tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34556406804549142172024-03-13T07:29:39.205-07:00The Dog GeekProduct reviews, puzzle toys, training talk, DIY projects, and all things dog.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.comBlogger1076125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-83485804833767113082024-03-09T18:46:00.000-08:002024-03-09T19:02:43.007-08:00Is It Ok to Have a Favorite Dog?It is ok to have a favorite dog? Definitely. Dogs don't know who the favorite is, and as long as their needs are getting met, they don't care either. It's not like human siblings who need to be treated as equally as possible by their parents lest they face lifelong psychological issues. Dogs aren't that complicated.<div><br></div><div>This wasn't totally clear to me when I began my journey as a dog-owning adult. Brisbane was the very first dog I owned as an adult, and he was my entire world. The best term I have found to describe him is "heart dog". A dog you well and truly connect with on a deeper level than any other. A dog that makes your heart swell with love when you look at them. I still get a wonderful warm feeling when I think about Brisbane and how looking at him made me feel. He was the greatest dog influence in my life. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>When I got my second dog, Ru the chihuahua, I didn't feel the same way about him. I tried. I loved him very, very much. But we didn't have the same bond and he didn't occupy the same spot in my emotional center that Brisbane did. I thought it might be because he was such as easy dog and I didn't spend nearly as much time training with him or orchestrating my life around him. </div><div><br></div><div>Next came Sisci Godzilla, and I thought for sure I would build the same type of bond with this new cattledog training project. It didn't happen though. For a while I thought I must not be trying hard enough with these new dogs. When Brisbane was fighting his terminal cancer, I was taking a beginner agility class with Sis. One day I brought Brisbane along and the instructor let me run him through a short sequence of obstacles for fun. The jumps were the wrong height for him, so I asked him to lay down and stay while I went around moving them. Brisbane was perfectly happy to stay until I told him to take the first jump. This impressed the rest of the class, and I was so proud of how much time I had put into that dog. </div><div><br></div><div>After I lost Brisbane, Zip the border collie came into my life. Zip and I learned a lot about herding sheep. So much that we have done many public demonstrations and been the subject of multiple YouTube videos and even got a spot on a Disney+ show. Zip is an absolutely amazing dog. But I still don't feel that tug at my heart the way I did about Brisbane.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>But then Puff came. Puff is my new heart dog. She is my favorite dog and also my naughtiest dog. Puff can jump fences. Puff can open doorknobs. Puff lets other dogs put of crates. Puff is a shameless counter surfer. Puff is missing the part of the typical border collie brain where she cares what I think. She has no shame and thinks she is not only a good Puff, she is the best Puff a Puff could be. Puff makes my heart melt every time I look at her, and I can't stay mad at her no matter how terrible she is.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Your favorite dog might be your oldest dog. It might be your best behaved dog. Maybe your favorite dog is the one that was by your side through a rough patch in your life, or that arrived when you started a new chapter. Your favorite dog may be the one you have spent the most time training, or the one that just likes to cuddle and doesn't demand so much effort to keep happy. Sometimes your favorite dog ends up being your favorite for absolutely no reason other than that your heart just chose that one. </div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-89380880251602388832024-03-03T17:31:00.000-08:002024-03-03T17:31:00.129-08:00I Bought a Klimb Despite My Own ObjectionsThe Klimb is an egregiously overpriced dog training platform that sells for the princely sum of $160. Made by <a href="http://www.blue-9.com" target="_blank">Blue9 Pet Products</a>, makers of the <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2015/04/product-review-balance-harness.html" target="_blank">Balance Harness</a>, the Klimb features removable legs. It floats and can be connected to other Klimb platforms on the sides and stacked for amazingly expensive group photos. But seriously. $160. For something I could make myself or find similar at a thrift store. But I am a sucker for dog products, so many years after the Klimb was released I finally bought one. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZs7ulqlC8hjeQ5dKZH6L4HmZ40kkS9jDwLY1B72k76sQXoX5Y6mxyzI_h-ahH1Ofeu5IUPfSWeJ4KG9L7MykDoM0p1UkG0_nYdW_oOo5FjxW7tPnVhqdNxBAuly7rw4zaFa5mRnsP8AioWYt7WiDimd7xlWQIRlN6iQwjNFHfqtcqsOIWhvtgZW1DcA/s1162/Screenshot_20240204_203036_Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1047" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZs7ulqlC8hjeQ5dKZH6L4HmZ40kkS9jDwLY1B72k76sQXoX5Y6mxyzI_h-ahH1Ofeu5IUPfSWeJ4KG9L7MykDoM0p1UkG0_nYdW_oOo5FjxW7tPnVhqdNxBAuly7rw4zaFa5mRnsP8AioWYt7WiDimd7xlWQIRlN6iQwjNFHfqtcqsOIWhvtgZW1DcA/s320/Screenshot_20240204_203036_Chrome.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br />The Klimb is a training platform. I have used all sorts of different training platforms for many years. Everything from plyometric jump boxes to children's step stools to cot beds to homemade plywood tables. They each have their own attributes. Cot beds are large, light, and portable, but also flexible. Wood tables are solid and sturdy. Plastic step stools are light and portable. But none of the platforms I have used have been large, light, portable, solid, and sturdy all at the same time. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>The dogs love it.</b> I don't know why, probably because it is big enough to get all four feet on easily, low enough to climb onto without jumping, and large enough that I can drop treats on it either for luring a dog up there or building value once they are on it. Whatever the case, it has been incredibly easy to build value for being on it and they bound onto it at the first chance I might be handing out cookies. Or just because it's there. Sometimes it's tucked under other furniture for storage and they will shove themselves up there just in case I feel like rewarding them.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8Iu0wTk99_pWoNlm6VzTHxKK6QvpQbWv09kSjKTWTBm3EXNZYxlQFTVfPg9ToUuHQ3iqZTWfv0jcoI0OikR4G48w7Ez0hYTUSz-reuFUpSFiGDSm3ktt9LM68NbhjIJIOnxTd3_l0hKJQaJH4o9Ktn5hNaLZHphClt1BzNRnhm5qhMbDDDLQmEe1biY/s4000/20220812_190358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8Iu0wTk99_pWoNlm6VzTHxKK6QvpQbWv09kSjKTWTBm3EXNZYxlQFTVfPg9ToUuHQ3iqZTWfv0jcoI0OikR4G48w7Ez0hYTUSz-reuFUpSFiGDSm3ktt9LM68NbhjIJIOnxTd3_l0hKJQaJH4o9Ktn5hNaLZHphClt1BzNRnhm5qhMbDDDLQmEe1biY/s320/20220812_190358.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />I use it a lot more than my other platforms.</b> I have all kinds of different things around for them to stand on, depending on whether we're working on pivots, rear foot targeting, or stays. Platforms are great for teaching stays because the criteria is much more clear than when the dog is on the floor. This thing is so easy to slide out of the way, or lean up against a wall, or shove in a closet, so it's always ready when I feel like using it. The legs come off and snap into storage spots on the bottom, but I don't usually bother taking the legs off.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>It's pretty slippery.</b> The textured plastic surface isn't terrible, but an enthusiastic border collie goes sliding right off when they hit it at speed. Which they do a lot. Because they love it. But don't worry, Blue9 will happily sell you a $40 custom Klimb traction mat. Cha-ching. Or you could cut a yoga mat to fit, which is what people were doing before the accessories came out. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltNNxagHiR1fYk0_ae-kjYcue4c0EzZVCWKwqrD9vrrutNNegd6ICXwr2dM3Qsf6r8kd0udcXQYgVTw5qt9htap_s7U1rxHtNUkDdN5GXSC9u7vk1Lh5zyDovS4kCV2NU9tJUR0-2EL2KgPq5rYnRgrjTVyaW4BGNH5Jke9et3qinVl0gi-mN8AHT9Bc/s4000/20220818_181058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltNNxagHiR1fYk0_ae-kjYcue4c0EzZVCWKwqrD9vrrutNNegd6ICXwr2dM3Qsf6r8kd0udcXQYgVTw5qt9htap_s7U1rxHtNUkDdN5GXSC9u7vk1Lh5zyDovS4kCV2NU9tJUR0-2EL2KgPq5rYnRgrjTVyaW4BGNH5Jke9et3qinVl0gi-mN8AHT9Bc/s320/20220818_181058.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><div><b>I still can't believe I spent $160 on this. </b>Yes, it's a fun training tool and the dogs love it. But it's still just a big piece of plastic and the price feels outrageous for what the production cost must be. I guess all the Klimb buyers are funding further innovations from Blue9. But I would not be surprised to see some more <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2024/02/the-changing-landscape-of-dog-products.html" target="_blank">affordable plastic dog training platforms from overseas</a> popping up eventually. Those probably won't hook together though. Maybe I should buy a second one for better group pictures.</div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-81157902794752583262024-02-25T12:56:00.000-08:002024-02-25T12:56:00.351-08:00Numbercrunching: Kibble with the Lowest Fat, Lowest Calories, and Best Value<p> What is the lowest fat, lowest calorie dog food currently on the market?</p><p>Sisci Godzilla has pancreatitis. Not the acute hospitalization kind, and not even the kind where she needs to be on prescription food. It's more like a chronic tummy sensitivity. This started a few years ago with very occasional but severe episodes of vomiting. She would puke and puke until the only thing coming up was bloody foam. I would rush her to the vet and they would give her a shot or a pill of Cerenia, an anti-nausea medication. Maybe a short course of famotidine or sucralfate to help her feel better. She would be fine for a long time, six months or a year, before it happened again. It didn't seem to be correlated with feeding her anything in particular.</p><p>A couple of months ago, Sis had three vomiting episodes in one week. When I took her to the vet, I asked for bloodwork. I was worried about her kidneys and liver, but it turns out her pancreas levels were high. Not super high, just elevated. Not bad enough for acute treatment or a prescription diet. She was put on omeprazole and given more Cerenia for the nausea, and a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome as well. </p><p>Prescription diets for pancreatitis have very low fat, around 5% for products like <a href="https://www.proplanvetdirect.com/dry-en-gastroenteric-low-fat" target="_blank">Purina's EN</a>. Sis had been eating<a href="http://diamondpet.com" target="_blank"> Diamond Adult Maintenance</a> kibble with 12%, and I decided to look at food options with lower fat to help keep her body comfortable and hopefully settle her stomach. Calorie count was also a consideration here, as she gets fat on air like many cattledogs. With these factors in mind, I started collecting data on dog foods. I stuck with formulas marketed for weight management to help narrow the search. I started with the values for Diamond Maintenance and excluded any foods with a higher fat percentage.</p><p><google-sheets-html-origin></google-sheets-html-origin></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" data-sheets-root="1" dir="ltr" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; table-layout: fixed; width: 0px;" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><colgroup><col width="269"></col><col width="83"></col><col width="55"></col><col width="65"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Product"}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-weight: bold; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Product</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"cal/cup"}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-weight: bold; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">cal/cup</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"%fat"}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-weight: bold; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">%fat</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"$/lb"}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-weight: bold; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">$/lb</td></tr><tr style="height: 19px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Diamond Maintenance "}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Diamond Maintenance</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":360}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">360</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.12}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">12%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.94}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$0.94</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Victor Purpose "}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Victor Purpose</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":360}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">360</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.115}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">11.50%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":1.68}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$1.68</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Wellness