Pet Product Review - The Company of Animals - Dog Puzzels
did you know that more than 75% of pet parents purchase holiday gifts for their pets? Well now, the UK's leading specialist in dog behavior and training products, the company of animals has made available in the US an innovative pet puzzle collection. the concept is that dogs have a natural instinct in need mental as well as physical exercise. These games can help their dogs achieved that natural potential. Their games: Dog Tornado or Dog Brick, not only key your dog mentally fit, but they're great fun for the whole family.
I was sent a sample of their game Dog Brick. This plastic puzzle is a stimulating, creative takeoff on the old shell game. To work the brick treats are hidden in the recesses located under a series of interlocking sliding blocks. Since the blocks cannot be removed, the dog is required to locate the treats by sliding them to retrieve the reward. This helps enhance both mental and physical decks verity. The dogs level of difficulty for the brick can be varied, depending upon the dog's experience and his enthusiasm for the game.
I have three dogs test this game. First was my puppy Charlie. He was four months old. Quite simply, he was too young for the game and too easily distracted. The next was Corona a 2-year-old pit bull. her enthusiasm for the game was a bit too aggressive. Thus making the game not too pleasurable for me. the final game player was Murphy, a 10-year-old min pin. She got it. It took her about 20 minutes to realize what the game was all about, however. It was a short time after that 20 minutes, when her enthusiasm for the game waned. So, I suggest if you're interested in purchasing this game, do try to predetermine your dog's enthusiasm.
The games are available on their website http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/interactive-dog-games.php for 20 UK pound sterling. I have trouble with this. I find the game quite expensive and if they are truly trying to capture the attention of the American market they need to have a better website and in US dollars.
If you have a product you think will pass the secret shopper test, send an e-mail to secretshopperblog@Gmail.com.
Today's blog post is not necessarily a product review, but rather a call to attention factors a pet owner should know about when choosing toys for their pets. The idea came to me because last night I was watching reality TV show. Jon and Kate +8 and I was appalled not only by the way they treated their dog. But how they let their dog chew on just about everything. This includes toys that were ingested by the puppy and subsequently required in basic surgery. But there is so much more to know about pet toys than just what they can swallow; you have to learn about the unseen toxicity. Here is an excellent article from the New York Post, and Julia Szabo:
Updated: Mon., Sep. 28, 2009, 9:28 AM 
Toys & toxicity
By JULIA SZABO
Last Updated: 9:28 AM, September 28, 2009
Posted: 1:24 AM, September 27, 2009
SPOILING a dog or cat with fun toys is one of the joys of pet parenthood. But according to information released by Healthy Stuff, a nonprofit environmental research organization, many pet products are literally spoiling pets to death, shortening animals' lives by exposing them to killer levels of toxic substances.
Using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer, researchers at Michigan's Ecology Center examined more than 400 pet products for hazardous chemicals, including lead, cadmium, mercury, bromine, chlorine (PVC) and arsenic. These have been linked to reproductive and endocrine problems, developmental and learning disabilities, liver toxicity and cancer.
One-quarter of pet products tested - and all tennis balls made just for pets - were found to have detectable levels of lead, including 7 percent with levels higher than 300 parts per million, the current Consumer Product Safety Commission standard for lead in children's products. There are currently no government standards for hazardous chemicals in pet products.
For example, Coleman dog beds and cat toys by Kitty Hoots contain brominated flame retardants, which a 2007 EPA study linked to hyperthyroidism in cats.
In a bi-pawtisan effort, Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Republican Rep. Bobby Rush are expected to introduce a new bill to reform the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act, phasing out most hazardous substances in "worst first" order of priority, and requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for their products' safety. To make your voice heard, go to HealthyStuff.org and click on "Take Action: Support Federal Regulatory Reform."
In the meantime, protect pets and other family members by carefully checking the HealthyStuff.org pet list, where products are ranked by concern level. A Classic Kong, for instance, is safely nontoxic, while the Air Kong Squeaker Football contains lead and arsenic. Nylabone Puppy Teething Keys have arsenic, but the Nylabone Double Action Chew is harmless.
Buying from pet product manufacturers that use recycled, organic and fair-trade materials is a safe bet; three good resources are WestPawDesign.com, SimplyFido.com and PurrfectPlay.com.
"The more we test, the more we find that the presence of toxic chemicals is widespread in everyday consumer products," concludes The Ecology Center's Jeff Gearhart. "It should not be the responsibility of public health advocates to test these products. Product manufacturers and legislators must take the lead and replace dangerous substances with safe alternatives."
NEW YORK POST is a registered trademark of NYP Holdings, Inc.
nypost.com , nypostonline.com , and newyorkpost.com are trademarks of NYP Holdings, Inc.
