Product Review: Kurgo Back Pack from In Style Dog

A few weeks ago I  was contacted by newcomer In Style Dog, and asked if I would like to test a few of their products. Of course I said yes!  My kids and I loved our shopping spree.  The web site is easy to navigate, prices are good, shipping is free, and the product quality is excellent.

I wrote about the crate insert that Beck took out of the crate and brought to my king size bed.  Not one to be left out,  Finney, our Smooth Collie did a great job product testing the Kurgo  Wander Pack.  One of the things I love about this product is that it fits dogs from 30 to 80 pounds, which is  the majority of dogs that I work with.  The back pack fit both of my dogs well, along with all several fosters, and friend's  dogs that we tried it on, with easy,  minor adjustments to the straps.

Of all the dogs who have worn it, Finn seemed to thrive the most.  Maybe it because  he is after all bred to work, but he did seem filled with pride when he wore the pack and had a job to do.   Many  people use back packs for dogs who need a little extra work, but Finn's needs are all pretty much met.

He just likes wearing it.

Finn wore the back pack this weekend to Spay ME's event Pet Rock at  Deering Oaks Park.  The event raised money for free and low cost spay and neuter for the state of Maine, and Finn loved that people stopped and told him how handsome he was, and admired his back pack  all day long.   He carried pick up bags, extra treats and my daughters stuffed toy that she got at the event.

Here is Finn waiting patiently for me to come out.

Finn carried pick up bags, a long line,
 two bags of treats and my kid's stuff toy.

Finn found the back pack comfy
even when laying down and jonesin' for treats
 from the nice folks at the Spay ME booth.  

Rolling Stones tribute band Sticky Fingers with Bobbie  Keys on Sax,
 brought a good size  crowd to the event
 even though it was s FREEZING out.


The Kurgo Wander Pack is well worth the sale price of $29.95 with free shipping from In Style Dog.  Since our shopping spree last month, In Style Dog has  added lots of new products.


Check them out! 


4 paws up! 

When a King size bed just isn't enough

Beck made his bed and did lie in it.

I went out for a few hours this morning and I came home to find that Beck had been doing a little product testing all on his own.   We have  several new  products  from  InStyleDog.com , a new web  site,   and we have  loved every thing we have gotten.  Prices are good, quality is excellent and shipping is free.
Look for more posts on In Style Dog  products soon.

Apparently Beck  has a clear  favorite product and it is our  new soft and comfy Berber crate insert.  Beck  hauled it from  inside the crate by the fire place, across the house to my bedroom, where he proceeded to make his bed!



Now I am pretty sure it started out as a toy to him, and that most likely while I was blissfully unaware there was  joyous gallivanting about the house and maybe Finn joined in for a round of tug.  But  I can't find any   rips or tooth marks on the mat.   Beside the mat on my bed, nothing was out of place, so add this to one of life's many mysteries.

Soon after I got home,  Beck hoped on the mat and took himself a riotious snooze.   I had to laugh not only at my new dog's smarts but at the fact that in up until January Beck had lived in a shelter for nearly 7 months, and apparently a king size bed just  wasn't enough.

Loving my Flexi leash - Product review

Thick tape Flexis are good!

Here is something I thought I would never say.

"I love my Flexi leash."

Several months ago, I was sent one to review and like most trainers, I have had many bad experiences with Flexi. Some were scary and down right dangerous.  Some even ended with blood shed, and more than once it was mine.

BUT I have flipped my stance on Flexis - and not just because I got a free one.

Going on the record here and now saying "it's not the tool, it's the fool."

My  first fledgling year as a professional trainer I got sliced and diced behind both knees. Thing is, Flexis  were not allowed in class and someone switched to their Flexi after class and followed me over to my car in the parking lot to ask me something.. I was meeting friends after class and had changed into shorts. The dog took off after another dog,  the leash was not locked and holy ouch I can still feel the burn. That cut was a real bitch. It was deep and took a long time to heal.

