Few of us can attend all of the National specialty shows put on by the German Shepherd Dog Club of America and hosted by a regional club every year. But for those of us who can’t attend this most spectacular show, there’s another way you can enjoy all the ring side action without ever leaving the comfort of your home. I’m talking about the “bringing it to you while it happens” DVD’s of Bob Lindsay.
I’ve seen and ordered both his futurity DVD’s and the Nationals DVD’s. Bob is a breeder, exhibitor himself so it gives him an advantage knowing what the viewer is looking for when they buy a DVD of a dog show. That makes all the difference in the world to the buyer because he knows he’s getting his money’s worth. Bob makes sure that all the four winners in every class can be viewed. You get to see all the class winners and the winner’s dog and winners bitch as well as the Best of Breed competition and all the Selects and puppies. It’s just like being there only it didn’t cost you anything except for buying the DVD’s.
Although all of Bob’s DVD collections are done professionally and accurately, the thing that sets him apart from other DVD’s on the market is his own sense of humor and commentary he gives every so often. That’s what I enjoy; is this man’s warmth and love for the breed which comes through in everyone of his presentations.
The quality of the picture and audio of the DVD’s are all done very well. The National Show usually consists of 5 – 6 or more DVD's and they are all labeled so you know which class you’ll be viewing. They come in a hard shell DVD case to protect the product for years to come.
No serious student of the breed should be without these DVD’s. You’ll find yourself reaching for them time and time again. Where else can you see a dog stacked and looking gorgeous and then slow the DVD down and watch him in motion? These DVD’s are educational as well as entertaining. It’s a wonderful tool to have when considering using a stud dog for your breeding program.
The price for Bob’s DVD’s will vary according to each National and how many DVD’s were taken of that show. The last National DVD’s I bought cost me a little over $100. His wife Sandy is his “secretary” and usually handles most orders. You can reach them at: TwoSanBob@aol.com.
My rating: quality of DVD’s: (4), informative (4), entertaining (4), value (4)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
THE GERMAN SHEPHERD TODAY - A BOOK ABOUT EVERYTHING PERTAINING TO THE BREED
A classic never goes out of style. It’s something that’s relevant when it was first introduced and all these years later, it’s just as relevant. Many books have been written over the years about the German Shepherd Dog. Some of them are very well done and can prove to be a valuable addition to your library. However, one book in my opinion has it all and that is THE GERMAN SHEPHERD TODAY by Winifred Gibson Strickland and James A. Moses. This book is now on its third edition.
First let’s take a look at its authors. That alone should tell you that the contents of this book come from years of experience owning and working with this breed. Winifred Gibson Strickland is a top obedience trainer and conformation breeder who is also an obedience judge. Having owned both conformation and obedience champion dogs attest to Ms. Strickland’s knowledge of the German Shepherd Dogs versatility. James A Moses is a name that’s symbolic to the German Shepherd Dog breed. He is a top professional dog show handler and breeder and is associated with some of the top winning dogs and kennels of all time. He is a master marketer and visionary having broken all records and made new ones along the way. He’s the only German Shepherd Dog handler to have won Best in Show at the prestigious Westminster show and broke all breeding records by promoting and showing a dog that became the top producing dog in the history of the breed.
Put together the two minds of these German Shepherd Dog experts of the breed, and you can see why there is a wealth of information between the pages of this book. It gives the reader a history of the breed going back to where it all began in Germany through the years of its development up to today’s style of dog. You’ll read about the proper care of the new born puppy, what to look for in a puppy, how to train your new dog, how to live with him, what to look for in the temperament of this breed, how to read pedigrees, etc. It will give you advice about grooming your dog, how to set up a dog for the conformation ring and many other useful tips to make your life with your dog more enjoyable. You’ll see pictures of Ms. Strickland doing obedience work with her dogs.
If you’re a student of the breed or just in love with the German Shepherd, then you’ll going to enjoy looking at all the fabulous pictures of some of the top dogs in the history of the breed. You’ll see where it all began and how the breed has evolved to what it is today.
