a tuggy-leash that acts like a play reward. This leash is great for that and is approved for use by AKC agility!

What this leash is not, however, is a walking leash or a "transition" leash for people who's dogs pull or lunge. By a transition leash, I mean a leash you use to move your dog from one area of an event to another. At agility competitions, you will often be moving your dog around a lot: lining up before your turn, leaving the ring, getting to your seat, getting to another course. So you need either a well controlled dog or a leash without a great deal of give...this leash is all about give! It's soft braided material is loose and almost like a bungee. Therefore, if your dog pulls he will keep going after the "end" of the leash has been reached. You won't have any leverage to stop him! That give is what makes it so much fun to tug with, but not so much fun to walk with! Still a great tool if you need it!

Poll Closes Tonight: Please Break the Tie!

2011-02-15T11:10:00.000-05:00

Hi folks, our poll closes tonight, so please get your votes in...otherwise we will end in a complete tie! Not a big deal really...I'll just do both reviews, but still not nearly as fun as having an out right winner! Get to voting!

I'm Sick: Here's Another Book Review

2011-02-14T11:17:00.002-05:00

   Hi everyone! I've come down with a little cold and so haven't been feeling myself the past day or so...therefore, instead of chasing Cass around with the camera today, I'm going to talk about another book I've found valuable to our training!

   Pat Miller's Power of Positive Dog Training:

   Pat's lives in my local area, my hometown actually, and runs a really wonderful (from what I've heard, I've never actually been there) training center called Peaceable Paws. I was directed to her work by the owner of the training facility I frequent when we were having the "herding mommy" problem, which I'm happy to report seems to be reaching an end.

   Pat has written several books, but this one's about building the foundation of a good relationship with your dog through positive training. It's great for the owner of a new puppy, a new rescue or someone who (like me) needs to go back to the beginning on some things. I read it in a day and by the end had decided I needed to start training walking on a leash from scratch...it's made all the difference in the world!

   By and large, PPDT seems like your average positive training techniques book, but within the broader lessons Pat provides hints and brings out finer details that make positive reinforcement training not only reliable, but I would wager more productive than 'traditional' training methods.

   The real revelation for me was Pat's leash training technique. I've taken instruction on leash training using positive techniques in puppy classes and several obedience classes and though I had heard "reward the good behavior, ignore the bad," over and over, for some reason I wasn't taking it far enough. One problem we had was that Cassie isn't a natural puller, at least not in a straight line. Our walks were always more of a meander than a training exercise and though the leash was quite often taut, it never really felt like pulling to me. I liked that to an extent, the fact that we could both just go out and as long as she wasn't pulling me headlong down the road, mindlessly explore and sort of run wild. However, with the "I'm out having my own walk and mom is just following along" scenario came the "when mom tells me it's time to move along or pay attention I don't really have any reason to listen" scenario.

   This became a problem when I allowed her to sit and watch the world for too long, let her sniff all the plants in the field (as she darted from one side of the road to the other), or when we came across other dogs or people (particularly children). When I said it was time to get back on the road a temper tantrum would ensue (with rolling over, lying on her side, digging her feet in, lunging and dragging and helicopter jumping toward said dog/person, and finally biting me). I had tried the drag her off in the other direction technique, the stand behind her with a taut leash and wait for her to sit technique, the keep her moving and encourage her down the road technique and the have her sit and then when necessary stand in front of her to block her view technique, all were more or less failures.

   The main issue was that once her focus was lost, I couldn't get it back. The other was that she didn't seem to feel any motivation to listen to me in the first place and was actually affronted that I thought I could push her around...Herding dogs, I don't know. Chapter 4 of PPDT entitled: 'A New Leash On Life', totally changed the way I think about positive training and explained why I had never been as successful as I should have been. The main lessons for me were:

1) Click-and-treat the dog when it's doing the right thing (including when it's on the brink of doing the wrong thing): This was a big deal for me. I would click-and-treat when Cassie was at heel during a walk, but not when she was still with in the confines of a loose leash. As soon as she would step out of heel I would stop the clicking and unconsciously wait for her to make a mistake (so that I could then correct it). What I was doing was teaching her to fail at heeling, while ignoring our real goal: loose leash walking. The Solution: Click-and-treat no matter where she was within the loose leash range...ie if she is just about to hit the taut leash click-and-treat! She'll hear the click and guess what happily turn and come back to you for the treat....which led to lesson 2...

  2) Don't be stingy with treats. They are markers that tell your dog she's done something right!: Though I had always liked positive techniques, somewhere in the back of my mind I was still always thinking...I can't keep treating her like this forever, it's time to wean her off the treats. So what happened...each walk I would bring fewer and fewer treats and each day I would get less and less focus (and more tantrums)... Pat points out the treat is like the dog's paycheck...eventually you can make it an occasional reward, but when behaviors are not yet reliable you need to keep a high rate of reinforcement. I now take a big pocket full of treats (of various kinds) and the result is a much better behaved dog who still gets treated more than before...but really not that much more. To quote Pat: "There is not a shred of doubt in my mind--I would rather have cookies in my jacket pockets than a chain around my dog's neck."

   After a few weeks of high reinforcement on our walks I have a dog that both walks and runs to heel without biting (well most of the time) and one that even focuses when moving past other dogs (even the scary lunching German Shepherd on an electric fence) and children without so much as blinking. PPDT covers the gamut of basic dog training from the beginning with explanations of types of behavior and response, to using the clicker, through to addressing behavior challenges such as separation anxiety and biting. Each chapter is a full lesson that is presented to your dog as tricks or games, so that it doesn't feel like training and there is no need for correction or punishment. It's a great book that opened my eyes to a new level of positive reinforcement training in ways that other books had not.