Healthy Weight "}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Wellness Healthy Weight</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":405}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">405</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.1}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">10%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":2.7}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$2.70</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Eukanuba Fit"}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Eukanuba Fit</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":267}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">267</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.09}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":3.22}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$3.22</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Royal Canin Weight Care"}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Royal Canin Weight Care</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":256}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">256</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.09}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":3.67}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$3.67</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"ProPlan Weight Management "}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">ProPlan Weight Management</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":330}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">330</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.09}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":2.12}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$2.12</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight "}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":324}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">324</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.09}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":2.03}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$2.03</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Science Diet Perfect Weight "}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Science Diet Perfect Weight</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":299}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">299</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.09}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":3.44}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$3.44</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Iams Healthy Weight "}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Iams Healthy Weight</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":304}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">304</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.09}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":1.61}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$1.61</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"American Journey Healthy Weight "}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">American Journey Healthy Weight</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":299}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">299</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.09}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":1.77}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$1.77</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Merrick Healthy Weight "}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Merrick Healthy Weight</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":355}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">355</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.09}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":2.92}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$2.92</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Purina One Healthy Weight "}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Purina One Healthy Weight</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":320}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">320</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.08}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">8%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":1.37}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$1.37</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Beneful Healthy Weight "}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Beneful Healthy Weight</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":341}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">341</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.08}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">8%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":1.13}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$1.13</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"True Acre Foods Healthy Weight "}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">True Acre Foods Healthy Weight</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":269}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">269</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.08}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">8%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":1.43}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$1.43</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Natural Balance Fat Dogs"}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Natural Balance Fat Dogs</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":315}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">315</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.075}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">7.50%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":2.47}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$2.47</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pedigree Healthy Weight "}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Pedigree Healthy Weight</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":280}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">280</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.07}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">7%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":1.21}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$1.21</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Nutro Healthy Weight "}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Nutro Healthy Weight</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":231}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">231</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.07}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">7%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":2.5}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$2.50</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Solid Gold Fit"}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Solid Gold Fit</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":330}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">330</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.065}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">6.50%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":3.05}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$3.05</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Diamond Care Grain-Free"}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Diamond Care Grain-Free</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":304}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">304</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.06}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">6%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":2.12}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$2.12</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Diamond Naturals Weight"}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Diamond Naturals Weight</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":310}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">310</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.06}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">6%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":1.39}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$1.39</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Kirkland Signature Healthy Weight Formula"}" style="background-color: #ead1dc; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Kirkland Signature Healthy Weight Formula</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":275}" style="background-color: #ead1dc; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">275</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.06}" style="background-color: #ead1dc; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">6%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.83}" style="background-color: #ead1dc; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$0.83</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Science Diet Light"}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Science Diet Light</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":271}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">271</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":0.055}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">5.50%</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="{"1":4,"2":"\"$\"#,##0.00","3":1}" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":2.64}" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">$2.64</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Here is what I came up with. First, there is a huge range of different calorie content for different "weight management" dog foods. <a href="http://wellnesspetfood.com" target="_blank">Wellness Healthy Weight</a> offers 405 calories per cup, while <a href="http://nutro.com" target="_blank">Nutro Healthy Weight</a> only has 231 calories per cup. That's a difference of 174 calories and means a dog can eat significantly more of the Nutro food while consuming the same amount of calories. That's something to remember when putting a dog on a diet. I could add a cup of <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2014/04/green-beans-to-rescue.html" target="_blank">green beans</a>, or I could just feed more of a lower calorie food.</p><p>Next, there is a wide range of fat values in food marketed for weight management, with 9% the most common. There isn't an official feed definition of "weight management" food the way there is for puppy food, or adult food, or all life stages food, or large breed puppy food. Dogs use fat for energy, so for my active working dogs I look for higher fat. Most dogs don't need an incredibly low fat diet, and <a href="https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/03/the-skinny-on-fat-part-1/" target="_blank">too little fat in their diet</a> can leave them tired with a poor coat. Anecdotally have known people feeding <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2017/05/that-vegan-sled-dog-study.html" target="_blank">vegan dog food</a> that struggled with energy level and poor muscle tone in their dogs. While many people would be quick to blame the vegan food, I would more readily cite the 8-10% fat levels in commercially available vegan dog foods. But some dogs can benefit tremendously from a low fat diet, particularly for things like pancreatitis.</p><p>So what food gives me the most bang for my buck in terms of low fat and low calories? A number of pancreatitis prone dogs eat Science Diet Light (not Science Diet Perfect Weight) as it has the lowest fat content and calories per cup on the lower end of the range. I was about to order a bag, but needed to make a Costco run and decided to check out their house brand Kirkland Signature food just to grab another data point. I was pleasantly surprised to find a similar nutrition profile, at a much lower cost. So that is what Sis is now eating, and so far it seems to be helping. At least, she hasn't had any more uncontrollable vomiting episodes since the food switch.</p><p><br /></p>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-65537355001685018422024-02-18T17:50:00.000-08:002024-02-18T17:50:00.145-08:00First Impressions of ScentworkI have been wanting to get into scentwork for years. I took a couple of private lessons a decade ago, but couldn't continue for various reasons. I have been actively attempting to get into a scentwork class either in person or online for the past two years with no success. I now own a book on getting myself started and am working through it, but I'm not really enjoying the process and so far I am massively underwhelmed by this sport. Here are my impressions of scentwork as a completely inexperienced outsider attempting to get into the sport:<div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV80OsL0r5jFd8n4qQ7chLwOmCpQVX7FRSj2xTtlfolJhlrz63M2nJ-510fCIqGfqahSgaWFbgbSbEXxYNSaISOo2779Kt5pl-KY3IuaCrRkUjOtTt-xk9mRXUPvgLfPPeVvr-RicbbZuVmAaO19wkARP5UwulRxvpBzfl_Lw54up2Xp2pHx0sFwPJf7g/s2167/20230428_165048~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2152" data-original-width="2167" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV80OsL0r5jFd8n4qQ7chLwOmCpQVX7FRSj2xTtlfolJhlrz63M2nJ-510fCIqGfqahSgaWFbgbSbEXxYNSaISOo2779Kt5pl-KY3IuaCrRkUjOtTt-xk9mRXUPvgLfPPeVvr-RicbbZuVmAaO19wkARP5UwulRxvpBzfl_Lw54up2Xp2pHx0sFwPJf7g/s320/20230428_165048~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patiently waiting to be released to eat treats off the floor.