For the past three years I have been recommending the Easy Walk™ harness, a product of Gentle Leader, manufactured by Premier to all my puppy and obedience classes. I started using the harness when I got my youngest Australian Shepherd three years ago. Walking both my Aussies was challenging, but with the harnesses they are both under control. Those of my students who have purchased it have been very pleased and now enjoy walking their dog.

The Easy Walk™ harness is different from other harnesses in that the clip to the leash is on the chest area instead of on the shoulder area. Think of this, the dog’s power and strength is in the shoulders. With the clip on the chest when the dog pulls it puts pressure on the chest which stops the pulling. So when they pull out in front of the handler and they reach the end of the leash the tension on the leash turns the dog back to be face to face with the handler. At that moment the handler acknowledges the dog and shows the dog the correct place to walk is next to his leg.

As associate of mine is a professional dog walker and recently sent me this testimonial – (more…)

behavior problems, collars, dog, halters, supplies, walking Hide

Yes, I tried them. I wouldn’t say “serve them to your friends,” and I certainly wouldn’t eat them on a regular basis, but I did try a nibble and it wasn’t unpleasant.  Besides, the dogs LOVE THEM!

View our video and recipe to make these vegetarian treats for your dog!

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The PediPaw is essentially a rotary tool, such as a Dremel, with a sanding head and a special nail trimming guide. In general, the product does exactly what it is supposed to; trim dog’s nails in a manner safer than the traditional guillotine type clippers. I highly recommend this product for the following: smaller dogs (less than 50 lbs), dogs that are already comfortable having their nails trimmed, and pet owners that are concerned with cutting into the quick, or vein inside the nail. Here’s why.

What makes the PediPaw safer than guillotine type clippers is that only a small layer of nail is removed at a time as opposed to a single large section. This allows you to slowly approach the quick, which, if hit, can cause significant bleeding and discomfort for your dog. What makes the PediPaw safer than a typical rotary tool is the addition of a trimming guide. A simple plastic guide around the sanding head makes for easy alignment of the nail for proper trimming.

Larger dogs have larger nails, which can be difficult and time consuming to cut with the PediPaw’s undersized motor. When compared with a Dremel, the PediPaw has significantly less power. The result is that the layer of nail removed with each pass is much thinner than what is shown in the television commercial. It took nearly 30 seconds to trim each of my Golden Retriever’s nails. Fortunately, he loves to have his paws held.

I also tried to use the PediPaw on my Cocker Spaniel, who hates to have his nails trimmed, and was unsuccessful. Basically, if your dog does not already allow you to cut his or her nails, the PediPaw will not help. Trimming dog’s nails is like weight loss, there’s no magic pill to make it easier. My advice, start when they are puppies to make your dog comfortable with having their paws held and to the noise of the PediPaw or other rotary tool.

Now, if I could only find a way to attach the PediPaw’s trimming guide to my Dremmel tool…..

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For those of you who share the “joy” of grooming a furry friend, I recommend the FURminator deShedding shampoo and deShedding solution.

I am responsible for the hygiene and grooming of three hairy dogs (two Australian Shepherds and a cocker spaniel, border collie mix with a knack for bad hair days). My grooming routine consists of weekly brushing and a monthly detailed brush & trim with special attention to dirty ears, over grown furry feet, and “cling-ons” around the rear. Despite my grooming efforts, every time a dog shakes the air is filled with flying fur making it hard to keep the dust bunnies around the house under control.

In an attempt to enhance my grooming efforts, I decided to try the FURminator product line. I purchased the FURminator package deal including the grooming comb, deshedding shampoo, and deShedding solution. I was amazed when I first tried the deShedding shampoo and deShedding solution. I wet my dog down and worked the shampoo into the dirty coat. I immediately felt the dense coarseness soften up and the dead under coat seemed to gently fall away. Upon rinsing off my dog, I was amazed at the amount of fur in the bottom of the tub. (See Easy Dog Washing for bathing tips)

Following the instructions on the bottle my next step was the deShedding solution. I worked a generous amount of the solution all over my dog and massaged it in (my dog actually enjoyed this part!). Although the instructions recommend that the deShedding solution stay on for five minutes, we did not make it quite that long! Even more fur fell into the tub as I rinsed off the deShedding solution. Since I brush my dogs often I was really amazed that so much fur came off so easily. Our next step was toweling off and drying. All went very smoothly, no knots or matts to comb through and since the heavy under coat was reduced the drying time was shorter.

Shedding, flying hair, and dust bunnies are much easier to control with the FURminator product line. It is an easy product to recommend as it exceeds expectations.

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