Swag the Dog Dog Product Blog FetchDog FetchDog.com

RuffWear's Performance Dog Gear encourages you to get outside with your dog!

2009-07-02T00:00:00Z

Dogs, humans, fun and being a friend to the earth - that's what it's all about around here at RuffWear... I am so proud to be a part of a team of people working to enhance and inspire outdoor adventures for dogs and their humans. If you are lucky enough to have a dog pal, get outside and...

Celebrate the red, white and blue - and save a little green

2009-07-02T00:00:00Z

Fireworks are wonderful - unless they send your dog running for cover. Sparklers are great. And the idea of barbeque has everyone dooling - even us humans. What could be better than a long, Fourth of July weekend? An Independence Day sale, which is exactly what you'll find at...

Take Your Dog to Work Day

2009-06-26T00:00:00Z

Sometimes, it may seem like your office is going to the dogs. But today, it really will be. FetchDog and Bring Pets Home are co-sponsoring Pet Sitters International Take Your Dog To Work Day.I work in a fairly formal environment, but from time to time, I bring Cassidy to the office. She's a big,...

Who made that? A West Paw designer shares his passion for dog supplies

2009-06-23T00:00:00Z

Remember when Mom came to pick you up from school and you got to show her the wall with all the colored sheets of paper? You were so delighted to point out which sheet you colored on the wall. You took the time to stay within the lines and you put your heart into making the shading...

Everything's Going Swimmingly

2009-06-19T00:00:00Z

When we talk about Cassidy's favorite things, it's like alphabet soup.W-A-L-K. G-O. R-I-D-E. R-U-N.But not even spelling can fool our Golden Retriever mix when we talk about her favorite activity: S-W-I-M. Her tail's wagging before we got to "W".Stella, our Belgian Malinois,...

Up Country - Proud makers of stylish dog collars since 1984

2009-06-16T00:00:00Z

Twenty years ago, I found myself bored with the dull and uninteresting collars available for my beloved dog. Like most dog lovers, my pooch has a personality and I couldn't see why he couldn't have a dog collar to match his colorful personality. I started Up Country in 1984 but I could...

A tail we could wag - Promoting an age-old artform

2009-06-12T00:00:00Z

The driving force for what we do has always been a genuine love for man's best friend. Two decades ago it was a poem by W. H. Auden that really captured the essence of our company and led to our somewhat unusual name, "...in moments of joy, all of us wish we possessed a tail we could...

A Toy Story

2009-06-12T00:00:00Z

Nothing is more fun than puppy playtime in the summertime - unless you add a few of our favorite outdoor dog toys.If your dogs are anything like ours, they're a menace to Frisbees everywhere. But even the most avid chewers are no match for the Tuff Chew Mini Disk. Made of soft, flexible rubber,...

Unleashed enthusiasm

2009-06-05T00:00:00Z

The days of sitting, staying, rolling over and playing dead are behind us. Now that warm weather is here to stay, it's time to get out and walk - or run.As the "mom" of two dogs, I used to get tied in knots when I tried to walk them together. Then I discovered the Knot a Long...

The Birth of Kurgo - Dog Travel Made Easy

2009-06-03T00:00:00Z

In 2003, I started Kurgo in a Pratt Institute broom closet as a pilot incubator program. Although the space was small, my mission was large; to develop high-quality products that solve problems people encounter every day. The first pet product we developed was the Kurgo ...

New and Snout-worthy

2009-05-27T00:00:00Z

When the latest FetchDog catalog arrived, I jumped and rolled over. Our neighbors must've though I'm barking mad, but I don't care. At our house, dogs rule (and our cat really does drool -- I'm not just saying that because it rhymes).The catalog is jam-packed with goodies for active dogs and...

Seeing Dog Eyes

2009-05-26T00:00:00Z

She could've been a show dog.That's the running joke in our house about Stella, our little stunner of a Belgian Malinois. She's a beauty queen, to be sure. And she struts across our area rug like it's the green carpet at Westminster. But we're quite sure her desire to herd the judges and all of...

Go Dog Go!

2009-05-14T00:00:00Z

This time of year, you're not just thinking of spring cleaning - you're thinking of spring greening. Visions of lush green grass are dancing in your head. Too bad your dogs think of your lawn as their own personal restroom. And if you live where it snows, the thaw can...

Rest Insured

2009-05-08T00:00:00Z

You've gotta know when to hold 'em. Know when to scold 'em. Know when to walk the dog. Know when to run.You never count your money while you're sitting in the lobby. There'll be time enough for counting when the vet is done.Not to be crass (and not to go all Kenny Rogers on you), but...

A stinky situation

2009-05-04T00:00:00Z

It was a night we'll never forget. My husband and I had just installed our deck, and we didn't think twice before opening the French doors and letting our dogs, Cassidy and Stella, outside to do their business. Yes, it was late and it was dark, but we'd done the same thing hundreds of times...

Presidential Puppy Training

2009-04-28T00:00:00Z

Anyone who wore Nikes in the early 1990s will remember the "Bo Knows" ad campaign. As the TV spot went, Bo Jackson, a professional baseball and football player, knew how to do everything - tennis, hockey, basketball, you name it. The only thing he wasn't cut out for was guitar, as Bo...

April Showers - Rain Gear For Dogs

2009-04-16T00:00:00Z

Sure, April showers bring May flowers. But they also bring dirty, wet, smelly dogs.Well, they used to, anyway - before we discovered FetchDog. Our dogs, Stella and Cassidy, can't seem to resist anything muddy, wet or gross. And we're guessing your dogs can't either. Which...

Think Pink

2009-04-10T00:00:00Z

Dahling, you look stunning. Your nails? Manicured. Your bag? Designer. Your dog? Adorable.It's nothing but the best for you. Why should you treat your pooch any differently? For you, fashionistas, FetchDog has introduced the Pink Dog Shop, full of all sorts of canine fabulosities. And I know from...