</td></tr></tbody></table><b>1. We don't want newbies.</b> Scentwork as a whole is trying to keep new people out. This seems weird at first, both online and in person training programs for scentwork are everywhere. My local kennel club has half a dozen different classes every session. There are clinics and seminars everywhere all the time. BUT, the prerequisite for all of these things is to have taken the intro beginner class. The beginner class is only offered once a year. The class at my local kennel club only has space for six dogs and has filled up in under 15 seconds one year and under 26 seconds the other year I tried to get in. I know this because that's how long it took me to fill in my information and hit the submit button when registration opened. So I started looking for an online class and found a great website for a great trainer with all sorts of online classes. BUT, she only offers her intro class once a year and it was last month so tough luck. This is proudly announced both at the kennel club and with this online trainer, they are very open about how few people they introduce the sport each year.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>2. Odor is a sidequest. Scentwork is mostly just sniffing around for treats.</b> My outsider impression is that scentwork is almost entirely about finding food. I had originally believed it was modeled after narcotics detection rather than foraging around on the floor for crumbs. A friend who managed to make it into the kennel club class reported that after a year of classes they were still hunting for food with no plans to look for anything else. My book teaches searching behavior entirely with food and says you don't ever need to teach them to look for anything else unless you want to compete. Another training website I looked at had a bunch of different exercises and said they could all be done with food and even if the dog can search for a specific odor they should mostly still be searching for food.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>3. There is surprisingly little sniffing involved.</b> I am working my way through the book with Sisci right now, and three weeks into it the "searches" consist entirely of scattering food on the ground around various objects. The dog is supposed to learn to carefully sniff around the object to find the treats, but Sis just cannonballs over and slurps them all up as if the object isn't even there. She can clear the room in seconds even when there are several objects to be searched. We can use up her entire daily ration of kibble in five minutes of "searching" and it takes less time than if I just threw it out on the lawn. I'm probably doing something wrong here, but so far I'm not seeing the fascinating searching behavior and puzzle-solving that I keep hearing about from scentwork fans. Maybe at some point the book will instruct me to start hiding the treats instead of just scattering them on the ground around boxes and bags. But then, having had multiple completely food-obsessed dogs in the past, I'm also not entirely comfortable encouraging my dog to forage everywhere for potential food. </div><div><br /></div><div>So there's the current state of our scentwork journey. I am throwing treats on the floor for my dog to eat while ruminating on why the sport doesn't want new people to get involved and wondering how this is even a sport in the first place. I am currently looking for an online class or program that isn't entirely about searching for food in the hopes that eventually I will discover why so many people like scentwork. Feel free to set me straight in the comments if your opinion differs.</div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-15662685080357867072024-02-11T14:11:00.000-08:002024-02-11T14:11:00.197-08:00My Dog is Always Wet<p> This is <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2018/02/the-story-of-puff.html" target="_blank">Puff.</a> Puff likes water. We live on a farm. There is lots of water on the farm. There are stock tanks and water tubs all over the place. There is also a pond. It rains a lot, so there are also puddles. Lots of puddles. Puff loves puddles. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpejQn9Sy5FbCfMKsmmE7TCD-ywPub0b3qNNwKrUn8-X81Yb0kkzGbyrfcvEGQprC5W-AAsHHEoPDhgMxmnILor_i1Z0NPUDoknXx3mr7tNXPK3t0dBiLy2oNc_Ji_iLCh67uig92IZRxcY5zFuRfNdlvTx5uq7ohljrgH7pEikRF6opMEmnAjiQbzJEQ/s4032/PXL_20210607_175855446.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpejQn9Sy5FbCfMKsmmE7TCD-ywPub0b3qNNwKrUn8-X81Yb0kkzGbyrfcvEGQprC5W-AAsHHEoPDhgMxmnILor_i1Z0NPUDoknXx3mr7tNXPK3t0dBiLy2oNc_Ji_iLCh67uig92IZRxcY5zFuRfNdlvTx5uq7ohljrgH7pEikRF6opMEmnAjiQbzJEQ/s320/PXL_20210607_175855446.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />When we lived in the desert, rain wasn't a thing most of the year. There wasn't ambient water just laying around. Puff would jump in stocks tanks and water tubs, and then dry off very quickly in the single-digit humidity. Now she is perpetually wet. This has caused some unexpected issues. The first is her collar. <p></p><p>Obviously biothane was the obvious choice for Puff's collar. It's waterproof, non-permeable, doesn't soak up nasty swamp water, and lasts forever, right? I usually see it touted as an analog to leather for dog gear and horse tack, and I have leather tack that's older than I am. In practice, I keep seeing people say that a couple of years is a good lifespan for a biothane collar. However, a lot of websites that sell biothane collars say they will last a lifetime with proper care. The biothane collars I have on my sheep tend to get stiff after a while, but that probably doesn't count as proper biothane care. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJo6BwFzOHfIByZPe-hQrOjXB75LDKWFp9_Knsv6TEzkSR1ZCRPMn8_IfrRznrSNtZCuHmymsc6eljpyR-Lxui0TJ4T-Kdm8gs7poB3dL0KmRW3Ko6pz7X7j2Hi6hyRkrQF7GtkWQmXjVq5WhMuvDPC6azVbrU5cBi_mY5ypTfkpA8j1sCibAYAeMPfE/s4000/20230909_131500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJo6BwFzOHfIByZPe-hQrOjXB75LDKWFp9_Knsv6TEzkSR1ZCRPMn8_IfrRznrSNtZCuHmymsc6eljpyR-Lxui0TJ4T-Kdm8gs7poB3dL0KmRW3Ko6pz7X7j2Hi6hyRkrQF7GtkWQmXjVq5WhMuvDPC6azVbrU5cBi_mY5ypTfkpA8j1sCibAYAeMPfE/s320/20230909_131500.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Puff has been wearing a <a href="http://www.farmdiggity.com" target="_blank">Farm Diggity</a> Farm-Proof collar for three years, and it has been wet for three<br /> years. The biothane material itself is still going strong, but the rivets are rusting out. This is not a dig at Farm Diggity, almost all my dogs are wearing their collars and they are incredible. I also have several of their dog tie-outs and some farm-proof crooks. I have nothing but good things to say about the company and their products. But farm-proof is apparently not Puff-proof.<p></p><p>I could just replace the rivets and wait for them to rust out again, but I am also exploring other collar options for the perpetually damp dog. Maybe stitched biothane from a company that makes horse tack. Maybe I'll have a go at making my own biothane collars. Maybe I'll have Puff DNA tested to see if she's all dog and not part seal or otter. (Just kidding, the DNA test said 100% border collie without any fun surprises.)<br /></p>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-28002241769443478642024-02-04T11:25:00.000-08:002024-02-04T18:11:59.575-08:00The Changing Landscape of Dog Products<p> Since I started this blog almost a decade ago (it will be a decade this March) the world of dog products has changed dramatically. There used to be a relative handful of companies and makers, making distinctive products. I purchased many of the products featured on this blog in secondhand stores, but they generally came from identifiable companies with an online presence that I could link to. Often those companies had their own stories, and I have loved researching them as I go along, finding out who merged with who and which products they kept in the lineup (spoiler alert: Outward Hound buys everything) post acquisition. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-hJb9O42Yyfh77osf8rXM_zc63R9z61VBzJUq4c6PHknXV1BRpyOsGePMfxAFEurjSdrZafkgxN1_C9WqktUeCu2rHU1HjThQbS0Wv3vXmJY64-i9W7hhyl4I6PpUJUhMdEMemmnCgn-qTP9NByujHMdTbAu0t9oK_D97sq9CkG2jR0Ndn9JJyRqq2M/s1000/EEK_2886_retouch_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="963" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-hJb9O42Yyfh77osf8rXM_zc63R9z61VBzJUq4c6PHknXV1BRpyOsGePMfxAFEurjSdrZafkgxN1_C9WqktUeCu2rHU1HjThQbS0Wv3vXmJY64-i9W7hhyl4I6PpUJUhMdEMemmnCgn-qTP9NByujHMdTbAu0t9oK_D97sq9CkG2jR0Ndn9JJyRqq2M/s320/EEK_2886_retouch_1000.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><br />When I started this blog, there were <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2016/08/product-review-kong-cloud-collar.html">two manufacturers</a> of<a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2015/12/product-review-zenpet-procollar.html"> inflatable donut cones</a>. Today there are dozens of <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2024/01/can-we-talk-about-cones.html">different products</a> available from dozens of different manufacturers. There was one <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2015/07/product-review-medical-pet-shirt.html">recovery suit</a>, and it was not available for sale but had to be purchased from a veterinarian. Today you can find hundreds of different products in <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2024/01/if-dog-wore-pants.html">all sorts of designs</a>. They are easier to find, less expensive, and becoming more common and popular because they get shared a lot through word of mouth. <p></p><p>As the products become more commonplace and widespread, the companies behind them are all sort of blurring together. In writing up my recent posts on <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2024/01/if-dog-wore-pants.html">dog pants</a> and <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2024/01/can-we-talk-about-cones.html" target="_blank">recovery collars</a>, I found that several of the products I had purchased or screenshotted were no longer available on Amazon. In fact, some of the companies were nowhere to be found. The current trend I am seeing is lots of similar or identical products offered from various different companies, with a slightly different brand logo or no logo at all. Obviously they are all coming from the same overseas manufacturers. </p><p>Imported products are nothing new. What has changed is the quality of some of those products. Our familiar and beloved manufacturers like <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2016/05/product-review-ruffwear-doubleback.html" target="_blank">Ruffwear</a> and <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2014/07/product-review-lupine-combo-collar.html" target="_blank">Lupine</a> and <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2014/12/product-review-hurtta-winter-jacket.html" target="_blank">Hurtta</a> haven't gone anywhere, and nobody matches their quality and customer service. But there used to be those guys, and the affordable pet store stuff, and then stuff from unfamiliar overseas manufacturers. That stuff was reliably poor quality. I know most of the dog products I buy from familiar and well-established brands are also manufactured overseas, but those had the security of being from a familiar company with a reputation to uphold. </p><p>Today, I can buy a recovery suit, cone, collar, leash, bowl, toy, etc from an unfamiliar foreign brand on Amazon and be relatively certain it will hold up at least as well as the affordable pet store option. My no-name dog pajamas do not have a familiar company standing behind them, and they don't have the design consideration or quality found in my <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2015/07/product-review-medical-pet-shirt.html" target="_blank">Medical Pet Shirt</a>. I may not be able to find that company or product again when I want to share it with a friend or write about it here, but there will be ten more just like it waiting for me. Maybe even more, in even more different styles.</p><p>So what am I paying for when I buy a <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2014/11/product-review-ruffwear-front-range.html" target="_blank">RuffWear Front Range</a> harness instead of a RabbitGoo harness from Amazon or a no-name harness from Temu? I am not only paying for quality and customer service. I am also paying for innovation. Companies like <a href="http://ruffwear.com" target="_blank">RuffWear </a>are the ones creating not only new products, but new kinds of products. We didn't have mass marketed, high-quality escape-proof harnesses or structured, padded walking harnesses until RuffWear showed us how great they are. Everyone else is copying. </p>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-70458964376818455532024-01-27T18:11:00.000-08:002024-01-27T18:11:00.196-08:00Dog in a Cast<p> My dog broke her leg and I am here to share with you the products and activities that are making our lives easier as we navigate eight weeks of crate rest. It's going to be a long eight weeks.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsPZqsJiyO1iV5SORlFPrPHSj1Fc4GRUUrZcrNIdhKmQIR_F30H9u1ALj1hdzHQRrlLywE7H7mzfYo5Ib2joY3EtW0sM_FtIDjsytfkhGbBOvQ3x5vCVO70ZH7t5f8rOgO1QM8Yw4-SXPhvIEYWmcUN67D13conpIYRk6EFhVp55iUIaKRNr4e06UY5w/s3097/20231221_201100~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3097" data-original-width="2105" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsPZqsJiyO1iV5SORlFPrPHSj1Fc4GRUUrZcrNIdhKmQIR_F30H9u1ALj1hdzHQRrlLywE7H7mzfYo5Ib2joY3EtW0sM_FtIDjsytfkhGbBOvQ3x5vCVO70ZH7t5f8rOgO1QM8Yw4-SXPhvIEYWmcUN67D13conpIYRk6EFhVp55iUIaKRNr4e06UY5w/s320/20231221_201100~2.