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!  

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.    

I am getting ready to go to Orlando for the International Auto Show so thought this week I would review another product I don't travel without:  The E.B.D. Carry All Bag (E.B.D. stands for Everything But the Dog).      This great bag has so many pockets you probably won't use them all, but it is nice to know you can if you need them (great for medications, waste bags, water bottles, cell phone, etc).     This bag also includes collapsable food and water bowls, 56" x 48" indoor/outdoor fleece blanket with nylon backing and a freezable gel pack Dimensions 12"h x 15"w x 5"d.    The E.B.D. Carryall Bag is available in Brown with fun printed interiors in Blue, Green and Pink.   Since my older dog Sammy is on many medications and both dogs have their own treats, food, toys, bones, this bag really helps keep me organized!   For more details, click here.

  The holiday's are almost here! And for a lot of people that means traveling. If you plan on flying with your pet this year, here's a list of 5 most pet-friendly airlines of 2009. You're pet will thank you!   Continental The airline's PetSafe program has a 24-hour Live Animal Help Desk that tracks your pet from origin to destination. It's more expensive than other airlines, but your pet will travel in climate-controlled vehicles for connections and you'll earn extra miles. The airline also allows small pets to be carried in the cabin on most domestic flights for $125 each way.   JetBlue Airways JetBlue launched JetPaws last summer, providing passengerspet carrier bag tag, two TrueBlue points each way, a welcome e-mail and pet-travel guide, all for no additional cost. But like almost every other airline, they have raised their in-cabin pet charge. One-way fees range from $75-$100.   Airtran Airtran is currently the least expensive airline to fly with your small pet: just $69 each way. They only allow small pets that can travel the cabin, so if you have a larger breed that needs to be checked-in, this airline isn't for you.   American Airlines The airline has assisted transporting animals from popular zoos in cargo. Although they allow a limited number of pets in the cabin, they ask passengers traveling with pets to make special notes for their animals flying in cargo and promise to abide by all requests.     United Airlines They accept small cats, dogs and birds in the cabin; rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs as checked baggage and other animals including parrots, cockatiels and ferrets in United Cargo. Shipping by cargo is for items, like some pets, that you can't check as baggage.   For more information about these airlines and their pet policies, click on the airline name above.

The Snoozer Roll Around 4 in 1 Pet Carrier is an approved airline* dog, cat, and pet carrier that makes traveling with your pet easy.  Perfect for traveling, this carrier converts into a backpack, car seat, and pet bed, enabling pet owners to bring their dog or cat just about anywhere.  Available in three sizes for dogs up to 30 pounds, and two colors.  *Always check with your airline carrier to confirm approved carrier sizes and rules.   Roll Around Dog Carrier Backpack Features: 4-in-1 Versatility: Use as a dog backpack, carrier, dog car seat, and pet bed Breathable: Mesh on three sides for pet comfort and visibility Safety: Includes internal harness clip for keeping pet secured Colors: Available in red or black Warranty: One Year Warranty Shipping: Free shipping in contiguous USA Roll Around Dog Carrier Backpack Sizes: Medium: Width: 14 inches Height: 20 inches Depth: 11 inches For dogs up to 15 lbs* Large: Width: 15.5 inches Height: 23 inches Depth: 12.25 For dogs up to 30 lbs  

The Coastal Pet Product SEAT BELT RESTRAINT can be used with any style of harness to safely secure your pet to a lap or shoulder seat belt. Two sizes:  5/8" for small to medium dogs.  1" for medium to large dogs.   This item has not been crash tested and should only be used on a harness, NOT a collar.  Product is designed to keep dog dog in place and not roaming around the vehicle.     Never leave a dog in an unattended vehicle.    

Thundershirt's patent-pending design is a pressure wrap that applies a gentle, constant pressure on a dog's torso. From real world experience, we know with certainty that Thundershirt DOES WORK. That is why we are able to offer a money-back guarantee. A survey of Thundershirt users shows that over 85% of dogs show significant improvement in anxiety symptoms when using Thundershirt.   As for WHY Thundershirt's gentle pressure works to calm a dogàno one knows for sure. There are theories, but no scientific studies to prove them. According to some experts such as Dr. Temple Grandin, pressure has a calming effect on the nervous system. Using pressure to relieve anxiety has been a common practice for years.   For example: • TTouch dog trainers use pressure to address a wide variety of anxieties. • Veterinarians use pressure to relax cattle when they are administering vaccinations. • People with Autism use pressure to relieve their persistent anxiety. Until now, there just hasn't been a well-designed, inexpensive pressure wrap commonly used for canine anxiety. Thundershirt is changing that!   NEW COLORS AND STYLES AVAILABLE!   Size Chest Size Weight XXS 9"-13.5" < 12 lbs. XS 13"-18" 10-18 lbs. S 16"-23" 15-25 lbs. M 18"-26" 20-50 lbs. L 24"-32" 40-70 lbs. XL 31"-40" 60-100 lbs. XXL 38"-50" > 90 lbs.

Only the inventors of canine eyewear could bring you this innovative product!  Here is the newest alternative in dog eye protection. The mesh eyewear is breathable, and still protects your pet from the sun's UV rays. The best part? It doesn't impair your dog's vision, still allowing them to see a full 270 degrees!  AVAILABLE IN BLUE, EXTRA SMALL ONLY.     Size       Weight of Dog,  Head Strap and Frame    Chin Strap, Breed Example     XS          1 - 10 lbs      11.5-15 inches    9-10 inches               Breed example: Chihuahua, Pom Small      9 - 25 lbs      13-16 inches    12-14 inches               Breed example: Beagle, Westie, Jack Russell Medium   20 - 60 lbs     18-23 inches   15-18 inches               Breed example: Aussie, Border Collie Large      50 - 100 lbs    20-24 inches    19-22 inches               Breed example: German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever  

The Kurgo Collaps-a-bowl is a clever dog travel bowl designed for dogs and owners on the go. This handy bowl offers a thirst quenching solution after a long hike, a lake side stroll or a gentle walk around the neighborhood.  The pop-it design lets the bowl collapse down for compact storage in your glove box or day pack. The bowls gently angled sides allow easy access for Fido and the stay put ridged bottom offers a sturdy base to avoid spills.  Now available in TWO colors - Orange and Blue.  Reg. Price 9.99   Benefits: • Dishwasher safe • Holds 24 fl oz • Collapses to a slim .875 x 6 inches • Expanded to 3.5 x 6 inches      

The Console Dog Car Seat allows your dog or pet to enjoy the comfort and security of riding right next to you. The ride is firm, yet comfortable thanks to its patented, sturdy foam form construction. The Console Dog Car Seat attaches easily to your car’s console. With a simulated lamb’s wool interior and available in quilted, poly cotton and vinyl fabrics. 1 Year Limited Warranty.   *Before you buy a Console Dog Car Seat always measure your dog and compare its dimensions to our interior dimensions.  Compare the interior dimensions of your car console to our exterior dimensions as well. The size you order will need to reflect the size of the space available in your vehicle as well as the size of your dog. Be sure to always measure for both factors before you make your purchase. Features: ·         Removable cover is machine washable and dryable ·         Straps for securing to seat base and console lid ·         Included safety strap for securing animal into seat Sizes: ·         Small: 15″ L x 8.5″ W x 6″ H – up to 7 lbs. ·         Large: 19″ L x 12″ W x 7″ H -up to 12 lbs.