Just A Reminder There Is Still Time To Vote

2011-02-11T14:48:00.002-05:00

There is still time to vote in our poll...just look to the right!

FitPAWS and a Visit from Our Friend Jinx

2011-02-11T11:46:00.004-05:00

'Puppy Sit'

   For the past month in both Obedience and Agility our trainers have commented on Cassie's rear end/core weakness, which has resulted in a stubborn tendency toward what I call a 'puppy sit'. It's probably not something skeletal (we've had x-rays done), but rather a failure on my part to enforce 'proper' sitting. It wouldn't be that big of a deal to me, but it's a sign of her overall fitness. So we've been working on it with exercises of various
kinds and I'm now considering buying a device from the FitPAWS series.

   FitPAWS are basically just oddly shaped exercise balls that you inflate (like my $10 one from Target), except that they are designed to work your dog's muscle groups in a manner that's easy and safe. The other main difference is that the plasticky material is much thicker than that of an ordinary exercise ball and, therefore, is able to stand up better against trimmed dog nails.

   FitPAWS are a bit expensive for the average canine enthusiast (coming in between $30 - $110 depending on the size and product), but I've heard of many people having real success with them. They are targeted at two main audiences: owners who need to rehab injured or older dogs and owners who do any sort of sport with their dogs. I'm not sure they are a must have for everyone, but there are many of us who could find them helpful either to fix an existing problem or to prevent damage to our pets' joints through total body strengthening. We exercise to prevent damage to ourselves, so it only makes sense to do the same when we are asking a lot of our dogs! Personally, I have dogs on both ends of the spectrum (Cassie needs strength for agility/obedience, Lilly needs rehab for her arthritis and coordination), so it's worth a try.

   Because even I like to 'try before I buy', my friend Tracey very kindly agreed to visit with her dog Jinx and two of the FitPAWS products she has purchased. Jinx is already very strong due to the fact that he competes in both agility and flyball. He also happens to be an Aussie of similar size to Cassie, which helped with figuring out product sizing. Tracey had never put Jinx on the FitPAWS, so what you see in the video are his first attempts. Tracey has purchased both the FitPAWS Peanut (size 60 cm) and the Donut (size Large). Both are intended as the introductory products in the FitPAWS line.

   All three dogs (Jinx, Cassie & Lilly) had a go, but Jinx was the only one we filmed because of a combination of camera angle problems and Lilly not liking other people touching her. Jinx was also the strongest and the best listener. He's also quite handsome!

  We put a towel over the FitPAWS initially, because Cassie's nails are a bit long right now and I thought Lilly might need some extra grip...Jinx did fine with the towel and better without it, so I think in future I'll remember to trim Cassie's nails before we have a go! Cassie also didn't seem so eager to bite the FitPAWS when the towel was on!

   My thoughts: The FitPAWS took awhile to get inflated (thank goodness Tracey has strong arms), but once it was inflated it seemed very sturdy. We had a lot of fun with the product and it did seem to tire the dogs, which is a good sign that they were working. You can see with both products that Jinx is constantly having to readjust his position, meaning that he was constantly working many muscle groups at once! I liked the Donut best for Cassie & Lilly, because it's both more reasonably priced and I would be able to work both dogs (one at a time, haha) on the Large size by myself.

  The Peanut was also easy to use and made the dogs work harder, though I think if I bought it for Cassie I might step up a size to the 70 cm. Tracey intends to use the 60 cm for both Jinx and her Jack Russells, so it made more sense for her to have an inbetween size. The Peanut was a little cumbersome to use with one person and worked better when there was a 'feeder' person at the front and a 'manipulator' at the back. Though with more practice we might be able to manage alone. Maybe it was just the natural exuberance of the Aussie, but unlike the dogs on the DVD Jinx and Cassie were very excited about doing something new and needed a extra guidance. They certainly did not just lie there and allow us to bounce them up and down.

   Do I think they are worth the money?...yes, to some people. Am I going to buy one myself?...yes! I'm putting my order in for the Large Donut today! We're going to fix this 'puppy sit' if it's the last thing I do! I'll keep you updated on our progress.

Do you think your dogs could benefit from some added fitness?

A Poll Instead: Let Me Know What You Want!

2011-02-10T11:40:00.006-05:00

I'm trying to put together a really nice review of FitPaws for tomorrow...which is becoming a little involved... So I thought I would take your pulse and see what you would like to see a review of in future:

1) Kong Wubbas

2) Frisbee Overview

3) Agility Equipment

4) Treats

Feel free to leave comments, to participate in the poll to the right or both! I'll leave it up for a couple days and then write on the result! Thanks guys!

Training Books I Love!

2011-02-09T11:13:00.003-05:00

  The market seems flooded lately with dog training books and rightfully so, as our pets are becoming more and more important in our lives. I have bought so many books, I now have a whole bookshelf dedicated to dog training, so I thought it was about time to list my favorites below.
   I'm not a professional dog trainer, so I need all the help I can get to keep Cassie calm and interested. I also work exclusively with positive methods. I'm not going to say I never utter a correction, but I do try to be a solid and kind leader...which isn't always as easy as it seems.

  My Favorite Training Books:

Kyra Sundance's Do More with Your Dog series:
   After a couple puppy-related books, this was the first set of books I picked up for Cassie. We started taking a Tricks class at our local training facility and these books were the basis of it. Tricks, as Kyra notes, are a great way to start a puppy on the path to loving learning and to thinking for itself. Cassie started out in the class at about 10 weeks old and has stayed with it throughout her first year! It has done wonders for her focus, especially around a class full of other dogs and has helped me ensure that she's curious about new things instead of frightened of them. Though she still doesn't like the sound the wagon makes when she pulls it behind her. We're currently training the 'get me a beer from the fridge' trick...which is on the expert level!