Those Dirty Dogs

2009-04-03T00:00:00Z

In the spring, a young dog's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of ? mud.Sure, you want your four-legged friends to frolic after a long, cold winter. But they've never met a mud puddle, stinky pond or dirty path they didn't like. And you don't want your floors, furniture and car upholstery to suffer...

Shedding Solutions

2009-03-27T00:00:00Z

Sometimes, our house feels like a fur factory.When it was just Cassidy, our long-haired Golden Retriever mix, our dog problems were bad enough. But when Stella, a short-haired Belgian Malinois, joined the family, things went from hairy to scary. Between the two of them, they put off enough fur...

Don't let the dog beds bite

2009-03-20T00:00:00Z

Long ago, when I was a kid, our Sheltie, Dandy (no, I didn't name him), slept on an old piece of shag carpet left over from the construction of our new house. It was about 3/4 of an inch thick, and its color would have been a perfect match for the lustrous harvest gold of my grandmother's...

In a lather

2009-03-13T00:00:00Z

Your dogs have a love-hate relationship with water which makes dog grooming at home a problem. They spot a mud puddle and they're rolling in it before you even know what happened. You're at the lake and they won't even wait for you to throw a stick before jumping off the dock. ...

Sheep Thrills

2009-03-06T00:00:00Z

I admit it: when my husband and I adopted a purebred Belgian Malinois from the local shelter, we hadn't exactly done our homework. A few months earlier, we asked the shelter to call us if a large-breed puppy showed up. Well, the whole litter did ? and their parents, too. When we saw Stella, we...

Natural Dog Supplements

2009-02-27T00:00:00Z

Cassidy can swim with the puppies. And she still gives squirrels a run for their acorns. But at 13, she's getting a little white in the whisker - and a little slow moving up and down stairs. Last winter, she had surgery for a torn ACL, and our veterinarian told us one of the residual effects may...

A Dog Gated Community

2009-02-20T00:00:00Z

Sure, baby gates serve a purpose - for moms. And people who couldn't care less about the way a white plastic grate looks next to their new granite countertops.But the design-savvy dog lover wants something a little more, shall we say, refined. That's where these freestanding gates and...

Control Your Dog in a Crowd With the Right Dog Supplies

2009-02-13T00:00:00Z

We're big dog-lovers here at FetchDog, so when we threw a big party recently, the invites said BYOD - Bring Your Own Dog. Hundreds of people and dozens of dogs attended the celebration at our Portland, Maine headquarters.The dogs were well-behaved and well-controlled. Why? ...

Lucky Mascot Dog Clothes To Be Featured on The Martha Stewart Show

2009-01-09T00:00:00Z

How hip and classy is FetchDog style? Well, classy enough to be seen on the Martha Stewart Show. On Monday January 12th, My Mascot's product line will be featured on Martha's show - complete with a dog fashion show. Word on the street is that Martha's favorite dog coat is the...

Holiday Gift Ideas For Dogs

2008-12-10T00:00:00Z

It's holiday time at FetchDog! We actually worked on our holiday catalog over the summer, but in the office, there's a definite festive spirit in the air. From extra cookies and treats in the kitchen, to the dogs wearing jingle bell collars; even Jamie has an extra bounce in his...

I Want a Dog Bed

2008-11-18T00:00:00Z

When asked what I love most about my job, the answer is always the same, the dogs. We have anywhere from one to five dogs in our office on a daily basis. If you've seen our catalog, you have come to know them as well. The queen dogs are Gracie and Lucy who are here almost...

Dog Safety - Keeping your dog safe at night.

2008-10-31T00:00:00Z

Several years ago, my husband and I lived in a small rented house in New Hampshire. The house was on a quiet, wooded street, so when driving home one night, we were not surprised to see glowing eyes staring at us from the road. We slowed down to see what kind of wild animal we were...

Halloween Dog Bones a Perfect Seasonal Treat

2008-10-06T00:00:00Z

My neighbors go all out for Halloween. Next door there is an incredibly spooky haunted house where hundreds turn up every year. Other houses have scary music, smoking cauldrons, and the streets fill with costumes that know no limit. My neighborhood is the essence of Halloween spirit.So, when the...

Dog Halloween Costumes that are Cute and Comfortable

2008-09-26T00:00:00Z

I've had dogs that hated wearing Halloween dog costumes and those dogs Ileft alone. Fortunately, for me, I now have three dogs who are very goodnatured about dressing up, in large part because the FetchDog dog costumes andHalloween party dog collars fit better and feel better than other...

Crypton Dog Couch Cover and Quilted Car Bench Dog Seat Cover Keep the Dog Hair and Dog Grime Off My Seats

2008-09-26T00:00:00Z

My dog, Madison, shares much in my life -- including my car and furniture. Madison is a Yellow Labrador Retriever. So if she sees a mud puddle, she strolls through it. If she spies a pond, she heads into it, and if she's on the beach, it's a straight shot across the sand to the waves.I keep a Paw...

Gentle Leader put me in control during dog walks again

2008-09-19T00:00:00Z

Even after puppy classes, where the basics are established, it was a horror show to walk my Wheaten Terrier, Bob - or River Run's Matta Hobbit, as he's known in the American Kennel Club registry.He was a model dog until a squirrel or a cat appeared and then it was chaos - pulling, barking and...

Weight Control Dog Feeder helps keep dogs trim and happy

2008-09-18T00:00:00Z

Friends and family say I treat my Cairn Terrier, Lucy, better than I treat myself and there's certainly a ring of truth to that.Whether it's in the car for errands or accompanying me to work, Lucy often goes where I go which makes it easy to exercise her and keep her in shape. Sometimes,...

Dog beds made stylish and durable with high tech materials.

2008-09-18T00:00:00Z

My in-house FetchDog product tester, English Cocker Spaniel Gracie, is as happy as I am about some of FetchDog's new dog beds. Our favorites of the new crop of beds may just be the Barko Lounge Dog Bed and the Cosmopolitan Orthopedic Dog Bed. Both dog beds give Gracie the comfort she loves and...