When I got my first copy of this book back in the later part of the 70’s, I was a new breeder/exhibitor. I read every single page of this book and since then many times over. It was instrumental in helping me learn how to build a whelping box and more importantly it taught me about tube feeding a puppy. Little did I know that I was going to have to use that knowledge and tube feed a litter of puppies. That book stayed in my whelping room and many times I would read it while waiting for a new litter to be born.
THE GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG TODAY is a must for your German Shepherd Dog library. You’ll find yourself referring to it time and time again. You owe it to yourself to own a piece of German Shepherd Dog history that awaits you between the covers of this book.
You can pick up a copy of this book on most of the larger book sites on the web. Amazon sells it for a little over $29. Sometimes you’ll be able to find it on e-bay as well.
My rating: informative: (4), knowledgeable authors: (4), easy to understand: (4), value: (4)
First let’s take a look at its authors. That alone should tell you that the contents of this book come from years of experience owning and working with this breed. Winifred Gibson Strickland is a top obedience trainer and conformation breeder who is also an obedience judge. Having owned both conformation and obedience champion dogs attest to Ms. Strickland’s knowledge of the German Shepherd Dogs versatility. James A Moses is a name that’s symbolic to the German Shepherd Dog breed. He is a top professional dog show handler and breeder and is associated with some of the top winning dogs and kennels of all time. He is a master marketer and visionary having broken all records and made new ones along the way. He’s the only German Shepherd Dog handler to have won Best in Show at the prestigious Westminster show and broke all breeding records by promoting and showing a dog that became the top producing dog in the history of the breed.
Put together the two minds of these German Shepherd Dog experts of the breed, and you can see why there is a wealth of information between the pages of this book. It gives the reader a history of the breed going back to where it all began in Germany through the years of its development up to today’s style of dog. You’ll read about the proper care of the new born puppy, what to look for in a puppy, how to train your new dog, how to live with him, what to look for in the temperament of this breed, how to read pedigrees, etc. It will give you advice about grooming your dog, how to set up a dog for the conformation ring and many other useful tips to make your life with your dog more enjoyable. You’ll see pictures of Ms. Strickland doing obedience work with her dogs.
If you’re a student of the breed or just in love with the German Shepherd, then you’ll going to enjoy looking at all the fabulous pictures of some of the top dogs in the history of the breed. You’ll see where it all began and how the breed has evolved to what it is today.
When I got my first copy of this book back in the later part of the 70’s, I was a new breeder/exhibitor. I read every single page of this book and since then many times over. It was instrumental in helping me learn how to build a whelping box and more importantly it taught me about tube feeding a puppy. Little did I know that I was going to have to use that knowledge and tube feed a litter of puppies. That book stayed in my whelping room and many times I would read it while waiting for a new litter to be born.
THE GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG TODAY is a must for your German Shepherd Dog library. You’ll find yourself referring to it time and time again. You owe it to yourself to own a piece of German Shepherd Dog history that awaits you between the covers of this book.
You can pick up a copy of this book on most of the larger book sites on the web. Amazon sells it for a little over $29. Sometimes you’ll be able to find it on e-bay as well.
My rating: informative: (4), knowledgeable authors: (4), easy to understand: (4), value: (4)
Friday, August 7, 2009
DOG CRATES
Many times over the years as a breeder or owner of dogs, if I were to mention to the average pet dog owner, I put my dog in a crate, you would think that I just sentenced them to a prison. Anything from “That’s mean and cruel,” to “How could you do that to the poor thing?” would be some of the feedback that I would hear. Truth be told as any breeder can attest to, having a dog crate is a “must.” We would tell you, it’s the best house training tool for a puppy or youngster, a good place to feed a dog when you’re feeding more than one at a time, you can use it to ship a dog, it’s a great place for them to sleep in the house, and a wonderful “escape den” for the dog when he just wants to “chill!” As long as the crate isn’t used as a place of punishment or kept in it for hours upon hours, then it’s one of the most important things that you should have as a dog owner. It’s something that I recommend to all of my puppy buyers.