There are stories of severed fingers, cut arteries (urban myth?), and personally I have seen scores and scores of people miss use them.  I have first hand knowledge of lots of bad situations involving Flexi leashes.

My (least) favorite - people who are not paying attention and let their dogs go right in the jaws of aggressive dogs.

Followed by the people who think the leashes are  locked, but they are not.

Followed by people who (by viture of them being lame brains)  allow a massive tangle that may or may not end in hurt legs or dog fights.

Followed by the ones who have dogs on Flexis that are not big enough to hold the dog's weight. You know the guy with a poodle who gets a Rotti and uses the small leash and it breaks and their dog flies straight at you?

Yup, all that  has happened to me personally.

Followed by ...oh heck, never mind. That is THEM and this is ME.

I have been slowly digesting the idea of ME using a Flexi and testing mine for months now.

"My name is Nancy. I am a dog trainer and I like my Flexi leash." "Hello Nancy."

Just days after my Flexi was delivered, Finney hurt himself. I have written before that my dog is a bit OCD about things. He is like that neighbor that does the same routine every day. Where and when and how he eliminates is high on his top list of whacko priorities. 6 weeks of leash walks. It took him forever to find a spot with me near. Neither of us liked the long training line and know what, bingo, problem solved with the Flexi.
He could still be in his bathroom and feel as though he shut the door so to speak.

Same with new fosters. No problem going potty at a distance from me on leash. LOVE it for that. just LOVE it. LOVE it for my new Southern foster dogs to be on leash with me and be able to explore.

My name is Nancy and I am a dog trainer. I am careful. I have a brain and I use my Flexi leash like I drive-

defensively.

I also love that my Flexi no longer has that teeny thin line, but a safer, sturdier tape line. LOVE LOVE LOVE the new(er) thicker tape version.

So if you buy one. Have a brain, utilize the big brain you were given and be careful.

There are times and places that Flexis can  work amazingly well.

That is all.

Product Review: Kong Rocket, and Air Kong tennis balls

The Kong Rocket Tennis Ball Launcher is 24" long and allows you pick up 2 sizes of tennis balls and chuck them a few hundred feet without having to put your hands on the dog's slimy ball.


I liked it!

What I like even more than the Rocket are Air Kong squeaky tennis balls.

I have a love hate relationship with a tennis ball that can squeak. Of course most dogs love them, and while I think they are a must have for the serious dog person, who out there except maybe the hard of hearing is not driven insane by incessant squeaking?


I am grateful to Kong for being instrumental in helping my 6 month old foster dog learn how to play with toys. Like many shelter dogs, Stella was not interested in dog toys when she arrived, but once she saw the other dogs playing with the Air Kong squeaking tennis ball, it wasn't long before she snagged it from them and she has been all about toys ever since. Dogs with a toy drive, that is not excessive, are much easier to train, and they can be a lot of fun to hang around with. Stella is actually more adoptable now that she is starting to fetch.  Thanks Kong!

Unlike a Chuck it, Kong Rocket comes with a plastic switch that adjusts to fit both regular sized and oversized tennis balls. Unless you have a big breed with the chance of swallowing the standard size ball, I am not sure you need this feature. Of the 15 dogs that we tested the Air Kong squeaky tennis balls and Kong Rocket with, to include the "Oh my God it's a ball, it's a ball, throw the ball" Labs, the dogs preferred the smaller ball every time, but still engaged with the larger ball .



One of the best features of the Air Kong tennis ball is that it is made from a non-abrasive fabric that will not wear down dog's teeth. There can be harmful chemicals in almost tennis balls and Kong's tennis balls are safe for dog to play with, but not eat of course.



One of the "OMG it's a squeaky tennis ball, throw the squeaky tennis ball", Labs was in absolute heaven with both sizes of the squeaky tennis ball and I wish I had gotten a picture of her with her glazed look of total bliss.

Kong Rocket sells for about 10 bucks and a 3 pack of regular sized Kong Squeak Air tennis balls sells for about $6.50. Quite a bit cheaper than a doggie dentist.