4 out of 4 paws!

Categories: Books, Household Items, Random
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• First Impression: Well the people over at Planet Dog heard about my website and decided I should test some of their toys. Puppy ‘o puppy am I glad they did! I saw this on their website about two months ago and I’ve been wanting to try it ever since. Dad says that the Orbee toys are made of an injection molded “thermo plastic elastomer.” Whatever… Basically the ball is strong, hollow, and has holes at both ends. This toy has a hole about 1 inch in diameter at one end, so you could put some dog treats inside, the other hole is much smaller about 3/8 of an inch. They are very flexible - I can easily crush the ball, but it just pops back out to it’s normal shape. All of the Orbee toys they sent me have a strong peppermint smell. I personally really like it; I was licking the ball at first… Of course they are bouncy, and apparently they also float! Dad also mentioned that when it’s hot during the summer we can freeze them to help keep me cool..
• Conclusion: I’ve managed to pull a small piece loose near the large opening on the ball. The white part of the soccer ball is peeling away from the interior layer. I don’t think it’s going to be a huge problem, but I’ll keep everyone posted if I manage to destroy it!
• Followup: I managed to tear the loose piece off and swallow it before Dad could stop me. It was close though… I’ve also managed to get some more loose. Dad is debating about gluing that part down, or possibly cutting it back. I’ll update you if I can keep tearing pieces off!
• Followup #2: Dad thinks that the flaw is probably just a manufacturing defect. It’s possible that not all of the Orbee Soccer Balls do this. However, the black and white are separating around the large 1in hole. I’ve torn off and eaten some, no problems yet. Here are a couple of pictures to illustrate how much they are coming apart. NOTE: The ball is being squeezed on the sides to show the problem.

  

3 out of 4 paws!

Categories: Ball Toys - Soft, Chew Toys - Soft, Rubber Toys
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• First Impression: Well to be honest I don’t really like car rides that much… Personally, I think it’s because Dad drives too crazy but I wouldn’t tell him that. I used to sit in the far back cargo area of the hatchback. But then Mom and Dad had the great idea of driving to Washington State to visit friends and family… So they bought me this hammock so I could be closer to them and lay on the rear seat. I do like it better than the far back, but it has some design flaws. The corners by the headrests tend to fold over, exposing the seat. Dad punched some eyelets in the corers and ran a piece of elastic behind the rear seat to keep them up. Another problem is the edges next to the door get shifted around exposing the seat. Currently dad is just laying a towel under each edge, it helps with the puppy drool too. There are more expensive brands that address all of these problems and more. But for $22 your not going to get better.
• Conclusion: Has design flaws, but you get what you pay for. $22 is a great deal to test if you even like laying in a hammock. 3 out of 4 paws because even though the price is right, it could have some minor improvements.

3 out of 4 paws!

Categories: Bedding, Vehicle Accessories
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• First Impression: Well luckily I haven’t had to use this kit yet. A few months back I was playing with a group of puppies in the woods. After we got back to the car dad noticed that I had a big tear in my carpal pad. Boy he was sure mad that he didn’t have a puppy first aid kit with him, so that night be bought this kit. It goes everywhere with us now.
• Conclusion: A well rounded case, you may need to add a few items, but it has all the essentials.

3.5 out of 4 paws!

Categories: First Aid, Health
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• First Impression: Apparently these are the vests that the Military working dogs in Iraq and Afghanistan use. I’m not sure about the one size fits all large dogs mentality of this… It fits well enough but Dad it thinking about taking it to a seamstress for a couple alterations. I have a pretty big chest and could use another couple inches of length in the chest section. As for the function of the vest, it does help in high temperatures. I got to go visit some of Mom and Dad’s friends in Washington State and it was like 102 degrees. I may have died if I didn’t have the vest. I also wear the vest when I am walking to my volunteer Therapy Dog gig. When I wear the vest on the walk there, it keeps me cool enough that I am not drooling all over the place and panting too bad. I do think the vest is the most effective while I am laying on it, but it does reduce my overall recovery time.
• Conclusion: If you get too hot on those long walks, talk your parents into one of these. It will set them back $140 including shipping, but I think it’s worth it. Plus 10% of your vest purchase goes to the Space Coast War Dog Association to purchase additional vests for our protectors of freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. 3 out of 4 paws because even though it does help, its not a complete “fix-all” solution. It more like making the best of a bad situation.

3 out of 4 paws!

Categories: Health, Random
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• First Impression: Mom and Dad used to take me to PetSmart to get groomed. But then they found out about Best Pet in Pacific Grove, CA. Now we go there every 3 weeks like clockwork. We get their “Dirty Dog” brand shampoo and their special conditioner. After everything it’s only about $16. They even give Dad towels to dry me off with. The shower stalls are raised off the ground a few feet, and have 3 steps leading up to the shower so us puppies can walk right up and hop in the tub. Sometimes it does get too busy and people are competing for the hot water. In all there are 4 tubs. If you go at the right time of day, you can’t beat the value. They also have a program where you get a free self groom after you buy 10.
• Conclusion: If you live near by, it is the best option. No groomer will get you as clean as a caring parent. All of the staff are very friendly too.

4 out of 4 paws!

Categories: Grooming
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• First Impression: Well my leash skills are so darn good Dad decided to just hook me to his belt and not worry about me. He purchased the “extra buddy” which does not come with their belt and saves about $7. It’s really no different and will slide right onto any belt. Now when dad wants to go photographing he can have both hands free and I never get left home.
• Conclusion: Excellent! Strong buckles and leash. A must have!