Now just what kind of crate is available for the dog owner? You can buy a dog crate that’s either all wire or one that is constructed of polypropylene (looks like plastic). I personally prefer the plastic type. There’s something about the wire crates that bother me. It looks like a foot or puppy’s leg could get caught in between the wires. Although, this type of crate is probably great for the best air circulation.
I like the plastic type of crates because they seem to be constructed to last a life time. I have two crates that are made by Sky Kennel. They are the 500 size which measures 40” long, 27” wide and 30” high. This is a good size for a German Shepherd Dog. He has plenty of room to lie down in. Now mind you I only own bitches, so for the adult male, you might want to look into getting a larger crate to accommodate his size. Of these two Sky Kennels that I own, one dates back when I bought it in the 80’s and the other one is only a few years old. They’re both the same size, and both are sturdy. The only real difference that I see is with the door and the bolts holding the crate together. The door lock on the newer one has a handle that turns and then bolts the door locked. The older one has the bolts sliding into slots to hold the door locked. The screws that hold the crate together is probably the thing that I like the least about the newer model. The old model has the old fashioned screw and bolts. The newer model has the bolts, but instead of the metal screws, it has plastic screws. I don’t find that they would be as durable as the old ones. They are easier to remove, but I question if they are as secure.
Another favorite crate that I also used to own is the Kennel Aire crate. They too are made very similar to the Sky Kennels. They were made to last a life time as well. The plastic crates are easy to clean. If need be, you can take them apart to clean them, but most of the time this isn’t necessary.
The plastic crates have plenty of ventilation because of the wires at the top sides and back of the crate as well as the wire doors. Many of the crates come with a detachable bowl for water. You can buy rugs or mats to put on the floor of the crate for the dogs comfort. I have found that this wasn’t always the best thing to do with puppies as they love to chew everything. In fact, I have an adult dog that still does the same thing, so no rugs for her. Sometimes the dog just likes to lie on the bare floor of the crate because it’s cooler for them to do so.
Because dogs are pack animals, their natural instinct is to look for a “den to nest.” Don’t be surprised if once you start to crate train your dog that you find him periodically going into the crate on his own just to “get away from it all!’ I always leave the crate door open during the day in case one of them wants to lay in it.
There are many different places on the internet as well in some pet stores to buy your dog a crate. Prices (depending on size) can range from $150 to over $200. Check around for the best prices. This is a small price to pay because these crates last practically forever!
I’m going to base my rating on the plastic crates as I don’t use the all wire crates.
My rating: durability: (4), comfort for the dog: (4), easy to clean: (4), value: (4)
Now just what kind of crate is available for the dog owner? You can buy a dog crate that’s either all wire or one that is constructed of polypropylene (looks like plastic). I personally prefer the plastic type. There’s something about the wire crates that bother me. It looks like a foot or puppy’s leg could get caught in between the wires. Although, this type of crate is probably great for the best air circulation.
I like the plastic type of crates because they seem to be constructed to last a life time. I have two crates that are made by Sky Kennel. They are the 500 size which measures 40” long, 27” wide and 30” high. This is a good size for a German Shepherd Dog. He has plenty of room to lie down in. Now mind you I only own bitches, so for the adult male, you might want to look into getting a larger crate to accommodate his size. Of these two Sky Kennels that I own, one dates back when I bought it in the 80’s and the other one is only a few years old. They’re both the same size, and both are sturdy. The only real difference that I see is with the door and the bolts holding the crate together. The door lock on the newer one has a handle that turns and then bolts the door locked. The older one has the bolts sliding into slots to hold the door locked. The screws that hold the crate together is probably the thing that I like the least about the newer model. The old model has the old fashioned screw and bolts. The newer model has the bolts, but instead of the metal screws, it has plastic screws. I don’t find that they would be as durable as the old ones. They are easier to remove, but I question if they are as secure.
Another favorite crate that I also used to own is the Kennel Aire crate. They too are made very similar to the Sky Kennels. They were made to last a life time as well. The plastic crates are easy to clean. If need be, you can take them apart to clean them, but most of the time this isn’t necessary.
