Product Reviews

We all like to know what to expect before we purchase new products. Read reviews of several dog products so you can make an informed decision. The pet industry has exploded with thousands of new pet products! This makes it harder than ever to know which product to choose for your dog. If you have tried a product and want to share you experience please email us the product review, along with a star rating (0-5)

Bamboo Adjustable Shedding Blade for Dogs

We love our dogs, but we don't necessarily love the hair they shed. Shedding blades are wonderful tools to minimize the shedding, but the Bamboo Adjustable-size shedding blade for dogs is unique. This shedding blade can be adjusted to small, medium or large to allow grooming in hard-to-reach places. This feature is also convenient if you have pets of multiple sizes. The tool opens up to one large blade which can then be used on very large areas or to remove excess hair after bathing. The blade also has two sides for precision grooming. When removing dead hair, start with the coarse side and finish with the fine side. Though the product does not come with instructions, it is fairly easy to use. The handle separation feature takes a few minutes to figure out, but after that it is quite simple. The adjustment buttons are hard to slide and lock in place at first. Adjustment may require pulling or pushing on the blade, which is not ideal (the blade edge is similar to that of a serrated butter knife). After repeated use, the buttons become easier to slide. Once locked in place, the blade does not move while grooming. Overall, this product is effective and convenient. With a low price of $8-12, it's definitely worth it if you want less dog hair in the house and car.

Gentle Leader Head Collar
Gentle Leader Head Collar

The Gentle Leader comes with a detailed instruction booklet as well as an informative DVD. It is essential to follow instructions for use of this product - especially those for fitting and acclimation techniques. To some, the Gentle Leader looks like a muzzle, but it is not. The nylon material wraps over the nose and back of the neck. The design gently mimics the way a mother dog might correct her pup or a pack leader asserts dominance. A dog wearing the head collar can still eat, drink, pant, bark and carry toys. It is lightweight and should not cause pain, coughing, choking or gagging. Be aware that the product may not work as well on very short-nosed dog breeds. Though some dogs may be try to "back out" of the head collar or paw at it, the Gentle Leader remains secure around the back of the head if fitted properly. After proper fitting, I began using the Gentle Leader on my "test dog." She seemed mildly confused and tried to rub the head collar off of her face. After spending a few minutes on the instructed acclimation procedures, we were ready for a walk. To my delight, my dog walked quite well. Each time she tried to pull or jump up, the light resistance on the head collar caused her to stop. After several walks, she had stopped pulling and jumping almost completely. She still occasionally paws at her face, but this is improving over time. Though it may take some time and training for you and your dog to get used to the Gentle Leader, it is worth the effort.

Global Pet Finder GPS Pet Tracker

The Global Pet Finder consists of a GPS tracking device and a cellular transmitter. When the five-ounce, water resistant device is attached to the protective snap-guard, it slips easily onto your pet's collar, halter or harness. The unit runs on three included, rechargeable AAA batteries (a charger is also included). The other key component of the system is the globalpetfinder.com Web site. Here, Global Pet Finder members can build a virtual fence of any size by logging in and defining the fence parameters. The command center will prompt you to enter a name, address and size for your fence. Your fence is then automatically downloaded to the memory of your Global Pet Finder and your pet can then freely roam inside this virtual boundary. Up to five fence locations can be stored at once. This product is poorly made and has multiple manufacturing problems, which could have been avoided: The idea is to use a GPS transmitter to locate your lost dog. Here is why I returned mine:

1) GPS transmitter is NOT waterproof. The grey plastic case has a 2 inch long gap that would easily allow water to get inside it and destroy the electronics. Even overnight condensation could damage the unit.
2.) GPS transmitter easily falls out of the cheap black plastic case that attaches to your dogs' collar. You could find the transmitter (assuming no exposure to moisture), but not your beloved dog, who could be long gone.
3.) Antenna was shipped quite loose.
Company was unresponsive when I notified them of these problems. I even offered remedies/inexpensive fixes they could have used, which they did not. Wait until another company comes up with a quality GPS locator for your dog, then buy it.

Dog books - "Do Old Dogs Dream?" By Harold J. Creel

Dog books - "Do Old Dogs Dream?" By Harold J. Creel

A tender and humorous must-have book for the dog lover - "Do Old Dogs Dream?" is a collection of poems, photographs and illustrations about the canine geriatric set. The baby boomer generation is aging, right alongside our favorite old dogs. Children may grow up and leave the nest, but not these "other children." Our aging lives are enriched by their grace and candor. Hal Creel is an attorney living in Washington, DC and Double Dog Farm in the Blue Ridge mountains. He has two yellow labs, Hank and Rufus, several goats, turkeys, ducks and a bunch of ridiculous looking chickens. The book has been endorsed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The author is donating all profits from the sell of this book to the rescue and care of old dogs. This is a beautiful book filled with information, pictures heartwarming stories. If you love old dogs, you will love this book! It has poems, pictures, and stories of aging friends. A portion of the proceeds goes to the care of old dogs. What a great thing to do. Great gift to give someone special on your list!

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