Product Review: K-9 Komfort Deluxe Leather Center Ring Collar

I bought this K-9 Komfort Deluxe Leather Center Ring Collar from GunDogSupply.com. It features brass-plated steel hardware, beautiful stitching, and a custom brass nameplate. K-9 Komfort's products are all handmade in the USA, and this collar was surprisingly inexpensive for the quality. This is a 3/4" wide collar, available in three sizes to fit necks 11-19" around. There is also a 1" wide version in sizes that fit up to a 28" neck.

Center ring dog collars are pretty standard on working dogs. The girls run through a lot of heavy brush, and these are the least likely to get tangled on something. The engraved nameplates mean I can have identification on them without dangling tags, and the center ring design would allow them to back out of the collars if they got caught on something.

I hadn't seen the K-9 Komfort brand before, but I was looking at center ring collars on GunDogSupply.com and these caught my eye because they were so inexpensive. They were easily half the price of similar-looking products. I am shocked to learn that they are handmade in the USA!

Having done some leatherwork myself, I know what kind of effort goes into the details for a collar like this. The edges are beveled and finished so they are rounded, allowing the collar to slide along the coat nicely. If you leave the edges of a leather strap squared off, the corners can be quite pokey.

The hardware is also quite nice. It's brass plated steel, so all the beauty of brass without the softness.

Pros

• Beautiful, long-wearing safety collar
• Strong but beautiful hardware
• High-quality stitched leather
• Made in the USA
• Somehow only cost me $18

Cons

• New leather is a bit stiff

Bottom Line

I can't figure out how K-9 Komfort is making collars this nice for this price. Maybe some kind of voodoo magic?

Product Review: VetOne ElizaSoft Recovery Collar

VetOne's ElizaSoft Recovery Collar is a flexible alternative to the traditional Cone of Shame. The soft cone is machine washable, folds flat for easy storage, and is made in the USA. It is available in six sizes.

Photo by Erin Koski

I can't remember where I got this soft cone, but I've kept it around because it's so convenient. It's soft enough for the girls to wear in their crates, which is impressive if you've ever tried to crate a dog wearing a traditional cone. It also doesn't hurt when a boisterous puppy smashes it into your shins.

I haven't yet needed to use it, so I have no idea how the ElizaSoft Collar compares to my other two Cone of Shame options, the ZenPet and the Cloud Collar. Both of those are inflatable donuts, I could use this with either of them for extra protection.

There are a lot of practical reasons to love this collar. It doesn't distort sounds like a big plastic cone. It's way easier to store, too. I think my favorite feature is that it is machine washable. We got to test that when Zip barfed all over it. Went through the wash and came out like new!

Pros

• Soft
• Quiet
• Doesn't smash into things
• Doesn't distort sounds
• Fits in crates and through doorways
• Folds up and fits in a drawer easily
• Machine washable

Cons

• Probably not as protective as a rigid plastic cone

Bottom Line

This is the perfect in-case-of-emergency cone. It's great for sensitive dogs, as well as those that like to use their rigid cone as a bulldozer.

Product Review: West Paw Zogoflex Air Wox

The nice people at the West Paw Design booth gave me this Zogoflex Air Wox toy at SuperZoo. It's got a unique texture that is clearly irresistible.  The shape is obviously fun to bite, given how much biting goes on around here. It's also fun to shake and tug. There are two other toys in the Zogoflex Air line, a disc and a ball. All are backed by West Paw's one-time replacement guarantee, and you can get a sturdier toy as a replacement. These are recyclable, dishwasher safe, they float, and they are made in the USA.

Photo by Erin Koski

It don't know what it is about this thing, but Sisci Godzilla feels compelled to hoard it in her crate. She's not gnawing on it in there, she just...likes to take it with her.

I'm pleased with the Wox because it combines several qualities that I don't normally find in the same toy. It floats, and it floats high in the water so that dogs can spot it while they're swimming. It's soft, so if I accidentally bean my dog with it, she'll be ok. We can play tug with it. It's durable and doesn't scream "SHRED ME!!!" like toys with fabric covers or ropes seem to.

Photo by Erin Koski

The shape of this thing is particularly fun. The legs wobble all over the place, and when the dogs bite or shake it, those legs thwap them in the face. For some reason they LOVE this. Face thwapping seems to be a major perk.

