Dog Blog - Dog Product Reviews

When I mention that we sell dog strollers on our site, people sometimes look at me as though I have a horn growing out of my forehead. “It’s a dog!” they say. And I used to say that, too.

But then I started talking to people who use dog strollers. We began to carry them and heard from more people who use them. And now, I can really see how a stroller would come in handy for the small-dog set (there’s even one now that holds up to 115 pounds for a big dog, or two mediu-size dogs).

Here are some reasons that we’ve heard to use a pet stroller.

1. Easier Vet Visits

Trips to the vet become easier and maybe even healthier with a dog stroller.

• Transporting a litter of puppies? Put them in a stroller and eliminate worries about puppies escaping in the car or at the vet’s office.

• Got a convalescing dog? Place her in a dog stroller for comfortable, stress-free transport to the car and hospital, without being investigated or hassled by other pets in the lobby.

• Worried about germs from other sick animals in the waiting room? A stroller keeps your dog off the floor and other surfaces visited by sick dogs all day.

2. Get in Shape without Tiring Your Dog

Run or walk as far and as fast as you like. Then give your dog a ride when he’s had enough. You can continue your workout while your dog gets a breeze and a rest in the stroller.

 

3. Safely Go to Work

Take your dog to work one or more days a week. The stroller makes it easier to transport your dog from the car to the office, creates a confined space for the dog when it’s needed, and provides a safe and familiar den for napping.

 

4. It’s a No-Strain Pet Carrier

People are starting to use pet strollers instead of carriers. They’re easier on your back, shoulders and neck, and many stores appreciate dog owners having dogs completely enclosed.

 

5. A Helping Hand for Older Humans or Older Dogs

Older dogs and even older humans may need an easier way to take spin around the block. Older dogs who get tired on the way home may appreciate a ride so their walks don’t get cut short. People who use a scooter - or who are a bit unstable, especially when a dog is pulling on a leash - sometimes find it easier to enjoy the fresh air with their dogs by using a dog stroller.

 

6. Outdoor Events - Best Seat in the House

Dog shows, picnics, festivals and other outdoor events can be fun to share with your dog. But they also mean dealing with crowds, bugs, other potentially aggressive dogs, trash and confusion. Give your dog a safe place to observe the festivities without getting her tail stepped on or gulping down dangerous chocolate before you can stop her. See how much easier a stroller is than crates at your next dog show.

 

7. Paw Protection

Sidewalks can give paws a beating, especially Phoenix in summer or Buffalo in winter. Road salt can dry and irritate paw pads. City dwellers have to negotiate all kinds of debris on sidewalks. A dog stroller keeps your dog clean and off any broken glass, trash, chemicals or other hazards on the sidewalk.

 

8. First-Class Travel

Car, boat and RV travel is easier with a dog stroller. Easily transport your dog(s) to the hotel room and from place to place without worrying that they’ll get loose and run away in a strange and dangerous place, like near a highway. Some dogs don’t like walking on docks when the water’s choppy. Ease your dog’s anxiety by helping him onto the boat in a stroller. When visiting relatives, the stroller gives you an instant crate where the dog can nap when he gets tired of entertaining the kids.

 

9. Fresh Air, No Walking

Dogs who are recovering from surgery or injuries, or who have become disabled, enjoy getting fresh air even if they can’t walk very far. It stimulates them to get some sun, sample new smells and see new surroundings. A dog stroller keeps them comfortable, and they’re happy to be able to go outside.

 

10. Safety Around Aggressive Dogs

Unleashed dogs can pose a threat to your small dog if they’re aggressive or unsocialized. Keep your dog safe from other dogs in a dog stroller.

 

11. Multiple Dogs, Multiple Directions

Owners of several small dogs often find that it’s easier and calmer taking them out in a stroller because they can’t go in separate directions, winding the leash around their person’s legs!

 

12. Big Dog, Small Dog

Got a big dog and small dog? Give your power pooch a good long walk without tiring out the smaller one by using a dog stroller.

 

13. Giving Back

Lucky dogs like to give back. A fun way to do that is at a 5K charity walk/run. Keep your dog safe from crowds of runners by putting her in a dog stroller. You’ll put a smile on people’s faces and spend some quality time doing a good deed with your pooch. Plus, you can do the whole distance without tiring out a dog who’s not used to that much activity. If your dog visits nursing homes or hospitals, the stroller makes trips easier and provides a safe haven for overstimulated dogs who need a break from the attention.

 

14. Safely Out of the Way of Urban Traffic

Dog owners who live in large cities like to use strollers to keep their dogs from running into the street, or wrapping their leashes around other pedestrians.

 

15. Less Stressful Evacuations

If you have to move your pets in preparation for a tornado, earthquake, hurricane, fire or other emergency, it’s much easier in a stroller. Carry a familiar blanket, toys, snacks, food, water, bowls and pickup bags with your dog to provide comforts of home and eliminate the danger of the dog getting loose or running away out of fear during transport.

 

16. More Quality Time

A dog stroller simply gives you more quality time with your dog. It lets you take your dog more places than a leash or even a pet carrier. With more workplaces, stores and restaurants becoming dog-friendly, a responsible dog owner with her dog in a stroller will always be welcome. A stroller lets your dog come along for errands, social visits, “bring your dog to work day,” and even shopping.

 

To see our selection of dog strollers, click here.