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>This is Moon. Moon knows how to herd sheep. Moon knows to run a big circle around the sheep so she can get behind them and fetch them to me nicely. Moon sometimes decides to freestyle it and run through the middle of them. In a total freak accident, Moon found herself under a particularly large sheep, and got her tiny little leg stepped on. Both bones were snapped, fortunately it was a clean break and the vet said it went back together very easily so she should be back up and running again eventually. In the meantime, she is on total, absolute crate rest. I carry her out to te yard for a brief potty break every few hours, and then it's right back into the crate. <p></p><p>In this picture, Moon is modeling the Ruffwear Flagline harness. It has a rear belly strap and a lighter, lower profile than the <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2014/05/product-review-ruffwear-web-master.html" target="_blank">Webmaster</a> harness. The handle on the back is well placed for using this harness as a mobility air, and really helped me keep a grip on a wiggly border collie as I carried her outside. Until she ate it. RIP Flagline harness.</p><p>Since she is going to be in that splint until spring, I wanted to keep it clean and also jazz it up a bit. I bought a pack of child's kneesocks that fit perfectly. They are colorful, fun, easy to put on, and washable. Why have a boring cast when you can have a unicorn cast? I also got this durable cast cover by <a href="https://www.chewy.com/medipaw-basic-dog-cat-protective-boot/dp/285883">MediPaw</a> from Chewy, but it's a lot more difficult to get on and off and Moon doesn't seem to like it. At least she puts up a fight every time I try to put it on.</p><p>Keeping a cast or splint dry is essential, but how? Grocery bag? Bread bag? Plastic wrap? I found this unicorn print <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CJ73QPC6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">waterproof cast cover</a> on Amazon and it is incredibly useful. Easy off, easy on, durable enough to handle some hobbling around on the grass, and reusable. Also totally waterproof, which is very helpful since I left the desert and relocated to somewhere that actually has rain. Real rain. And me dancing around in it with glee while the natives shake their heads. It's been three years and the novelty of water falling from the sky has yet to wear off.</p><p>Moon is also modeling my <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2014/12/product-review-zumi-dual-lead.html">Zumi Dual Lead</a> in this picture. The length is perfect for short potty breaks with limited movement. It also matches her new <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGGPM66Z?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details">pink harness</a>. The keyword for finding harnesses with a rear strap and a handle is "escape proof". It has fewer adjustment points and is lower quality and has less resale value than the Flagline harness she ate, but the price was right. One big functional different I anticipate is that he straps will loosen over time and need to be adjusted on a regular basis. To avoid further gear-eating incidents, she also now sporting a <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2024/01/can-we-talk-about-cones.html">neck donut</a> which prevents her from chewing on her splint or harness without taking up all of the space in her crate.</p><p>To keep Moonbaby busy, she has lots of fun things to gnaw on. We are also having a go at learning how scentwork works, which is its own future blog post. I'm not doing very well with it and I have a lot of feelings about the sport. We have plenty of time to delve into it though.</p><p></p>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-67823737928967274252024-01-19T17:24:00.000-08:002024-01-19T17:24:12.570-08:00Can We Talk About Cones?A cone, also known as a recovery collar and an Elizabethan collar if your are feeling particularly fancy, is a great management tool for a lot of different dog problems. Injuries, surgery, hot spots, any reason you need to keep your dog's face away from the rest of their body, or their feet away from their head. There are lots of different kinds to choose from, I currently own and use three types. This is continues my series of accident-prone dogs having accidents. Mostly border collies. Because border collies. Their giant brains are filled with sheep and problem-solving and there's no room left for self-preservation. But also the cattledog because she got hurt recently and has had me running through my collection of recovery solutions.<div><br /></div><div><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CivxiVpYojVa2vhrZctsU-tmTLpp710R5xHxeDFvHi_hNkyq_N0Enuiu4-An4jRVadhSUDJxpUEw9NPdIAbctcPw6l44H3kVdsYy3visXc_MIYi3MFoyOcKvq9W_qFdsQwHf5AOpXfcXoJbvRIrvRdpKFkPa3QbZnEJnbfVdSGL5twU2pPL-kp5QY6I/s2307/20231016_161706~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2307" data-original-width="2294" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CivxiVpYojVa2vhrZctsU-tmTLpp710R5xHxeDFvHi_hNkyq_N0Enuiu4-An4jRVadhSUDJxpUEw9NPdIAbctcPw6l44H3kVdsYy3visXc_MIYi3MFoyOcKvq9W_qFdsQwHf5AOpXfcXoJbvRIrvRdpKFkPa3QbZnEJnbfVdSGL5twU2pPL-kp5QY6I/s320/20231016_161706~2.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IT is a pretty flower.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><u>Option 1: Soft Cone</u></b></div><div>These come in a variety of designs like flowers and clouds. I own one flower cone and one lion mane cone from Alfie Pet but can't currently find a link.</div><div><b>Pros:</b> Totally adorable. Fits in a crate. Doesn't hurt when your dog runs into the backs of your legs. Works exceptionally well for pointy-eared dogs with ear injuries as it prevents their ear from slapping into their skull when they shake their head. </div><div><b>Cons:</b> Easy to get out of. There's no way to attach the ones I have to a collar, they just velcro around the neck and the dog can slip it off if they want to. Flexible so a clever dog can scrunch it out of the way if they want to. Not going to deter a very determined dog.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Option 2: Donut Cone<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJi93Wj7SED-AtzUPhXfGTt-ZD__DbrHnOnZi9YauVK9fI7EA8T23zUpfDajGU9scIXwzSwdz3-fJF4sLJjkoQ1zbs7U1VPcnFr1LbXcwauskYpMEU9ClMDH1HclZJ8g3yGBPQQLIpvNVN9XmnsZVNdcZiGgXSMhUJfnmTC2jJE4CJI7Y5EeCjrbpIrk/s1786/20231213_172945~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="1786" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJi93Wj7SED-AtzUPhXfGTt-ZD__DbrHnOnZi9YauVK9fI7EA8T23zUpfDajGU9scIXwzSwdz3-fJF4sLJjkoQ1zbs7U1VPcnFr1LbXcwauskYpMEU9ClMDH1HclZJ8g3yGBPQQLIpvNVN9XmnsZVNdcZiGgXSMhUJfnmTC2jJE4CJI7Y5EeCjrbpIrk/s320/20231213_172945~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sis is much happier in the donut.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></u></b></div><div>These inflatable rings also come in a variety of designs including rainbows and the obvious donut. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BSLSKHVB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">I own two of these, a Large and an XXL. </a></div><div><b>Pros:</b> Also totally adorable. I mean look at this. Also fits in a crate and doesn't hurt or break things when your dog is catapulting around the house in it. Works for restricting access to the dog's body. Can be sized up for more protection. Very secure as it has loops to run through a snug collar. Easy to store when not in use.</div><div><b>Cons:</b> Protection is only as good as its ability to remain inflated. A determined dog would be able to pop it. Also scares the bejeezus out of certain other dogs in the house.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO-7ndx3VnoPFzLevPKfr7y02FX9ult8-AQTd_LUc8-R8GtDFKKICN_KeWeVzJWWkWWUr6nYcdx9iwBP1SIUbU69DWYhA84Tz9LvYIvqQEkfwAhEWj9tHUe55Jor3VLVGT78u3ZsNwrJsgpds4GT2pHwM8-x9I1-FAAv7Y3c8rJEFfag0EyOpSfO2kc4/s2705/20231212_173548~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1802" data-original-width="2705" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO-7ndx3VnoPFzLevPKfr7y02FX9ult8-AQTd_LUc8-R8GtDFKKICN_KeWeVzJWWkWWUr6nYcdx9iwBP1SIUbU69DWYhA84Tz9LvYIvqQEkfwAhEWj9tHUe55Jor3VLVGT78u3ZsNwrJsgpds4GT2pHwM8-x9I1-FAAv7Y3c8rJEFfag0EyOpSfO2kc4/s320/20231212_173548~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maximum cone:dog ratio.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Option 3: MegaCone</u></b></div><div>The good old classic you come home from the vet with. Cheap and effective.</div><div><b>Pros:</b> Maximum protection for your dog's entire body plus everything else if the cone is big enough. That mouth isn't getting near anything. I might try this for nail trims. Very secure, this one is zip-tied to a snug collar and could be zip-tied to a harness for a noodledog that slips collars. Maximum cone:dog ratio.</div><div><b>Cons:</b> Does not fit into a crate, or my house, or anywhere else. The world is not big enough for this cone. Your house is definitely not big enough for this cone if you have a dog that runs around with reckless abandon. Prone to cracking and breaking with too many impacts. A lower cone:dog ratio may not provide adequate protection for a dog determined to reach their tail or paws. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course there are lots of other options out there these days. DIY options with pool noodles. Cones that are more secure than my pink flower cone but made from nylon fabric and buckram so more flexible than the basic plastic cone. Face shields that sit in front of the ears and are narrower than a basic cone. Neck braces that limit flexibility. There are new companies producing new sizes and styles all the time!</div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-13432125574862617782024-01-14T13:47:00.000-08:002024-01-14T13:47:57.371-08:00If a Dog Wore Pants...<p> Since I began herding sheep and training dogs full time, I have a cause near and dear to my heart: Injured dogs. Mostly border collies. This is not a breed with self-preservation of any kind built in. We've had all sorts of injuries on the farm, from the mundane to the bizarre. The vet should offer frequent flier miles of some sort at this point. </p><p>A brief rundown of non-dog vet visits since we relocated cross-country:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>peahen with eye infection</li><li>ram rammed something immovable and rammed his horn right off, leaving a gaping hole in his head</li><li>small, hairy goat was losing a significant amount of hair</li><li>sheep sliced her shoulder open on a sharp bit of fencing wire</li></ul><p></p><p>Our delightful country vet practice only takes walk-ins, and they know whatever we roll in with is going to make everyone's day a little more interesting. But they see the dogs a lot more than they see the livestock. </p><p>I have discovered, through a ridiculous amount of experience, how much opportunity there is for accessorizing when it comes to an injured dog. From recovery suits to inflatable cones to mobility harnesses, there is something out there to solve every problem. And I'm going to buy it. I think it might be a coping mechanism. </p><p>Last summer, Zip went out to the pasture to get the sheep during the construction of our duck barn. There was a piece of metal roofing on the ground, and she sliced her leg open on it as she ran out to gather the flock. Being a serious working border collie, Zip completed her mission and went about her evening as if she did not have a 6" slice on the side of her hock. Naturally, this happened on a Saturday evening so upon discovery the next morning there was an emergency vet visit. The dogs prefer to time their disasters well outside normal vet hours as often as possible.</p><p>Zip came home from the emergency vet in a cone, with stitches in her leg, and an order for two weeks of crate rest. Crates and traditional lampshade cones are a bad combination, I would need to put most of my dogs in a 42"+ crate for them to be able to turn around wearing a giant cone. We only have one size of cone around here and that size is giant. Several inches past the end of their nose. They can't reach any part of their body. Better safe than sorry. But it's a very big cone.</p><p>I love recovery suits, but the vast majority of products out there are intended to cover the abdomen rather than the legs. The ones with legs are rarely long enough to cover all the way past the hock. So I embarked on a journey to find pants for Zip. I'm inviting you to join me on this journey. Ready?</p><p>1. Dog leggings. I can't find this particular set to link on Amazon, but these are a lot like https://walkeepaws.com/ and I can't get those to stay on to save my life. These would not go up high enough to securely cover the hock.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ7OG7WW8AeGwph9tbH0jYw9UW3sHT_-qpTxo-_Dt79WmLVQeYSClaw5p1GCkhCLCS5XLfams-vbYFnn9pX-IB4qQWjpsNYOR8ppx6qRgUvnZWKc_oL0dRVOw8UlA2IF4IW4JoFOXsasCjFtSMOSP39vfUtxOzrCs_ZtiupV59wT5cmn5FBh1WVcljDc/s2316/Screenshot_20220717-190053_Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ7OG7WW8AeGwph9tbH0jYw9UW3sHT_-qpTxo-_Dt79WmLVQeYSClaw5p1GCkhCLCS5XLfams-vbYFnn9pX-IB4qQWjpsNYOR8ppx6qRgUvnZWKc_oL0dRVOw8UlA2IF4IW4JoFOXsasCjFtSMOSP39vfUtxOzrCs_ZtiupV59wT5cmn5FBh1WVcljDc/s320/Screenshot_20220717-190053_Chrome.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>2. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/FouFou-Dog-62564-Protective-All-Weather/dp/B01IQPD1MO/ref=sr_1_3?crid=19CB0K8TS98NR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Umg9jVGTcs3ejwiaeu8u_G5lm-b8TEz0aF2bnkVfv4xeV8y3EjeUGaEO1JMtjYjWPMKw6gXoa1WZLI20A_l-wlCRNgu-IAQr9E_xek-_zoDucJYOXDsNyKJT_syEseQrC0-kkqZ2Hvl-KAA2MKsBcA.0mbKz2oQv-WhcyG9DlGb_94uyfWrmQFD7DSin2sCvEc&dib_tag=se&keywords=dog+pants&qid=1705267220&sprefix=dog+pants%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-3">Fou Fou Dog Bodyguard Pants</a>. These actually look like a pretty good idea for mud. A plausible option for Zip's injury.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0ZvE1cUYOJ4YoFxd7PxbrggrOZIME3rW3Zc6wHWm2OLUvzPPP521gc7X_TFT83A7O9SXMhfb7QSo-mpB5R7gN2mkEl50VNCtYukCGEQfXkbbN7nGTIeRMNr5dI518Oy_aS7_AEvXIhpUNvAur_6KYQ0Ac3e3llVv24wQgv8dasJxYoU60oCKKdyrINE/s2316/Screenshot_20220717-190150_Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0ZvE1cUYOJ4YoFxd7PxbrggrOZIME3rW3Zc6wHWm2OLUvzPPP521gc7X_TFT83A7O9SXMhfb7QSo-mpB5R7gN2mkEl50VNCtYukCGEQfXkbbN7nGTIeRMNr5dI518Oy_aS7_AEvXIhpUNvAur_6KYQ0Ac3e3llVv24wQgv8dasJxYoU60oCKKdyrINE/s320/Screenshot_20220717-190150_Chrome.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mozzie-Pants-SOPBLUE-Original-Small/dp/B01BTZF50O/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=bo9tb&content-id=amzn1.sym.35cab78c-35e3-4fc1-aab0-27eaa6c86063%3Aamzn1.symc.e5c80209-769f-4ade-a325-2eaec14b8e0e&pf_rd_p=35cab78c-35e3-4fc1-aab0-27eaa6c86063&pf_rd_r=ZF1T7NMCS6Z4B0HN4YQM&pd_rd_wg=5azk3&pd_rd_r=23259a00-00c2-4847-9dce-fd74b23d4570&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m">Mozzie Pants</a>. These could also work, but reviews say they don't really stay on that well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAM0atE0OTgveWwRj7_pczRWuv43HvRzUMQXGIPVcsV_GmVpDWzNV9K8pY3Ug_aVdJwzT-Q6CydgwrUz31Pk-gjxFej3Wjrdc67xO4m6bZp1r2ArlO9ihyS3tn-kYCTi357wfTz0GBJ297s4eI0h88rjgdHvL0FsiTDVG0FHzKgnguEBJveaWrY6And8/s2316/Screenshot_20220717-190420_Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAM0atE0OTgveWwRj7_pczRWuv43HvRzUMQXGIPVcsV_GmVpDWzNV9K8pY3Ug_aVdJwzT-Q6CydgwrUz31Pk-gjxFej3Wjrdc67xO4m6bZp1r2ArlO9ihyS3tn-kYCTi357wfTz0GBJ297s4eI0h88rjgdHvL0FsiTDVG0FHzKgnguEBJveaWrY6And8/s320/Screenshot_20220717-190420_Chrome.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. Comedy option legwarmers. There is no way these could cover or protect a hock injury. But I laughed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbOAuh_yRgn8IAmdW4izvXslVDkRzDSAAFDLA4igjDQcgC74XpvCUxB9RHmlBMS6TQARYNKicjPCm-z60eqVQoiwOcKTfO7VOlf725639myrlpewFaR2nafxdYzIWMoQvydmjO89AapHAzguOWsPoknu-IAloihs6n48PlSq2ubErvNWc3s_5XorW6kM/s2316/Screenshot_20220717-190651_Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbOAuh_yRgn8IAmdW4izvXslVDkRzDSAAFDLA4igjDQcgC74XpvCUxB9RHmlBMS6TQARYNKicjPCm-z60eqVQoiwOcKTfO7VOlf725639myrlpewFaR2nafxdYzIWMoQvydmjO89AapHAzguOWsPoknu-IAloihs6n48PlSq2ubErvNWc3s_5XorW6kM/s320/Screenshot_20220717-190651_Chrome.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SGRTSK1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">The Onesie</a>. I actually bought this one and it worked great. I've been able to use it for other dogs injured in other places since it covers the entire dog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZV5s5MfcSCtHUkaMHi1yEEJF8goEH4mUb8iOtRHkQevrKRI-fkV-TFbI4JYZkHvOJ5PdxVh28qB5uF3XPvym2S0w_H0SlLmsPrO0nYEU9lC2YcrYj0HcMrIwZIcL-9g9RfrhAHnmPscC_V5XBxq_dpq6bu3SXxIfZnRKq1o2gWegToBGfdcvsRugfJI/s2316/Screenshot_20220718-191057_Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZV5s5MfcSCtHUkaMHi1yEEJF8goEH4mUb8iOtRHkQevrKRI-fkV-TFbI4JYZkHvOJ5PdxVh28qB5uF3XPvym2S0w_H0SlLmsPrO0nYEU9lC2YcrYj0HcMrIwZIcL-9g9RfrhAHnmPscC_V5XBxq_dpq6bu3SXxIfZnRKq1o2gWegToBGfdcvsRugfJI/s320/Screenshot_20220718-191057_Chrome.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>6.<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09RY8BP6N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"> SurgiSnuggly</a> with legs. I have the no-legs version of this suit and it works well. I also bought this one for Zip and it worked well.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiqNOlbg7Ov4fcwCuViYSx2yF4wbnucZRUYNAD0BJZemSjxy6REieBVpJcTGBd5S-s9CT_4h_jTB_57p8xp_8-NPXzpOhNfR3t_WO5_R3cjc5rIVr-yrn4yMf6KhXINkbAhTlxtznbtu8LMmaVaY8YVr_sYzoVZx7oIUYUQVEc2Oqv_Rji4ZqSbDFm64/s2316/Screenshot_20220718-201637_Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiqNOlbg7Ov4fcwCuViYSx2yF4wbnucZRUYNAD0BJZemSjxy6REieBVpJcTGBd5S-s9CT_4h_jTB_57p8xp_8-NPXzpOhNfR3t_WO5_R3cjc5rIVr-yrn4yMf6KhXINkbAhTlxtznbtu8LMmaVaY8YVr_sYzoVZx7oIUYUQVEc2Oqv_Rji4ZqSbDFm64/s320/Screenshot_20220718-201637_Chrome.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><br /><p>In the year and a half since Zip's injury, there have been a few more products released that could have worked to protect her stitches. The key search word is apparently "recovery".</p>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-8544060761134085622018-12-12T19:44:00.000-08:002018-12-12T19:44:47.556-08:00Getting GeekierIt's time for a long-overdue update! A lot has changed for the Dog Geek crew. We now live and work full time on a sheep ranch! Zip and Godzilla are both quite accomplished at competitive herding, and Puff is coming along nicely. The ranch dogs are now part of our crew, or more accurately, we are now a part of theirs.<br />
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I've also changed my stance on...almost everything. Grain-free and high-end dog foods, ecollars and prong collars, puppy socialization...a lot. A lot of that has to do with experience, broadening my world view, and stepping outside my comfort zone.<br />
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Almost five years ago I started this blog under the name Brisbane's Bark Blog, about my dog Brisbane and the products, foods, and places we experienced together. He was my heart dog, and I made the mistake of thinking that the choices that were right for Brisbane were right for all of my dogs. I was wrong.<br />
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So here I am, working with my dogs for a living, using ecollars every day, and feeding Purina because they actually do feeding trials to find out what their foods do to the dogs that eat them. I am no longer a devoted pet owner with a lot of free time, but I am older, wiser, and still ridiculously obsessed with dog food and dog gear. I'm just more scientific about it now.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-56603188954015922332018-02-25T09:00:00.000-08:002018-02-25T09:00:37.718-08:00Bad Idea: The Illusion CollarThe Illusion Collar is a product designed by television show host Cesar Milan for the purpose of making slip collars easier to use, more effective, and more likely to injure your dog. It places the slip collar up at the very top of the dog's neck, where the most sensitive structures are located. This causes the dog the most pain and very efficiently cuts off the airway when pressure is applied. The Illusion Collar, and the newer version the Pack Leader Collar, uses a double collar with a rigid piece in between to force the slip collar to stay at the top of the neck.<br />
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What's Wrong With It?</h3>
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<li><b>It works the same as a regular slip collar.</b> Despite the elaborate double collar system, the Illusion Collar only works if you keep the dog at your side and pull the leash up. As soon as the force is applied from behind the dog instead of above, the collar becomes significantly less effective. If you're already holding your dog at your side with upward collar pressure, you don't need a funky neck brace to keep it there. </li>
<li><b>It doesn't last.</b> Unless you are walking your dog like the only thing keeping the slip collar in place is you pulling up on it while your dog walks at your side, the Pack Leader won't last very long. The rigid structures on the collar eventually soften, and allow the double collar to slide down.</li>
<li><b>That's not how slip collars are supposed to work anyway.</b> Fee your own neck, just under your chin. See how you've got all those blood vessels, glands, and your windpipe and trachea all right there? Totally unprotected? Your dog has all that same stuff in the same place, and the Illusion Collar puts pressure on all of them. Traditional slip collars are used to give brief corrections when used correctly, and are loose the rest of the time. Used incorrectly, a slip collar normally puts pressure lower on the neck as the dog pulls into it. This thing allows a dog to pull with the most sensitive part of their neck, putting constant pressure in the worst possible place. Or allowing brief corrections in the worst possible place.</li>
</ul>
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Really, there's no winning here. The Illusion Collar and Pack Leader Collar are quick and dirty ways to improve your dog's behavior. I would much rather see a prong collar on a dog than one of these monstrosities.</div>
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Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-88133580912341359162018-02-19T09:00:00.000-08:002018-02-19T09:00:21.300-08:00Product Review: K9 Sport SackThe <a href="https://www.k9sportsack.com/" target="_blank">K9 Sport Sack</a> is a backpack carrier for your dog. Yeah, just like one of those baby backpack carriers, but for your dog. It comes in several colors and four sizes to fit dogs that measure 10-23" from neck to floor when sitting up in 'begging' position. There is a weight limit of 30 pounds. The company also makes a variety of accessories for their products, and offers sizing help when you text them a picture of your dog.<br />
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Ok, stop laughing. This thing really works. It's pretty cool too, because it sets the dog up at the right height to look over your shoulder and see what you are doing. Much more fun than riding in a box with screen windows.<br />
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The K9 Sport Sack is indeed a sack. It's a bag that your dog rides in, it velcroes around the neck and has little holes for their front legs to stick out. The dog rides in a sitting position, and the rigid bottom of the bag provides a supportive surface for them to rest on. There is a sternum strap on the people side to keep the shoulder straps from slipping off.<br />
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I bought this K9 Sport Sack at the liquidators because I had actually heard of the product before and found it hilarious. It has greatly exceeded my admittedly low expectations. The design is secure and comfortable for both me and Ru. The quality is great, it feels like a rugged piece of outdoor gear.<br />
<h4>
Pros</h4>
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<ul>
<li>Allows small dogs to be comfortably carried on bicycles, motorcycles, hikes, climbs, and anywhere else.</li>
<li>Keeps your hands and the front of your body free.</li>
<li>Sets the dog comfortably at face level and allows them to see forward.</li>
<li>Allows you to take an unvaccinated puppy out for socialization without having to set them on the ground.</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Cons</h4>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>No internal structure or hip belt for the human means carrying a 30 lb dog could get uncomfortable.</li>
<li>Not every dog is cool with being carried this way.</li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Bottom Line</h4>
<div>
This thing is pretty awesome for Ru, I may need to get the little jacket liner to keep him warmer. For a novelty purchase, it has been remarkably useful. I even put Puff in it occasionally before she had all her shots.</div>
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Spoiler alert: I found a larger size at the liquidators recently, stay tuned for much larger dogs being carried around like toddlers.</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-54436126700441694812018-02-12T09:00:00.000-08:002018-02-12T09:00:32.977-08:00The Story of PuffIt's been a while since I updated The Dog Geek, I've been very busy working as a full-time shepherd on a sheep ranch with Zip and Godzilla, and now I've added a third stockdog to my little family. Zip's sister had babies in October, and I helped deliver the litter and raise the pups. This was a big litter, nine puppies, ranging in size from half a pound to a whole pound at birth. When they were a week old, the smallest baby got very dehydrated and required some extra fluids and care to keep her going. We weren't entirely sure that she was going to make it for several days.<br />
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Once she was thriving again, little Puff turned out to be quite a scrappy little puppy. As soon as the pups were big enough to play and wrestle, she would tackle the others and steal their toys. Her favorite toy was a tiny squeaky stuffed duck.<br />
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Puff is now 16 weeks old, still petite, and unstoppable. She is the first baby puppy I've raised since Brisbane, and she's almost as bitey and wild as a cattledog puppy. So much biting! Godzilla is the only one of the big dogs that will play with her.<br />
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I have lots of plans for Puff, she will be introduced to sheep when she is old enough. Someday I hope<br />
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to compete in the big herding trial in Meeker, Colorado. For now, I just hope her ears will stand up. They were perfect little tulip ears for a couple of weeks. Just when I fell in love with the tulips, they stood up! Two days later, they tipped over. She's probably going to have flying nun ears like Zip.<br />
