New Wearable Dog Technology? Why yes! Exclusive Launch event May 30-31st in NYC at Zoomies

Big News everyone! We are proud and happy to be hosting our NYC launch event on May 30-31 in NYC at the iconic and legendary Zoomies.

If you are in the area we would love to meet you, and if you are not then be sure to tell your friends and family!

We also have a brand new website, and would love it if you took a look!

Drink Responsibly (& for a good cause)

We have found our new favorite wine!

They have great Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Red Blend. But most importantly they support no kill shelters!

If you don’t know Chateau La Paws then it’s time you did.

The wine is made in California, and they support shelters throughout the US and are giving $100,000 this year to the North Shore Animal League America. Their labels feature adorable pups to raise awareness.

Look at their site for more information on where to buy, and make sure to spread the word.

Finally a great reason to drink!

Be Mine? Spoil your pooch this Valentines’

Happy Valentine’s Day guys!

Single or attached- you are never alone if you have your dog with you. So make sure to treat them to a little something extra today.

Our favorites are:

1. Spa day! Take your pet to the groomers for some R&R
2. Bake them some homemade goodies- check our favorites
3. Or buy them some delicious treats. We love the ones from Bocce’s Bakery
4. Let them feel your loving embrace all year long with this pawsome heart shaped bed
5. Extra quality time. Take a long hike together, or spend a few hours playing in the dog park. At the end of the day all they want nothing makes them happier than being with you.

Have a great day everyone!

Hachiko Debate: Dogs in apartments- what’s the big deal?

A friend called me the other day with a common concern- she wants to adopt a dog but has a smallish apartment with no outdoor space.  And it seems she’s having a problem with dog shelters (which apparently is not a new problem).

So let’s look into this- is it really such a terrible thing to have a dog in a small apartment (hint, no it’s not).

Putting aside the fact that there are far too many dogs looking for loving homes, let’s turn to the experts.

The main consensus seems to be that it’s not the dog itself, or the size, but rather the breed that matters. Some breeds are just more adapt to smaller spaces. This is linked to energy levels and what we’re going to call barking potential.

Dogtime has a listing of breeds that adapt well to apartment living (from big to small):

• Yorkshire Terrier
• Maltese
• Boston Terrier
• French Bulldog
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• English Bulldog
• Basset Hound
• American Staffordshire terrier
• Greyhounds
• Great Danes

This isn’t to say that other breeds won’t suffice. And each dog has their own personality and quirks. You can have the most energetic pooch in small place- just make the time to make sure they get plenty of energy.

If you are making the leap, or already have here are some top tips for cohabitation with your dog:

• Establish a routine to minimize ‘accidents’
• If you have behavioral issues (such as barking or chewing on furniture) get a good trainer to help
• Hire a dog walker to give you some peace of mind
• Place a chair or bench by a window to allow your pup to jump up and look outside
• Create a space that’s theirs, with a comfy bed and their toys
• And of course, if you are renting don’t forget to double check with your landlord!

Further reading:

More tips

More about breeds here and here

To crate or not to crate?

There comes a point, sooner or later, when every dog parent is faced with a decision: to crate or not to crate.

While most experts agree that dogs should be crate trained, since some situations require it (for example after vet procedures or plane travel), there is a definite split between those that use crating at home for training/ containment purposes or for car travel.

Crating as a training/containment tool:

Many dog owners use crates with puppies and adopted adult dogs to train them and also to make sure dogs stay out of harm’s way when they are left alone.

• Pro’s:
  • It can keep dogs safe- and prevent them from getting into trouble by chewing power cables, or running around the house
  • The carte can be a sanctuary for you dog- a safe place for them to go that is their own
  • It’s a great training tool
• Con’s:
  • It is very easily abused- PETA is very firm in it’s guidance that crating as a training tool can have adverse effects
  • It deprives dogs of freedom- dogs that spend most of the day in a crate are limited in their movements, and limits their interaction with the environment
  • Can lead to behavioral problems when used excessively

Crating while travelling:

While in some situations, such as plane travel, this is not a decision left to us (then we need to decide if it’s worth the crating- but we’ll get into that later) we have come across an interesting debate in terms of crating during car travel.

• Pro’s:
  • Less distracting for the driver- having your dog jumping or sliding around, or worse sitting on your lap (which is illegal in some states) can put both you’re and your pup in an emergency situation
  • Protects the dog in an emergency stop- there are also crash tested crates, so think of this as your dog’s seatbelt
• Con’s
  • Owner guilt associated with putting their dog in a crate- we recommend taking frequent stops (every 2-3 hours) and let your dog out for a quick sniff and jog
  • Do not leave your dog in the crate (or loose in the car) when you leave- hopefully this will seem obvious but nevertheless always an important reminder

What do you think? Do you crate your dog? What are the benefits and downsides? Let us know in the comments!

And if you are looking to crate here’s some of the more popular crates out there:

Midwest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate

Petmate Vari Kennel

Precision Pet ProValu2 Dog Crate 

Remington Wire Kennel

Precision Pet Products Precision Pet ProValu Great Crate Double Door Dog Crate

And check out this guide to choosing the right size crate for your dog