Puzzle Toy Review: Planet Dog Double Tuff

The Planet Dog Double Tuff is a durable, stuffable chew toy. It is made from Planet Dog's extra strong Diamond Tuff Orbee material, and rates five out of five on their durability scale. The Double Tuff comes in three colors and three sizes, ours is a large. It is made in the USA.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is basically a new version of the Planet Dog Orbo. We had two of those that started splitting after eight long years of trips through the dishwasher and almost daily use. Needless to say, I was impressed. If the Double Tuff turns out to be half that durable I will be pleased.

The Double Tuff seems a lot like a Kong at first, with some minor but important differences. The inner chamber of this toy is shaped just like the outside. The bottom chamber is wide and easy to access through the opening, the upper chamber has a smaller opening. This design makes the Double Tuff difficult to clean when stuffed with peanut butter or anything else sticky. I am finding that we enjoy it a lot more when I stuff it with kibble or small biscuits instead.

Puzzle Toy Rating

Capacity: 2/5

I can fit a little over half a cup of kibble in here.

Loading Speed: 3/5

Not so bad with a soda funnel, otherwise it's basically one kibble at a time.

Unloading Speed (standard dog): 5/5

The texture of the Double Tuff means it doesn't roll very far at a time, and the opening is slightly elevated when it lays on the ground. It's good at dropping a kibble or two at a time.

Unloading Speed (superdog): 4/5

Slower than a bowl, and slower than some toys that are more complex.

Size: 4/5

The Double Tuff comes in three sizes, including a little one for Ru-sized dogs. However, the large seems well-suited to my 40-pound dog and I can't imagine giving one to a giant breed. Owners of power chewers tend to go up a size or two to give their dogs a real challenge, but that's not an option here. 

Durability: 5/5

I would give this toy to a power chewer with supervision if they didn't demolish a similar-sized black Kong. Planet Dog stuff also comes with a kickass guarantee so they're likely to replace it or something if it gets destroyed. I haven't had occasion to test this yet, though.

Noise: 5/5

Dead silent on my hardwood floors.

Locatability: 3/5

It doesn't roll very far, but it does roll. It also fits under furniture, and Brisbane can pick it up. He usually loses interest once the food is all gone, otherwise this would be under the couch.

Washability: 3/5

I used to stick my Orbos in the dishwasher back when we had a dishwasher, but that didn't always remove the plug of crud that got stuck in the top. Only using dry treats means it's pretty easy to give the Double Tuff a quick scrub, but I still have to use a bottle brush to get it really clean.

Versatility: 3/5

I could probably use this toy to challenge Xhuuya the raven. The smallest one would be great for cramming nuts into, and she might actually be able to pull stuff out of the top chamber. She'd probably tear chunks off it though,

Total: 37/50

Product Review: Kong Dental

The Kong Dental is a durable rubber toy with ridges for cleaning teeth. It is hollow and stuffable, and comes in Large and Extra Large sizes.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is currently our oldest Kong, I bought it way back when Brisbane was only a couple of years old and eating premade ground raw food. I used to stuff his meals in sterilized marrow bones, but those were too difficult to clean so I switched to durable rubber toys. This one is amazing because it has an enormous capacity inside, and ours is the smaller of the two sizes. I can stuff it with half a pound of raw meat, or enough peanut butter to make Brisbane puke peanut butter all over the house. That's a feature.

Photo by Erin Koski 

We have large and extra large Classic Kongs, and those are big enough that Briz and Uly can't empty them all the way out. I always end up having to scrub that last bit of peanut butter or sweet potato out of the ends. This Kong doesn't have that problem because both sides are open. The dogs do most of the work so I don't have to scrub it every time I find it under the couch. This Kong went through the dishwasher regularly back when we lived in a house with a dishwasher.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Large capacity with easy access for dogs who can't quite lick all the way to the bottom of a Kong-shaped Kong. Easy-to-carry dumbell shape for throwing and fetching fun. Hella durable, this one has survived at least seven years of relentless dishwashing, freezing, and gnawing.

Cons: Doesn't actually clean teeth. Maybe it would work that way if my dogs were both big enough and inclined to gnaw it like a bone? Doesn't come in ultra-tough black or x-ray opaque blue, only red.

Bottom Line: Definitely a valued part of our Kong collection.

Product Review: goDog Dragon

The goDog Dragon is a sturdy plush toy with a squeaker inside. It uses the company's Chew-Guard technology, a type of fabric that makes it difficult to destroy the toy. There are several different goDog dragons, and the company makes a huge variety of hilarious and awesome stuffies that I wouldn't mind having scattered all over my house.

Photo by Erin Koski

I like this dragon because it's pink. Brisbane likes it for reasons he hasn't specified. Right after I removed the tag he grabbed it and began squeaking it. Ru also loves the pink Dragon.