Pros: Durable enough to handle quite a bit of chomping. Guaranteed for a one-time replacement if your dog manages to shred it. As a tug toy, it's easy on both my hands and my dog. Floats high enough for dogs to see even if they are swimming with their eyeballs barely above the waterline. Does not absorb water. No parts to rip or shred. If I set it on its feet on a hard floor and nudge it, I can kinda make it walk.

Cons: Not as durable as some of the original Zogoflex toys, it's an interactive toy and not a let-your-dog-reach-chewing-nirvana toy.

Bottom Line: It's a weird toy made out of a weird material and my dogs LOVE IT.

Puzzle Toy Review: Paw5's Rock N Bowl

The Paw5 Rock N Bowl combines the convenience of a bowl with the enrichment of a puzzle toy. I know, some nights it's just too much work to funnel kibble into a toy. I've definitely been there. Apparently so have the folks at Paw5, because they've basically invented a self-filling food puzzle. Sure, it's shaped like a bowl, but it's way, way easier to fill and clean than the puzzle bowls you see everywhere.

Photo by Erin Koski

I think this is also a cool way to introduce the concept of puzzle feeding to both dogs and humans unfamiliar with the concept. It's not some wacky shape you have to screw together. It's a nice, familiar bowl with some extra features.

The Rock N Bowl is made in the USA from recyclable plastic. Paw5 uses a closed-loop, zero-waste manufacturing process. Sustainability is awesome!

Here's how it works: You dump the food on top and set the bowl down for your dog. Some of the food falls into the lower chamber, which has a flat floor. The kibble can then slide out the holes in the side of bowl. There is a ridge in the middle of the chamber floor that prevents the food from sliding freely across the bottom. Too easy? That flat floor can be removed, so that the kibble falls into the rounded bowl bottom instead. It's more difficult to get the food out the side holes that way.

Puzzle Toy Rating

Capacity: 5/5

Holds up to four cups of kibble at a time, more than enough for any meal. It can actually be used as an everyday feeding bowl.

Photo by Erin Koski

Loading Speed: 5/5

As fast as dumping kibble in a bowl. That fast.

Unloading Speed (standard dog): 5/5

It's really easy to get some kibble out of the Rock N Bowl, but fairly difficult to get all the kibble out.

Unloading Speed (superdog): 5/5

With the chamber floor removed, it took Godzilla at least 15 minutes to eat a cup of kibble out of this bowl.

Size: 5/5

It's big enough for a giant breed dog to use, but light enough for Ru to push around without getting squished. Ru has been way more interested in the Rock N Bowl than our other puzzle toys.

Photo by Erin Koski

Durability: 5/5

Sturdy yet flexible plastic. It's not made to be gnawed, but it should be able to handle an infinite amount of being batted around the house or yard.

Noise: 5/5

I know, it looks like hard plastic that would be super noisy on hard floors. Someone at Paw5 must have hardwood, because they thought to make the bottom out of rubbery material. The bowl is not weighted, so it doesn't make those super heavy rolling sounds either.

Locatability: 5/5

It doesn't fit under the furniture, and I pick it up after dinner just like I do all the other dog bowls. The dogs aren't inclined to pick it up and carry it around, either.

Washability: 5/5

The bowl comes into three pieces for super easy washing. There are no crevices or hard to reach areas, and it's dishwasher safe.

Versatility: 3/5

Obviously this is a feeder designed for dogs, and smaller kibbles fall out easier than larger pieces. For that reason, it's difficult to use the Rock N Bowl with cats, bunnies, or rats. The super easy washing aspect means it can be used for animals that get things super dirty, but I suspect Xhuuya the raven would just take the whole thing apart. I'm pretty sure it would work for toddlers though. Might have to load it up with Cheerios and visit some friends.

Total: 48/50

Product Review: Starmark Rubbertuff Treat Stump

I'm ridiculously excited about Starmark's new RubberTuff toys. These are supposed to be a bit tougher than some of the Everlasting Treat toys (see the edit below, they're actually not). They're made out of a different material, they don't specify but it looks like natural rubber to me. The whole Rubber Tuff line is made to work with Starmark's new Lock & Block treats. The new toys come in three sizes, and three shapes. I have the Rubber Tuff Stump, there is also a ball and a bone. While I did purchase my toy, I was given a discount at SuperZoo.