Copyright 2009 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy | Terms of Use
pet product reviews - Soccer Dog Jerseys from Little Fanaticos
Do you love soccer? Are you a true fan, always supporting your national soccer team? then I found just the product for you. Little fanaticos, a Connecticut based pet fashion company has launched a new website and new line of soccer apparel made just for dogs. You must check out their new website: www.soccerdogjerseys.com
Little fanaticos sent me a sample of the USA team soccer jersey. It was a size medium, and perfectly fit my friend Murphy. The min-pin. Not only is this jersey just cute and adorable, but the construction is extremely well made. The jerseys are made of the same high quality fabric and stitched with reinforcement in the most important areas. Exactly like a team jersey from your favorite soccer team. Because the jerseys are made with breathable polyester your dog can wear it year round. This is most important, turning the FIFA WORLD Cup. But don't just take my word, little fanaticos guarantees every product with 100% satisfaction
team jerseys are available for USA, Germany, Brazil, England, France, Italy, and more. Best of all, you can support your team and your pup can to for less than $15.
order your jersey here and make sure to get it in time for holloween: http://www.soccerdogjerseys.com/joomla/index.php/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.browse&category_id=1&Treeid=1&vmcchk=1
If you've got a product you think will pass the secret shopper test, send an e-mail to secretshopperblog@Gmail.com
pet product reviews - Handmade dog and cat Collars, by The Hydrant
today I had the opportunity to introduce to you The Hydrant. The Hydrant is it's rondo-based company that specializes in the most unique, stylish collars leashes and pet accessories. All of which are handmade with exquisite detail. I was fortunate to have been sent a sample of one of three collars and have actually been stopped on the street while I walk my dog asking where I got that adorable collar. All of the collars and leashes are made of 100% cotton so the collar is soft to the touch and soft for your pet. The fabric that is used comes from famous designers such as Alexander Henry J. McCarroll Heather Ross and more. Every item is adjustable and quadruple stitched at stress points. This prevents breaking and and prolongs durability.
Now the real selling point for me are the metal buckles. You will never go back to a collar with a plastic buckle again. The buckles are welded and secure, easily into place. They don't bend. They don't chip. They don't crush like so many other plastic buckles I've used. Surprisingly the buckle despite being metal is extremely light. And now I never have to worry if my dog pulls that the collar will break and he'll run away.
I happen to especially love the collar that has a reflective badge on it. This way any oncoming cars will see us as we walk at night.
If you consider yourself fashion forward, and style is important to you, you must get a collar from The Hydrant. prices range from $15-$25and you can purchase directly on their website http://thehydrant.wordpress.com/shop/ While you are there check out their amazinggift items.
If you've got a product you think will pass the secret shopper test, send an e-mail to secretshopperblog@Gmail.com
Pet Product Review - Anti-Bark SprayCollar by Multivet
So my puppy Charlie is now four months old. Do you know what that means? he's found his voice. It's a cute little bark but it's not one that like to develop. Being a sheltie a breed that's known for its loud high-pitched annoying bark, I need to pay particular attention to his mouthiness because I live in an apartment building in New York City. The last thing I need our neighbors complaining that my dog barks too loud.
With that I bought the anti-bark spray collar by Multivet. This anti-bark spray collar contains citronella and is sprayed when the dog barks. It's actually a very simple concept. But does it work? Well, with Charlie he certainly will bark right through the citronella spray. But I do see him his space that it's very unpleasant. So much so that when I put the collar on him he immediately becomes depressed and will sit in the corner. So does it work? I guess it does. But the fear of the collar is more effective than the spray. Because I never want to see my puppy in a depressed state, I'd rather deal with the barking.
But here is some product information from a website that I recommend should you be interested in purchasing, www.entirelypets.com:
The MULTIVET Citronella Anti-Bark Spray Collar is approved by veterinarians and behavioral experts. Clinical studies conducted by the College of Veterinary medicine of Cornell University, (as published in the Journal of the American Hospital Association), have proven that the Citronella Bark Collar is TWICE effective as Shock Collars!
Sonic dog barking collars are virtually ineffective compared to sprays. Each bark triggers a harmless spray that conditions the dog to stop barking.
Includes:
# Original spray device
# Adjustable collar
# Battery
# Training manual
# Citronella spray refill or scentless refill
The anti-bark spray collar by multivet is available for $52.95.
http://www.entirelypets.com/multivetcitronellacollar.html?mr:referralID=064aba0f-a6b3-11de-989b-000423bb4e79
If you've got a product you think will pass the secret shopper test, send an e-mail to secretshopperblog@Gmail.com