<br />
I am trying to make more time for blogging in my busy schedule of shepherding and trialing. In the meantime, we are getting plenty of use out of our <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2015/10/product-review-kong-binkie.html" target="_blank">Kong Binkies</a>, <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2015/01/product-review-puppy-kong-classic.html" target="_blank">Puppy Kongs</a>, and assorted other chew toys. So many chew toys.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-34315859264896347292017-11-25T08:00:00.000-08:002017-11-25T08:00:18.149-08:00Happy Birthday Sisci Godzilla!Sisci Godzilla turned three years old on November 20th, and in <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2016/11/happy-birthday-godzilla.html" target="_blank">great</a> and <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2016/04/happy-11th-birthday-brisbane.html" target="_blank">glorious</a> <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2015/11/happy-birthday-sisci-godzilla.html" target="_blank">Dog</a> <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2015/04/happy-birthday-brisbane-double-digits.html" target="_blank">Geek</a> <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2014/04/happy-birthday-brisbane.html" target="_blank">tradition</a>, she got a birthday candle picture to commemorate the occasion. Look how much she has grown up!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3K8JdRv7tk/Whj0_xGwpFI/AAAAAAAAyw0/CWXLDG94QosafqXZx8IODjHZzAZDKokkACLcBGAs/s1600/SisciGodzilla3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dog with birthday cake and number candle" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3K8JdRv7tk/Whj0_xGwpFI/AAAAAAAAyw0/CWXLDG94QosafqXZx8IODjHZzAZDKokkACLcBGAs/s400/SisciGodzilla3.jpg" title="Sisci Godzilla birthday cake" width="300" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYM6q7Wtb3I/Whj1YHmUuJI/AAAAAAAAyw4/ZZMfl3Ed0SE0cm9Dhua9NTmt58tuSA6pgCLcBGAs/s1600/064%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1168" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYM6q7Wtb3I/Whj1YHmUuJI/AAAAAAAAyw4/ZZMfl3Ed0SE0cm9Dhua9NTmt58tuSA6pgCLcBGAs/s400/064%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="291" /></a></div>
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-38588704674381723312017-10-01T08:00:00.000-07:002017-10-01T08:00:00.211-07:00Product Review: Fluff & Tuff's Clyde the Horse<a href="http://www.fluffandtuff.com/" target="_blank">Fluff & Tuff</a> makes some very tough plush dog toys, including Clyde the Horse. Their toys come in a wide variety of styles and sizes, and are built with quality materials and sturdy construction. These toys are very pretty, they look like nice stuffed animals for children.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc_6jrAtoRw/WdBHSxl2NXI/AAAAAAAAxwo/XvulXj0YDoYsE7Ej9_c3D8Nkcv5zRmMbQCLcBGAs/s1600/223%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sturdy stuffed toy for dogs" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1600" height="332" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc_6jrAtoRw/WdBHSxl2NXI/AAAAAAAAxwo/XvulXj0YDoYsE7Ej9_c3D8Nkcv5zRmMbQCLcBGAs/s400/223%2B%25282%2529.JPG" title="Fluff and Tuff Clyde the Horse" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have a confession to make: I hate stupid-looking dog toys. If I'm going to have these things laying all over my house, I want to like looking at them. Most plush dog toys are shaped like animals, and I'm just not a fan of bulbous heads, long stringy legs, or comically long bodies. I have never owned a loofa dog. Even the Flatties stuffing-less toys have an aesthetic that pokes a certain part of my brain in entirely the wrong way.<br />
<br />
That's why the Fluff and Tuff toys immediately caught my attention. Most of their toys could easily look at home on a child's bed. There's nothing about them that screams THIS IS A DOG TOY...at least on the outside.<br />
<br />
None of my dogs are deliberate stuffy destroyers, but they do enjoy their toys. Like most dogs, once a plush toy develops a hole from all the carrying, shaking, and chomping, they must unstuff it. The lifespan of a toy in our household is determined by how long it takes that toy to develop a hole. Cheap stuffies often last a day or less.<br />
<br />
I think the people behind Fluff & Tuff had the same issue, there aren't many companies making sturdy plush dog toys that don't look like sturdy dog toys. Thick black external reinforced seams are durable, but look downright industrial. Fluff & Tuff put all that stuff on the inside, instead. Under Clyde the Horse's soft fur and fluffy stockings is heavy reinforced fabric with sealed seams.<br />
<h4>
Pros</h4>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Durable</li>
<li>Adorable</li>
<li>Machine washable</li>
<li>Unique designs</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Cons</h4>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Kids might fight with dogs over whos horsey this is</li>
<li>No dinosaurs in the toy lineup yet</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Bottom Line</h4>
</div>
<div>
Despite being the current favorite stuffy, our Clyde looks brand new after a trip through the washing machine. This isn't a chew-proof stuffy, but it's amazing for dogs that accidentally destroy their favorite plush toys.</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-37714348477666140742017-09-21T19:43:00.000-07:002017-09-21T19:43:23.086-07:00Dogumentary: Cattledogs Versus Border ColliesThe girls and I are on YouTube! I was interviewed on the differences between Australian cattle dogs and border collies fir Dogumentary TV!<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XhpMtDrgFII/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XhpMtDrgFII?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-16089228517830880752017-09-09T08:00:00.000-07:002017-09-09T08:00:09.303-07:00Product Review: Alcott Explorer Sleeping Bag<a href="https://www.alcottadventures.com/" target="_blank">Alcott's</a> Explorer Sleeping Bag is a snug little spot for your pup to curl up. Emphasis on the snug. This adorable little bed has a top that zips all the way off, so you can help your dog crawl inside or lay the whole thing out flat. It rolls up nicely into it's own little bag, too!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ljNPYsjWQA/Wa9gHg9fGWI/AAAAAAAAwy0/_sP80n2IFggnxVtONsd98_dkBnOoir9mACLcBGAs/s1600/239%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sleeping bag for small dogs" border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1600" height="322" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ljNPYsjWQA/Wa9gHg9fGWI/AAAAAAAAwy0/_sP80n2IFggnxVtONsd98_dkBnOoir9mACLcBGAs/s400/239%2B%25282%2529.JPG" title="Alcott Explorer dog sleeping bag" width="400" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_458758851"></span><span id="goog_458758852"></span><br />
I bought this sleeping bag on sale, and the price was so good that I didn't even read the tag closely. Alcott makes nice, high-quality gear. The tag said it was a size medium, and all the medium Alcott stuff I've seen or purchased has been appropriately sized for Godzilla. She is 28 pounds, 22" from neck to tail, and 16.5" tall. I thought it would make a great travel and camping bed.<br />
<br />
Imagine my surprise when I unrolled the sleeping bag and found it was this tiny! It's actually the perfect size for Ru, all six pounds of him! It's a nice, snuggly little bed with a soft interior. Definitely a great travel bed for small dog, just not even close to medium size.<br />
<h4>
Pros:</h4>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Totally adorable actual tiny sleeping bag for little dogs</li>
<li>Machine washable</li>
<li>Unzips all the way around</li>
<li>Nice loft, very plush and warm</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Cons:</h4>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Very, very small</li>
<li>Too heavy for backpacking</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Bottom Line</h4>
</div>
<div>
It looks like Alcott redesigned the sleeping bag, and the new models are significantly larger with sizing more in line with the rest of their products. The 2017 bed also has a waterproof bottom. Sounds like a great improvement! </div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-12466294028587511312017-09-06T08:00:00.000-07:002017-09-06T08:00:24.713-07:00The August BarkBox!Yes, we are finally BarkBoxing again. I had canceled out subscription two years ago after the company's social media team <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2015/10/why-we-wont-be-getting-any-more.html" target="_blank">temporarily lost its mind</a>, and then tried to pretend their offensive posts never happened. Since then, their social media posts seem to have been created by actual adults rather than middle schoolers, so I thought it would be worth giving them another chance.<br />
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I haven't been impressed with the subscriptions boxes we've tried in the interim.While it looks like BarkBox has made some changes to the content of their boxes, so far I've been very pleased.<br />
<h2>
BarkMade</h2>
<div>
Two years ago, our <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2015/10/the-october-allergy-friendly-barkbox.html" target="_blank">BarkBoxes</a> came loaded with an assortment of treats and toys from a variety of companies. Most of these goodies were readily availably for purchase on sites like Amazon, or directly from the manufacturer. Only the really special stuff was marked "BarkMade", produced exclusively for BarkBox.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Nearly everything that came in our August <b>Attack of the Space Squirrels</b> box is a BarkMade, which is actually pretty awesome. We got a three-eyed purple stuffed squirrel, a stuffed ray gun that makes weird noises, a pig ear slice, and two different bags of treats. Our subscription is for a medium-sized dog, but I decided Ru would enjoy the smallish stuffies a bit more than the girls. He also fits quite nicely in the box!</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-25432832316958287002017-08-31T08:00:00.000-07:002017-08-31T08:00:12.111-07:00And We're Back!We've had a very busy six weeks here at The Dog Geek, so busy that I haven't had time to post about it! The dogs and I have been competing, traveling, and taking care of a whole lot of sheep. Here's a few of the highlights from July and August"<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7jnePgmIzU/Wad-bxC-itI/AAAAAAAAwrk/Z1HCOvryb2IlxCTT2FuzU3crdVlSVl0LACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170801_140726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Australian cattle dog and border collie with herding trial ibbons" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1395" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7jnePgmIzU/Wad-bxC-itI/AAAAAAAAwrk/Z1HCOvryb2IlxCTT2FuzU3crdVlSVl0LACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20170801_140726.jpg" title="AKC Herding Trial Ribbons" width="347" /></a></div>
<h3>
AKC Herding Trial!</h3>
We competed in an AKC herding trial at the end of June! I also helped set up and run the trial, and Zip and I helped set the sheep up for each run for the classes we weren't in.<br />
<br />
<br />
I entered Zip in the B course class long before the trial, and two weeks before showtime I realized we had never actually done the B course. I didn't even know how? With two weeks of practice we somehow managed to get first place on our first ever B course run.<br />
<br />
<br />
Zip brought home a first place, second place, third place, and fourth place from the trial. She is very, very talented.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4TXv3VvSyg/WaeCTdLMIrI/AAAAAAAAwrw/wXyXnG31eaM0sKafHwIzvwbw8V15ECPuACKgBGAs/s1600/11-09park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="343" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4TXv3VvSyg/WaeCTdLMIrI/AAAAAAAAwrw/wXyXnG31eaM0sKafHwIzvwbw8V15ECPuACKgBGAs/s400/11-09park.JPG" width="267" /></a>Godzilla earned qualifying scores in both of her A course runs, to the great surprise of nearly everyone watching that remembered her being excused from the ring for excessive sheep biting last time we trialed. She earned her Started A herding title, which is somehow more impressive than Zip's ribbon collection.<br />
<h3>
One Year Without Brisbane</h3>
<div>
I lost my beautiful and beloved Brisbane on August 6th of last year. He was the dog that changed everything, and I'm still adjusting to life without him. I miss his giant fluffy ear, his long silky tail, and the way he could read the tiniest cues and figure out exactly what I wanted him to do.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I will have dogs that are better bred, better built, and better raised than Brisbane, but I don't think any dog will ever influence me as a person they way that he did.</div>
<h3>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zW0t2ShiFWI/WaeDy3GAbMI/AAAAAAAAwr8/dMVwRh3Q6ysLpHJC-d4DsifvjnfP0RvMwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170824_163815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zW0t2ShiFWI/WaeDy3GAbMI/AAAAAAAAwr8/dMVwRh3Q6ysLpHJC-d4DsifvjnfP0RvMwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20170824_163815.jpg" width="300" /></a>The Great American Eclipse</h3>
<div>