Photo by Erin Koski

I am a big fan of Starmark's Everlasting Treat toys, but that design has a weakness that some dogs figure out how to exploit immediately. Whether it's the Bento Ball, Wheeler, Groovy Ball, or the original Treat Ball, Everlasting Treats are inserted into the toy by popping them under a rim. That rim is an ideal point of entry for dogs that like to rip off chunks of toy with their front teeth.

The new Rubber Tuff toys still use a rim to hold the treat in place, but now the top of the treat covers that vulnerable spot. There aren't any obvious weak points in the toy itself when the treat is inserted. However, I am interested to see if any of my product testers manages to get their teeth under the treat in order to pull it straight out. It took a lot of force to get it in there, so hopefully the designers at Starmark have already planned for that possibility.

Photo by Erin Koski

The inside of the toy is hollow, with Starmark's usual lobed openings on either end. The Stump can hold two Lock and Block long-lasting edible chews, and smaller treats can be stuffed into the middle.

Pros: Dishwasher safe. More chew-resistant design than previous Starmark treat-holding chew toys. Textured surface may help clean teeth if your dog chews it just right. My dogs find it a little more appealing than the Everlasting Treat toys. The treats are made in the USA.

Cons: Lock & Block treats only come in one flavor right now.

Bottom Line: I must admit, this toy really looks like the unholy offspring of an Everlasting Treat Ball and a Kong.

EDIT! 

I just put our second round of Lock and Block treats in the Rubber Tuff Stump, and it appears this toy's durability is severely lacking. Sisci has managed to gnaw chunks out of it just by eating the treats. She's not a deliberate toy shredder, so I'm surprised that the Stump didn't hold up to the amount of chewing it appears to be designed for. I am going to contact Starmark to share my experience, and will report their response. 

Product Review: Spindrift Fleece-Lined Cozy Collar

Spindrift's Fleece-lined Cozy Collar is made in the USA, as evidenced by the American flag right on the label. This collar is made from strong, soft tubular webbing. The fleece padding is comfortable for sensitive skin, but I believe the current version is lined with neoprene. Spindrift collars currently come in three sizes to fit necks 17-26" around, I believe they are reworking their smallest size right now. The collars come in a variety of fun colors and patterns.

Photo by Erin Koski

I first started noticing Spindrift's products in stores because they were so clearly different from everything else on the shelves. The company started with one guy just making stuff that worked for him and his dog, and he didn't want to make something he could just buy at the store. I can appreciate that sort of thinking.

Spindrift collars are not folded back on themselves to provide for size adjustment. This is important for a padded collar, as with a typical nylon quick-release collar the padding made just end up touching itself instead of the dog. Instead, each collar has a 3" non-padded adjustment section. The strap slides through the adjuster and a keeper prevents the end from flopping around. This ensures that the padding is what touches the dog most of the way around, the drawback is that it reduces the size range of each collar.

This is a distinctive-looking rugged outdoor brand. My collar came from a thrift store, and it is faded and dirty but still serviceable. I have no idea how much wear and tear it took for it to look like that, but if I bought one new I'd likely go with a darker color to avoid it looking too dirty too fast.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Comfortable lining is easy on sensitive skin and coats. Made in the USA. Adjustment design keeps padding against the dog. Comes in some really fun colors.

Cons: Not padded at the buckle or tag attachment points, which is where my dogs are most likely to have issues. Each size only adjusts 3". Sizing seems to run very small, though this issue may have been fixed in more recent versions.

Bottom Line: Order big, the closer you adjust the collar to its minimum size, the less unpadded part there is on your dog's neck.

Puzzle Toy Review: Planet Dog Snoop

Planet Dog's Snoop is one of those puzzle toys that is elegant in it's simplicity. It's a flexible rubber bowl with a lip that extends all the way down to the bottom of the bowl. Basically, kibble dropped in the bowl is most likely to end up way under the lip rather than falling out. There's no weights or hinges or anything on this toy, but it's still a challenging puzzle. It gets significantly more difficult when you jam a Nook ball in there. I love toys that can work together like that!

Photo by Erin Koski

Puzzle Toy Rating

Capacity: 3/5

I can put at least half a cup of kibble in this thing, but a lot will fall out right away. 

Loading speed: 5/5

Dump in food, pull up lip, tilt Snoop around till it all falls in.