The plastic crates have plenty of ventilation because of the wires at the top sides and back of the crate as well as the wire doors. Many of the crates come with a detachable bowl for water. You can buy rugs or mats to put on the floor of the crate for the dogs comfort. I have found that this wasn’t always the best thing to do with puppies as they love to chew everything. In fact, I have an adult dog that still does the same thing, so no rugs for her. Sometimes the dog just likes to lie on the bare floor of the crate because it’s cooler for them to do so.
Because dogs are pack animals, their natural instinct is to look for a “den to nest.” Don’t be surprised if once you start to crate train your dog that you find him periodically going into the crate on his own just to “get away from it all!’ I always leave the crate door open during the day in case one of them wants to lay in it.
There are many different places on the internet as well in some pet stores to buy your dog a crate. Prices (depending on size) can range from $150 to over $200. Check around for the best prices. This is a small price to pay because these crates last practically forever!
I’m going to base my rating on the plastic crates as I don’t use the all wire crates.
My rating: durability: (4), comfort for the dog: (4), easy to clean: (4), value: (4)
Thursday, August 6, 2009
VIBRANT PETS ULTIMATE FORMULAS SUPPLEMENT
When I discovered Vibrant Pets supplement, I did so because I was on a mission. I wasn’t necessarily looking for a coat conditioner like many people who show are. That’s just a welcomed bonus with this product. No, I was looking for a holistic, all natural product that I could give to help one of my dogs who was diagnosed with a condition called SIBO (small intestinal bacteria overgrowth). I had never heard of this condition before, but here it was and I knew I needed to do something to help my dog. She did not look healthy. She was too thin although she had a good appetite. Her coat looked awful. There was no life to it….it was dull and she looked like she was a dog from a third world country. Because of this medical condition, she wasn’t utilizing her food properly. It would go right through her and she always had soft pancake like stools. Because she wasn’t getting the proper nutrients from her food, she looked unhealthy and wasn’t thriving very well. I wasn’t willing to give up on her because I loved her dearly and it was my responsibility to do everything I could to help her live a more “normal” life.
So my search began. I think I tried MOST every supplement/vitamin product on the market. Yes, and many of them were the big name products that many of the show people use. I ordered them on line, in the stores, and from private dealers. All of the products were good quality products, but none of them helped my girl.
My veterinarian put my dog on an antibiotic called Tylan. It helped her tremendously. I was told she might have to be on this for the rest of her life. That did not make me happy knowing she might have to be on an antibiotic forever! So after much trial and error, I found the product Vibrant Pets supplement on the internet. I read all the testimonials and I saw that Jimmy Moses used and endorsed the product. So I figured I’d give one more supplement a try. My girl ate her food fine with this product in it. She was still on the antibiotic. Then one day I got a call from the owner of Vibrant Pets. What a friendly man he was. So I told Lee about my girl and her medical condition. He says to me, “I’ll tell you what, take her off of the antibiotic and double dose her in each meal with Vibrant Pets. After two weeks, you get back to me and let me know how she’s doing." So I tried just about everything else, so I decided to take Lee’s suggestion.
Within two weeks time, my girl was off of the antibiotic for good. She got her double dose of Vibrant Pets and her stools began to get more firm. As time went by, she began to gain weight, and her coat no longer looked dull and lifeless. I was so happy and thankful for this product. So I talked to Lee again and I told him his product was a miracle for my girl. I told him that I would keep her on it for the rest of her life.
As a little experiment……I tried to cut back on the Vibrant Pets that I gave my girl. Lo and behold, her stools started to soften up again. So I will always keep her on the double dose. Will Vibrant Pets cure her of her SIBO? No it won’t, but it will help her live a full and active life. This product doesn’t cure diseases, but I believe it can help an animal live a better life with their disease.
What’s in this stuff you may ask? Well it has 4 probiotics, 6 enzymes and 6 enzymes supporters, 12 vitamins, 16 metals and compounds, 4 fatty acids, and 8 amino acids. Everyone reads that probiotics is good for the digestive system, but did you know that all probiotics are not created equal? Temperature: As Probiotics are living bacteria, they are temperature sensitive. Virtually all Probiotics sold have a threshold of 105 degrees Fahrenheit. So, if your Probiotic supplement sits in a truck on a hot summer day or in the cargo hold of a plane stuck on a hot runway, your Probiotics may be useless. Vibrant Pets is revolutionary in that it uses new, more temperature-resistant Probiotics that have a threshold of 140 degrees. This way, we can guarantee that your Probiotics are potent no matter what time of year they were transported to your home.