Dogzilla is the first dog toy that engages all five senses, guaranteed to help keep your dog entertained for hours. Dogzilla appeals to your dog’s sense of taste with an innovative material that includes protein flavors. Unlike humans, dogs have taste buds for protein, enabling them to smell and taste it. Dogzilla is infused with protein to make it deliciously crave-able. Dogzilla appeals to your dog’s sense of smell by adding vanilla into the rubber to bring the scent of human food to the dog’s toy. You can also fill the center with tasty treats whose aroma will keep you dog engaged. The design is specially created to visually appeal to the canine eye. Studies show that while dogs can see only certain shades of red and green, they see blue in all of the same shades as humans. In addition, evolutionary processes shaped the canine vision to be an acute detector of movement. The shape of Dogzilla enables the toy to be easily set in motion, which catches a dog’s eye.

Your dog’s sense of touch is stimulated by a tough rubber material that that can be chewed, and comes in wobbly shapes that keep a dog interacting with the toy with his paws, mouth and nose for hours. In addition, specially-placed ridges aid in gripping the toy in paws and mouth, which assists play and helps the dog to work on getting peanut butter, spray cheese or treats out of the center.

Finally, Dogzilla is made of rubber and not hard plastic, which protects a dog’s sensitive hearing. Dogzilla has a calming effect by not adding more noise to the dog’s environment during high-stress times such as separation anxiety, allowing your dog to play quietly and happily. For more stimulation, you can add kibble or small treats inside that will rattle and activate a dog’s hunting instinct. So you can have a quiet toy or a rattling toy, depending on whether you want to soothe or stimulate your dog.

By addressing all the senses, the manufacturer — in collaboration with an evolutionary biologist, an animal behaviorist and a color specialist — has created a toy with the ideal color, shape, size and scent for dogs to enjoy.

Sizes:

• Medium ($16.99) - 3.31″
• Large ($17.99) - 4.07″
• Extra-Large ($18.99)  - 5″

Although it is designed to withstand focused chewing, you should never leave your dog alone with any toy until you determine that he will not break off small pieces and swallow them.

Men’s Health magazine recently ranked 50 American cities based on how dog-friendly they are. They ranked these major cities based on the following 8 criteria:

1. Percentage of households that own dogs

2. Number of dog parks

3. Number of pet supply stores per capita

4. Number of animal shelters per capita

5. Number of dog boarding or daycare facilities

6. Number of veterinarians

7. Number of heartworm cases. Lowest incidence of heartworm sored highest. (Does anyone else think this is a bit off the wall?)

8. As a tie-breaker, how severely the local laws punish animal cruelty and dog fighting.

And guess what? Nine of the top 10 cities for dogs are in the West. Why? Part of it may be room to roam, which means more and bigger yards, more dog parks, etc. But it seems that people in the West just own more dogs. But I’m not going to leave you hanging. Here are the top 10:

1. Colorado Springs

2. Portland

3. Albuquerque

4. Tucson

5. Seattle

6. Denver

7. Austin

8. San Fransisco

9. Tampa

10. Sacramento

DogFancy also does a DogTown USA feature each year, in which they name the Best All-Around City for Dogs in America. The 2006 winner? Portland, OR (#2 on the Men’s Health list). Runners-up were Sanford (FL), Albuquerque, San Diego, Bellingham (WA), Palo Alto (CA), and New York.

Help! I live on a parkway with signs posted on either end to pick up after your dog. Today, while I was out washing my car, a regular offender walked by, letting both dogs leave a trail of doo doo. I am very unconfrontational, but I decided to address the situation. I said (very pleasantly) “Excuse me, but did you know you could be fined for not picking up after your dog?”

She kept walking, I said “Excuse me.” She started marching and I said, “Can you hear me?” Then she said, “I don’t have time for you.” I said “I don’t have time to clean up after your dogs.”

She started running away. I said, “How mature is that?” When she got far away, she started shrieking at the top of her lungs, didn’t understand a word she said but all I can think is, great! The first time I address this and I get a lunatic. Now I am worried she is nuts & may plan some sort of revenge and that I am stuck cleaning up after her dogs from now on. Any advice?

Friendly Reminder - Altadena, CA

Dear Friendly,

She was probably embarrassed when you told her to pick up after her dog and she didn’t handle it well. But believe me, she heard you. I once got a friendly reminder in my mailbox that said, “When we all keep our lawns mowed, it raises property values for everyone.” I was mortified, and for a few days, I wondered which one of my neighbors had left the note. But you knwo what? I kept my lawn mown, weeded, edged and the bushes trimmed after that. And now, it’s me looking at other lawns, thinking that the homeowners shouldn’t let them get so shaggy.

The point is that she may have handled the encounter badly, but she got the message. And since she has such a strong aversion to public reprimands, it’s unlikely that she continues to allow her dogs to foul the public areas (she’ll probably change her route and you won’t even see her again). But if she does, call your police department non-emergency line and ask them what the best way to proceed is. If she has a regular routine, tell them what time of day she normally walks her dog in your area, and describe her and her dog. The police normally have more important things to do than chase pickup law violators, but if it’s a slow day, they may send a car over. Or you could tell her she’s been reported (whether she has or not). That might put some sticking power on your point of view.

As far as retribution goes, I wouldn’t worry. Of course, if she threatens you or follows you or harasses you in any way, it would be a good idea to have a complaint on record with the police department in case she accelerates things.  Meanwhile, don’t feel bad about dealing nicely with things like this that affect the rest of us. We need social sanctions for unacceptable behavior because so some people simply don’t learn good manners at home. This is why clusters of giggling teenagers who race up and down the aisles and talk on their phones in the back movie theaters continue to disturb other patrons during movies. If more people would confront them, they wouldn’t do it. You were right to remind this woman (nicely) to pick up after her dog.

Got a question about dog etiquette? Send it here.