Unloading speed (standard dog): 5/5

It takes the dogs a while to get every last treat out of here. Adding the Nook ball makes it a whole project just to get a few kibbles.

Unloading speed (superdog): 3/5

Even with the Nook in there, Brisbane could empty this thing within a few minutes.

Photo by Erin Koski

Size: 5/5 

Light enough for Ru to push around without hurting himself, but too big to pose a choking hazard for large dogs. The tiny guys can shove it and flip it around, really big dogs might pick the whole thing up and smoosh it. I wouldn't add the Nook ball for dogs over about 40lbs though.

Durability: 4/5

This is not a chew toy, Planet Dog doesn't even list it on their durability scale. It's a supervision-only toy like the Mazee ball. (Note: I left my Mazee rolling around the house and Sisci helpfully enlarged the opening.) That said, it's a soft rubber toy and will withstand an infinite amount of rolling, smacking, and chomping unless your dog decides to rip chunks out of it.

Noise: 5/5

Hooray for soft puzzle toys! The only sound from the Snoop is the occasional clatter of kibble onto the floor.

Locatability: 4/5

It doesn't roll very far, but it does fit under the furniture.

Washability: 4/5

It's dishwasher safe, but the lip makes it a bit tough to get really clean and dry. It's definitely for dry treats only.

Versatility: 5/5

The combination of Snoop and Nook makes a challenging puzzle for a variety of animals. Our raven friend Xhuuya loves prying to ball out and then fishing treats out from under the lip. The Snoop alone can be fun for bunnies and guinea pigs. 

Total: 43

Product Review: Bella Bean Collar

This Bohemian Paisley collar by Bella Bean Couture is probably ten years old. Can we say durable? It hasn't been on a dog that whole time, but I've definitely seen some stuff that looked pretty aged even in the store. This collar looks brand new! Made from soft cotton web, it has a pretty ribbon overlay. Bella Bean has collars and leashes in an ever-expanding array of prints and colors, made to fit dogs of all sizes.

Photo by Erin Koski

Bella Bean Couture was inspired by a boxer named Bella Bean. We all know how fantastic collars look on short-haired muscley dogs. The creator's second dog, a Frenchie, inspired his own product line. Finnegan's No. 3 Standard Goods have a very different aesthetic to them.

Is this just another ribbon overlay collar? Not entirely. This one is a cotton web material, not nylon. Bella Bean offers both, but their natural fiber collars are the ones that really caught my eye. They also sell one-of-a-kind dog beds made from vintage wool blankets.

My favorite Bella Bean creation is actually their collar patches. Remember earning merit badges in scouts? (I was a third-generation Girl Scout!) These dog patches celebrate your dog's special interest in squirrels, sticks, fire hydrants, or whatever you decide they stand for. Sisci caught a squirrel for me recently, I think she totally needs a squirrel patch.

Pros: Soft, strong, unique, and beautiful. Made in the USA from domestic components.

Cons: The website's sizing information is given in pounds rather than inches, so if you have a really big heavy dog with a super skinny neck you may end up with a collar that's too big.

Bottom Line: I found this collar at a thrift store, and when I met the owner of Bella Bean Couture at SuperZoo I was surprised to learn that they had not made this print in the last decade. The company has been around for 13 years now, so they are obviously doing something right!

Product Review: SodaPup Original Can Toy

SodaPup's Original Can Toy is a durable, stuffable toy shaped like a soda can. It is made in the USA from natural rubber. The original Soda Pup comes in three colors and three sizes for dogs up to 90 pounds. The company is expanding their product line to include softer toys for puppies, extra strong toys for heavy chewers, and a variety of beverage-inspired toys for interactive play.

Photo by Erin Koski

I started seeing these SodaPup toys around Christmas time, but didn't get around to finally buying one until they went on clearance a few months later. I mean, it's like a Kong, and I already have a gazillion Kongs. Still, I wanted to see how it compares to the direct competition. Also, it was a dog thing I didn't have yet and I have a problem.

The Can Toy is quite solid and a bit heavy. It's hollow with a hole in the bottom to dispense treats. I can jam a dog biscuit in there, or fill it with kibble. Smaller kibble falls out pretty quickly, but it larger treats work pretty good.

This toy seems at least as durable as a Kong, with the bonus of not having a smaller end to get a good grip for gnawing. I suspect a heavy chewer would be able to get their teeth on a corner and destroy it, though. The cylindrical shape does make it a little bit difficult to clean the very bottom right around the hole.