The testimonials from people of how their dogs with hip dysplasia,arthritis, SIBO, cancer, hot spots, dull coats, etc. have been given a new lease on life because of using Vibrant Pets is inspiring. Helping your dog live a happier, healthier, more vibrant life is what this company is about.
Vibrant Pets is a human grade, holistic product and is made and manufactured in the US. It comes in three different formulas and three different sizes. It’s economical in that it comes with a small scope and you feed one scope per cup of food. Some products come with a very large scope and before you know it the jar is gone. Right now the company is developing a new formula that they hope to introduce to the public soon.
There are many breeders now who use this product for their champions and up and coming stars. But here’s a little unknown fact. Because this is a holistic, human grade product, there are many people now who take this supplement mixed in a little juice in the morning. No joke. Even the owners of this product drink it down every morning!
All of my dogs are now on it. Because they are German Shepherds, I worry about the digestive problems of this breed. I’m most concerned about bloat, torsion and toxic gut. I’m not saying this product will prevent those conditions, but I know that I’m doing the best I can when it comes to their digestive health.
Whether you are looking to improve the look and condition of your dog’s coat, or looking to maintain or improve his health, there is a Vibrant Pets formula for your animal. I thank God for this product because my dog looks like a different dog now. Her coat is shiny and healthy, her eyes are clear, and her body is strong. Her stools are good, her appetite is great, and she’s a happy girl with lots of energy. In fact, she needs to go on a diet. She’s too fat!
To order this product with free shipping and the best prices, contact me at: uwish@hvc.rr.com or 845-386-9317.
My rating: quality: (4), does what it says it does: (4), customer service: (4), economical: (3)
So my search began. I think I tried MOST every supplement/vitamin product on the market. Yes, and many of them were the big name products that many of the show people use. I ordered them on line, in the stores, and from private dealers. All of the products were good quality products, but none of them helped my girl.
My veterinarian put my dog on an antibiotic called Tylan. It helped her tremendously. I was told she might have to be on this for the rest of her life. That did not make me happy knowing she might have to be on an antibiotic forever! So after much trial and error, I found the product Vibrant Pets supplement on the internet. I read all the testimonials and I saw that Jimmy Moses used and endorsed the product. So I figured I’d give one more supplement a try. My girl ate her food fine with this product in it. She was still on the antibiotic. Then one day I got a call from the owner of Vibrant Pets. What a friendly man he was. So I told Lee about my girl and her medical condition. He says to me, “I’ll tell you what, take her off of the antibiotic and double dose her in each meal with Vibrant Pets. After two weeks, you get back to me and let me know how she’s doing." So I tried just about everything else, so I decided to take Lee’s suggestion.
Within two weeks time, my girl was off of the antibiotic for good. She got her double dose of Vibrant Pets and her stools began to get more firm. As time went by, she began to gain weight, and her coat no longer looked dull and lifeless. I was so happy and thankful for this product. So I talked to Lee again and I told him his product was a miracle for my girl. I told him that I would keep her on it for the rest of her life.
As a little experiment……I tried to cut back on the Vibrant Pets that I gave my girl. Lo and behold, her stools started to soften up again. So I will always keep her on the double dose. Will Vibrant Pets cure her of her SIBO? No it won’t, but it will help her live a full and active life. This product doesn’t cure diseases, but I believe it can help an animal live a better life with their disease.
What’s in this stuff you may ask? Well it has 4 probiotics, 6 enzymes and 6 enzymes supporters, 12 vitamins, 16 metals and compounds, 4 fatty acids, and 8 amino acids. Everyone reads that probiotics is good for the digestive system, but did you know that all probiotics are not created equal? Temperature: As Probiotics are living bacteria, they are temperature sensitive. Virtually all Probiotics sold have a threshold of 105 degrees Fahrenheit. So, if your Probiotic supplement sits in a truck on a hot summer day or in the cargo hold of a plane stuck on a hot runway, your Probiotics may be useless. Vibrant Pets is revolutionary in that it uses new, more temperature-resistant Probiotics that have a threshold of 140 degrees. This way, we can guarantee that your Probiotics are potent no matter what time of year they were transported to your home.
