When digging becomes your dogs obsession...

 Steps to eliminate digging in forbidden locations.

1. Elimininate free access to the area where your dog has been digging.

2. Give your dog a DIG-PIT.  Create a snad-box for your dog.  Take them to this area and encourage them to dig.  Play in the sand with them in this location.

3. Allow access to the problem area WITH SUPERVISION.  When you dog starts to dig inappropriately, gently guide them to their digging area.

4.  After your dog starts using their new DIG-PIT on their own, interrupt any digging in innapropriate places with a TIME-OUT (30-seconds in a penalty).

Don´t forget that dogs like to dig in cool, damp locations.  Try to make you doggie DIG PIT a fun place to be, not a hot, dry sunny dust bath.

Pet Products Review - Orvis Space Saving Corner Dog Bed

Did you know that dogs sleep as much as 14 hours a day! This means that they sleep more than half of their life.  Some dogs even sleep more than others, especially large breed dogs like the Mastiff, St. Bernard and Newfoundland may sleep up to 19 hours everyday.  So when considering a dog bed, remember, this is one of the most important purchases for your dog.

For my dog Champ, I noticed that the dog bed I bought him a few months ago on a large web retailer, just wasn't being used. I would see him actually sleep next to the bed on the floor, and often curled in a quiet corner.  I wasn't too happy with the thin padding of the last bed and decided to shop around. Now living in New York City, space is at a premium.  We're always looking for products that incorporate style, comfort, and high quality.  Lucky for us Orvis had just the bed.  The Orvis Corner Dog Bed was specifically designed to tuck into corners away from traffic.  When I opened the box, I was pleasantly surprised by the superior quality and construction.  The bed has an overstuffed mattress and very sturdy bolster sides.  The fabric is a durable microsuede that zips off for easy cleaning.  The bed really is luxurious and at a price starting at $129, very economical. And knowing that every bed Orvis sells has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, I was happy making the purchase on www.Orvis.com.

Champ does love his bed.  Now it did take a week or so for him to feel comfortable sleeping there, but this is normal.  Its so funny to see him climb into his bed which is on the floor next to my bed.  You can tell he's very content. 

My only recommendation if you are considering this bed, buy it one size larger than what the website recommends for your dog.  For example, I bought the medium size bed for dogs weighing between 30 and 50 pounds.  Although 35 lb Champ fits in the bed nicely, I know there is not a whole lot of room for him to stretch.  A larger size may accommodate stretching and more casual lounging.

If you've got a product that you feel will pass the Secret Shopper Test, send an email to SecretShopperBlog@gmail.com

Before the Obama family sits down to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, they might want to tune into NBC's coverage of the National Dog Show, sponsored by the Philadelphia Kennel Club and now a holiday staple. Last year it was watched by 19.2 million viewers.

Of course, like many other dog enthusiasts, we think the President-elect should adopt a shelter or rescue puppy. But the National Dog Show is must-see TV, with some 150 breeds and varieties prancing around the show ring. They might see a breed they like.

The show took place last weekend, so viewers will be seeing a tape of the event, which took place at Reading, Pa. It starts at noon.

"When you're watching these dogs that all are the best of their breeds in the ring there, it is like watching these thoroughbreds walk down toward the starting gate,''  John O'Hurley, one of the TV hosts and better known as a semi-regular on the "Seinfeld" TV show, told the Associated Press.

We know Obama is a big college football fan, but maybe he can let daughters Malia and Sasha, whom he promised to get a dog, have control of the TV remote for a little while.

Surrounded by his family and friends, Michael Vick entered a guilty plea in Sussex, Va., to state dogfighting charges -- but don't expect him to serve any additional prison time.

In fact, as a result of the plea, Vick, the former quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, received a three-year suspended sentence, which essentially resolves the remaining charges against him and will allow him to enter a halfway house when he's released from a Kansas prison next July.

Vick could have been sentenced for up to 10 years on the charge (another count of cruelty to animals was dropped), but Gerald Poindexter, attorney for the Surry County Commonwealth, said he felt no obligation to prosecute the case.

"I feel that what I did today is approved by more than a majority of Surry County, and that's the constituency that I'm concerned about," he told reporters. Afterward, he hugged Vick's mother Brenda Boddie and told her, "At least some of this is over."

Vick entered the courtroom in wrist and ankle shackles. His mother, brother and fiance sat in the front row of the gallery with other family and friends. To them, this was clearly a victory because it means no more jail time.

But unless Vick shows his sincere remorse, and speaks out against dogfighting, this thing will not be over. He should not be someone who refuses to admit his mistakes and acknowledge his errors.

He needs to be a vocal opponent of dogfighting, because if he isn't, dog lovers will never let him forget what he did.

Let me know what you think.

Pet Product Review - Mellow Mut Chicken Treats for Dogs by Dogswell

This weekend at the Horse and Pet Expo in New Jersey, one of the best booths at the show was by Dogswell.  Dogswell is the California based pet nutrition company with very high quality pet food products.  Champ, my Sheltie companion loved this booth more than any other, because they gave out the best and most tasty samples.  Champs favorites were the all natural Chicken Jerky Treats.

I really like the concept of this treat.  Its an all natural, organically raised 100% chicken treat that has been fortified with chamomile and lavender.  The only other ingredients are Vitamin E, a little lemon, and Linden Flower.  Only natural stuff, no preservatives.  The combination of chamomile and lavender create a pleasant calming affect for you pup.  Its like having a cup of herbal tea before bed.

There are no hormones nor antibiotics, so you can feel good about giving your dog this healthy treat.

Knowing that my dog Champ certainly has a hard time with crowds and noise, I'm going to be stocking up on Mellow Mut chicken treats for the holidays.  Hey, it can't hurt, and he does love the taste.  You can purchase Dogswell Mellow Mut treats on www.dogswell.com or at your local high end pet stores.  the packages come in 5oz for $9 or 19oz for $20.  They are a luxury treat, but a recommended healthy luxury. 

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