Get Serious when you need to seriously fight dog odors

2008-09-09T00:00:00Z

Ever noticed, when it's pouring rain, how some ordinarily law-abiding citizens tend to forget the niceties of scooping their dogs' poop? Unbeknownst to me, this misdemeanor took place just a few short feet from the entrance to my apartment building a dark and rainy night. While I was out...

How GrassSaver tablets and the Doggy Septic saved my back yard

2008-08-25T00:00:00Z

For the first summer in years, my back yard is a nice carpet of green grass. And yes, my two dogs still play out there all the time. My secret? GrassSaver tablets and the Doggy Septic. GrassSaver tablets from NaturVet stop dog pee from killing the grass. So there are no yellow and brown patches in...

Elevated dog bowls for the modernist design hound

2008-08-19T00:00:00Z

Modernist design hound - that describes me to a T, so as much as possible I like the stuff in my kitchen to have contemporary design value. Of course, my dogs don't care what their bowls look like, so long as they're filled with food and water at the appropriate times (i.e. when the dogs are...

Ice Lick keeps your dog cool and relieves dog boredom!

2008-08-13T00:00:00Z

I don't know who is a bigger fan of Ice Lick, also known as the KoolDogz Ice Treat Maker -- my standard poodle or me.Veronica got bored in our spacious yard this summer. Bad news, since I'm not sure there's anything more destructive than a bored standard poodle. She started digging holes. I don't...

Two Labs give the Have a Ball Launcher and other FetchDog Toys Rave Reviews

2008-08-11T00:00:00Z

I've got two Labrador Retrievers, and whoever put Retriever in their breed name knew what they were doing. Lily and Denali are masters at the game of fetch.But like most dogs, they have their favorite toys. (And yes, I have my favorites, too.)For long-distance tennis-ball fetching, nothing beats...

The Sea Creatures Beachcomber Toy is the favorite dog toy at my house

2008-08-06T00:00:00Z

My standard poodle, Veronica, loves her Sea Creature Beachcomber Toy by My Good Dog more than any of the other, oh, 100 or so dog toys that have entered our house in her first year. Her red Sea Creature Beachcomber dog toy has a ball for a head, so it's got the bounce and fetch capabilities of...

The Puppia Harness Wonder Vest keeps dog safe in the car

2008-07-24T00:00:00Z

My dog Theo rides to the office in my car with me just about every day and he, like almost every kid I know, calls "shotgun." His favored position, which I Iove, is hind legs on the rear seat and front paws on the console right next to me. Until recently (true confessions here) I was not...

Booster seats keep little dogs safe in the car and give them a view of the road

2008-07-22T00:00:00Z

Lucy, my Cairn Terrier loves car rides, especially since she has a great view of the road from her very own dog car seat, a Clear View Booster Dog Car Seat from Bowsers.I pair Lucy's Clear View Booster Seat with a Safe Traveler Dog Car Harness by Pet Buckle, a dog seat belt, to keep Lucy safe and...

Travel Hammock, Back Seat Lounge and Car Mate Seat Covers keep dog hair off car seats

2008-07-21T00:00:00Z

My two dogs are great travelers - they are always up for a ride. But it's amazing how much two Labrador Retrievers can shed on even just one short trip. Rather than banish Lily and Denali from the car, or find my own clothes covered in black and chocolate dog hair every day, I've equipped the...

Buckle up your dog in the car with the Safe Traveler Dog Seat Belt Harness or the Canine Zip Line Dog Harness

2008-07-18T00:00:00Z

If you're over a certain age, you may have memories of sleeping in the back of the station wagon during long trips or climbing from the front to back seat as your mom drove. Those were the dark ages in terms of passenger safety, and I wouldn't dream of letting my daughter ride unbuckled, even if...

Stainless puppy and dog bowls don't slip or tip

2008-07-10T00:00:00Z

These shiny dog bowls are perfect for puppies and insistent adult dogs who like to move their food and water bowls around the floor.The rubber rings around the bowls' bases means the bowls stay put while your dogs eat and drink. That means no migrating and no tipping at dinner time - and a lot...

Kool Dogz' Ice Lick keep dogs cool on hot summer days in the yard

2008-07-07T00:00:00Z

Is it too darn hot? The Ice Lick will cool off your hot dog while keeping him entertained. Sounds almost too good to be true, but it is. Setup is easy: Just collect your dog's fave playthings, freeze them in the bucket mold, insert the base in your lawn, and let the fun begin. To get to his...

FasTags' Homemade Travel Tag Kit for vacation peace of mind

2008-07-01T00:00:00Z

I love to take Lucy, my Cairn Terrier, on vacation -- and she's quite the traveling dog. At home, Lucy always wears a dog tag with her name and my address and phone number. But on the road, that information won't get Lucy back to me quickly. If someone brings her to my door, I won't be...

Our Japanese Garden dog toy description makes Jay Leno's Wacky Headlines

2008-07-01T00:00:00Z

Here at FetchDog, we do our best to write catalog descriptions that highlight the value and style of our dog products, mixed with a sense of the FetchDog brand personality. Occasionally, we may take that last part a little far.On a recent Tonight Show with Jay Leno, we took a little ribbing about...

The Road Refresher Non-Spill Dog Travel Bowl

2008-06-30T00:00:00Z

Driving with dogs should be all thrills and no spills - or at the very least, as few spills as possible. Caffeine fiends wouldn't dream of hitting the road without a no-spill coffee mug; now dogs don't need to go thirsty with the Non-Spill Dog Travel Dog Bowl by Road Refresher. This brilliant...

Snoozer's Luxury Square Dog Bed with Memory Foam: A Sleep Spa Bed for a deserving senior dog

2008-06-26T00:00:00Z

My brindle Pit Bull Britannia Tige, a.k.a. B, has been through a lot in 14 years. She's survived being chained to a basement by her previous owner, getting hauled to an animal shelter after a cruelty raid, nearly having her left eye gouged by another dog, and bravely fighting a deadly Tetanus...

