Review: Hear Doggy! Stuffed and Flat Toys

Teddy loves his squeaky toys.  C hates those squeaky toys, especially when he is trying to work.  So when I saw Fab.com listing of 3 stuffed Hear Doggy! toys, I couldn't be more excited.  Immediately I purchased the toy and Teddy loved it.

Enjoyment (Favorite): 4/5
Durability: 3/5
Danger: Nonexistent

I could not hear a single squeak, but when I squeezed the toy, I could hear air escaping through an opening.  So I trust that the product, actually, does make a sound that Teddy can hear.  The Blowfish lasted more than a week, but the Whale was murdered in only a couple days.  By murdered, I mean he was able to chew through until he could easily consume the stuffing.  I tried some amend and repair, but it only extended the toys' life by another couple days.  The fate of the penguin was more tragic.  We had given it to a friend and it was surviving well.  However, when Teddy and I came to visit, the presence of two dogs was too much.  Within an hour, the two of them was able to tear the toy in multiple pieces.

Since our concern for Teddy is stuffing, I bought the Flat Snake toy.  So far Teddy loves it as much as the stuffed toy and it is not even close to being torn.  Will time to see how long it takes for him to destroy it.

Dog Lesson: Boarding Budget Cheat

Ever have to board your dog, because you are travelling?  That can get expensive, fast.  Here is a good way to save a few bucks ($16 in my case).  Consider PetsHotel - the hotel located in PetSmart...

• There is one in almost every city
• Reviews can generally be found online (mine) on yelp
• Generally consistent policy on service

Here's the breakdown of the charge (at my local PetSmart) - I think it can be different depending on location:  

• $27 for overnight boarding in the atrium.  
• They have suites for $37, which include a TV in the room.  
• $16 extra if not picked up by noon the next day {which can be eliminated if a doggie day camp or wash & toe nail is bought instead}
• $16 for doggie day camp add-on - Teddy plays all day between 8 - 6 with other dogs
• $20 for doggie day camp (without overnight stay)

Putting it all together... If you know you will be arriving back after noon, AND if you are travelling by car, take your dog with you.  Call the PetsHotel in your destination city (consider reviews) and make an appointment.  When asked for vaccination, just let them know the PetsHotel near you that you have been to.  The hotel will generally call each other to determine your status.  This will save you the extended stay charge ($16) and lets you have more time with your doggie.

Dog Lesson: Anal Gland Expression

Does your dog lick/bite his anus area or drag his butt (scooting)?  The past two days, Teddy has been licking his anus area slightly more than normal.  So we took him to the vet, to find that his anal gland (anal sacs) were full.  These anal glands can be found at roughly 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock to his anus.

The purpose of the a dog's anal gland is to produce a smelly secretion that is useful when dogs (in the wild) mark their territory.  They are suppose to express (empty) every time he poops.  In an ideal situation, when the dog's poop is normal and firm, the anal gland will empty due to the squeezing of his poop.  If, however, the glands do not empty, it could be caused by many reasons: inherent hereditary issues, poor food quality or damaged anus tissue (to just name a few).  In these circumstances it is important to express the gland for the poor dog, as was done for Teddy today.  This just means squeezing empty the gland.  This was done for Teddy by the vet today (who charged $25), but a groomer can also do it.  Note:  Your groomer should be doing this already, if it is necessary; something I will be asking in the future.  I am unsure whether there will be a charge by the groomer as well.

Luckily his was just full and an expression was enough.  These anal glands can be impacted (blockage) or infected as well.  In these cases, the process gets more complicated and a vet appointment should be made.

Dog lesson: Travel + Teddy = Lifestyle Change

Teddy at 3 months

I am a proud mother of an adorable black lab mix named Teddy (another Louisville influence). We got him last year around this time from a local shelter.

Prior to our adoption, C & I read a lot of literature and discussed our rules.  No matter how descriptive the books are, actually living the life changes is the only way to truly grasp the life changes.

One change in our life, which I did not feel the book emphasized is the effect Teddy would have on our ability to travel.  I've included our experience, but am curious what was unexpected for you.  Please write about it in the comments.  They'll be especially helpful.

Review: PetsHotel by PetSmart

PetsHotel is available in select PetSmart.  Teddy loves going to PetsHotel, because he gets the Doggie Day Camp with his overnight stay.  This service means he plays with other dogs of  similar size and manner as him all day (8AM-6PM).  The facility is open from 7AM to 9PM.

This review is only for my experience.  Cost compared to other facilities in the area with same service is cheaper.

So the positives:

- Clean lobby & facilities from what I could see in the lobby

- Strict rules to maintain dog safety (for example: they will not give Teddy his Dentastix or his raw hide because of the small chance of accidents)

- Wide range of add-on services (priced individually)

- Consistent paperwork & detailed report cards (pawgress report)

- Plenty of other dogs (otherwise known as playmates)

- 24 hour staff presence, but not always a manager so you can call in at any time

Amenities:

- Free food (usually provided by boarding facility but I have come across some who do not)

- Disposable collar with dog & owner name that is easily removable

- Atrium comes with fleece bed & suite with a raised bed

- PetSmart with PetsHotel usually also have the Banfield Hospital too

Now the negatives:

- Unable to fully review the facility so I cannot see (except on camera) the playroom that Teddy is generally in

- Uncertain the cleaner used in day camp if a dog has accident on the cement

Amenities:

- Doggie day camp is indoor on cement (versus astroturf at one of the facilities I've used)

- Doggie relief room is located inside, which raises my concern about Teddy having an accident indoor.  So far it has not happened.  {Relief room is filled with scents to encourage potty}

- No webcam, even in the suite