The dogs and I drove up with some friends to Idaho to see the 2017 eclipse in its totality. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen, and well worth the 14-hour drive. The dogs got to swim in the Boise River, and visit with some of their favorite people.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On the way home we decided to drive through Yosemite just to appreciate the scenery. Dogs aren't allowed anywhere but the parking lots, but we did get to see the Bridal Veil Falls!</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-23601952815345319252017-07-13T08:00:00.000-07:002017-07-13T08:00:01.940-07:00Product Review: OneTigris Tactial Molle HarnessThis Tactical Molle Harness by OneTigris is quite possibly the most customizable piece of dog gear I've seen. Made to look like military and law enforcement gear, this harness offers many of the same options with a civilian price tag. This harness is available in several colors, and four sizes to fit dogs with chests 15-40" around according to the manufacturer. In my experience it runs quite large.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tGEpxHxa65c/WWbw5Bsg4NI/AAAAAAAAv-g/0X-n3E3iSpkZkgh9xKpgOJaXf7I3VuTcgCLcBGAs/s1600/079%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tactical MOLLE customizable dog harness" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1417" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tGEpxHxa65c/WWbw5Bsg4NI/AAAAAAAAv-g/0X-n3E3iSpkZkgh9xKpgOJaXf7I3VuTcgCLcBGAs/s400/079%2B%25282%2529.JPG" title="OneTigris Tactical Molle Harness" width="353" /></a></div>
<h3>
Tactical?</h3>
It's important to know that OneTigris products are made in China, and lack the durability of real tactical gear. They seem to be popular with gun carrying civilians, but not actual military or law enforcement personnel. The straps and buckles are not rated for lifting, and neither are the handles.<br />
<br />
This harness is basically a base onto which you can add anything you like. It has two rows of MOLLE straps on either side, to which you can attach any sort of MOLLE pouch, bag, water bottle holder, knife sheath, holster...anything. The length of the harness means you can actually attach several of these things, but you must be careful to balance the load or it will slip to one side like every dog backpack on the planet.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UIukmTvoJJg/WWb0GD9IacI/AAAAAAAAv-k/TaoCGnM4s_UtsY9G743mJZsbjVmM-r5nACLcBGAs/s1600/098%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="MOLLE modular dog harness" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1587" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UIukmTvoJJg/WWb0GD9IacI/AAAAAAAAv-k/TaoCGnM4s_UtsY9G743mJZsbjVmM-r5nACLcBGAs/s400/098%2B%25282%2529.JPG" title="OneTigris Tactical Molle Harness" width="396" /></a></div>
There is also a wide strip of velcro along the back, for attaching patches or pretty much anything else.<br />
<br />
The front strap is padded, and there are two straps that run underneath the dog, sort of like the <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2014/05/product-review-ruffwear-web-master.html" target="_blank">Ruffwear Webmaster</a> harness. The straps are nice and wide, but don't feel super sturdy. I would not lift my dog more than a foot or two in this harness.<br />
<br />
There is a handle at either end, along with a leash attachment point. All of these are pretty flimsy, to be honest. Several users have reported them breaking with very little force.<br />
<h4>
Pros:</h4>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Highly customizable with any MOLLE-compatible accessories.</li>
<li>Easy to put on.</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Cons:</h4>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Build quality is lacking, at least in some pieces.</li>
<li>Sizes run very large, Godzilla is in the middle of the listed size range for our Medium harness and it barely adjusts small enough for her.</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Bottom Line</h4>
</div>
<div>
I think this would make a pretty awesome service dog harness. Accessories could be added as needed for various outings, and the velcro would allow easy access to some stuff without having to open bags. I may have to send it to someone who can test this theory for me.</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-19572696591963713842017-07-09T08:00:00.000-07:002017-07-09T08:00:11.960-07:00AKC Farm Dog CertificationWe recently helped out at an <a href="http://www.akc.org/events/herding/farm-dog-certified-test/" target="_blank">AKC Farm Dog Certification</a> test, one of the first in our area. This new title offered by the American Kennel Club was just added last summer, and now herding clubs are slowly beginning to offer the test.<br />
<h2>
What is AKC's Farm Dog Test?</h2>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBhBLOoBAJQ/WWGqaXSFWNI/AAAAAAAAv6k/KdKfzX_mSbAa906xBThKeAiQHJZUoi5sgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170606_085126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Australian cattle dog sitting on hay bale" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBhBLOoBAJQ/WWGqaXSFWNI/AAAAAAAAv6k/KdKfzX_mSbAa906xBThKeAiQHJZUoi5sgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20170606_085126.jpg" title="AKC Farm Dog Test" width="300" /></a></div>
<div>
The FDC test is like a rural Canine Good Citizen test. It's a chance to demonstrate your dog's ability to maintain good leash manners and a reasonably calm demeanor around various aspects of farm life. As one of the judges from our test stated, it's a bit like a test to see if you could work on a ranch and have your dog come along without causing trouble.</div>
<h2>
What <i>Isn't</i> AKC's Farm Dog Test?</h2>
<div>
This is not a test of your dog's herding or off-leash skills. It's not intended to be difficult or challenging for most dogs. Every single dog that came to our local test passed. The entire test is done on-leash, and unlike many AKC performance events, this one is open to any breed. We had everything from a Schipperke and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to an Akita and Berger Picard at ours. </div>
<h2>
What Do You Have to Do?</h2>
<div>
The test will vary a whole lot from location to location, the rulebook gives clubs a ton of freedom to put together something that works at their location. The difficulty of the test will primarily depend on the person judging, but so far the attitude seems to be that farm dogs don't have to be perfect. You start by greeting the judge without your dog jumping on or biting them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Most of the elements of the test can be rearranged as needed by the club hosting it, but they basically involve your dog walking on a loose leash, walking on a tarp, sitting on a hay bale, being tied up while you walk away, staying in a crate while you are out of sight, hearing background noises, passing a dog 10' away, staying still while you open or close a gate, passing farm animals chilling in their enclosures, and being able to look at farm animals and then disengage. </div>
<h2>
That's It?</h2>
<div>
I know, right? The toughest thing for some of our testers was walking on a loose leash while wearing a flat collar. Still, everyone passed because our judges allowed handlers to talk to their dogs, praise them, and correct them as needed. Nobody got disqualified for peeing on course, whining a little when separated from their handler, or needing multiple reminders to walk nicely.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's worth noting again that the test can vary a lot from one location to the next. You and your dog may be walking past horses, cows, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, or any kind of livestock. Yes, a facility with only chickens can put on a Farm Dog Certification test. We had testers walking all over the facility, another club had their testers walking circles inside their barn. The common thread between the tests seems to be that the judges and hosts genuinely want your dog to pass. It's a fun, low-stress way to get an AKC title.</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-82830149969674219152017-06-21T08:00:00.000-07:002017-06-21T08:00:00.767-07:00Dog Tech: The June Smartcollar UpdateIt's time to check in with our favorite smartcollar GPS and activity trackers, and introduce some new ones! I started a Facebook group for discussing pet technology, check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/430123737355339/" target="_blank">Planet Smartcollar</a> for active discussion about all the different smartcollar products, and real, unfiltered reviews by people who have actually used them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dmKWs7fLoOI/WUnkc6xEN0I/AAAAAAAAvT0/z8Lhw6Kmx68p7IRBhhneyoD7CzfbGQvhACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170616_150201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dmKWs7fLoOI/WUnkc6xEN0I/AAAAAAAAvT0/z8Lhw6Kmx68p7IRBhhneyoD7CzfbGQvhACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20170616_150201.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zip takes a dip in a stock tank wearing her Whistle 2.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Whistle 2: Currently using.</h3>
<div>
I wasn't expecting to like Whistle as much as I do. I saw the Whistle 2 tracker as old technology, about to be eclipsed by bigger and better products. It has turned out to be pretty darned reliable. The tracking is slow, but it really does work. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just a few days ago I sent Zip over a hill to look for wandering sheep, and she didn't come back. Eventually I opened the Whistle 2 app on my phone. While the location points it sent were several minutes apart, I could clearly see that she was running back and forth on the wrong side of an electric fence over the next hill.She has probably gotten zapped going under it, and wasn't willing to do the same to get back to me. Without the Whistle 2 tracker, I wouldn't have even known which direction to start looking.</div>
<h3>
Whistle 3</h3>
<div>
I've been hearing good things about Whistle 3, faster tracking and a new app. I just ordered one for each of the girls, and will report back when they arrive. After months of research, and talking to people who are actually using different products, I am confident that this is the best 3G tracker currently on the market. It uses wifi, bluetooth, and GPS, and is waterproof. Whistle 3 is smaller than Whistle 2, it may even be small enough for cats. It requires a monthly subscription fee.</div>
<div>
<h3>
Scout!</h3>
<div>
I am cautiously optimistic about Scout, another GPS/bluetooth/cellular device. This one specifically allows you to set alerts for places you do not want your pet to go. With a virtual leash, tracking history, and three days of battery life, this could be the pet tracker I've been looking for!</div>
</div>
<h3>
Link AKC</h3>
<div>
Though I ultimately decided that AKC's Link collar wasn't for us, I'm still recommending it as the best all-around smartcollar on the market. Link has a virtual leash feature, as well as temperature monitoring. Though they recommend charging it each night, many users report that the battery is still at 75% at the end of the day. I've heard from a couple of people who had really bad battery life, or collars that wouldn't turn on until they had been sitting for three days to let the battery drain and then recharged them. Link seems to have really responsive customer service, they've replaced these defective units, and also the trackers that have fallen off collars. Yes, as I predicted, the tracker falls off sometimes.</div>
<h3>
Nuzzle</h3>
<div>
Nuzzle's smartcollar is an enigma that is poorly understood even by those that created it. I have yet to hear from a single user that reports consistent behavior from the device. Battery life remains well under a day, but often varies from 8-22 hours for no known reason. The app often grays out and ceases to provide updates, which the company claims is unrelated to the batteries, but paradoxically can often be fixed by swapping out the battery for a fresh one. The batteries take 5 hours to charge, but may only last 8 hours. Tracking can be hit or miss, and constant false notifications are totally normal. Nuzzle is still deleting negative comments from their Facebook page, and negative reviews from their website. They are currently 3 days behind on processing returns, because everyone who wanted a reliable and accurate smartcollar is sending theirs back. They've changed the return policy and are now claiming to only accept unopened products, so that 30-day money-back guarantee is another Nuzzle lie.</div>
<h3>
Pod 3</h3>
<div>
Pod 3 still hasn't shipped to anyone other than the initial beta testers, and also to Argos shops in the UK. Yes, you may have backed the project, but you can walk into a retail store and buy a Pod 3 weeks before you get your backer reward unit. Crazy. I had a very high opinion of this company, but they seem to be having a tough time rolling out their product, and they're not handling the PR well. Nobody is even totally sure why the company felt the need to run a Kickstarter campaign anyway, since they are an established business with capital and stuff. Whistle didn't crowdsource their product, they released it on time, and the thing seems to actually work.</div>
<h3>
Kyon</h3>
<div>
Kyon is now a year behind schedule, and the original Kickstarter backers have begun asking for refunds. It's pretty clear they will be missing their goal of shipping by the end of June. Will the Kyon rollout be like Link's, with lots of initial bumps but a solid product and excellent customer service? Or will it be like the Nuzzle rollout, with a shoddy product and worse customer service?</div>