Sorry about the little brown nose in the corner!

Let's face it, these books are great! Kyra is a fun and enthusiastic teacher, who guides you through increasingly more advanced training while teaching your dog to learn through play. Best of all: Your human/dog team can earn titles from Kyra's website! Cassie and I are almost ready to test for our Advanced Trick Dog title. With the completion of a level, you can receive a very pretty certificate, a Do More with Your Dog bracelet and with Kyra has sent us encouraging hand written notes! The DMWYD books are available in most big bookstores or from Amazon and now both a workbook and DVD's are also available (those are on my birthday list).

Kyra is just about to come out with a new Tricks book. I've seen some of the photos already and it looks like this will be another winner! So look for that when it arrives at your local bookstore or on Amazon!

MORE TO COME IN A LITTLE WHILE, including: Leslie McDevitt's Control Unleashed and Pat Miller's The Power of Positive Dog Training!

To All My Lovely Readers

2011-02-08T08:11:00.001-05:00

Cassie and I have just completed an interview for Pet Blogs United's Talkie Tuesdays! It's up and running now! Pet Blogs United is an organization that helps to bring the online pet blogging world together and gets the word out on new/popular pet blogs! They also have some great features of their own! Head on over and give it a glance!

Talkie Tuesday with American Dog Shopper

A Playful Attempt at Treibball!

2011-02-08T08:01:00.000-05:00

This isn't really a review of anything in particular, more a reminder that even regular household items can also be a lot of fun for our dogs! For those of you who don't know, and I'm guess that's lots of you, Treibball is a new dog sport out of Germany that involves teaching your dog to herd large balls.

How it should look

It's designed to work herding dogs (or any dogs really) that don't have a flock of their own to tend. That pretty much sounds like us! We tried to get into the class at a local training facility (not our usual one), but it filled up so fast! Instead we had a go in our basement with an exercise ball my husband bought for $10 at Target. Chris must have found a deal because I can't find it on the Target website for that price anymore. Cassie loved it! She even scored a goal...sort of.
This was a cheap and easy way to work on her herding instincts, (attempt) to teach her not to bite things that move and to get some fun indoor exercise on a day when the backyard looked like a mud hole. Can't wait to get better at it! Maybe someday she will start taking direction...though I doubt it! Give it a try and let me know what you think! Are there any other household items that work as dog toys?? Let me know!

Our 1st Attempt

Nina Ottosson's Interactive Tornado!

2011-02-07T10:09:00.006-05:00

  I found out about Nina Ottosson like I often find good products: watching TV. Victoria Stilwell of It's Me or the Dog fame had a young couple with a bored puppy on and introduced them to one of Nina's toys! I got on Google pretty fast and started reading about Nina and her philosophy on dog toys and really liked it. Cassie got the Tornado for Christmas, which is a spinning three-tiered bone with compartments for food/treats and three insertable covers that make the game harder.

  Any time I need a few minutes of alone time or any time Cassie is having a restless moment, I pull it out and fill it up (usually just with dog kibble, but sometimes with treats or cheese) and set her loose on it. It doesn't take her very long to finish it now that she's figured it out, but it is still fun and rewarding for her. She still has to think about how to figure out each level. The games tire her brain out for awhile and give her a nice incentive to use her nose as well! Sniffing dogs are tired dogs, which means happy dogs!

   Each game (there are several) comes with a training dvd and instructions, but Cassie pretty much figured it out right away and the Tornado is on the hardest level of difficulty. My friend Tracey bought another Nina game for her dogs and the Jack Russell figured it out right away, while the Whippet puppy is still working on it!

   They are a little pricey (around $40), but are very durable (Cassie has only put some tooth marks in it). They can be purchased through Amazon, Nina's website or I'm told even in store at Petco under the Company of Animals heading. I'll put up more reviews of individual games as they come along! Hope you like them as much as we do!

Haltis, Easy Walks & Muzzles: I'm Just Being Honest

2011-02-05T13:15:00.007-05:00

The Easy Walk

I've already expressed my profound love of the Premier Easy Walk harness. Cassie, like many medium-large dogs, was an instant puller. She actually used to pull in both directions (backwards and forwards) and she would become very excited during classes and would charge through the door and race for other dogs. A great deal of time, patience and training has helped to bring an end to all these issues (for the most part) and the use of the Easy Walk in the early days did a great deal to help! What I liked best about it, as one of my trainers pointed out, is that it doesn't put any pressure on the fragile muscles and bones of the puppy's neck and head, instead transferring all the pressure to the chest. The Easy Walk made Cassie more manageable and, therefore, easier to focus for training. It wasn't a long term device (though we do still pull it out for large crowds and lots of children), but was instead simply a short term management tool and training device. Once the training was completed and there was no longer any bad behavior to manage the device went away and we are now on a very nice martingale collar (she still likes to pull backwards from time to time).

The Halti

   Now that Cassie is a year old and a good walker, I decided it was time to start training a new behavior...running! This brought on a new set of issues that needed to be curbed and corrected, namely her herding instinct. Many people will tell you about herding dogs (Border Collies, Aussies, etc) that will nip at the heels of fleeing children. My herding dog, unfortunately, chose to herd me during our brief stints of unbridled running. It was becoming such a problem that even our agility practice in the backyard was becoming a daily onslaught of nips and increasingly upsetting bites. So with my arms black-and-blue, I went to my trainers in tears. They suggested moving onto the next step in the harness line: a head harness. My trainer recommended starting with the Halti, so that is where we started.

   The Halti is a fairly simple device that fits over the dog's nose and secures behind its head. It's not a muzzle, but it can be used to slip a hand up the nose loop and close the dog's mouth while turning its head away for a moment. That should be enough to control the episode of nipping, while not harming the dog in any way.