Bamboo's Mud Magnet Paw Cleaner Gloves remove doggy dirt with a loving touch

2008-06-20T00:00:00Z

Dog grooming products by Bamboo are a neatnik's best friend - after her dog, of course. Because dogs are constantly bringing the outdoors in and paw-printing our interiors, an ounce of prevention can save a ton of cleanup. Bamboo's brilliant Mud Magnet Dog Grooming Gloves are a terrific tool to...

The AKC's Plush Woodland Mallard Dog Toy will quack its way to your dog's heart

2008-06-18T00:00:00Z

Whether or not you approve of hunting as a sport, your dog has no problem stalking furred and/or feathered woodland creatures - especially if he's a hunting breed. Labs, especially, are hard-wired to retrieve downed fowl. It's what they do. Which makes the impressively life-like Plush...

Solvit Half Ramp II for Dogs

2008-06-16T00:00:00Z

Four-footed fellow travelers can gain easy access to your ride with the Minivan Half Ramp, also known as the Solvit Half Ramp II, designed to give pets a leg up to heights of 20 inches or less, such as the side entrance of a minivan.If all the amenities you already provide for your pup are...

Dog Stairs Help Senior Dogs Reach Their Favorite Spots -- Pet Steps by C & D Pet Products

2008-06-12T00:00:00Z

Thanks to Pet Steps by C & D Pet Steps, no self-respecting senior couch hounds need resign themselves to curling up on the floor - they can reach their favorite cocooning spots without straining or struggling.Long gone are the dark days when dogs were categorically kept off the furniture....

Sleeping through the dog days in style - Canine Cabana Bed by Abo Gear

2008-06-04T00:00:00Z

I've nursed dogs through more than my fair share of spectacular dog ailments, including tetanus, cancer, leptospirosis, and killer kennel cough. So I thought I'd seen it all - but wouldn't you know it, my latest rescue, Lazarus, has full-blown heartworm. He's undergone the requisite injections to...

GrassSaver saved my lawn from yellow spots

2008-06-02T00:00:00Z

For the first spring in years, I'm looking out at my back lawn and not seeing a sea of green grass dotted with dead yellow patches.I still let my dogs run and play in the back yard, and they still pee all over the grass back there. But now I have a secret weapon - GrassSaver from NaturVet, a food...

Puppy Training Bells for the Happy Couple

2008-05-29T00:00:00Z

I'm going to a wedding this weekend, and I'm pretty sure the happy couple will leave their puppy at home. Their new shelter baby is nothing like Whoopsie Daisy, dog trainer Sarah Hodgson's well-behaved Lab, who was a member of the wedding party in her wedding.I'm not going to spill the beans here...

Bull's Eye Designer Bowl and Treat Jar

2008-05-27T00:00:00Z

Why shouldn't your dog's dinnerware be every bit as stylish as your own? With the beautiful Bull's Eye Designer Bowl, pet-food presentation is an art that turns even plain kibble into a gourmet meal. But serving kibble in this bowl may very well motivate you to kick canine cuisine up a notch by...

Safe Traveler Harness

2008-05-22T00:00:00Z

I shudder to think how I'd evacuate all of my dogs during a disaster - but this much I know for sure: I'm prepared for the worst with multiples of the Safe Traveler Harness. Each set includes a harness, connecting tether, seat belt adapter, and travel bag, enabling me to secure my dogs to their...

Folding Wire Crate

2008-05-21T00:00:00Z

When you get involved in dog rescue, whether full-time or as an on-the-side volunteer pursuit, it helps to have a collapsible crate or two on hand. Crates come in extremely handy if, say, you're fostering a puppy in need of a housebreaking refresher course - or if you need to separate a...

Can dogs drink from a fountain of youth?

2008-05-15T00:00:00Z

Can dogs drink from a fountain of youth? Yes, they absolutely can - if they're kept hydrated at all times. So an important part of keeping dogs young, healthy, and vital is providing them with a constant supply of fresh drinking water. Although a desperately thirsty pup will not...

Night Safety for Your Dogs

2008-05-13T00:00:00Z

I have two big, black poodles who love to take walks, rain or shine, day or night. Most of the time I love walking them (except in the rain, when I love my big fenced yard). But I worry about their safety in the dark, even at the end of a leash held firmly in my hand. On those nights when the moon...

Dog collars with flower power

2008-05-09T00:00:00Z

Ring around the collar used to be an undesirable thing - but if it's a ring of posies around a dog's neck, I'm all for it. I used to be a fashion critic, so believe me when I say that the Flower Power collar and leash are by far the most happening look you can attach to your dog's neck. The...

Japanese Garden Toys

2008-05-07T00:00:00Z

Whether or not you have a green thumb, your dog's toys can bring the ambience of a Japanese garden to your surroundings, indoors and out. There's no rule that says dog toys have to look like dog toys - they can be sculptural and beautiful, with grown-up style that enhances any decor. That's...

Wanderlust Bed

2008-05-02T00:00:00Z

Have you ever tried reclining in the back of your station wagon when the back seats are folded down? I've done this with every pre-owned Volvo wagon I've ever purchased, to determine just how much padding my dogs will need back there. Now, the Wanderlust Bed makes cushioning the cargo area a...

Quencher Cinch Top Bowl

2008-05-01T00:00:00Z

Nothing depresses a traveling dog more than an owner who forgot to provide for on-the-go snacking and sipping. With the Quencher Cinch Top Bowl, no dog need ever go hungry or thirsty on road trips again. Made of ballistic nylon with a seamless, leakproof liner, the soft-sided bowl doubles as...

Fire Hose Toys

2008-04-30T00:00:00Z

If you watch the video of Mick, the Sundance avalanche rescue dog, finding Glenn Close buried beneath 4 feet of snow, you'll see that his reward for finding Glenn is his favorite toy. All dogs, even highly-trained working ones like Mick, love their toys!Mick's owner/trainer, ski patroller Tracy...