Pros: Non-toxic and made in the USA. Does not smell like new tires. Bounces and rolls. Very durable.

Cons: Somewhat difficult to clean when stuffed with peanut butter or other goopy treats.

Bottom Line: I need to have a heavy chewer test this out for me.

Product Review: Jolly Pets Romp-N-Roll

The Romp-N-Roll ball by Jolly Pets combines their self-inflating ball with a fun tug rope for an irresistible toy. The ball won't ever go flat, even if punctures it just pops back into shape. It also floats, even when full of water. The cotton rope is durable and soft on mouths. It is available in four colors and six sizes.

Photo by Erin Koski

Brisbane and Sisci love these things so much, I had to buy a second one. Jolly Pets basically added a tug rope to their irresistible Jolly Ball. Now the balls are slightly more interactive!

The only thing bad about Jolly Balls is that my cattle dogs find them addictive. I have the 8" balls, and there's nothing they like more than unhinging their snakelike jaws in order to chomp these balls. Over and over. Rhythmically. Because herding dogs come preloaded with OCD. Even before Brisbane's first surgery, when he had a huge nasty tumor in his mouth, he was happy to bite his Jolly Ball.

The rope makes it a little bit easier to snap Brisbane and Sisci out of Biting Stuff Nirvana. They both like playing tug, so I can finally join them in their Jolly Ball games. The dogs also love to carry and shake the balls by the ropes. This means the absorbent cotton rope can get a bit gross, fortunately these balls also are great for kicking.

Biting Stuff Nirvana
Photo by Erin Koski

The Jolly Pets website actually recommends the Romp-N-Roll toy for water play. The ball is made from buoyant material, so it will still float even when waterlogged and filled with holes. It floats high, and is easy to see from swimming-dog-level.

This ball comes in three different sizes. Mine at the largest, 8" in diameter. There are also 6" and 4.5" versions for smaller or less determined dogs.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Made in the USA. Cotton rope can be easily replaced at the hardware store. Soft enough to kick, tough enough to stand up to a ton of biting. Will not go flat. Large enough for the largest dogs to play safely.

Cons: It's not a chew toy. The biggest complaint about this toy seems to be that heavy chewers can destroy it easily, though it is not sold as a chew toy. The largest size of ball is also quite solid and heavy, so smaller and more sensitive dogs may need one of the smaller sizes.

Bottom Line: Best as an interactive toy if your dog is a heavy chewer. Aside from Kongs, this is actually the only toy I've purchased two of. My dogs like it so much they don't want to share.

Treat Tuesday: Loot Pets Questrips

The Loot Pets Questrips arrived in our April Pet Loot Crate. They are beefy, moist treats that smell meaty, but not in a bad way. These are easy to tear into small pieces for training treats, and they stay moist for a good long time. From Loot Crate Labs, Questrips are made in the USA out of beef, vegetable glycerin, salt, mixed tocopherols, and rosemary extract.

Good For: High value training treats. Picky dogs. Dogs that don't chew very well. Dogs with poultry or grain allergies, or stupid allergies like sweet potatoes.

Not Good For: Lasting longer than the .1 second it takes to inhale them.

How Much We Like Them: They are even more exciting than the Ziwi Peak dog food I usually use for training.

Product Review: LINKS-IT Dog Tag Holder

I got this LINKS-IT dog tag holder for Ru because it's shorter than our previous holder and doesn't dangle the tags down quite as low. It is a unique plastic doodad that doesn't use any sort of split ring. LINKS-IT comes in nine different colors, we have a pink one and a purple one.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is a totally unique invention that has a crazy number of uses. Allergic to metals and need a fastener that won't give you a rash? Right here. Need something non-magnetic, that won't set off a metal detector? Got you covered. Want something that won't wear on your expensive dog tags or stain your dog's coat? LINKS-IT was made for that.

It's surprisingly complex for such a tiny thing. Opening a LINKS-IT is a bit tricky, it requires a fair amount of fine motor skill. When unlocked, the middle bit swings out and one side opens up. This is supposed to be virtually impossible for a small child to open.

The diamond shape means the tags hang nicely at the bottom and the whole thing moves a lot less than on a ring. The less dog tags move, the less wear occurs. They're quieter too! The locking bar going across the middle makes it tough for toenails, teeth, or anything else to get caught on the LINKS-IT. As an added bonus, you can't accidentally clip a leash to it.

