Dog Crates Ensure your pet's safety and comfort when traveling with thse dog crates, dog bedding and crate covers.  Choose from wire crates, canvas crates, crate covers and dog beddit, too!    

January 2nd is National Pet Travel Safety Day, founded by Pet Lifestyle Expert, Animal Advocate and former Paramedic, Colleen Paige to highlight the dangers of unsecured pets in vehicles and educate the public about how to make vehicle travel safer for people and the pets they love.  Driver distraction is the number one cause of car accidents, and an unrestrained pet can easily be a distraction which could cause an unfortunate accident. Even an abrupt stop can cause serious injury to your pet. We don't think twice when it comes to buckling up for safety for adults or children, but do we remember our furry family members?  An unrestrained pet can be seriously injured in the event of even a minor accident. A 60-pound unrestrained dog becomes a 2,700 pound projectile at just 35 mph. An unrestrained pet can also cause a driving distraction that poses a danger to the driver, passengers, and other drivers on the road, as well as to bystanders.   There are many different types and styles of safety harnesses for dogs of all sizes to make it an easy step to take to keep everyone safe.  After a few uses, it will become habit where you don't even have to think about it. You will also find your trips to be more enjoyable, knowing everyone is safe and having fewer distractions.   In addition to safety harnesses, dog booster seats and dog crates are additional ways to keep your pet safe and secure while traveling. So make a commitment to keeping everyone safe on the road by ensuring that every traveler is buckled up, even your Furry Travelers.   Safe Travels! Nancy Cribb   

I recently started using the Guardian Gear Collapsible Crate at the suggestion of a dog trainer I met at a pet expo.  I mentioned to her that I travel with at least one dog, Cookie, regularly and while she is almost always with me, there are instances where she might need to be left in the room for a while.  Cookie does not like being left behind and is very vocal about that, to say the least.  Because I don't need to crate her at home anymore, I never thought about doing it when I travel.    Good idea!  Now Cookie feels like she is in her own den rather than a strange hotel room, and I don't have to worry about her being stressed out or barking while I'm away.     I love this travel crate for several reasons.  First of all, it folds to just 2 - 3 inches wide so it is easy to store when I'm not using it.  It is also very light weight at just over 7 pounds, making it convenient to carry.  It is also easy to assemble.  You just unfold the sides, unzip the top and slip in two poles into the frame and you are done!  It is just as easy to fold up again, with clips to hold it all together and a convenient pouch to store the bars on the bottom.   As it turns out, we now leave the crate in our family room all the time.  Our 15 year old dog, Sammy, likes to go in there on days she's not feeling well.  I also use it in the car when driving anywhere with Sammy, as she has turned into a nervous traveler in her old age and she is also safer in the crate.   A few tips:  Let your dog get used to the crate before using on a trip.  Leave the crate in a favorite room at home first and put your pet's food or treats in the crate, letting him/her roam in and out at leisure so the crate is associated with good things.  The bars can be a little difficult to install the first time you use it, so try it at home first and leave the bars in at least overnight to allow the fabric to stretch a bit.  After the first or second use, it will be much easier to assemble.  This crate is not for use with puppies or chronic chewers. Click here for more information or to place order.