Go Green with Biodegradable Poop Bags

2008-04-24T00:00:00Z

Like most people concerned with the environment, I try to leave as small a footprint as possible when going about my daily activities, including walking my standard poodles, Bertie and Veronica.Many people use plastic newspaper and shopping bags to clean up after their dogs, but ever since I...

Eco-Friendly Dog Beds

2008-04-21T00:00:00Z

Every day is Earth Day for Theo, my Jack Russell, who not only enjoys digging in the dirt but sleeping on recycled bottles found in his favorite dog bed, the Eco Friendly Napper.The Eco-Friendly Napper, which we use at home, at the office, and when we travel, is one of several Earth Friendly...

Knot a Long Leash

2008-04-17T00:00:00Z

My standard poodles, Bertie and Veronica, have relatively good leash manners on their own. But I like to walk them both at the same time, which is when these manners go out the window and I - literally - get tied in knots. Something about being walked with their best poodle buddy puts my dogs in...

The best dog gear for happy trails

2008-04-16T00:00:00Z

Camping and/or hiking with dogs is guaranteed to enhance your enjoyment of the great outdoors. The busily sniffing nose that registers every scent, the wagging tail that never fails to express joy and amazement ... these reliable joy indicators are guaranteed to make you, the mere human hiker,...

Safe, Dog-Friendly Decorating

2008-04-09T00:00:00Z

Let's face it, your home is your dog's castle - and he's accustomed to living like a king. In the old days, monarchs enjoyed primitive personal security in the form of food-testers, body doubles, and the like. These days, our benevolent four-footed rulers have us besotted humans to ensure that...

The non-toxic flea dip for dogs

2008-04-08T00:00:00Z

Oral flea and heartworm medications for dogs are great inventions - except when the chemicals they're made of have adverse reactions in some dogs, particularly small ones. (Besides, in order for those medications to work, pests must take a bite out of your best friend - but that doesn't prevent...

Double Tugger

2008-04-04T00:00:00Z

Snap. Pop. Rip.These are familiar sounds to the owner of a tug-happy dog. Oh, those tuggy toys promise a long shelf life, but those toys do not know the jaws of my dog. Or yours. Fetch, tug, rip - those are my dog Faith's three steps to paradise. On the one hand, thanks to her awesome shredding...

Toss-A-Lot

2008-04-02T00:00:00Z

Some dogs are tuggers, and some dogs are fetchers. My dog Faith? She plays for both teams. This Toss-a-Lot toy is her dream come true. The sturdy, long-tailed Toss-a-Lot, which comes in festive blue or jazzy red, and sort of resembles an octopus, is a great way for both owner and dog to...

Sporty toys for sporty dogs

2008-03-31T00:00:00Z

What's your game? Mine is tennis - and look out if it isn't Nelly's, too. She's trained me (by barking wildly, the dog's favorite gambit) to pick up a toy from the basket outside the door and launch it off the deck into the back 40 so she can go speeding off like a white streak. This makes her...

Spring-cleaning your dog's coat

2008-03-28T00:00:00Z

To make a fresh start for spring, a spring-cleaning session is in order. And no serious cleanup effort is complete without lathering up the dog and rinsing away any dirt and grime that could migrate from her coat to your furniture, walls, and floors. But don't think you can use just any old...

Raining dogs and coats

2008-03-27T00:00:00Z

When we adopted our dog Faith from a gritty urban shelter it was a mean New Jersey winter. Faith was already 2 and, we figured, had seen and done it all. Part Beagle, part Pit, part Lab: hybrid hardiness personified, right? And then it rained, and the Rain-Rejecting Diva of Hoboken was born....

Scrumptious dog bowls double as sculpture

2008-03-24T00:00:00Z

Dog bless designer Karim Rashid: everywhere he goes, he leaves things looking better, from plastic stacking chairs to chic garbage pails to vacuum cleaners. I once spotted him at Newark airport, dashing in head-to-toe white linen, turning heads by looking more stylish than any human has a right to...

Outdoor Sun Bed for Your Dog Shines

2008-03-19T00:00:00Z

If you're like us, your dog probably enjoys at least two cozy beds in your home - his own and yours. But from your dog's point of view, your home should be outfitted with more than one dog bed. Way more. As in, at least one in every room. These days, we cushion our deck chairs the better to...

Baker's Dozen Collar and Leash -- Fat-free Cupcakes!

2008-03-18T00:00:00Z

Fat-free cupcakes? There's no such thing, at least not at your local pastry shoppe, where the cupcake's key components - buttercream, flour, and chocolate - cruelly conspire to add inches where you least want them. But the delicious Baker's Dozen collars and leashes, in mouthwatering shades...

Erin Go Bark

2008-03-17T00:00:00Z

Irish eyes are knitting - well, actually, this handsome sweater is made in the Northern Highlands of South America, not Scotland - and the result is the most adorable fisherman-style sweater that would like right at home in County Cork. What better outfit for your dog to wear on a blustery St....

Nupro Holistic Supplement

2008-03-14T00:00:00Z

How can such big insurance come in so small a container? All the proof I need that my purchase of Nupro Holistic Supplement as an additional policy on Nelly's health was worth it is Nelly herself: beautiful skin, shiny coat, and a twinkle in her eyes (or is she thinking about stealing some food?)...

Take your vitamins!

2008-03-14T00:00:00Z

For some creatures, that's not an ominous command (as it was for me years ago, when I was ordered to chew on the dreaded Flintstones children's vitamins plus iron). My DD, for instance, can't wait to take her vitamins. Why, only yesterday my girl played her favorite interior-decorating game again,...

Feeding your dog's inner wolf

2008-03-12T00:00:00Z

One of the many cool things about living with dogs is that all of them are descended from the noble wolf. This is true of all breeds, whether they look lupine, as the Siberian Husky does, or they don't (you wouldn't exactly call a Dachshund wolflike - unless, of course, he's on the hunt for...