The lack of stuffing in this toy is pretty cool. It isn't totally limp like the Skinneeez toys that feel like a sad remnant of a toy. The Dragon does have a bit of stuffing, so it isn't flat and lifeless. It just isn't overstuffed, the squeaker is easy to locate, and it's fun to bite.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Durable enough to not become an immediate unstuffing project. Minimally stuffed so it won't look like it snowed inside my living room when the inevitable does occur. Super cute, looks great casually laying on the floor. Dog toys count as interior decor at some point, right?

Cons: Probably won't stand up to seriously destructive dogs. The bright color probably means I will be washing it a lot.

Bottom Line: The Dragon is so cute I can barely stand it. The dogs grab it to play without being prompted. It's definitely a winner over here.

Product Review: Ruffwear Grip Trex

Ruffwear Grip Trex are serious dog boots for serious dog activities. They are made with Vibram soles, just like human shoes.

Brisbane's 2009 Grip Trex

These are definitely Brisbane's favorite boots. The Grip Trex stay on remarkably well on all sorts of adventures, and they really do provide extra traction. Whether we're crossing a stream on slippery rocks or just running around the yard, the grip Trex stay exactly where they're supposed to stay. The only activity that has defeated the Grip Trex is the crazy ball-chasing sessions that destroy Brisbane's carpal pads. These boots don't go up high enough to protect that part of his leg, and they don't stay on when he's tearing up the turf to get the ball.

One of my absolute favorite things about Ruffwear is that they sell individual dog boots. I am hesitant to shell out $60+ for a set of dog shoes when I think we might leave one behind on the trail. I've gone as far as painting my phone number on every one of Brisbane's shoes in case some kind soul finds one on the sidewalk someday. The option to replace that one missing shoe is fabulous.

Armored feetsies!

Brisbane hates wearing anything that remotely resembles 'clothing', including padded harnesses and, of course, shoes. The Grip Trex are the shoes he finds least unpleasant. He'll usually walk in them instead of pretending that his legs don't work.

Briz has more sets of shoes than my husband. This is largely due to the fact that Brisbane has extra-sensitive feetsies. (Also, dogs go barefoot most of the time so Briz shoes tend to last longer than husband shoes.) Six years ago, Brisbane suffered a black widow spider bite on the bottom of one paw, which may have resulted in nerve damage. He is also a huge drama queen, so it can be difficult to tell how much discomfort he is actually feeling when walking on gravel or woodchips.

In addition to the spider bite, poor Brisbane is also extremely prone to foot injuries, from snapped-off nails to cuts from broken glass. Boots are a great way to protect an injured paw. When Briz has a hurt paw I usually make him wear two boots for balance.

I bought Brisbane's Grip Trex back in 2009, and five years later the design has changed. Were I too lose a boot now I would probably have to buy two and have different boots for his front and back feet.

Pros: Durable, tough, and at least were very well designed back in 2009. Stay put on the dog's feet and stay on during hikes. The option to purchase a single boot is genius and means I don't have to invest in an entire new set to just to replace one that is lost or damaged. Goes on with a single velcro strap. Brisbane seems to find them the most comfortable of all his shoes.

Cons: Design has changed so I can no longer get a matching replacement boot for my set. New design has many complaints and poor reviews saying the boot is now shorter and does not stay on as well, or irritates the front dewclaws. They don't come in not-really-a-dog chihuahua size.

Bottom Line: These stay on, and they bother my dog less than other boots. Even with the design change, I would not hesitate the replace these or purchase Grip Trex for another dog.

Product Review: Neo-Paws Summer Reinforced Energy Orthopaedic Shoes

Neo-Paws Summer Reinforced Energy Orthopaedic Shoes are protective dog boots designed for active dogs in hot weather. These are used for police and military dogs, search and rescue, agility, hiking, and anything involving water.

Photo by Erin Koski

These are unlike any dog boots I have seen before, and they are sure to perform better as well. Neo-Paws makes a number of different types of boots, and these are their top-of-the-line summer model. Made from breathable fabric, the boots dry quickly and help keep the dog from overheating. They are reinforced with leather in the most vulnerable parts of the uppers, and have reinforced toe caps as well. These shoes are made from the same materials as human running shoes.

Neo-Paws boots go on a little differently from other boots I've tried. Most have a zipper, velcro strap, or both. The Neo-Paws have a long, skinny strip of velcro that acts almost like a shoelace. The result is a custom fit for every dog. These boots can be fitted to avoid the carpal pads, to keep pressure off a sore spot, and to conform to the exact shape of the dog's foot and leg. Other dog shoes don't have this option, if the strap is too low or too high it can put pressure on the dewclaw, cause sores, or just slip off easily.



Brisbane tears up his carpal pads whenever he plays ball on grass. He likes to catch the ball and then skid to an abrupt stop, shredding the pads on the backs of his front legs in the process. I ended up buying him some skid boots to protect his legs from the grass, because his Ruffwear boots and Epiks wouldn't stay on. These are the first boots I've seen that look like they would protect that part of his legs and maybe stay on through his crazed ball-catching antics.