Photo by Erin Koski

So far this has been a fabulous option for Ru. It's super lightweight, and short enough to keep the tags close to his collar. The pink collar is nice and bright. That said, it's kind of a pain to use. An empty LINKS-IT is easy enough to open and close, but when you add a collar on one side and a couple of tags on the other, it becomes significantly more of a hassle.

The hassle is magnified when you add more than two tags, or a larger dog collar. I replaced Brisbane's purple heart-shaped Rubit with a purple LINKS-IT, and I can just barely get it closed around everything. I definitely can't pop it on and off like I did with the Rubit, moving the tags with the LINKS-IT takes time, planning, and can't really be done with the dog wearing the collar unless you have a small dog with one tag.

Pros: Strong, durable, and metal-free. Made in the USA. Lots of color options. Relatively easy to open with enough manual dexterity, impossible to open by accident. More secure than a Rubit, stronger than a metal jump ring, safer than a metal S-hook.

Cons: Difficult to open and close with multiple tags or large collar hardware involved. Requires two hands and significant fine motor skills to use. Less convenient for fast changes than a clip-style tag holder. Tags with smaller holes do not fit at all.

Bottom Line: Since we have a zillion collars and the dogs wear different ones almost every day, I switch tags a whole lot. The LINKS-IT is great for Ru's identification tag and license. It's not so great for Brisbane's ID tag, license, daycare tag, Furcode tag, and microchip tag.

Product Review: Casa Bella No Bones About It Sponge

Casa Bella's No Bones About It sponge is a different kind of pet hair removal tool. The bone-shaped sponge is supposed to remove fur from fabrics of all types, including carpet. It does not need water or cleaning products in order to work, just wipe and the fur flies off. It's sort of rubbery and works via friction.

Photo by Erin Koski

For a rubber spongy thing, this actually works pretty good. It definitely works better than a lot of lint rollers I've tried. The primary issue is that the hair tends to stick to it though, and gets redeposited on the next swipe. If you can get all the hair in one swipe, it's fantastic.

This is definitely not any kind of miracle product, unfortunately. While it can get a decent chunk of the fur off my fleece jacket after a good Annie-petting session, it definitely doesn't get all of it. Unsurprisingly, the hairs it can't seem to budge are the same ones the lint roller can't touch, woven permanently into the fabric.

Pros: Non-toxic, reusable, way more earth-friendly than disposable sticky roller sheets or tape. Made in the USA. Might be able to budge hair that resists other removal methods.

Cons: Despite Casa Bella's claims, removing hair with this thing is not effortless. Takes many swipes to remove fur from fleecy fabric. Has a shelf life and will eventually become crumbly.

Bottom Line: My mother once said she wished she was comfortable enough to just go out in public looking like I do....

Treat Tuesday: Exer-Hides USA Rawhide Curls

I found a package of  Exer-Hides Rawhide Rolls at Walmart that lived up to my incredibly high standards, and now I have to question everything I ever thought I knew. Well not exactly, but I was definitely surprised. Normally I only give my dogs Wholesome Hides because these are made in the USA from domestically-sourced hides, and constructed in a way that makes them very difficult to chew in an unsafe manner.

While visiting my cousins in Idaho, we made a trip to Walmart. The subject of rawhide came up while we were browsing the pet aisle, and my cousin if I ever gave my dogs rawhide. I explained that I only give them Wholesome Hides because they are made out of one big thick sheet of rawhide, while the vast majority of rawhide rolls are made from one small, thin sheet wrapped around a bunch of smaller chunks and scraps. Chewing that one sheet takes a lot more time and effort, while it's much easier to bite off and swallow large chunks of the cheap ones.

I also mentioned my annoyance at the "USA Rawhide" I see at Petco all the time with the small print revealing that the actual product is manufactured in Mexico from USA-sourced hides. Almost all rawhide is made from USA-sourced hides, it's the process of shipping it to Mexico or China or elsewhere that tends to cause problems. A lot of consumers are aware of this, and specifically look for American rawhide, so I believe that packaging to be deliberately deceptive.