FetchDogs are Omega Dogs

2008-03-10T00:00:00Z

It seems that everybody wants to be the Alpha dog, but they might see things differently if they knew how healthy it is to be the Omega dog - the dog who eats plenty of Omega 3 essential fatty acids, that is. Omega 3s derived from fish are key to heart health, having been shown to stimulate...

Big Squeakers - Plush Toys

2008-03-07T00:00:00Z

With tenacious tuggers, plush toys are too often a one-shot luxury. But this plush primate, the Plush Gorilla - like his black-and-white cousin the Plush Cow - is tough and seriously loopy, with tons of tooth-holds to stand up to a canine's canines and keep them gainfully employed....

Retractable Leash: Cut your dog some slack

2008-03-06T00:00:00Z

The Retractable Leash is a great invention that enables leash-walks to be less of a grind and more enjoyable for dogs, giving them the freedom of a longer tether. Some dog lovers, recalling the retractable leashes of yesteryear with their bulky handles and linguine-thin lines, are understandably...

Keeping dogs' paws safe and booty-licious

2008-03-05T00:00:00Z

Sigh: where we live, winter has dug in, which makes dog walks an unfun game of "dodge the rock salt." And in my young, hard-partying town, beer bottle fragments are a perennial dog walk health hazard. This is a very rough season on our pal Faith, who sometimes just stops dead...

Banishing the bark

2008-02-29T00:00:00Z

Think your dog can bark to beat the band? Then you obviously haven't been introduced to my brindle girlfriend DD. This otherwise adorable gal has a set of pipes the likes of which I have never encountered before on any dog, and she's not bashful about singing it loud and proud, especially when...

Staying trim through the training process

2008-02-27T00:00:00Z

Before dog trainer Dennis Owens comes to your home for a private lesson, he'll tell you to be prepared with treats, and lots of them. That's because treats are an indispensable tool in the positive dog training process. The carrot you use as incentive for good behavior had better not be an actual...

Gentle Leader® Easy Walk Harness & Leash

2008-02-25T00:00:00Z

Lucky leaps for joy. He also leaps AT cars, people he likes, and basically anything that takes his fancy.With his big chest, long legs, and full-body snuggling, three-year-old Lucky's probably a hearty blend of American Staffordshire Terrier and American Bulldog. That's the best guess of...

Red Carpet Ready

2008-02-21T00:00:00Z

Let the two-legged celebrity glamazons sweat over their designer gowns, shoes, and pedicures as they enter the arena on Sunday evening for the Oscars. Your favorite celebrity - the one with four legs and a tail - can take it easy knowing she's accessorized to the canines with this...

For your consideration... Oscars-worthy dog treats

2008-02-19T00:00:00Z

What's a movie without popcorn - or, for that matter, a night devoted to celebrating the past year's best movies? On Academy Awards night, we'll bet you have your favorite snacks within easy reach. Now your fellow film hound can have her own stash, thanks to Pupcorn.This low-fat, low-calorie,...

Turning dog-bath time into a great spa escape

2008-02-14T00:00:00Z

Ever start to wash a dog before combing her first? Then you know what a fur bathtub looks like. If you'd rather not spend a long time cleaning out your tub's drain - with your poor, wet hound standing there shivering and giving you reproachful looks - postpone bath time until you've got a Body...

Pinnacle Duck & Potato

2008-02-12T00:00:00Z

I started noticing it gradually: all dogs scratch and lick themselves sometimes - or they wouldn't be dogs! - but Nelly was really starting to go after herself. She'd be awake half the night, it seems, in misery because her skin was so itchy. So it was off to the vet for little Miss Nell.Of...

Dogs all over the sofa

2008-02-12T00:00:00Z

That doesn't have to be a nightmare scenario. In fact, it can be quite a pleasant one - IF you protect the best seat in the house with the Crypton Fabric Couch Cover.This brilliant home accessory will extend the lifetime of your upholstered furnishings because it's made of Crypton, the fabric that...

FetchDog's Guide to Premium Dog Foods

2008-02-11T00:00:00Z

When FetchDog presented me with the challenge of selecting the most premium dog-food brands available - foods that are human-grade, with no chemical preservatives and no artificial flavors or colors - I jumped at the opportunity. Last year's pet-food recall crisis was a wake-up call to all dog...

Rolled Leather Collar

2008-02-08T00:00:00Z

Theo, my Jack Russell Terrier, commuting companion, FetchDog product tester, strategic advisor, office clown and all ?round best buddy, deserves a Valentine treat from me this year. But what to get a dog who puts in 70-plus hours a week surrounded by dog toys, dog beds, and dog treats?Theo...

FetchDog Dental Kit

2008-02-06T00:00:00Z

If you're like me, you enjoy mouth-to-mouth displays of affection with your dogs on a daily basis. But in the days leading up to Valentine's Day, every kiss should be extra-special, so why not take this opportunity to make Spot's teeth ... spotless? This kit includes all the tools you need...

Smooches & Nuzzles

2008-02-04T00:00:00Z

We'll bet that describes what you AND your dog would like to receive on February 14th - and with just the right treat, Valentine's Day can be a celebration for you both. The aptly-named Smooches and Nuzzles are artisanal dog biscuits that happen to be hand-cut into heart shapes: Perfect for the...

Bunkhouse Bed

2008-02-01T00:00:00Z

Having a dog in the house doesn't mean I have to give up being an aesthete. Oh, no, baby! In fact, I indulge my urge to redecorate all the time, if only in my mind. At the moment, I've put a red bandana around Nelly's neck and posed her in the black-and-white cowboy print Bunkhouse Bed, sleeping...

Lakse Kronch

2008-01-31T00:00:00Z

How do you say "This stuff is the bomb!" in dog language? Here's how Nelly does it: nearly takes off my fingers with her sharp little fangs, then sits back with eyes that sparkle and a tongue that pants with eagerness, as if to say, "Another, sir? May I please have some more Lakse...

