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.  

When you're on the go, you often want your special companion with you. If you've got a little dog, it can sometimes be hard for them to keep up. Now, there's no need to leave your dog behind with the Pet Zip Pet Jogger Stroller! With this product, you are able to take your pup along for the run! Plus, your pooch will be riding in style. This stroller comes with a roomy interior, safety belt, washable padding, a big mesh window for ventilation, a removable snack tray with dual cup holders and the wheels even have suspension for an easy glide and reflective bands for evening travel. Talk about luxurious wheels! http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/6004--pet-zip-pet-jogger-stroller.html 

We are all in the habit of using our seatbelt whenever we drive.  Most pet owners, however, do not think about using a safety harness for their pet.  It is time we do! According to the American Automobile Association, unrestrained pets cause more than 30,000 accidents annually.  That's thousands of fatalities and injuries that could have been avoided with the use of a simple pet restraint, harness or crate.   Bark Buckle-UP founder, Christina Selter, warns that an unrestrained dog can be dangerous to everyone in the vehicle.  "In a 30 MPH accident, a 60-pound dog can cause an impact of more than 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, windshield or other passenger."   And let's face it, any one of us would be heart-broken if our dog was injured, or worse, killed in an accident because we were too rushed or lazy to buckle them into a safety harness.  (Hint - leave the seat belt attachment in the car at all times so it is easy to snap onto your dog's harness.  It will be one less thing to remember as you leave home, too!)   So...let's make a New Year's Resolution to buckle up our pet every time we go for a drive - no matter how short the distance.  To make things easy, I am going to review a few of the travel harnesses we carry on our website:      1) Kurgo Tru-Fit Safety Harness:  This is probably the easiest harness to put on your dog that I am aware of.  Once adjusted for size, you simply slip it over your dog's head and then buckle the strap around its chest.  That's it!  It comes with a loop that you put your seat belt through and attach to the harness to keep your Furry Traveler in place while you drive.  It is made of high-quality automotive seat belt materials and has a broad padded chest plate for extra protection and comfort.  Good for dogs over 10 pounds.  Price:  $22.99 - $28.99.   2)  The PetBuckle Seat Belt Harness provides protection in a standard vehicle by using the vehicle's seat belt, LATCH bar system or cargo area to securely restrain a harnessed dog. Just slip the seat belt through the web loop on the harness and buckle up. For dogs over 15 pounds.  Crash tested for safety.  Price:  $49.99.     3)  For the more fashion conscious, we offer a variety of comfortably padded safety harnesses in a variety of colors and patterns.  Many of these styles snap right into your own car's seat belt buckle - very easy to use.    Whatever your choice may be, just remember that having your dog restrained is one less distraction for you and so much safer for your Furry Traveler!    To view all our safety harnesses, visit www.FurryTravelers.com.   Happy New Year from your friends at Furry Travelers!

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.  