At any rate, back to Walmart. Seeking visual aids for my explanation, I grabbed the nearest package of rawhide retriever rolls. "See? It says USA really big on the front but it's probably not...no, actually it's made in the USA from US-only beef hides, wow. And the rolls are made from one thick sheet and not a bunch of little pieces. I guess I need to buy these." I did find a good example of low-quality unsafe rawhides rolls on the shelf right next to these, also under the name Exer-Hides but made in China.

As expected, these things took absolutely forever for the dogs to demolish. We had Brisbane, Sisci, Molly the Power Chewer, the Barbosa the pit bull puppy gnawing on them for a week and still brought home all four rolls with very little hide missing. Brisbane and Sisci took another couple of weeks to finish them off, and basically had to gnaw enough to unroll the hide and nibble off the edge of the sheet. So many hours of chewing! These are smaller rolls than our gigantic Wholesome Hides retriever rolls, but the USA Exer-Hides were fantastically long-lasting rawhides designed for safer chewing with minimal swallowing of hide. At $10 for four rolls, they were also a great value. I'm not sure if my local Walmart here in California carries them, I'll have to check next time I'm feeling brave enough to venture inside it.

Product Review: Planet Dog Nook Ball

Planet Dog's new Nooks are cute little balls made from their special Orbee-Tuff material. They come in one size and three color/shape combinations known as Peace, Love, and Happiness. These are made in the USA out of peppermint-infused recyclable material. Planet Dog guarantees their toys 100%, though I have yet to test this because all of my Planet Dog stuff is apparently indestructible and awesome.

Photo by Erin Koski

The Nook

These are very solid balls, we don't have anything like them. They are basically solid rubber with a design cut all the way through. Ours is Happiness, the yellow smiley face ball. The design makes for several nooks in which to hide treats.

Planet Dog says this ball is for dogs of all sizes, but I disagree. Slightly smaller than a tennis ball, the Nook presents a choking hazard for large dogs. As a child I read a James Herriot story about a collie nearly choking to death on a small ball lodged in its throat, and have been paranoid about it ever since. I'm fairly certain this ball is big enough to be safe for Brisbane and Sisci, but I certainly wouldn't have a dog bigger than 50lbs playing with it.

Pros: Cute and smells nice. Bounces and floats. Can be stuffed with peanut butter or have small treats shoved into the smiley mouth. More durable than a tennis ball, and easier on the teeth. Fits in the opening of a different Planet Dog toy for a bigger challenge.

Cons: Not durable enough for serious power chewers. Does not fit more than 3-4 treats at a time, and if wedged firmly enough a motivated dog might tear it apart to get them. Too small for most labs, goldens, and shepherds to play with safely.

Bottom Line: It's a cute addition to the toybox, and the small, narrow cavities mean that the dogs spend a lot of time and effort to lick out a very small amount of peanut butter. 

Product Review: Planet Dog Diamond Plate Ball

The Planet Dog Diamond Plate Ball is made out of their proprietary Orbee-Tuff material. It measures 3" in diameter and has an opening for inserting treats. This is basically the toughest toy they make. It is made in the USA, and is recyclable when your dog is finally done with it.

This shiny silver ball arrived in our space-themed June Allergy-Friendly BarkBox. We already have a Diamond Plate Double Tuff toy, and this ball matches it nicely.

My favorite thing about Planet Dog toys is that they are made with peppermint oil so they always smell nice. So nice. The ball has a hole in it for hiding treats, but Sisci thinks it's pretty cool empty, too. She's a big fan of balls, and a lot less picky than Brisbane.

Pros: Super durable. Recyclable. Works as a ball and a simple food puzzle. Smells delightful. Made in the USA.

Cons: Will not stand up to a power chewer, especially not a large dog on a mission of destruction.

Bottom Line: This ball definitely gets some love. It's fun to squish, and works well for dogs who are tough on their toys, but not super-destructive chewers.

Treat Tuesday: Purebites Freeze-Dried Liver Treats

Purebites are single-ingredient dog treats made from freeze-dried liver...and nothing else. Dogs love them like nothing else. With the exception of freeze-dried green tripe, these are the highest-value training treats I've found. They also stink. A lot. They come in pretty big chunks, but are easy to break up into smaller bits. These are made in the USA, from beef sourced in the USA.

Good For: Super high-value training treats. Training in highly-distracting environments. Treating picky dogs. Treating stressed dogs. Getting my hands incredibly stinky.

Not Good For: Super food-motivated dogs that can't think in the presence of the most amazing food ever. Treating dogs when I don't want my hands to smell nauseating.