The testimonials from people of how their dogs with hip dysplasia,arthritis, SIBO, cancer, hot spots, dull coats, etc. have been given a new lease on life because of using Vibrant Pets is inspiring. Helping your dog live a happier, healthier, more vibrant life is what this company is about.
Vibrant Pets is a human grade, holistic product and is made and manufactured in the US. It comes in three different formulas and three different sizes. It’s economical in that it comes with a small scope and you feed one scope per cup of food. Some products come with a very large scope and before you know it the jar is gone. Right now the company is developing a new formula that they hope to introduce to the public soon.
There are many breeders now who use this product for their champions and up and coming stars. But here’s a little unknown fact. Because this is a holistic, human grade product, there are many people now who take this supplement mixed in a little juice in the morning. No joke. Even the owners of this product drink it down every morning!
All of my dogs are now on it. Because they are German Shepherds, I worry about the digestive problems of this breed. I’m most concerned about bloat, torsion and toxic gut. I’m not saying this product will prevent those conditions, but I know that I’m doing the best I can when it comes to their digestive health.
Whether you are looking to improve the look and condition of your dog’s coat, or looking to maintain or improve his health, there is a Vibrant Pets formula for your animal. I thank God for this product because my dog looks like a different dog now. Her coat is shiny and healthy, her eyes are clear, and her body is strong. Her stools are good, her appetite is great, and she’s a happy girl with lots of energy. In fact, she needs to go on a diet. She’s too fat!
To order this product with free shipping and the best prices, contact me at: uwish@hvc.rr.com or 845-386-9317.
My rating: quality: (4), does what it says it does: (4), customer service: (4), economical: (3)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
FURMINATOR SHED LESS TREATMENT - DOG HAIR REMOVING COMB
A few years ago I read about a product that everyone was talking about. It was called the Furminator. It was suppose to be a quicker way to help remove your dogs shedding coat and in particular the undercoat. If you are like me and own German Shepherds, you know all too well about the constant shedding of these dogs. German Shepherds have a thick undercoat, so removing it is always a challenge.
I have always used a shedding comb on my dogs for years along with a grooming brush. So I decided that I would order this new product to see what all the fuss was about. I don’t remember if I ordered from Amazon or e-bay because I was looking for the best price. These were definitely pricier than the tools that I was using to groom my dogs.
So the Fuminator arrives at my door and I quickly open the box to see what this “miracle” comb looked like. The teeth of the comb are very tiny and close together. It has quite a sharp edge to it so it comes with a protective piece that fits over the teeth of the comb. You can actually sharpen the edge of this comb if needed, so that’s why it’s important to store it with its protective shield.
Now I was told not to brush too hard with this comb as it could be uncomfortable on the dog’s skin, although it does not cut. It just grabs and removes the undercoat. It is recommended that you do not apply too much weight or pressure when using the comb on your dog. Some dogs may have sensitive skin and may become irritated. You need to brush away from the skin, not toward it. If your dog has any tangles or matting, sores or scabs, do not use this tool. These conditions need to be treated by your groomer and veterinarian.
My take on this product – Although it removed lots of hair as it claims to do, I still preferred my old trusty shedding comb. I found that you must be careful not to apply too much pressure as noted because it can be uncomfortable to the dog. I know when I get to removing my dogs hair, I can get carried away trying to remove as much as I can and sometimes the dogs can be sensitive to that.
Prices can range from: $29.99 - $49.99
My rating: durability: (4), does what it says it will: (4), safety: (3), dogs comfort zone: (2), value: (2)
I have always used a shedding comb on my dogs for years along with a grooming brush. So I decided that I would order this new product to see what all the fuss was about. I don’t remember if I ordered from Amazon or e-bay because I was looking for the best price. These were definitely pricier than the tools that I was using to groom my dogs.