The first time I ever saw a decorative crate cover was a few years ago at a trade show.  A young woman explained that she had a small apartment and crated her dog while she was at work.  Having little space to work with, she thought it would be convenient to be able to use the crate as a coffee table, so she designed a cover for it to coordinate with the rest of her decor.  What a great idea!   Many companies are now designing crate covers and Furry Travelers recently added a few to our product line - with matching crate pads.  So cute!  The best part of a crate cover is the benefit to your dog.  Dogs are den dewlling animals by instinct.  A crate that is covered provides the dog with a den-like atmosphere.  This is very useful when you are away from home, whether or not you bring your pooch with you.   If you keep the crate in an area that can become drafty or cold, the cover will help keep your pet warm.  In the summer months, the cover can provide shade.   Crating Tips: Think of the crate as a good thing. In time, your dog will too. Let your dog out often enough so that it is not forced to soil the crate. Let the dog out if it whines because it needs to eliminate. If you know it doesn't have to eliminate, correct it for whining or barking. Clean the crate regularly, especially if you've put in a pad or pillow, or if you have flea problems. Forgive your dog if it soils the crate. It probably just couldn't wait any longer. Don't use the crate as a punishment. Don't leave the dog in the crate for a long time after letting it eat and drink a lot. (Your dog will be uncomfortable and may have to eliminate in the crate.) Keep your dog's crate time at a minimum. Dogs sleep and rest a lot, but not all the time. They need play time and exercise. When you are at home, they should not be in the crate (except at night when they are still very young puppies). If necessary, put a leash on your pup and tie it around your waist while you're at home. Continue to use the crate, even after your puppy is housebroken.  Occasionally using the crate will make traveling and special situations that require crating easier. Most dogs like cooler temperatures than their human companions and prefer to stretch out on a hard, cool surface.  If your dog prefers tile to carpet, you may want to skip the pad - or leave a portion of the crate floor bare.  If you use a pad or pillow, clean frequently.  Our 5 month old puppy, Katie, is the first puppy we did not crate-train.  Now that I work at home, we thought it was easier not to.  This was a mistake.  Our little Katie had emergency surgery on Friday and we are taking her home tonight.  The vet told us we must keep her in a crate so she doesn't hurt herself (and to prevent her from roughhousing with our other dog).  So, we now have to hope that her few days in a cage at the hospital will be enough to make her happy to be in a crate at home.   We will be using the ProSelect 2-Piece Crate Cover and Bed Set!  

Source: Adapted from the ASPCA   Is chewing a destructive behavior? Here's the simplest answer: Only if he's chewing on the wrong thing. So give him something that's okay to chew.   Puppy chewing is an important part of the teething process. As adults, dogs often chew for fun, or to relieve boredom. Chewing or tearing things up (like paper) can also be a displacement behavior, a way to release pent-up energy or stress. Redirecting destructive chewing Puppy- and dog-proof your house. As with any type of behavior you wish to change, one of the most important things to do is manage the environment. We are all familiar with "puppy proofing" our houses - we learn to put shoes in the closet, and put pups in the crate when we are not actively supervising them. But we often forget that many adult dogs need the same type of management to keep them out of trouble. Give him a chew toy instead. If your dog attempts to chew on an inappropriate item while in your presence, simply interrupt the behavior and re-direct him to an appropriate chew toy. It can be helpful to have a stuffed Kong toy in a Ziploc bag in your freezer - so you can quickly produce it when needed. Many pups have certain times of day when they are more likely to chew, so you can head this behavior off at the pass if you choose this time of day to give the dog an approved chewie. Use bad-tasting repellants and sprays. You can keep puppies and adult dogs away from some items by using impersonal correction, preferably where the "environment" does the correcting. For example, spray items with Bitter Apple spray or Boundary dog repellant, or use a Scat Mat at the edge of a countertop, to stop counter surfers. This type of training operates on the same principle as a child touching a hot stove - if something is particularly unpleasant, most likely the child or the dog will make the decision not to repeat that behavior. Give him plenty of exercise.  Exercise is vitally important for dogs prone to inappropriate chewing or other destructive behaviors. A tired pup will be less likely to get into things. Exercise also produces endorphins, which have a calming effect. In fact, it is these endorphins that are stimulated by chewing, so if your dog is not getting enough exercise, he may unconsciously be seeking to replace needed endorphins by releasing pent-up energy through chewing. Make sure it's not separation anxiety. Occasionally chewing or tearing things up is a symptom of a more serious problem, such as separation anxiety. If you suspect separation anxiety, the first thing you need to do is schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Be gentle! A few training books are still on the market that advocate inhumane methods for stopping destructive behaviors, such as putting duct tape around a pet's mouth or physically hitting a dog. Needless to say, there is no excuse for such corrections. Not only are they extremely unfair, they're ineffective. The use of proper management (for instance, cratung a dog when he is not under your direct supervision), along with proper exercise, takes care of 99 percent of destructive behavior problems.  