Canine Genius

2008-01-24T00:00:00Z

I like to believe that I?m one of those tough love dog moms. I believe in lots of training, treats at specific intervals, and just the tiniest amount of spoiling. But when it comes to keeping my puppy highly engaged, I will stop at nothing. I was inspired in part by a study coming out...

The Essential Guide to Socializing Your Puppy

2008-01-23T00:00:00Z

It's all in the way you do it--introducing your puppy to new experiences will color the way he'll feel about these things for the rest of his life. So this excellent video guide to the basics of proper introductions--to new people; noisy appliances; different houses; new outdoor environments; and...

Puppy Training Collar and Leash

2008-01-22T00:00:00Z

You know that old saying, it isn't the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog? Well, today I learned that it isn't the size of the puppy in the pull, it's the size of the pull in the puppy. My husband and I went to our local shelter today to walk a few...

Puppy Teething Sticks

2008-01-18T00:00:00Z

Every puppy is lovable, and demonic, in his own unique way. In her puppyish days, my dog Faith seemed to be low on the crazy chewing scale?until I looked carefully at the legs of our coffee table, the wall beside the chair she loved to sleep in (Plaster? What the heck?), and my husband's...

A Crate for Puppy and You

2008-01-17T00:00:00Z

This is the puzzle of a puppy: he needs his fortress of solitude?that is, a crate?and he needs you, needs you, needs you, so much of the time. Take my baby Rally, a spanking new Westie ... please! Someday, Rally will calm down when he's all grown up and stuff (although, being a...

Quick Dry Towel

2008-01-16T00:00:00Z

It's a paradox of puppyhood: pups need to be kept warm and dry so they don't catch cold - and yet, puppies get awful dirty and require frequent bathing. After a light shampooing with Nutrivet Puppy Tearless Shampoo (which contains a natural long-lasting deodorizer and has a fresh green...

The Furminator

2008-01-10T00:00:00Z

My sister loves Newfoundlands ? especially her big boy, Badger (pictured here). The price for his sweet disposition is hair ? lots and lots of black hair.For Christmas, I gave my sister The Furminator, a tool that I had heard works miracles in reducing shedding by pulling out old undercoat hairs...

Earthbath Ear & Eye Wipes

2008-01-09T00:00:00Z

My childhood dog (chosen by my mother, OK?) was a Bichon Frise named Tarara Bheumdier. Get it? She was really the soul of sweetness. But she happened to be one of those white dogs who get "tear stains," a.k.a. brown gunk of indeterminate origin. If only there had been these really...

Slicker Brush

2008-01-08T00:00:00Z

Are you a sucker for a Swiss Army knife? Love the way they fit all those tools into one compact package? I do, which is why when I saw this Slicker Brush, I knew it was the one for me.There's a slicker brush on one side (the most used type in our household, after Nelly makes her frequent run...

Thera Neem Pet Shampoo

2008-01-07T00:00:00Z

When you have a dog that scratches himself all the time, it's heartbreaking, as well as annoying when those jingling tags wake you in the middle of the night. All you can think is: Relief. We need some relief!The first thing to do is give a soothing bath. Nothing harsh, please. Something natural...

Fetch, Anyone?

2008-01-04T00:00:00Z

Back when I used to throw balls for my dogs with my own right hand, they'd often pause before retrieving as if to say, You call that a throw? Of course, the disdainful creatures went and got the balls anyway, depositing them at my feet with an attitude that distinctly said, Try to do better this...

Ball Launcher

2008-01-03T00:00:00Z

Don't just be your dog's hero in this happy new year - be his superhero. It's easy: simply add the Ball Launcher to your arsenal of boredom-fighting dog tools, and watch yourself instantly rise several notches in Spot's esteem. If your pitching arm is unreliable, the Ball Launcher is for you...

Holiday Bulb Toy

2008-01-02T00:00:00Z

My dog has her secrets (like where she buried that chipmunk the other day). And so do I. They're up in the back of the guest room closet; the presents I buy throughout the year and squirrel away so that when next year's shopping season rolls around, I'm nearly done. Clever, eh? Cost-effective,...

Real Meat Treats

2007-12-31T00:00:00Z

With a little devil dog like Nelly, you sometimes need a secret weapon--a treat that she'll actually leave off chasing something (and I'm not going to name names here, for legal reasons!) to come back to me to get. So my pockets these days are stuffed with Real Meat Treats, because she thinks...

Holiday Clearance

2007-12-27T00:00:00Z

Christmas has come and gone, but that's OK, your dog isn't checking the calendar. For Spot, the time is always right now. And now is always high time to receive a great gift, whether you walk on four legs or two. In fact, Christmas isn't the only excuse for gifting loved ones of the canine and...

Life Ring

2007-12-19T00:00:00Z

Nelly and I just had a fabulous time playing out in the snow. (What is it about snow that makes dogs act like they just ate some Tabasco?) Actually, Nelly had most of the fun; I was simultaneously packing the car to go to the dump. In between bags, I'd toss this Life Ring for her to...

Snowballs in St. Pete

2007-12-18T00:00:00Z

Here in Maine, snowballs are a dime a dozen, especially on a wintry-white day like today. But in certain parts of this fair land, the snowball is an endangered species. No longer, thanks to Planet Dog, which has morphed its Orbee-Tuff natural-rubber compound into a snow-white rubber dog toy...

Baby It's Cold Outside

2007-12-17T00:00:00Z

You may be part of the old-school group of dog owners who wonder -- why does a dog need a coat? Or from the conservative group of dog owners, who think, just slap a kid's size sweatshirt on the dog and be done with it. But canine couture isn't just about the bling-it's about your dog's health,...

Scent Stopper Bed

2007-12-16T00:00:00Z

If you need me to tell you that dogs sometimes, um, "exude odors," then you've never had a dog. But I know that's not the case; I know you know that your dog, if given half a chance, will disappear into the woods and return wearing a generous application of what I call the dog's Chanel...