Product Review: Dexas Pooch Pouch

The Dexas Pooch Pouch is a silicon treatpouch that can be clipped to a belt or waistband. It is flexible and non-absorbent. The Pooch Pouch comes in five different colors.

Photo by Erin Koski

I have used a number of different fabric bait bags, but this was the first I'd ever seen that was made from a non-absorbent material. This treat pouch is made from silicon that pops back into shape no matter how I flex it.

I love this concept, I can use all sorts of gross treats without worrying about them stinking up the pouch or contaminating it with bacteria. The Pooch Pouch is easy to clean and extremely convenient.

Unfortunately, there are some flaws in the design. The belt clip is set in the center of the pouch and not toward the top. It's also a fairly small clip with minimal tension. This means it falls off extremely easily.

Pros: Easy to clean and sterilize. Dishwasher safe. Does not absorb odors. Can be used for raw meat and other gooey, sticky treats. Easy to reach into, closes itself so nothing falls out.

Cons: Small belt clip is poorly placed, falls off very easily.

Bottom Line: If it stayed on more securely, I might never use another bait bag.

Puzzle Toy Review: Kong Genius Leo

The Kong Genius Leo is a roller-type puzzle toy shaped a bit like a bowling pin. It is made in the USA from natural rubber, and comes in three different sizes. Ours is the large size.

Photo by Erin Koski

The Kong Genius Leo was once originally sold as the Canine Genius Leo. The Kong Company bought the rights and hopefully made the Canine Genius people very successful.

There are two Kong Genius toys. The Leo is named after Leonardo DaVinci, and the Mike is named after Michelangelo. The Leo has a funnel-shaped top, and x-shaped openings at the bottom and on the side. Kibble can be loaded through the top and falls out as the dog rolls the toy around.

For a more difficult puzzle, the neck of the Leo can be shoved through one of the x-shaped openings in either the Mike toy or another Leo. This allows the kibble to fall freely between the toys. It also keeps the most vulnerable part of the Leo, the neck, safer from serious chewing.

Photo by Erin Koski

Puzzle Toy Rating

Capacity: 5/5
Provided I can keep it from falling out, I can fit a good cup of food in here.

Loading Speed: 4/5
I should be able to funnel tons of food in here in no time, but the size of kibble I use tends to just fall out the other openings if I'm not super careful.

Unloading Speed (standard dog): 4/5
Darla can spend quite a while getting her 3/4 cup of kibble out of the Leo.

Photo by Erin Koski

Unloading Speed (superdog): 3/5
Briz would take a lot more time emptying the Leo if the holes weren't big enough for kibble to just fall out. I suspect our original Leo has slightly narrower holes.

Size: 5/5
Three sizes mean there is a Leo small enough for Ru and big enough for a really big dog. Our Large is supposed to be for dogs up to 40 pounds, but it sometimes feels a bit big for 40-pound Brisbane. The Extra Large is big enough for a really big dog.

Durability: 4/5
It's not made to be gnawed severely, but the Leo will stand up to pretty much anything else.

Noise: 4/5
It's hard enough to be a tad rattley on the hardwood when it's got a bunch of kibble in it, but it's not terrible.

Locatability: 4/5
That one flat side keeps it from rolling too far, and it's a pretty big toy.

Washability: 2/5
It doesn't open up and I can't see inside, but I can get a scrub brush in there.

Versatility: 3/5
It's big enough for a variety of critters to bat around, and to hold a variety of foods. The lack of washability somewhat limits what I'm willing to shove in there though.

Total: 38/50

Treat Tuesday: Le Petit Treat King Cake Biscuits

Le Petit Treat King Cake Biscuits are darling heart-shaped dog cookies. They are gluten-free, corn-free, and soy-free. Le Petit Treat products are made in the USA. The ingredient list for these treats consists of four items: rice flour, apples, peanut butter, and olive oil. These arrived in our February Allergy-Friendly BarkBox.

Good For: Stuffing inside Kongs. Giving my chihuahua a healthy snack. Feeding the dogs on my way out the door without making my hands smell like liver or fish.

Not Good For: High-value training treats. Dogs with rice allergies. Taking pictures of pretty, unbroken heart-shaped cookies.

How Much We Like Them: Enough to buy a box if I ever see them at the store. They're pretty cute.