  One of the key elements of the Halti (or any head collar I've seen) is the need to desensitize the dog to its presence. So, over the past two weeks that's what we've been working on. We're up to the point where she'll happily wear it around the house with a leash trailing. We haven't yet gotten to the point where we could resume our walks (let alone our runs) with the Halti. In the meantime, I have resorted to a somewhat more drastic management device: a muzzle.

The muzzle

I'm not happy about it. The muzzle I purchased makes her look like a dead ringer for Hannibal Lecter and I'm acutely aware of the looks we get from the neighbors, but it has allowed us to start desensitizing Cassie to the movement of me running. For the first time we're able to run like a normal pair without my having to worry about soaking bruises afterwards. I'm not going to recommend the muzzle I bought from Amazon. The basket is made of cheap plastic and the straps are very flimsy, but what is most inconvenient is that the buckle that allows you to resize the neck strap is useless. It constantly slips loose and the whole muzzle comes off. So I'm going to look for a better one, unless I can phase out the muzzle completely before then. Like I said this is a temporary management tool; we're going to wean her off the muzzle and onto the Halti and then hopefully onto nothing at all. Training devices can't become crutches, I'm aware of that, but this seems to be the best solution for the time being. We'll keep you updated on our progress. Now stop looking at us like that!

An Update on Petunia

2011-02-04T16:08:00.001-05:00

Petunia Pig is still alive and fairly well! After three days of a full on love affair between Cassie and Petunia, the poor pig has lost a tail, the better part of two ears and her cute piggy snout is quickly disintegrating! But for the most part, she is right as rain! Unfortunately, someone (me) left the door open and Chris found the poor pig out back in a big mud puddle. He's now cleaning her up and hoping she can be saved from the washing machine! I'll report back soon!

Petunia has been saved! She cleaned up pretty well actually! Good on you Mighty Dog toy company!

I thought a big photo might show the extent of the damage (not so much really)! Pardon the obstruction in front of the poor pig! Someone (ahem) literally couldn't keep her paws off of her pig long enough for me to take a photo!

The Pet Carrier That Nearly Ruined Christmas!

2011-02-04T09:52:00.005-05:00

Since the moment we brought Cassie home I tried to acclamate her to simply lying in the back seat of the car while I'm driving. Well, that was fine when she was ten pounds and I could still drive with one hand and hold her at bay in the passenger seat with the other. However, now that she is 50 lbs and very excited about car rides leaving her loose in the car is just not an option.
We've tried seat belt harnesses, dividers and putting her in both the front and the back seats. Finally on one 5 mile drive home from training when I had pulled over for the 3rd time to get her back in her seat belt (she really is a houdini dog) I decided that it was time to buy a crate. Well, maybe Christmas time wasn't the best time to try it out, but I am a glutton for punishment. So one day on the spur of the moment I picked up a collapsible dog crate from Target and brought it home to try it out...what a mistake:

The Boots & Barkley Large Pop Open Dog Kennel:

   I start in my defense: At this point I still wasn't sold on the idea of carrying a dog kennel around in the back of my car, so the facts that it is 1) cheap ($25) and 2) collapsible had the impulse shopper in me interested. In addition, I was increasingly desperate for an end to my daily stops along the side of the interstate to re-fit a seat-belt harness. I brought the Pop Open Kennel home on a whim and carefully read the brief instructions (that were also unclear). From the beginning, I was never able to get the thing back into the tight circle it came in (even though that was meant to be a selling feature). It wasn't frightening to Cassie, but I did do some work with getting her used to being inside the kennel when it was zipped up. She seemed fine.
   On Christmas morning my husband sat in the passenger seat straddling a bucket of brining cornish game hens while holding Lilly, who was instantly asleep in his lap and Cassie jumped right into the Pop Up Kennel that my husband had meticulously fitted into the backseat. To say she didn't like it was an understatement. We made it to the end of our neighborhood before trouble started with scratching and clawing at the filmsy material of the kennel walls. The next problem came a quarter mile down the road, when Cassie somehow tipped the kennel towards the footwell, which resulted in her becoming trapped within the collapsed sides of the kennel in the footwell screaming frantically for help. It was a terrible start to Christmas morning! I pulled over, extracted my dog from the kennel and ripped it out of the car, folded it as much as possible and threw it in the trunk...My husband spent the rest of the ride to my parents' house in the backseat with Cassie, while Lilly slept by herself in the front seat. When we finally pulled into my parents' driveway, I had to wait with Cassie until my father could bring Tobey's old Crate up from the basement so we could enjoy opening presents without chew marks!

  Moral of the story folks: If your dog won't sit still in the car and can get out of seatbelts like mine can, just buckle down and buy the biggest hard-sided crate that will fit in your car. I did (The Petmate Kennel) and I've not seen the shoulder of the interstate since.

Cassie's 1st Birthday!

2011-02-02T12:45:00.004-05:00

Today is Cassie's 1st birthday, so in recognition of how much she's grown I've added a few pics below.

   For the occasion we went to Petsmart so that she could pick out a present! After ten minutes of trying out everything from squeaker balls, Jolly Balls, rope toys and a few plush items she kept coming back to one choice: the Mighty Dog Toys Pink Pig. I also picked out something I thought she would benefit from the Tuffy Ultimate Tug-o-War. In the mail (and hopefully arriving soon thanks to the weather) is a new agility tunnel, but she doesn't know that yet so please don't tell her.

