2007 Holiday Gift Guide

Last winter I tried snowshoeing for the first time and was instantly hooked. My dog Yogi loves to play in the snow, so I figured it was a no brainer to bring him along. Of course I’m out there in snow pants, a warm jacket and snow boots while Yogi had nothing. As you can probably guess Yogi’s first time snowshoeing didn’t go so well. He was getting cold and his paws were a big problem as he started getting these huge ice cubes growing in between his toes. Eventually we had to cut the adventure short and turn back.

Then I started looking around for snow gear for Yogi. I figure if I get to have all sorts of gear that keeps me warm then it only makes sense that Yogi does too. RuffWear made the best dog snow gear I could find so I outfitted Yogi with a pair of Bark’n Boots Grip Trex to keep the snow and ice from getting in his paws (with a set of Bark’n Boot Liners to keep his feet warm). Then, to keep his core from getting cold he also now goes out with the RuffWear Cloud Chaser Soft Shell Jacket. This setup from RuffWear worked wonders for Yogi and now we’re able to play in the snow for as long as we want instead of stopping when the cold and snow get the better of us. $9.95 – $74.95 at http://www.ruffwear.com

RoamEO GPS Dog Collar

If you have a gadget-enthusiast dog lover on your list then this is the gift for them: a GPS unit for you dog! Basically you put a GPS-enabled collar on your dog which transmits information to a handheld receiver that then shows your pet’s location, what direction your dog is heading and how fast he is moving.

Perfect for camping or even just around the house (especially if you’ve got an escape artist). When we go camping I create a customized GPS fence by simply walking the perimeter of where I want him to be able to go. Then if he dog goes beyond his “fenced” area the receiver starts beeping so I can retrieve him.

One of the things I really like about the RoamEO is how easy it is to use. There are no monthly service fees or complicated set up procedures that require a PhD to figure out. Right out of the box I put the collar on Yogi, turned the receiver on and within a few seconds I was getting GPS info! $549.95 at http://www.roameoforpets.com

OllyDog Saucer Bed

After a hard day of play it’s important to have a comfy place to rest and recoup. I’ve always had a bit of a penchant for dog beds, but Yogi and I are both very picky. Yogi wants comfy and I want cute. Luckily OllyDog makes super cute, very versatile and extra comfy dog beds.

These saucer beds come with an extra cushy foam pad covered in a variety of adorable patterns and a removable, washable grey bolster (pillowy sides), so it makes for a comfy retreat. The saucer bed is also great for traveling since you can separate the bolster from the base pad and then take just the pad on trips. $95 – $150 at http://www.ollydog.com

Donations to The Humane Society

Instead of exchanging traditional gifts, every Christmas my girlfriends and I exchange donations to charitable organizations. We each choose a favorite charity and then make donations in honor of each other. Making a gift donation is an excellent way to give gifts and share the spirit of the holiday season. The Humane Society (www.hsus.org) is a great animal organization to make gift donations to.

Wanted: 4-Legged Jogging Partners

Studies show that having a regular workout partner increases the odds that you’ll stick with a fitness regimen. But finding a jogging partner with the same level of commitment and schedule can be pretty tough. Fortunately, the perfect partner who will never cancel or criticize is probably curled up on your couch: your dog!

Beyond the obvious health benefits for both of you, a regular exercise routine helps create a tired and happy dog. However, there are a couple things to think of before grabbing the leash and heading out with your new running partner.

Not every breed was built for endurance exercises like running. Dogs with short legs or short muzzles typically don’t make great running partners and some very large breeds are at higher risk for bloat/gastric torsion. A trip to the vet can help you determine if your dog is ready to start a running program.

When you’re ready to begin, start out slowly and gradually increase the duration and intensity in order to build up endurance. Warm up and cool down periods are just as important for your dog as they are for you. Without a proper warm up & cool down, your dog is just as prone as you are to injuries like pulled muscles and torn ligaments. For dogs this is even more dangerous because dogs generally try to hide when they are injured, potentially leading to an even more serious injury.

Be extra-conscious of what type of surface you are running on. You get to put on expensive gel-filled running shoes to cushion your joints and protect you from the ground. Your dog however is running on his pads, which could be very tender if he hasn’t been doing many outdoor activities. The most common dog jogging injuries are worn or torn pads. Try to run on grass, dirt or other soft and cool surfaces. Starting slow and easing into a jogging routine with your dog gives him the chance to toughen his pads. If you notice problems with his pads (regular inspections are a must – daily is best), take your dog to your veterinarian.