So the Fuminator arrives at my door and I quickly open the box to see what this “miracle” comb looked like. The teeth of the comb are very tiny and close together. It has quite a sharp edge to it so it comes with a protective piece that fits over the teeth of the comb. You can actually sharpen the edge of this comb if needed, so that’s why it’s important to store it with its protective shield.
Now I was told not to brush too hard with this comb as it could be uncomfortable on the dog’s skin, although it does not cut. It just grabs and removes the undercoat. It is recommended that you do not apply too much weight or pressure when using the comb on your dog. Some dogs may have sensitive skin and may become irritated. You need to brush away from the skin, not toward it. If your dog has any tangles or matting, sores or scabs, do not use this tool. These conditions need to be treated by your groomer and veterinarian.
My take on this product – Although it removed lots of hair as it claims to do, I still preferred my old trusty shedding comb. I found that you must be careful not to apply too much pressure as noted because it can be uncomfortable to the dog. I know when I get to removing my dogs hair, I can get carried away trying to remove as much as I can and sometimes the dogs can be sensitive to that.
Prices can range from: $29.99 - $49.99
My rating: durability: (4), does what it says it will: (4), safety: (3), dogs comfort zone: (2), value: (2)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
SPOT SHOT INSTANT CARPET STAIN & ODOR ELIMINATOR
I happened to try Spot Shot instant carpet stain & odor elinimator because I had a coupon for it. Having three German Shepherds in the house, I find I always like to keep something like this on hand for those little (and sometimes big) mishaps. Well I like this product so much that I not only use it on the carpets, I use it where ever there is a need for a quick clean up after one of the dogs leaves a muddy footprint or a morning bile deposit somewhere. I find it’s also excellent to clean up a blood stain on the carpet as well. They advertise that it even removes tough old stains.
Spot Shot is non-toxic and is safe for children and pets when used as directed and it is certified biodegradable. It safely eliminates stains and odors on carpets and prevents them from returning. Although it’s safe for most carpets and rugs, it is not recommended for wool carpeting.
I love the smell of this stuff. I do open the windows though when I need to clean something bigger than a small spot on the rug. I’ll give you an example of what I use it for. I use it for my dog’s crates if a bitch is in season, or if someone throws up in their crate. I just had this happen the other night. My one girl is such a glutton when it comes to food and she was running around a lot the other night and jumping in the air catching treats that I was throwing to her. She got herself so wound up that when I put her to bed, she threw up those treats in her crate. Lovely! So out came the spot shot. I cleaned up the mess and sprayed this product lightly over the surface of the crate. I wiped it down with a paper towel and then dried it before I put her back in there. I wanted to make sure it was dry and with the windows open it got enough ventilation. Smell was all gone and I put her back in her crate.
Spots on the rug come right up. I spray the spot, let it sit for a few seconds and clean it. Spot is all gone! It leaves the room smelling really nice after a clean up.
Spot Shot is available at most grocery stores so it’s convenient to buy. You can also buy it on the internet. The price can run anywhere from $6 to $8 depending upon the size of the bottle. It comes in a handy spray bottle so it is easy to use. I see that the company also makes this product with a label that says “dog’s” on it. I didn’t see that in my store, but found it on the internet. I don’t know if there is any difference to the product because I didn’t have that option when I bought my bottle.
I’m not recommending this product be used for big jobs because it’s not labeled for that. But I do think it’s excellent for the quick, unexpected, “need it right away” type of clean ups that we all have occasionally when owning dogs. When I clean up something in a crate, all it takes is a light spray over the area. You do not need a lot of this stuff to get the job done. A light surface spray is all that's needed. Don't over do it.
My rating: ease of removing stains: (4), fragrance (the smell of the product) (4), ease of use: (4), availability (4), price: (4)
Spot Shot is non-toxic and is safe for children and pets when used as directed and it is certified biodegradable. It safely eliminates stains and odors on carpets and prevents them from returning. Although it’s safe for most carpets and rugs, it is not recommended for wool carpeting.