  1. The Mighty Dog Toys Piglet:
   What can I say she picked out something that she clearly loved. When I told her it was ok she picked it up, carried it to the front of the store, handed it to the gentleman at the counter and waited patiently until we got back in the car where I handed it over. She hasn't put it down since.
     The pig ranks an 8 on the Dura-scale provided by www.mydogtoy.com, which they state means it’s "Long lasting and really durable." It seems to be true (so far). It's constructed of several layers of dense fleece and has no edges to encourage chewing and she really likes just carrying it around and chasing it across the floor. By the time we got home the tail was gone, but that I expected. Time will tell whether it is a long lasting favorite. PS: It also makes a good pillow!

2. The Tuffy Ultimate Tug-o-War:
Can't comment on this too much yet, she is still too fixated on the pig. I picked it up mainly to encourage backward tugging that might strengthen her thigh muscles (her trainers think she is weak in the inner thighs). So we'll see how it goes.

Just a note that I've signed up to be a product tester for www.mydogtoy.com. Every other month I will now be purchasing one of their toys and telling you (and them) about it. The incentive is that it comes with a 45% discount on their toys, but you have to agree to buy one ever other month (you can increase or decrease the frequency, but the discount also shifts). In this age of transparency I thought I would let you know! You can join too, it's not like it's an exclusive club. You just have to agree to follow the plan (it really is a good discount on a wide variety of toys!) Happy shopping! And Happy Birthday to My Not-so-little Puppy!

Is the Hartz Tuff Stuff Line Really Tuff Enough?

2011-02-01T13:07:00.008-05:00

   The Hartz Tuff Stuff line is widely available at most big stores like Walmart and even Giant grocery stores. I always stop by the dog toy aisle for new stuff or bargins and have found the Hartz toys very good for short term (ie quickly destroyed) use. The common toy manufacturers phrase: "For play only. Supervise your pet"is clearly written on all Hartz toys (translation: we are not responsible if your dog rips it up, swallows big sharp pieces and then costs you thousands of dollars in surgery to have them removed). It's true that some dogs will be able to rip up anything and should of course be monitored especially with soft toys, but there should be strong toys out there for our Super Chewers. So, when I came across the Tuff Stuff line I was excited but dubious about the prospect of taking something home that wouldn't end up in the trash by evening.
   To my surprise, the material stands up well and Cassie has fallen in love with a wide variety of them. Three examples:

   1. Hartz Tuff Stuff Flyer:
   This is a frisbee style disk made of ballistic nylon. It has a squeeker in the middle, three large openings that make for great tugging and easy catching and the outer circle is lined with a flexible wire (I think it's wire) reenforcement. So far after several weeks of use there are no complaints with this toy. It has stood up to throwing, tugging, outright chewing, and freezing in snow and then chewing all without so much as the painted decoration coming off. It flies well without much effort and happily the flexible wire makes the return attack in a toothy mouth less like being run into with a plastic knife and more like being hit by a fast moving teddy bear. The best feature for me has been how much fun tugging is with this flyer. Cassie can be in a full backwards pull, over and over and not so much as a stitch will pop! That's saying something if you've ever had a 50 lb Aussie on the other end of a normal plastic frisbee. It's one of my top toys and I'll buy another one if this one ever gives out.

   2. Hartz Tuff Stuff Retriever:
   After the success of the Flyer I went back to Walmart and picked up the Retriever, which is really just a soft bumper with rope knots on the end. Again the ballistic nylon body has held up amazingly (I left it out for Cassie to chew away on it without problems). She liked carrying it around the house or chasing it down and really liked to tug on it. The major problem I found with the retriever was the rope knots on the end. By the end of the second day of tugging I guess some small stitch holding the knot together tore and left me with nothing but an immediately unravelled tail that Cassie then started gagging on. I tried re-tying it with no luck and thought about cutting the the knot tails off and keeping the body, but the tails seem to be imbedded in such a way that this can't be done and now the stuffing is starting to fall out the bottom. The more we tugged the more the stitching that held the tails in place (and the bottom of the body closed) started to snap and pull loose. Sad that such a small thing has made a big difference in what was otherwise a great toy. To the trash it goes....

The Retriever: Day 2

  3. The Hartz Tuff Nose Divers (Ducks):
   When Cassie was a puppy we started her playing with the plush quacker ducks that are available now from a wide variety of companies (including Hartz). Now, the super chewer that she is, these soft ducks quickly loose first their feet and then their necks (and stuffing). So a tougher alternative was a joyful find. Like the other Tuff Stuff products, the body (including beak) of the duck in made from ballistic nylon and held up well to chewing, tugging, etc. I would have liked to see a squeeker of some kind. The tail/handle of the duck was a thick twisted rope inside of which a flexible wire was placed to give it some body. By-and-large these were great toys and stood up pretty well. They were only thrown away once the beak had been successfully chewed through by miss Cassie. I have seen photos from other reviewers who did not "Supervise Your Pet" and the ducks are basically gone, leaving some nylon and rope covered wire (see the Amazon Review for these photos).
   They were good for fetch or for playing our favorite game of "Duck on a Stick," which is a must for all herding dogs. I've bought new ones since the old ones went kaput so I guess it was worth the money, but you do need to watch your dog with this one.

A Poodle?!?!?

2011-01-30T10:19:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure I agree with this, but I guess others often have a better prospective on ourselves than we do. No offense to Poodle people out there, but I don't think anyone would describe me as prissy. Hmm...maybe I'll try again.

The Rubit (You'll Probably Want This)

2011-01-29T10:49:00.008-05:00

The Rubit
I was introduced to the Rubit by Modern Dog magazine a few weeks before Christmas and low-and-behold it ended up in my stocking come Christmas Day! Cassie has several harnesses and collars that I switch out depending on the day's activity. It was a real pain having to switch out her dog tags each time or simply make her wear multiple collars because I was too lazy to do so. Now, I just put all of the tags on this carabiner style clip and pop it onto whichever collar or harness she has on. The only draw back I've found is that they do jingle-jangle a bit more than normal, but this hardly outweighs the convenience and safety.