4 out of 4 paws!

Categories: Leashes, Training
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• First Impression: Well this toy is very durable and challenging. It has 4 little “fingers” that block the treat opening. So treats don’t fall out as easily as they do from Kongs. Problem for me is I’ve got a HUGE tongue, so even the large has too small of an opening for me. I have problems getting any treats out at all, much less cleaning it out. Dad cut the fingers back some, but doesn’t want to cut them back further yet.
• Conclusion: Strong and durable. It will prove more challenging than a Kong. Just make sure you can fit your tongue in there! 3 out of 4 paws because my version of large differs from theirs.

3 out of 4 paws!

Categories: Chew Toys - Hard
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• First Impression: I have had nothing but bad experiences with nail cutters. As far as I am concerned the only way a puppy’s nails should be trimmed is with a Dremel. If your Mom/Dad buys one of these for you, just let them turn it on so you can get used to the sound. Then just lay back and relax, it must be like getting a manicure/pedicure. Even though I have black nails, Dad can see the inside of the nail change color as he sanding, that way he knows that he is getting close to the quick and should stop. Then he can get the underside, and clean up the edges. If your looking for a good guide, Dawn S. Garrett over at DoberDawn’s has written one. I have also made a backup of her guide.
• Conclusion: It’s the only way to have your nails done! Refuse the clippers.

4 out of 4 paws!

Categories: Grooming, Health
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• First Impression: Well awhile ago the kind folks over at Orbee sent me a large package of toys to test. I reviewed most of them then, but Dad kept a couple back to review later. This glowing orb was one of them. I love all my Orbee toys. The only one that has failed in any way was the Soccer Ball, but I’m pretty sure it was just a manufacturing defect. All of the balls like this one are still 100%. My favorite thing about this one is scaring Mom when its dark. I stand on the stairs with the glowing ball in my mouth. I got her really good once. {devious grin}
• Conclusion: As with all Orbee toys, you can’t go wrong. Buy them all!

4 out of 4 paws!

Categories: Ball Toys - Soft, Fetch, Rope Toys
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• First Impression: Well as I’m sure my regular readers know, I’m a sucker for stuffed animals. Shredding them to pieces is one of my favorite activities. So when Mom and Dad took me to this “fu-fu” pet store called Diggidy Dog in Carmel, CA. I just knew I had to get something to destroy. Fortunately, they had this 26 inch giant monkey stick. The center of the monkey had my favorite “grunt” squeaker that my old hedgehog had. Then it had the normal small squeakers in each of its paws. Oh how I loved destroying that monkey. I tore its head off within a couple days. Dad has made his own Suture Needle just for type of thing. He quickly sutured the monkeys head back on with fishing line, and I was back at it. I then ripped off his arms. Dad just sutured the holes shut and trashed the arms. About that time I had already ruined the large “grunt” squeaker, it no longer made any noise. I then proceeded to rip the monkeys head off again. It was harder this time because of the fishing line, but the fabric eventually ripped, not Dad’s stitch work. Dad decided that was enough and the toy went into that big brown bin outside… I really want to get into that bin, I know all my old toys are in there…
• Conclusion: If your parents are willing to buy you toys just so you can destroy something, this one was fun. It won’t last long, but it grunts, squeaks, and shreds well. 2.5 out of 4 paws because although it was fun, it just didn’t last long enough.

2.5 out of 4 paws!

Categories: Fabric Toys, Squeek Toys
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• First Impression: Well right off the bat I just wanted to destroy this thing. Dad kept putting my toys inside, and when I tried to get them out it would collapse on the toys. So within a matter of hours I had holes torn in all sides. Not designed well for puppies. Dad said that the next one he purchases will be a spiral design, so it would compress down instead of folding over on itsself.
• Conclusion: Pointless if you are using it for a puppy. 1.5 out of 4 paws because even though the overall construction is good, the design is poor.

1.5 out of 4 paws!

Categories: Random
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• First Impression: Man I really hated this nail trimmer… It consistently could NOT give me a clean cut. I always had little splinters. Dad then read an article about using a Dremel to trim nails. That’s the only way we do it now.
• Conclusion: Don’t waste your money. Use a Dremel or similar tool with the sanding disk attachment.

1 out of 4 paws!

Categories: Grooming, Health
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• First Impression: You know when you get a spot on your tooth that no matter how much you chew on your bone, it just won’t come off? Have your parents pick one of these up. I lie very patiently while dad works on the trouble spots for me. Now your parents need to be gentle, its more about a lot of strokes than how hard they can press. Dad’s got it down to an art now. The tip does wear down and it leaves a little Grey gummy substance, but its gone with a little drink of water.
• Conclusion: Great for those difficult stains. Gets stains off that brushing never would. 3 out of 4 stars because it will take multiple sessions to remove a stain.

3 out of 4 paws!

Categories: Health
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• First Impression: Well it is a very smart idea to keep some of this product around if your as active as I am. If you ever break a nail, either playing or if you parent just cuts it too short. This Sure Clot will stop it fast! I’ve only had to use this once, but I’m glad Dad had it packed in my kit.
• Conclusion: Every puppy should have it in his/her first aid kit. If you don’t have your own kit, get one! Better to be safe than really really sorry.

4 out of 4 paws!

Categories: First Aid, Health
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