Toys for Christmas

2007-12-15T00:00:00Z

If your dog could write a letter to Santa (and who says he can't, eh?), his list would read something like this: "Toys, toys, things to chew, toys, flank steak, toys, and a couple of things to chew. P.S. I've been a good dog!"Of course he has. That's why my dog is going to unwrap some of...

Dog Safety

2007-12-14T00:00:00Z

Scary news: horror writer Stephen King almost died because a dog wasn't wearing a seat belt. And the cause wasn't one of his fictional fiends like Cujo either?simply a real rambunctious Rottweiler (named Bullet!) who distracted his owner, a van driver, just long enough to run King off the...

Couch Saver

2007-12-13T00:00:00Z

Here's what I think about dogs on couches: Well, of course! To those who don't "approve," I say, All right, which would you choose to sleep on--the cold, hard floor, or your nice, soft couch? There.This is not to say, of course, that you need to sacrifice that piece of furniture...

Home Again for Christmas

2007-12-12T00:00:00Z

Several years ago, a big standard poodle was found wandering several states away from my house in Maine. He had no tags, no collar even. He was super friendly and super stinky, thanks to what was probably months worth of hair growth while he wandered. I?ll never know his back story, but I do know...

Holiday Leashes

2007-12-11T00:00:00Z

Just as you have your everyday wardrobe and its more festive counterpart for holidays and other special events, your dog could use a special-occasion leash or three. The importance of being fido-fashionably correct was driven home for me the other week, when I attended the "DogCatemy...

Green Gifts

2007-12-10T00:00:00Z

Include Mother Nature on your holiday gift list by minimizing your dog's environmental paw-print. Biodegradable, sustainable, organic, recycled, and recyclable - if any of these describe your pet's presents, you've done your fair share. Start with a cozy Bunkhouse Bed filled with...

Mod Elevated Feeder

2007-12-09T00:00:00Z

Very hi-rise, don't you think? Very Metropolitan Home? I suspect most dogs don't care too much what their food is served in--only that it's served now, right now!--but your choice of dog bowls says a lot about you. It also says you don't like the gunk that often accumulates under feed bowls and...

Automatic Toy & Treat Dispenser

2007-12-08T00:00:00Z

I am sure that if you asked my dog Faith, she would tell you that while she may love my husband and me very much, as food and treat delivery systems, we leave a lot to be desired. Sometimes, unavoidably, we're both gone all day. No us, no treats. Sure, we leave Faith her favorite Kong stuffed...

Suite Dreams

2007-12-07T00:00:00Z

Your dog's sleeping quarters become holiday central with the very swank Tapestry Dream Bed. Rare is the dog bed that enhances its surroundings; this nest does more than provide 360 degrees of prime canine head-resting surface - it actually turns any corner it's parked in into holiday elegance...

Putting on the Dog

2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

Do you find yourself dressing up more these days, even just for an afternoon at the office? Then why not include Spot in the seasonal sartorial splendor? If black is your all-weather fashion favorite, it's easy to turn puppy training into a coordinated style statement with the Teaching Lead....

Photo Finish

2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

No self-respecting dog-lover has a holiday photo album without at least a couple dozen images of a decked-out dog. And by decked out, we mean festive as a hall hung with boughs of holly, fa-la-la. Reindeer antlers and holiday pet snapshots are a natural together. For best results, choose your...

Ring Any Bells?

2007-12-04T00:00:00Z

Nothing says holiday atmosphere quite like jingle bells, whether it's the familiar song playing on every radio station in America, or actual bells attached to tree ornaments. But who knew jingle bells had a practical application in dog training? Now, here's a functional item with which to...

Throw Me a Rope

2007-12-03T00:00:00Z

So amazing, isn't it, that when you live with a dog for a while, you almost feel like you understand everything they say? (Well, don't kid yourself: they're just humoring you, language-impaired human that you are!)Like, I know when Nelly races to the door with a certain glint in her eye--no, not...

Anti-Bloat Bowl

2007-11-29T00:00:00Z

When we first sprung our dog Faith from the shelter, she ate every meal as if it were her last. Faith's food was usually gone in 20 seconds flat. Six years later, she's still eating as if she's on probation. No picky eater, our pup. At first I found this touching and a little funny. Then I...

The Red Shoes

2007-11-28T00:00:00Z

Talk about turning the other cheek: My incorrigi-brindle dog DD recently DD-voured my favorite pair of lug-soled, lace-up boots by Ralph Lauren - footwear, I might add, that had seen me through the last two decades without once requiring attention from a cobbler. I may be bootless at the moment,...

This Bed is Cozy as a Cave

2007-11-09T00:00:00Z

Before we discovered the Cozy Cave, our Jack Russell, Theo, (the star of this photo), would chew holes in his bed covers so he could crawl inside to sleep. We must have gone through five covers a year. Now, Theo snoozes happily under the flap of his Cozy Cave. The faux lambs wool seems to keep him...

Ruffwear Leashes

2007-10-12T00:00:00Z

Talk about unleashed! Nelly has the cutest little habit. Whenever I open the car door for any reason, she leaps in, stands between the front seats, and has this expression on her smiling face: Hey! Where we going? Park? Woods? Where, Mom, where's it going to be? Who can resist? (She knows I...

Ode on an Orbee-Tuff

2007-10-12T00:00:00Z

A dog's chew toys are a kind of home-decor insurance, helping to keep your place well-groomed by keeping claws and paws gainfully occupied - and away from your chewable furnishings and home accessories. But hanging around the house, chew toys also become part of the scenery, decorative accents...

Hound Haberdashery

2007-10-12T00:00:00Z

In many parts of this fair land, it's getting brisk on those early-morning walks. If you find yourself reaching for a fleece hoodie before heading out the door, don't forget your short-coated best friend, who feels the chill too. Just don't delay Spot's walk with an outfit that has so many buttons...

Sea Mobility

2007-10-12T00:00:00Z

The ancient Greeks had a saying: "Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food." It only took a few thousand years, but now we've followed their lead and entered the brave new world of nutraceuticals -- food that contains essential nutrients for health. You wouldn't...