<h3>
Scollar</h3>
<div>
The Scollar release date has been pushed back from August to December of 2017. Typical smartcollar project. The company was still discussing color options in May, I don't think this one has been finalized for production yet.</div>
<h3>
Wuf</h3>
<div>
Wuf is still claiming a release in Fall of 2017, but has not posted an update to their restless Kickstarter backers since April. Many are asking for refunds, as the project was fully funded in 2014. I am officially predicting that Wuf will end up as vaporware, like Buddy and DogTelligent.</div>
<h3>
Findster Duo</h3>
<div>
I'm hearing good things about the Findster Duo. This one has a limited range, but does not require cellular signal to work. You carry one piece with you, and put the other on your dog. Your phone connects to the piece that's with you. Findster does not have a monthly fee.</div>
<h3>
Trackums</h3>
<div>
Touted as "a smartphone for your pet", this project looks even more ambitious than Nuzzle. It actually has an LCD screen. It will have a virtual leash, geofence, 2-way communication, camera, and three days of battery life, all for $200. These are expected to ship in September 2017. Sound too good to be true? I'm expecting this one to be vaporware too.</div>
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Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-90894368670528562982017-06-16T08:00:00.000-07:002017-06-16T08:00:30.035-07:00Product Review: Terrain D.O.G. Hunting Dog Leash<a href="http://www.terraindog.com/" target="_blank">Terrain D.O.G.'s</a> Hunting Dog Leash is made from their super durable Brahma Webb. This durable, weatherproof, grippy material is waterproof and requires zero care. The hunting dog leash features an extra snap attached to the handle, along with a floating ring. This allows you to quickly attach the leash to a tree, and can also be used as a slip lead or even a two-dog leash. The hunting dog leash is 6' long, and is available in three colors.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap6-NZq47jw/WUC73lyAIFI/AAAAAAAAvIQ/0724E6uTFl8tj6HgvT6LBkzsI4ojjLBegCLcBGAs/s1600/089%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="weatherproof biothane leash with extra snap and floating ring" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap6-NZq47jw/WUC73lyAIFI/AAAAAAAAvIQ/0724E6uTFl8tj6HgvT6LBkzsI4ojjLBegCLcBGAs/s400/089%2B%25283%2529.JPG" title="Terrain D.O.G. Brahma Webb hunting dog leash" width="255" /></a></div>
<br />
I had never heard of this brand before, but I walked into one of my local shops and they had a whole Terrain D.O.G. display of things that I immediately wanted. They have a really wonderful range of products, from center ring collars to long training leashes in this biothane Brahma Webb, to padded harnesses, to leather collars and leashes.<br />
<br />
Their product range is so extensive that I knew this couldn't be a brand new company. Sure enough, Terrain D.O.G. is a Weaver Leather brand. While I absolutely love small businesses and independent entrepreneurs, I was happy to see a familiar big brand. I've been buying Weaver Leather stuff for my horse for years, so I trust them to make decent dog stuff too.<br />
<br />
Weaver's Brahma Webb is an easy-care synthetic material that is waterproof, weatherproof, and easy to clean. It doesn't absorb odors, or anything else. This material is also nice and grippy, it doesn't feel like slick plastic and it doesn't get slippery when wet.<br />
<br />
The Hunting Dog Leash is a heavy piece of equipment for large dogs. It has big snaps on either end. While I like lightweight hardware for sensitive dogs, the snaps on this leash work well for the weight and size. I do need to be careful not to smack my dog with the snap on the handle end, though.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kxu5VFg2dyY/WUNuqx6Zb9I/AAAAAAAAvJ8/hu3YSdMXvxAuEx1ZWaToud8f8Lh7TW0DwCLcBGAs/s1600/095%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Bright blue synthetic waterproof nonabsorbent dog leash" border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kxu5VFg2dyY/WUNuqx6Zb9I/AAAAAAAAvJ8/hu3YSdMXvxAuEx1ZWaToud8f8Lh7TW0DwCLcBGAs/s400/095%2B%25282%2529.JPG" title="Terrain D.O.G. Hunting Dog Leash" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The leash is equipped with a floating ring and a snap on the handle specifically so it can be attached to a tree or a fence post in a hurry. I've found a couple more uses for those features, though. The handle snap is great for attaching accessories. It also work well to attach a second dog. Boom, two dog leash!<br />
<br />
The floating ring means this leash can be used as a slip lead. However, it does not have any sort of stopper to prevent the leash from loosening up. The grippy material and width of the ring also means it doesn't slide freely, which makes it less annoying that most floating rings, but also means it cannot be used for leash corrections. It's more of an emergency slip leash.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldhADiqHL-M/WUNv7JkLizI/AAAAAAAAvKA/p3z2NZVhpkwaxa6DsP8x_QpmU-948k42QCLcBGAs/s1600/093%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multifinction biothane synthetic dog leash" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1345" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldhADiqHL-M/WUNv7JkLizI/AAAAAAAAvKA/p3z2NZVhpkwaxa6DsP8x_QpmU-948k42QCLcBGAs/s400/093%2B%25282%2529.JPG" title="Terrain Dog Leash" width="335" /></a></div>
<h4>
Pros</h4>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Non-absorbent waterproof and weatherproof</li>
<li>Extra snap on handle end</li>
<li>Floating ring</li>
<li>Multiple uses/functions</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Cons</h4>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>A bit heavy for small and medium-sized dogs</li>
<li>Only comes in three colors</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Bottom Line</h4>
</div>
<div>
This is a super-functional leash that will last forever, and it's affordable too!</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-62339081608955791282017-06-03T08:00:00.000-07:002017-06-09T13:29:41.470-07:00Caturday: What is the Most Affordable Raw Cat Food?I've been crunching some numbers to determine whether commercial premade raw cat food is cheaper than canned food. It seems plausible, cans are heavy and bulky, and feeding an all-canned diet becomes alarmingly expensive very quickly. I love collecting data, and I wanted to share my findings with you. Please keep in mind that this is not a complete list, it represents what is readily available either online or in my local stores.<br />
<h2>
Methodology</h2>
<div>
The foods included on this table are those for which I could find price, serving size, and servings per package. If I was unable to find the answer to those between the manufacturer's website, and various retail sites, I didn't add it. Serving sizes were determined using Solstice, a 13-pound cat that needs to lose some weight, and the feeding charts provided on the food packaging or manufacturer website. If they had a feeding amount calculator, I used it. Food prices were the lowest price I could find for the largest package available.</div>
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<h2>
Freeze-Dried or Frozen?</h2>
<div>
My experience with raw dog food has led me to believe that freeze-dried pet food is super expensive, and that frozen raw food is much more reasonable. I was therefore quite surprised to see freeze-dried food as the three least expensive options. It's very interesting how the food prices cluster, first there's three freeze-dried foods at a similar price point, then five frozen foods followed by four freeze-dried foods. I'm sure these are coincidental though, since the price points for each cluster range quite a bit.</div>
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
Is premade commercial raw cat food cheaper than canned cat food? Nope. Not even close. I am currently feeding primarily 4Health grain-free canned cat food at a cost of $0.79 per can, with some other brands mixed in when I can pick them up on uber-clearance for $0.30-.60 per can. Each cat eats one 5oz can per day, so their monthly feed bill is $23.70. It costs me $47.40 to fed The Hellions each month.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Sojo's Complete, the most affordable raw cat food I could find, it would cost $0.98 per day to feed one of my cats. That's a monthly feed bill of $29.40 per cat, or $58.80 for both. Though the price difference between the various foods is just a few cents, it adds up really fast. Feeding Grandma Lucy's exclusively to two cats would cost me $67.80.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On the other end of the spectrum, I am truly amazed at how expensive raw cat food can be. Rad Cat is available at my local pet stores. It would cost me $4.25 per day to feed one cat. That's $127.50 to feed one cat for a month, or $255 to feed both. Yikes!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While crazy-expensive raw cat food is not going to be a staple of James and Solstice's diets anytime soon, I do like to vary their diets quite a bit. They aren't allowed to have frozen raw food because they can't eat it without making the entire house smell like a slaughterhouse, but I'd like to introduce them to the concept of freeze dried cat food.</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455640680454914217.post-67117835735424098002017-06-02T08:00:00.000-07:002017-06-02T08:00:08.904-07:00Food Friday: Rolled Dog FoodYes, dog food comes in roll form. I've shared several different brands recently, and now it's time to discuss the whole concept of dog food rolls. Why do they exist? What are they good for? Are some better than others?<br />
<h2>
What's in a Roll?</h2>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_bcWJUNAGzM/WNnsHRaZJNI/AAAAAAAAtjQ/qDNstRijWPc6fRr_v07iFNCWBt8g7c0KgCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170321_110607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Grain-free dog food roll" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_bcWJUNAGzM/WNnsHRaZJNI/AAAAAAAAtjQ/qDNstRijWPc6fRr_v07iFNCWBt8g7c0KgCPcB/s400/IMG_20170321_110607.jpg" title="Dog Food Roll" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grain-free dog food roll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
While several dog food companies have recently added food rolls to their product lineup, dog food rolls have been around for at least 15 years. The recipes vary quite a bit between brands, but the basic formulation is the same. These are all shelf-stable salami-like products that need to be refrigerated after opening.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All complete and balanced dog food rolls that I've encountered so far have had ingredients lists that start with meat, followed by some type of flour. The grain-inclusive ones usually have rice flour and/or pea flour. The grain-free rolls just have pea flour. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Surprisingly, all the dog food rolls I've encountered also contain both eggs and added sugar. Some also have molasses, broth, and potato starch. Eggs and sugar appear to be essential though, I've guessing they hep the roll hold its shape or something.</div>
<h2>
To Grain or Not to Grain</h2>
<div>
The biggest difference between a grain-free food roll and a grain-inclusive roll is the texture. The ones made with rice flour tend to hold their shape really nicely. They don't crumble easily, and are easy to cut into super tiny cubes for training treats. They don't tend to go moldy very quickly, but they do dry out within a few days of being cut off the roll, even when sealed in an airtight container. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Grain-free rolls tend to be more squishy and less firm. It's tough to cut cleanly through a roll without a very sharp knife, and it tends to crumble when chopped very small. The grain-free stuff seems to hold more moisture, so it doesn't dry out and go hard. Instead it gets moldy. I had half an uncut roll go moldy in the fridge within a week. Not even gonna talk about when happens when it gets forgotten in a bait bag or pocket.</div>
<h2>
Let's Roll!</h2>
<div>
The added sugar means all dog food rolls are high in carbohydrates, so I wouldn't recommend making them a major staple of a dog's diet. They also aren't terribly economical compared to kibble and canned food. They make excellent shelf-stable convenience food, and also great toppers for kibble. I use them primarily for training treats. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/" target="_blank">Natural Balance</a> has been making their grain-inclusive complete and balanced dog food rolls since before I got Brisbane in 2005. <a href="http://www.redbarninc.com/" target="_blank">Redbarn</a> and <a href="https://bluebuffalo.com/" target="_blank">Blue Buffalo</a> both offer grain-inclusive and grain-free versions of their food rolls. Walmart's <a href="http://www.thedoggeek.com/2017/05/treat-tuesday.html" target="_blank">Pure Balance</a> brand has grain-free rolls. It's worth noting that these are all complete and balanced dog foods. There are meat rolls with no eggs and no sugar added, like Happy Howie's, but these are intended to be used only as treats.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Do you know of any dog food rolls that I didn't mention here? Please share them in the comments!</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11615884781628013542noreply@blogger.com0