I can put her id, rabies, dog tax and her microchip tags on any collar in a second, which makes me feel safer taking her out. I have the large round Rubit, which cost only $8 and was worth every penny. They can be purchased directly from the Rubit source site or on Amazon. The Rubit site has a bigger selection than Amazon. It's a must for any busy pet owner.

Anything You've Been Wondering About?

2011-01-28T13:42:00.002-05:00

Just a friendly reminder that if there is something you'd like to see reviewed, just send me a comment and I'll happily try it out for you!

Times I've Been Led Astray

2011-01-28T11:54:00.001-05:00

   Though by-and-large I actually do like most of the products I end up bringing (or having delivered) home, there are always those few items that go even more quickly than they came. Here are two examples that I've either thrown away or returned in the last few months:

  1. The Inflatable Collar
   Around Thanksgiving time Cassie had some pretty extensive surgery along with a general spay. This left her looking like a Franken-puppy and because of her history as a fixated licker, she was forced to wear a pretty uncomfortable cone to bed for about two weeks. The basic plastic cone that the vet sent us home with was a bit awkward to get on and a little uncomfortable for Cass, but seemed to do the job. That is until one morning when I came down to find that she had somehow gotten it off and spent a good portion of the night chewing on it.
   In desperation, I headed to our local Petsmart where instead of getting another cone I picked up an inflatable collar that claimed to do the same job with less stress on the dog. It wasn't cheap (around $30) and more annoying was the fact that it took ages (and all of my cheek strength) to get the darned thing blown up. Cassie adjusted to the inflated collar fairly quickly, but she always seems to be ok with wearing most things (the cone did take a little while). Unfortunately, she adjusted to the new collar a little too well as she immediately lay down on the rug and started licking her stitches. So, after almost 20 min spent blowing the thing up, it didn't work at all. I put it back in the box, got back in the car and handed it back to the same woman I had purchased it from a few hours before. When I explained why I was returning it she said: "Oh, this is the 2nd one that's been returned today. That person said the same thing."
   The message I took away was this: These inflatable collars must work for some dogs, but clearly dogs with longer snouts (most shepherds and hounds) will be able to reach right past them. Stick with tradition in this case and deal with fitting the cone. Oh! And Petsmart are very good at taking returns without giving any grief.

  2. Bottle Buddies
   Bottle Buddies are basically just a soft shell on the outside of a plastic bottle, so your dog can enjoy the bottle without threat of injury. I bought this one from Clean Run on the recommendation of one of my trainers who said her Frenchies loved it. Cassie and I had a go in Tricks class with the trainer's Buddies one night and she did indeed seem to find the crunching and crinkling sounds a joy and continued tugging away all through class.
   I purchased one from Clean Run the next day (though I bought a fox shape that doesn't seem to be available anymore). I knew Cassie already like foxes, because she loves the plush stuffingless Crazy Critters foxes you can get a Petsmart, Petco, Target, etc. I was right, she really liked the Bottle Buddies! So much so that it was in pieces within ten minutes, after which the bottle that came inside was out and being chewed as well.
   Granted, my dog is a super chewer and has a history of being tough on plush things (beds, blankets, socks, soft toys), but the company claims it is supposed to be able to stand up to chewing due to it's "durable ballistic nylon" lining. All and all, I paid $7 + shipping for Cassie for it to go in the trash within minutes. Not a toy for dogs that chew. Boo hoo.

My Thoughts on Dog Clothes

2011-01-27T10:05:00.002-05:00

I will begrudgingly admit that I am one of those people who look down upon owners who dress their dogs as dolls. Every time I see a be-tutued Chihuahua coming down the street in someone's handbag I have to hold back a visible cringe. However, I do think there are some very valid reasons for purchasing some minimal dog-wear for certain situations and I have after many attempts found some pieces that I think do the best job with the least fuss.

1. The Martha Stewart Collection at Petsmart:

   As I've mentioned previously, Lilly weighs eight pounds, is nearly 14 years old and is becoming increasingly arthritic. As a result, she easily becomes cold and will shiver even in the house. This wasn't so much of a problem when she lived with my parents who keep the thermostat at a balmy 75 F, but we also have an Aussie puppy who lives in our house and she spends most of her indoor time panting. The solution: Lilly now wears a very cute and simple Martha Stewart sweater from Petsmart. I tried and returned a total of three sweaters before anteing up the few extra dollars for the Martha Stewart brand and I wouldn't go back.
   What I like about this sweater is that it's warm (made of a wool material). I also really liked the fit. Lilly is a bit difficult to find sweaters for because either the neck always seem too tight or the body always seems too long. The Martha Stewart sweater seemed to fit perfectly without the need for any alterations and to top it off the front leg holes can be opened via two buttons. This has been especially helpful with Lilly's arthritis, because it often hurts her to bend her front legs through traditional leg holes. All in all, the best sweater I've found for a tiny dog and probably also the cutest.

   2. Ruff Wear's K-9 Overcoat:
   If you are looking for a simple and lightweight coat for your dog for misty mornings or (as I've found this morning) 7am walks in a foot of snow, the Ruff Wear Overcoat is one of the best items on the market. I spent several months before Christmas pouring over reviews and online descriptions, before sending my husband down to our local REI (only 2 hrs away) and making him pick this coat up. As an Aussie Cassie's natural coat is both very dense (it's actually a double coat) and waterproof. However, we spend a lot of time outdoors hiking and walking and with Cassie's energy level we can't skip a day's walk because of bad weather.
   So I was looking for a coat that was easy to fit, light enough not to cause over-heating during long periods of exercise and that would keep her body dry in the rain. This Ruff Wear coat wasn't inexpensive, but it was reasonable at $60. It fits over the dogs head and then secures with two simple clips at the side and has two reflective band that run along the dog's flanks, making early mornings and winter evenings safer for both of us. The best part is that Cassie doesn't seem to know it's there. She has in the past protested to having things put on her back (leashes, towels, etc), but after a few times out it was as if the coat had passed her "you're alright" test. And that's alright with me.