Are you planning on doing a lot of walking this Halloween? Walking on the pavement can commonly be irritating for you pup's paws, especially if it's really cold out! Our Guardian Gear Boots keep paws safe from heat, cold, ice, salt, stones, and abrasive surfaces. These boots have bold new colors and a tough new non-skid sole for all-weather use. Guardian Gear Boots are a great accessory to have for your trick-or-treating extravaganza! http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/3097--guardian-gear-dog-boots.html    

It's been hot all summer and it doesn't look like it is going to end any time soon for many areas of the country.  I think it is always smart to brush up on the signs of heat stroke in dogs.   The ASPCA offers the following warning signs for recognizing when your dog might be overheated. According to Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, "symptoms of  overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees." Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.   Summer Safety Tip: Dogs and Cars - Don't leave them alone! Even on a relatively cool day, temperatures can escalate quickly and in the Summer, can become a furnace in no time—even with the windows open—which could lead to fatal heat stroke.     

Run out of fun summer activities to do with your pooch? Make the most of this summer and take you pup on some adventures! Here's a list of 10 great ideas to get you inspired! http://kendalldog.com/2011/06/14/10-fun-things-to-do-with-your-pup-during-the-dog-days-of-summer/  

We recently found a company in California that bakes all natural dog treats in some very unique ways with healthy ingredients.    Here is the scoop:   Sweetie Pies are a healthy dog treat made of free range chicken and sweet potatoes.  Research has shown that sweet potatoes are one of the top 10 healthiest foods you can eat!  They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.  Even better, dogs love them! The chickens and sweet potatoes are both from small local farmers.  They are slow baked to preserve their goodness.  Dogs can't say no to these treats!  Break pieces off to use as training treats or as a nutritious low calorie snack. I had always heard of dogs that had a "tooting" problem, but this has become a recent issue with Cookie and I can't wait to try these!  We sold out of them too soon for me to try with our first order, but now that we have more, we won't waste any time getting her started on them!   Enzymes are the catalysts for every metabolic process in the body and the foundation for good digestion and overall health.  Better digestion means less gas.  Digestive enzymes are added to these treats so they are easily absorbed.  Fart Busters are made from pure whole free range chicken with a proprietary blend (human grade) of digestive enzymes that can aid digestion and help with those "aromatic" moments.  These are all meat treats, manufactured in California.  Chickens are from local farmers and are raised without the use of antibiotics or animal by-products and are fed a vegetarian diet.   Cookie and Katie both have tried - and go crazy over - Bark Stix.  What a great idea - dog treats that look like bread sticks!  They are made with organic whole wheat flour, beef liver, water, rolled oats, carrots, bacon, parsley and baking powder.    I am very happy to be able to offer healthy treat options for your Furry Traveler.  Give one or all of them a try while they last!  

Product Review - Bark Stix Organic Dog Treats   FurryTravelers.com was started to help pet owners travel with their pets safely and easily by offering the best pet travel products.  Once in a while, however, we come across non-travel related pet products we think are so great that we add them to our product line-up.   I don't recall how we originally found Bark Stix (maybe they found us), but after speaking with the owner a few years ago and hearing about the company, I knew I needed to test them on my own dogs, Cookie and Katie.  They loved every type of treat I gave them!  What I love about them is that they are 100% organic, nutritious, and made in the United States.    Here are three of our favorites:    Sweetie Pies   Sweet Potatoes are considered by nutrition experts to be one of the 10 healthiest foods one can eat.  That goes for dogs, too.  Sweet potatoes are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.  And dogs LOVE them!    Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, chicken liver, potato flour, honey and sea salt.   Sadie's Big Stix and Lucy's Short Stix These fun, nutritious stix are shaped like a bread stick and measure 9-10 inches for Sadie's and about 5 inches for Lucy's - a best seller.   Fart Busters This all meat chicken treat is made from whole Free Range chicken with a proprietary blend of digestive enzymes that can aid digestion and help with those 'aromatic' moments that come between dog and guardian. Like all of our treats they are manufactured in our facility in Northern California. The chickens are locally sourced from small farmers and raised without the use of antibiotics or animal by-products and are fed a vegetarian diet.   There are several varieties of Bark Stix dog treats.  To see all Bark Stix Treats, click here.