Safety first when buying pet toys

When shopping for a dog toy, choose the plaything that fits your dog's personality and is also safe. The right dog toy fits your dog's own unique personality. Chewing is a big part of dog play, so consider chewing habits when buying a dog toy. Aggressive chewers need durable rubber or nylon dog toys. A dog toy that is a hard bone, available at pet stores, is always a good choice for the aggressive chewer. Also, shop for dog toys that can't easily be ripped apart. Semi-aggressive chewers can go for softer, plusher dog toys of canvas, fleece or rope. Try smearing your dog toy with peanut better, which makes the dog toy a more enticing treat for your pet. Think of safety first anytime you shop for a dog toy. Make sure the dog toy is tough enough to resist breaking.

Boots made for walkin' your dog

Walking your dog in the winter is fun and healthy for pet and owner -- but not if your dog's toes and pads get cold and injured by ice, snow, even salt from the streets. Dog boots can help. Just as boots protect people with warmth and durability, dog boots can do the same. Outfit your dog with dog boots that come in a variety of styles. Some dog boots look like mini-golashes, and come complete with adjustable buckles for custom fit. Dog boots come in a range of sizes and styles, too. There are dog boots for small Pugs to giant Pyrenees. Finding the right dog boots for your pet depends on size, style and the type of terrain your dog most often travels on: snow, sand, grass, dirt, burrs or cactus. There is a dog boot for every season and need. Some types of dog boots also aid pets with sensitive paws. There are dog boots for paws healing from cuts and bruises.

Dog carriers make travel fun for pets

Dog carriers have a huge range of uses. If your dog isn't a good traveler, try a dog carrier. Dog carriers are helpful on trips to the vet. Use a dog carrier, if your dog doesn't ride well in vehicles. Dogs may feel more secure in a dog carrier. Dog carriers can be the home away from home for dogs that get nervous during travel. Dog carriers help dogs behave well and stay calm, and can be your dog's quiet retreat at home. When buying a dog carrier, make sure you select the right size. Here's how to pick the right size dog carrier. The dog carrier should be high enough to allow your dog to stand comfortably. The dog carrier should be roomy enough to accommodate the length of your dog, too. There are dog carriers to fit the extra-large Newfie and the small Dachshund. In choosing your dog carrier, consider your lifestyle needs. How often will you use your dog carrier? How much do you want to spend on your dog carrier? There are many styles and types of dog carriers to choose from. Dog carriers can be plush, with plenty of stretching room, even air-conditioning and heat. There are dog carriers that are waterproof. Some dog carriers come with water bottles or food dishes. Also, consider your dog's personality when choosing a dog carrier. Active dogs are going to need a dog carrier with ample space.

Take a hike with your dog

You're outfitted for recreation, but does your dog have dog packs, dog boots, dog coats, and dog jackets. You can take your dog along with you on hikes and backpacking trips, but make sure you follow a few rules and your comfort and experience can be maximized. First, make sure the trip is appropriate for the dog's ability and size. Just about any dog could walk a few miles down a logging trail, but only good climbers with lots of stamina can climb mountains or go on extended trips. Make sure you have enough food: dogs can carry their own food and water in their own dog pack. And if you're a gear head, you can outfit your dog, too, with appropriate dog clothes. Doggles, dog boots, dog coats and dog jackets are all appropriate, depending on the trip and how much you (or the dog) are able to carry. Remember to keep the dog well watered, especially during the summer. But also remember that dogs can drink from any spring or stream without having to worry about the same bacteria that can end a trip for their human companions. Most of all, enjoy the trip. It's a great time for you and your best friend to be alone for an extended period, with plenty of exercise and fun for both of you

Doggone it, those are some doggles!

Doggles are not only for the pamped pooch. Dogs that have eye surgery or a disease that causes blindness or other eye disabilities can benefit from Doggles. Doggles are sunglasses that protect your pet from the harsh glare. If no accessory is too good for your favorite pooch, try doggles. These are not just for glam dogs. Doggles work for dogs with sensitive eyes. Doggles are for pooches who spend a lot of time in the sun or snow. If the glare is too harsh on your eyes, your dog needs sunglasses, too. The best doggles block 100 percent of UV light and are made of shatterproof plastic. There are doggles that wraparound, to keep out stray light or foreign objects. Most doggles have adjustable straps that hold the glasses securely on the dog's head. Doggles can fit small, medium or large dogs and doggles with multi-colored lenses are available. Doggles are affordable. There are doggles available online for as low as $20 a pair.

Flyball: Team sport for dogs

If your dog is agile, consider Flyball, the team sport for dogs. In Flyball, dogs take part in a relay race, with four dogs to a team. The Flyball course consists of four hurdles and a spring-loaded box that shoots out a tennis ball. In Flyball, dogs jump the hurdles, catch a ball, and then jump back over the hurdles. As each Flyball team member crosses the starting line, the next one goes out. The first Flyball team to have all four dogs finish wins the heat. The current record for a Flyball team is about 15 seconds.



Flyball is regulated by the North American Flyball Association, which organizes tournaments around the country. There are also Flyball leagues in England, Belgium and Australia.

Thanks for the gumball

In what has to be one of the all-time-cool dog toys, Yuppy Puppy has a dog treat dispenser in the shape of an old-time gumball machine. Yuppy Puppy offers a 13-inch-tall working gumball machine that dispenses a dog treat every time anyone pushes down on a lever in the shape of a bone. How can a Yuppy Puppy resist this tasetful gift? Best part: You can easily train your dog to operate this himself. The Yuppy Puppy Treat Machine is made of metal, plastic and acrylic and available online for as low as $36, without treats. Yuppy Puppy also makes a line of multicolored (looks like gumballs) dog treats designed specially for the machine, available in a bag big enough to fill the globe at least twice for as low as $9.95 online. One warning: The self-operated lever only works for medium-size and big dogs.

Pass Go Fetch, collect $200

Dogopoly is the Monopoly-like game for dog owners. Instead of properties and hotels, players of Dogopoly purchase favorite breeds – from Boston Terriers to German Shepards. Dogopoly players don't pass Go, they pass Go Fetch. In Dogopoly, jail is a kennel and players run into potentially expensive problems like fleas. Dogopoly is for dog lovers. Dogopoly is a great family game. Dogopoly is a learning tool about different dog breeds. Dogopoly makes a good gift for dog lovers of all ages. You can find Dogopoly for about $25 online.

Take the bite out of barking

Having trouble with your barking dog? Try an anti-bark collar. The anti-bark collar is safe for your pet, unlike some collars that use electric shocks. Companies claim electric shocks are not harmful or painful, but why not find a safer and humane alternative with an anti-bark collar? Anti-bark collars emit a high-frequency sound that pulses in response to a dog's bark. But the sounds from the anti-bark collar are not audible to human ears. Most important, these anti-bark training collars are safe for pets. No shocks and no pain for your dog. The anti-bark collar is sensitive enough to hear nuisance barks. The anti-bark collar sends its pulse out around the neighborhood. Dogs will hear the pulse from the anti-bark collar but people won't.

Kong king of dog toys

If your dog loves to chew, consider a Kong toy. Kong toys have been around since 1976 and there's a reason why: durability. Kong toys make tennis ball for dog play and plush toys. But Kong is best known for Kong toys of hard rubber that are super-bounceable. Kong dog toys stand up to very tough chewers. Most Kong toys also have teeth cleaning surfaces that help build strong teeth and gums. Some Kong toys even have internal compartments to hold treats, which make them irresistible. If you leave your chewer with a Kong toy, chances are the dog will be too busy with the Kong toy to chew on furnishings and other items you want to protect.