The Mat of All Mats

2011-01-25T10:39:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite secret gems of dog training equipment sites is Clean Run. You can find everything you need to perform dog sports at any level, but you can also find some high quality and fun toys and equipment for the average dog owner. I've spent so much money at Clean Run it's really not funny and my favorite all time purchase (and something Cassie uses on a daily basis) is the Mutt Mat.

The Mutt Mat was developed to act alongside the training style of Control Unleashed creator Leslie McDevitt. One of Leslie's founding principle's is the use of mat-work to give your dog a safe place to stay in public, to develop longer down stays, and to help reactive or sight-stimulated dogs control the impulse to run. Cassie and I have used the mat to gain better focus in Obedience classes (down stays are hard for energetic puppies), to give her a solid and comfortable place to stay when I am taking instruction during class and as a place to hold and stay when guests come to our house that don't particularly like dog kisses.
Leslie's program is amazing and totally positive, but the mat has been the biggest take away for us. The Mutt Mat is made of a soft, but strong material that, while not chew proof, has stood up to Cassie. They are sleek, come in a variety of colors and fold up like a half-sized yoga mat with a drawstring for convenient transport. I can also attest to the fact that the mat stands up well to machine washing, as I've washed it over a dozen times and it still looks like new. My friends Jack Russell even peed in the middle of it and it washed out with no discoloration. Even if you don't want to go through the Control Unleashed process you will still benefit from having a transportable mat for you dog when you leave the house, because you are giving your dog a safe place no matter where you go. It's a great trick indoors and out, from a very useful site. So get your mat-work started!

Dogzilla Turbo Disc (Another Frisbee Toy Down the Drain)

2011-01-23T11:43:00.001-05:00

Most average dog owners love a game of ball or frisbee with their pups, but you have to be careful that the product you pick up at the market is everything you need. For example, I love the Tuffy's rings that are soft, but still fly quite well with little effort. I even recommend the Kong Frisbees that don't fly as well, but are pliable enough not to hurt your dog or you when it's caught and then returned. A frisbee I'm not going to recommend is the Dogzilla Turbo Disc.

By and large the Dogzilla line (available online and from Walmart) is a good one. They offer a great range of products from tug balls to freezer pops (Arctic Bones) that Cassie really loves. Unfortunately, the Turbo Disc just doesn't come up to snuff. First of all it does not fly very well thanks to the large hole in the middle. I like this feature in theory for it makes the disc easier for the dog to catch and carry. However, in this case the hole makes the disc fly awkwardly and not as far. It really frustrated my husband who is a long time Ultimate player and expects a lot of out of a frisbee. Secondly, the disc is made of a hard plastic that is too rigid for the average dog. Yes, there are dogs who will go all day long for your average run of the mill frisbee, but most dogs prefer a little give. Overall this is not a big deal.

What does make me unhappy is that I can't leave this frisbee around in the yard or the house because Cassie likes nothing better than to chew on the rigid plastic. I wouldn't normally mind except that the packaging clearly states that the Turbo Disc should not be used as a chew (translation: we know your dog will want to chew it, but we haven't been able to make it so that it can't be torn into little indigestible pieces). Also, as Cassie has helpfully demonstrated, chewing the edges of the disc affects how it flies and makes the whole flight even worse than before.

In summation: There are a cast of great frisbee toys on the market for all levels of frisbee dog, this just isn't one of them. Sorry Dogzilla.

Time Has Come to Name and Shame

2011-01-21T08:12:00.000-05:00

   In contrast to my list of wonderful everyday dog products that I can't live without, there are a few items off the bat that I want to point out as having a number of fatal flaws. These were items I was excited about at the time of purchase, but that upon use were clearly not up to the job and some were even dangerous.

1. The Premier Eco Line
   Now a days, everyone wants to believe that they are doing their part for the enviornment and like most people I subscribe to the 3 R's (reduce, reuse, recycle). In theory, Premier has done a good thing by attempting to source materials from recycled sources for their Eco line. I have to admit what drew me to this selection of products originally were the bright colors (especially the granny smith green) as opposed to the more muted shades of the traditional line. I was to be disappointed on many fronts.
   Firstly, a cursory look at any of the Amazon comments will lead you to see that many people are upset with the quality and durability of the product. It is very light weight, but not strong enough to stand up to any pulling dog. It also stretches to a degree that makes it useless for traditional Obedience training (stick with leather on this front). It won't withstand even the lightest chewing. Worst of all, I took it to an agility class (because it was light enough for a puppy to drag) and before we got in the door a squirrel sent Cassie on a tear and ended up costing me several bandaids worth of cut fingers and blisters. The leash sliced right through my skin and basically ruined our evening before it had begun. I know that some pain may have been caused by any leash when a dog takes off full sprint, but the thinness of the leash mixed with the material acted almost like a knife. This has never happened with any other leash I've owned (even the cheap ones from Walmart). I wouldn't by the Eco line from Premier in any form or for any function. It just isn't worth the money (or the pain).

2. Target's Fold 2 Go Travel Pet Bowls

I bought these to take to class and to take hiking so that I would have something easy to pack and then fold up when we were done. The first time I used the water bowl was on a hiking trip. I filled it, the dog drank out of it, I zipped it and put it back in my bag and an hour later all of my field books were soaked. I thought this might just be a problem I was having, but other reviewers have commented on the same problem. The food bowl, I never used so I can't comment. Both bowls ended up in the trash a few weeks later. A cheap and useless product that causes more harm than good.