  With summertime fast-approaching, most of us are busy trying to plan our vacation before all of the beachside resorts and condos book up for the season! Unfortunately, finding accommodations that allow pets can be a headache, and finding a vacation with activities for you and your furry friend to enjoy together is even harder to come by.  To simplify your trip planning this year, we have searched far and wide to bring you the best pet-friendly vacations for you and your cuddly creature to go on this summer!   For the Vineyard/ Winery Vacation-Goer: Frenchie Winery, Raymond Vineyards in Napa Valley, CA Finally- you don't have to choose between your Cabernet and your canine! Frenchie Winery located in Napa Valley, California, comes fully-equipped with ornate canine portraits, wine barrel dog beds, and an expansive outdoor play area.  One of the very first dog-friendly wine-tasting rooms to open, this vacation destination is dedicated to dapper dogs and their sophisticated owners.  You and your pooch will certainly have a hard time finding anything to “wine” about at this Napa Valley vineyard. For the Event Enthusiast: The Dog Bowl festival at the Cotton Bowl stadium, Dallas, TX For one day the historic Cotton Bowl stadium in Dallas, Texas, is transformed into a dog park complete with splash pools, a pet/owner look-alike contest, and all sorts of doggie activities aimed to maximize fun for pets and owners alike.  Free and open to the public, owners can let their pets off the leash to run around freely and enjoy all the many fun pet-lover entertainment provided at the Dog Bowl, including giveaways, exhibits, and fabulous pooch portraits.   For the Laid-back, Outdoorsy Type: The Paw House Inn, West Rutland, VT The Paw House Inn encompasses a historic retreat of dog-friendly hiking trails, swimming spots, farmers markets, and an outdoor theater, along with numerous adventures for you and your pet. During the spring and summer, the Paw House Park and doggie agility course provide your pet with the perfect place to run around outside in the fresh mountain air.  For a Relaxing Spa Vacation: Ritz-Carlton of Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, CO The Ritz-Carlton at Bachelor Gulch offers relaxation and rejuvenation for you and your pet with its animal-catered hikes, paw-approved massages, and tranquil surroundings. Pets even receive their own plush bed complete with a liver treat turn-down service. For the Ritzy/Pampered Vacation-Goer: Hotel Monaco in Portland, OR Pets are treated as glamorously as their humans at the Hotel Monaco located in downtown Portland. The hotel does not have pet size or weight restrictions, and it offers exceptional pet amenities such as a personal pet welcoming (complete with a personalized sign and treats); food & water bowls and a dog bed delivered to your room; and spring water, treats, and eco-friendly cleanup bags, all available free of charge.  Owners can indulge during dog-friendly wine hours, while their pets sip on a special microbrew made for canines.  Furthermore, the hotel offers pet- sitting, grooming, and walking services, as well as sessions with pet psychic Bridget Pilloud of Pets Are Talking.   For the Active/Sporty Vacation-Goer (warning: must love water sports): Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego, CA The host of its annual Loews Surf Dog Competition, Loews Coronado Bay Resort offers some of the most unique pet amenities for its visitors travelling with their furry friend. Every dog and cat receives a welcome package with a name tag, food/water bowl, and special treats upon arrival, and applicable rooms are supplied with a pet bed, litter box, and a gourmet room service pet menu, developed by the hotel's in-house chefs alongside a licensed veterinarian.  Loews Coronado Bay Resort also provides dog-walking routes, a pet-sitting and walking service, and a list of local pet-friendly restaurants for owners to dine at during their stay.      

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) is having their 2nd Annual APPA National Children's Pet Poetry Contest through their public awareness campaign, Pets Add Life (PAL).   Third, fourth and fifth grade students are invited to write a unique poem about their pets, what they love about them, the joys they bring, and then post it online at www.petsaddlife.org or mail their final poem and submission form to:  Pets Add Life, 45 Winter Street, Reno, NV  89503.  The deadline for submissions is February 15, 2010 at 5:00pm EST.   Two students from each grade level (6 total) nationwide will win a $250 gift certificate for pet products, and a "by-line" in a nationally circulated publication.  In addition, the six winning students' classrooms will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to spend on pet related education.    

Wow! Fall has sure hit! It's getting much cooler outside! Our dogs have fur coats, but sometimes that's not enough to keep them toasty warm. Furry Travelers carries a variety of different coats, sweaters, and jackets for dogs! Take a look at our Sierra Dog Supply Canine Coat, its super versatile and adjustable. The season's newest canine coat is sure to be at the top of your pup's wish list this year! http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/3199--sierra-dog-supply-canine-coat.html

A mother's love, patience, and hard work should be acknowledged and appreciated all the time, but especially on Mother's Day!!! Make sure your weekend is extra special and show her how much you truly care!   Wishing you a wonderful Mother's Day, Furry Travelers   

This Valentine's Day, treat your special pooch to a homemade heart shaped treat! We've found a great recipe that happens to be perfect for the upcoming holiday! It's time to share the love, so let's not forget our pups!  http://www.sheknows.com/pets-and-animals/articles/947199/homemade-heart-shaped-mini-dog-cakes

To Go Bowl is the perfect multi-purpose travel water bowl.  The patented and award winning design fits conveniently into your car's 3 to 4 inch cup holder in either the front or back seat, and even many side door cup holders.  It also includes a splash guard and lid to prevent spilling!    You can also use To Go Bowl as a regular dog bowl.  When the cup portion is removed, it easily transitions from the car to the hotel room, dog park or home.  The cup can also be used to store your pet's favorite treats and comes with its own lid to keep treats fresh!    To Go Bowl is an ideal and necessary pet travel accessory: Your dog will stay well-hydrated throughout the trip without the frequent stops you previously required.    For the smallest to largest breeds.  Also works great in boats, golf carts and RV's!    Made of BPA-FREE, FDA approved, durable Polypropylene.  Dishwasher safe.  Proudly made in the USA.   *If not fully satisfied, return your To Go Bowl within 60 days for full refund of purchase price.    Don't leave home without your To Go Bowl!     BUY MORE AND SAVE!