Your dog’s pads serve a second important function: perspiration. Dog’s are only able to cool down by panting and by sweating through their pads. If the ground is hot, your dog won’t be able to cool down as much. With only these two mechanisms of perspiring, dogs don’t get rid of heat as well as humans and they can get overheated very easily. Learn what the signs of heatstroke are and watch for them (bright red gums and tongue, thick saliva, etc.).

Treat yourself to the right gear. Using a body harness on your dog (I prefer the front hooking harnesses as they help deter pulling) is far better than attaching to a neck collar, which can put un unnecessary strain on your dog’s throat and wind pipe. Another great item to invest in is a hands-free leash. A hands-free leash, like the one made by Liston ($30, http://www.liston.com) attaches around your waist, allowing you to run without having to change your arm action or posture to accommodate your dog.

If you’re going running for longer than 30 minutes, make sure to bring water for your dog (you may have to teach him how to drink from a water bottle or bring along a foldable bowl), or run in an area that has access to water that is safe for your dog to drink.

Running with your dog is a great way to spend time together and get your daily workout in. Just start slow, be safe and have fun.

Stop Leash Pulling: Dog Collar & Harness Review

Several years ago I made the mistake of trying to take one of my dogs out to a fun run/walk fundraiser held by the Humane Society. He had always been a dog who pulled and after several miles of tugging and yanking I just couldn’t take it anymore. I’d been trying so hard to keep him in control that for several days after the event I couldn’t lift or move my arm without waves of pain shooting out from my shoulder.

At that point I started looking for anything that would make walking less of a battle and more enjoyable. I’ve tried a variety of different collars, harnesses and leash attachments and here is what I have to report back on.

The Front Lead Harness from Bebop USA (www.bebopusa.com, $17 – $27) is by far the winner. It’s ideal for walking, simple to use and surprisingly effective. This one is different from typical harnesses in that the leash is meant to attach to a hook in the front near the dog’s breastbone instead of on the back between the shoulder blades. The way it works is that if the dog starts to pull they are forced to turn around instead of continually going forward. It worked almost instantly – as soon as I put it on my dog Yogi the pulling stopped.

Headcollars have become popular enough that by now most people have heard of or seen a dog wearing one. There are a variety of headcollars on the market today, but it is Dr Roger Mugford who designed the original headcollar for dogs based on the same idea as a horse’s headcollar: that when you take control of the head the rest will follow along. I tried several brands of headcollars and Mugford’s Halti Headcollar (www.companyofanimals.co.uk or http://www.coastalpet.com, $18 – $20) is also the only one that Yogi didn’t immediately tried to get off with his paws. The Halti is idea for walking or running and it got extra points because it has an extra “Halti Link” attachment that connected to the regular neck collar – acting as a backup incase something goes wrong.

When I pulled the Sporn Training Halter (www.sporn.com, $22 – $25) out of the box it looked like a complex jumble of loops. After a minute of studying the instructions and trying to figure out how it worked, it was actually pretty easy to put on. The concept here is that there are two padded loops that go under each of the dog’s front armpit areas that are then connected to the collar, which then connects to a leash. When the dog pulls, the armpit loops tighten. Despite being an interesting concept, this harness did not seem to deter Yogi one bit. This one might work on your dog, but definitely try this one out in the store before you buy it.

Prong collars are those metal collars with inward facing prongs, making them look more like an ancient torture device than a dog collar. They can be found at most every pet store and work by causing an uncomfortable pinching sensation when the dog pulls. For years the notion of using one of these horrified me – they just looked so painful. A couple years ago I was fostering a particularly feisty dog and so I broke down and decided to try one and I was impressed. The dog immediately behaved and stopped pulling, without appearing to be in any discomfort or pain. While this collar is definitely effective it is not a long-term solution – think of it more as a training device that can help you work towards teaching your dog to not pull when on a leash.

The best thing you can do is to head to your local pet store and try a bunch out. Getting the right size is incredibly important, so bring your dog and take a variety of harnesses and collars out for a test walk around the block before buying one to see which one works best for you.