Let's Get Started: A Few of My Favorites

2011-01-20T15:03:00.002-05:00

I believe it is always best to start with the positive, so here are a few of my favorite products on the canine market today:

1. JW Pet Company Hol-ee Roller

   This toy is as wonderful as it is simple and can work for any dog that loves to tug, fetch, chase, and throw. This is far and away Cassie's favorite thing in the world (next to chicken). It is pretty much indestructible, flies through the air, has just enough heft to be a something fun to carry around (for the dog, not for you). More practically, it's easy to clean and comes in a number of sizes, colors and styles. It is an essential part of my dog's life and I think yours will love it too.

2. Tuffy's Ultimate Ring Dog Toy

   Tuffy's products are always one to recommend for strong chewers and this ring is no exception. Cassie has had the same one since she was a puppy (and Daddy still harbored hopes of her ditching agility for Disc Dog). It flies just like a regular frisbee, but is soft on the mouth. It stands up to the strongest chewers and the hole in the middle provides an added way for the dog to carry the ring back to you. Unlike a regular frisbee it is soft on both mouths and hands and it bends when someone runs into Mommy's leg. It also has a couple of squeakers thrown in, so you can get your dogs attention during play or it can be used to encourage dogs who don't normally play with frisbees to bite and squeak a disc shape. However, like a frisbee it flies far and fast, can be used for tugging and can be thrown as a target for the dog to begin practicing tricks like flips, air spins and over the back jumps. The only draw back for this toy is that the fuzzy material does get very muddy and can be a bit hard to keep clean. I put mine in the washer and though the squeaker faired alright, there was some residual water in them.

3. Premier Easy Walk Harness

   I would not be able to survive walking four miles a day without the Easy Walk by Premier. Aussies are strong pullers and in order to save her neck as a puppy I put Cassie on the Easy Walk at the suggestion of one of my trainers. After a little help from a clerk at my local Petsmart in properly fitting the harness, Cassie took to it almost immediately and became much more manageable both on walks and in class. At a year old, we are now transitioning to a martingale collar and guess what: she still doesn't pull. I still take the Easy Walk when we are going to be somewhere that I need more control: shopping centers, parks, places with kids, and hiking. It offers that extra assurance that she won't be able to wiggle loose and I can keep her close without putting any strain on her neck or throat.
   I will offer a few caveats: Sizing and fit are both very important with the Easy Walk. If you size too small you risk causing discomfort and irritation. Whereas, if you size too big or do not adjust the fit properly the Easy Walk will become too loose to do its job and you risk your dog getting free. Luckily, the gods at Premier seem to have recognized these issues and offer a very wide range of sizes, though only small, medium and large are commonly available in stores like Petsmart and Petco. Cassie now falls into what is called a "tweener" size, which I've had to order through Amazon both times (I left her unattended once and came back to find she had chewed through the first one: this was my fault not the Easy Walk's).

4. Dogswell Vitality for Dogs
   I use a wide variety of treats for our dogs and I've tried even more. When I want a packaged treat that is easy to come by and isn't going to cost the moon I turn to Dogswell Vitality (which is just a dehydrated chicken breast). Cassie and Lilly both seem to love this and it makes a great everyday treat (Tobey doesn't really like it, but then I am starting to wonder if he is a vegetarian). I take it to training and use it when I think Cassie has already had too much string cheese. It comes in strips that make it more convenient to transport, but must be broken up into smaller pieces prior to training as it can become a bit fiddly. I mostly use it around the house for training or good girl biscuits. I like that it has such a high chicken content and that it also offers some essential oils, but most of all I just like how much the dogs seem to like it. The fact that it's real chicken means that is has a pleasing smell even for humans (not something I can often say of the smelly treats my dogs enjoy) and it is very clean on the hands leaving no bad smells or residue. If you carry it around in your pockets like I do for training you will find chicken dust in your pockets, but that is true of almost all treats that have to be broken up. Cassie likes these much better than any flavor of Zukes (which I'm sure I'll get to in another post), though the Vitality does loose out to fresh cooked chicken (sorry Dogswell).

   Vitality can be conviently purchased at Target, though I haven't seen it at Petsmart of Petco yet. It can also be found online at Amazon.

Welcome to American Dog Shopper

2011-01-20T13:59:00.000-05:00

Lilly & Cassie

I'm here to answer your questions about the latest and greatest (and the worst) dog products on the market today. I'll tell you what I've bought, how it performed and give you tips on the best ways to play with your canine companion. I'm no expert dog trainer, my dogs don't hold a million titles and I would never call myself anything more than an enthusiastic owner of two the sweetest and orneriest dogs in the USA.

Tobey

This blog came about mainly from my own desire to share my thoughts and feelings about dog products and the treatment they received from my less than gentle Australian Shepherd puppy Cassie, her older sister Lilly and my mother's little boy Tobey. I won't often write about dog food (there are some really great sites for that already) though I will discuss certain treats and chews on the market. I will also try to avoid links to obscure products that I don't think the average dog owner will enjoy. Most of the items I'll bring before you can be purchased at your garden variety mega-mall pet stores (Petco, Petsmart etc) or online from Amazon. When I do direct you to something outside of the general market it will only be because it was wonderful and I think your best friend will really enjoy it.
Whether you own a 100 lb ball of energy or a 5 lb snoozer (or any combination in between) you'll find info here on the best and worst of what is available to dog owners on the market today, as seen through the eyes of my own furry friends. Feel free to send me questions about products that I don't have up and I will let the trouble makers try them out and let you know what to expect before you shell out anymore cold hard cash on a toy or harness or bed that isn't fun, doesn't work or is way too easy to destroy/hard to clean.