I actually bought these at a thrift store for $5 in brand new condition. They are a size XL, and I was hoping to use them for Josie because she drags both back feet and also one of her front paws. Unfortunately they are too big, so I passed them along to a coworker for her dog Guinness. He paces a lot, and his front pads can't handle the wear and tear. After reading the instructions on how to put them on just right, the Neo-Paws stayed on just fine.

The trick is to pull the inside of the flap up and tight against the dog's leg, and then pull the outside flap down and around the first flap. After that the velcro can be wrapped however works best for the individual dog.

Guiness didn't do any damage to his feet while wearing the Neo-Paws boots. Of course, he was also much less active in them. Something about wearing shoes makes a lot of dogs mopey.



Pros: Custom fitting with unique velcro wrap design, Tall boot design protects more of the leg. Breathable mesh dries quickly. Sold in pairs to allow for different sizes to be ordered for front and back feet.

Cons: These are only sold in pairs, so they are among the most expensive dog shoes out there. Putting them on is slightly more complicated than boots of a simpler design.

Bottom Line: These are pretty amazing, and I will probably get Brisbane a pair for his front feet instead of replacing his holey skid boots.

Product Review: Planet Dog Cozy Hemp Collars

The Planet Dog Cozy Hemp Collar is an adjustable flat buckle collar. This product has changed a bit in the 8+ years since I purchased mine, as it is now has a plastic buckle instead of metal.

Photo by Erin Koski

I bought Brisbane's first Planet Dog collar when he was just a few months old. He previous collar had worn a lot of the hair off the front of his neck, and I was looking for something soft that would hopefully allow it to grow back. These collars are lined with fleece, and incredibly soft.

The purple one on Josie was the first collar I bought, this one is a Large and the metal buckle is fairly heavy. With his tags adding to the weight, it didn't seem to help Brisbane's lack of neck fur. I found the green collar a few months later, it's a size Medium and rapidly became Brisbane's everyday collar.

Photo by Erin Koski

Both of these collars have made many trips to the beach, but you'd never be able to tell by looking. The worst sign of wear on either is that the Planet Dog logo has come partially unstitched. They were advertised as getting better with wear, and I believe it. I'm not normally a fan of worn-out collars, but I still love these after all these years.

Back when the Cozy Hemp collar had metal buckles, I would recommend it for dogs with skin allergies that left them sensitive to plastics. It now has a nylon buckle, but this makes it much lighter and probably more comfortable.

Pros: Lasts forever and looks great the whole time. Great for dogs with sensitive skin. Machine washable, and weathers repeated salt water immersion better than my Lupine collars.

Cons: The sizing hardware on my collars slips very slowly, allowing the collar to gradually loosen up over time. Not a problem for me since I don't walk anybody on a flat collar, but could be an issue for someone else. It is very possible that this has been fixed since I bought these. They don't make one for super-tiny dogs, so no Cozy Hemp for Ru.

Bottom Line: These collars will probably last longer than my dogs and someday be willed to my descendants.

Product Review: Plush Puppies Invincibles

Plush Puppies Invincibles are squeaky plush toys by Kyjen. Unlike most squeaky toys, these keep squeaking when punctured.

Photo by Erin Koski

We have had this toy for several years now, and it's one of Ru's favorites so it sees a lot of action until it is inevitably lost under the couch again. My dogs aren't terribly hard on toys, but once a stuffy has been breached its days are numbered. Brisbane thoroughly enjoys unstuffing his toys. I'd buy him the kind that don't contain stuffing, but I'd feel guilty stealing that joy from him.

Photo by Erin Koski

Ru loves this toy more than Brisbane, but he doesn't actually squeak it. He likes to instigate games of tug, and race around the house dragging the snake. Sometimes he grabs it and spins around until it rests over his back, then wears it around the house like that.

Photo by Erin Koski

Our Invincibles snake is an earlier model than the ones currently available, it doesn't have Extreme Seams. It has held up just fine, however. It is a six-squeak snake, and all six segments still squeak just as advertised. This is awesome because non-squeaking toys just aren't that exciting.



Pros: Continues to squeak indefinitely. Goes through the washer and dryer and comes out looking new. Apparently great fun to shake wildly. Has no visible damage after several years of play. Is cute, durable, and washable enough that I haven't gotten tired of seeing it around the house.

Cons: Continues to squeak indefinitely. This one doesn't set off Brisbane's OCD tendency to squeak nonstop for 30 minutes, but if it did we'd have a problem.

Bottom Line: The Invincibles snake probably wouldn't hold up to a dog that eats stuffies for breakfast, but it definitely works as advertised. My mildly-destructive dogs have yet to kill the squeak in this one, and that's impressive. They also continue to enjoy it every time I fish it out from under the couch again.