I love the smell of this stuff. I do open the windows though when I need to clean something bigger than a small spot on the rug. I’ll give you an example of what I use it for. I use it for my dog’s crates if a bitch is in season, or if someone throws up in their crate. I just had this happen the other night. My one girl is such a glutton when it comes to food and she was running around a lot the other night and jumping in the air catching treats that I was throwing to her. She got herself so wound up that when I put her to bed, she threw up those treats in her crate. Lovely! So out came the spot shot. I cleaned up the mess and sprayed this product lightly over the surface of the crate. I wiped it down with a paper towel and then dried it before I put her back in there. I wanted to make sure it was dry and with the windows open it got enough ventilation. Smell was all gone and I put her back in her crate.
Spots on the rug come right up. I spray the spot, let it sit for a few seconds and clean it. Spot is all gone! It leaves the room smelling really nice after a clean up.
Spot Shot is available at most grocery stores so it’s convenient to buy. You can also buy it on the internet. The price can run anywhere from $6 to $8 depending upon the size of the bottle. It comes in a handy spray bottle so it is easy to use. I see that the company also makes this product with a label that says “dog’s” on it. I didn’t see that in my store, but found it on the internet. I don’t know if there is any difference to the product because I didn’t have that option when I bought my bottle.
I’m not recommending this product be used for big jobs because it’s not labeled for that. But I do think it’s excellent for the quick, unexpected, “need it right away” type of clean ups that we all have occasionally when owning dogs. When I clean up something in a crate, all it takes is a light spray over the area. You do not need a lot of this stuff to get the job done. A light surface spray is all that's needed. Don't over do it.
My rating: ease of removing stains: (4), fragrance (the smell of the product) (4), ease of use: (4), availability (4), price: (4)
Monday, August 3, 2009
DURA-WHELP WHELPING BOXES
I’m not a big time breeder so when I needed a whelping box for my last litter, I was looking for something that was easy to assemble and clean and could be stored away when not in use. After much research, I decided to buy the Dura Whelp whelping box by Breeder Base.com. I liked that they advertised that it was easy to use, easy to store, and that it was the safest and cleanest boxes available.
The box is made of corrugated plastic and comes with a 3 year guarantee. Included with the box is a puppy rail to ensure safety for the puppies so they don’t get squished against the wall by their mother laying too close to it.
So I placed my order with the company and questioned my own ability to set this thing up. When it comes to putting things together, I confess I am mechanically challenged even if it does have step by step instructions. So I found myself on the telephone with the company asking questions about how to do this and how to do that. They were patient with their advice but I can’t be too sure of what they may have been thinking at the time.
The whelping box ships to your door folded and fitted snuggly inside the shipping box. It’s quite heavy and for one person to remove this well packed product can prove to be a daunting task. There is very little assembly required to set the box up. It comes with 4 screws and the door slides up and out. The whelping box is durable yet flexible.
You can also order a washable rug for the whelping box. Cleaning the box itself is a breeze. Just wash it down with bleach or other disinfectant. The company also sells a
Puppy heating pad and heat lamp. The box is available in 4 different sizes ranging in price from $149.95 - $219.95. The Therma Whelp (heating pad & lamp) is $149.95 or $159.95. The pads (rugs) sell from $29.99 to $39.99.
I only had a two puppy litter and was able to keep both girls in there for several weeks. (See my two girls in the above picture). However, I found that the puppy rail was not as strong as I would have liked it. My one huge girl kept getting stuck under it and then it started to lift. I would question the durability of the box with a large litter. I loved the convenience and ease of keeping this box clean and I liked how easy it was to pick up the rug and put it in the washing machine. I wasn’t crazy about the heating pad and lamp. I found it to be a little cumbersome. The puppies can actually lie on the metal base (pad), but found that you have to watch how warm that gets.
Overall, I liked the Dura-Whelp box, but found it to be quite pricey once you start to add in all the extras and tack on top of that the expense of shipping. It is now packed away back in the shipping box it came in. It’s very easy to store and take out again for the next little bundle of joys!
For more information: www.BreederBase.com
My rating: ease to assemble: (4), easy to clean (4), strength and durability: (3), price and value for the money: (3), customer service: (4)
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