Dog Supplies - How to Shop for Your Dog
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Savvy Shopper for Dog Supplies
The dog supplies industry is filled with dog food recalls, unsafe equipment, and unsafe toys. Even expensive dog supplies and dog products can sometimes prove hazardous to your dog. Here, we offer some tips on what dog supplies to buy for your dog to keep him happy, and healthy. Also some practical advice on how to keep your pocketbook happy and healthy at the same time!
Dog Supplies - Dog Food
There are four ways to feed your dog -1. A kibble or dry food diet.
2. A canned or wet food diet.
3. Home-cooked diet.
4. Raw diet (BARF).
There is no definitive right answer as to which diet is best for your dog. The best thing to do is to research the pros and cons of each dog diet, and pick one that best suits your dog's lifestyle and tastes.
Dog Supplies Tip #1
Dry dog food (kibble) is the simplest dog diet and the most easy on your pocketbook. But find a good quality kibble that contains good protein sources (meat not grain). Avoid gluten, by-products, generic-products (fish meal), artificial coloring and preservatives (BHA, BHT), and fillers (wheat hull).
Dog Supplies Tip #2
There is nothing wrong with using healthy dog treats to motivate your dog during training. Just be careful not to overfeed your dog. Reduce his regular food by an equal amount to the addition in treats. Make sure that the bulk of his food is still his regular, balanced diet, and NOT dog treats.
Vote for Your Favorite Kibble
Innova EVO Small Bite Dry Dog Food (28.6-lb Bag)
EVO Dog Small Bites Dry Dog Food formula is based more...0 points
Orijen Adult Formula Dry Dog Food (15.4-lb bag)
ORIJEN Adult Formula Dry Dog Food: Biologically Ap more...0 points
Wellness CORE Grain Free Ocean Formula Dry Dog Food (26-lb bag)
Wellness has redefined the world of grain-free, hi more...0 points
Nature's Variety Instinct Grain Free Chicken Dry Dog Food (13.2-lb bag)
Instinct Grain-Free Nutrition for Dogs is formulat more...0 points
Dog Supplies - Dog Treats
It can sometimes be difficult to pick the right treat to reward your favorite pooch. Many dog treats contain additives that may be unhealthy for your dog. Get information and reviews from a range of sources before making a choice.Dog Supplies Tip #3
Cut or break up the dog treats into little pieces so that you can frequently reward your dog during training and handling without overfeeding him.
Dog Supplies Tip #4
The best dog treats are usually ones that are high in protein, grain-free, and does not contain unnecessary additives.
Vote for Your Favorite Dog Treats
Zuke's - Mini Naturals Peanut Butter 1lb.
Dogs of all shapes and sizes love treats - the mor more...1 point
Old West All-Natural Baa-Baa-Q's (20-oz jug)
Dogs love the taste of these all natural lamb trea more...0 points
Dogswell Happy Hips Chicken Breast Dog Treats 2-Pack (2-lb resealable bag - 2-Pack)
Every dog needs healthy joints. That's where Dogsw more...0 points
Innova EVO No Grain Dog Treats (20-oz bag)
THE FIRST BAKED DOG TREAT MADE WITH NO GRAIN! Many more...0 points
Paw Naturaw Bully Stick Chews for Dogs (12-Count, 6-Inch), 12-Ounce Bag
PAW NATURAW distinct by instinct® Bully Sticks pr more...0 points
Paw Naturaw Bully Stick Chews for Dogs (6-Count, 6-Inch), 6-Ounce Bag
PAW NATURAW distinct by instinct® Bully Sticks pr more...0 points
Cheese Please Treats for Dogs
Cheese Please dog treats are human-grade and made in more...0 points
Dog Supplies - Dog Toys
It can sometimes be challenging to keep your dog engaged and well exercised. And we all know that when left to find their own entertainment, a dog will come up with many ingenious ways to cause great property damage.The best dog toys are usually interactive toys that contain food to motivate your dog. When choosing toys, it is important to find ones that are safe for your dog.
Always supervise whenever you give your dog a new toy. If you have any safety concerns, it is best to consult your vet.
Dog Supplies Tip #5
Be creative. You can create many fun toys and activities for your dog by combining together multiple toys and/or by using regular household items (e.g. laundry basket, cereal boxes, paper). Make sure all items used are safe for your dog.
Dog Supplies Tip #6
Cycle your dog toys every day so that each toy remains interesting and fresh for your dog. I give my dogs a different set of toys each day of the week.
Vote for Your Favorite Dog Toys
Premier Busy Buddy Tug-a-Jug, Medium/Large
Premier Busy Buddy Tug-A-Jug treat dispenser keeps more...1 point
Premier Pet Busy Buddy Twist ?N Treat Dog Toy, Small
The first and only two-piece rubber chew toy with more...1 point
Extreme Bungee Toy - Duck
Extreme Bungee Dog Toys with webbing strap for ext more...0 points
I Qube - Large
Develope and strengthen eye paw coordination skill more...0 points
Buster Food Cube Large Size (Colors May Vary)
Divided into several compartments which release th more...0 points
Wiggly Giggly Ball 4 1/2 in.
This ball is sure to peak your pets curiosity! Wit more...0 points
Premier Squirrel Dude Dog Toy, Large
High durability and funky bounce coupled with the more...0 points
Premier Pet Tennis Tail Dog Toy, Raccoon, Medium
The Tennis Tail line from Premier Pet Products. Co more...0 points
Dog Supplies - Dog Beds
Although it may not seem like it when you get your puppy, dogs really like to sleep.Dogs are crepuscular; they are most active at dawn and dusk and sleep the rest of the time. Dogs in fact, sleep an average of 16 hours. This will vary depending on age, temperature, breed, and activity.
Given that dogs sleep so much, it makes sense to get them a good bed. A comfortable bed will make for a healthier, happier, dog, who is more willing to listen to you.
Dog Supplies Tip #7
Consider your dog's breed, temperament, age, and external factors such as temperature, to make a good dog bed choice. A soft, fluffy bed may not always be the best bed.
Dog Supplies Tip #8
Dogs have very different fashion sense than we do. They will commonly choose the cold tile floor over an expensive, luxury, designer bed. Choose a simple, functional, bed that your dog will use, and spend the money that you save on toys or yummy treats.
My Dogs' Favorite Beds
Dog Supplies - Dog Collars
There are a variety of dog collars and restraints that you can use for walking and training your dog. In general having a flat collar on your dog is a must to attach his dog tag and license in case he should ever get lost. Also, microchip your dog and keep your microchip contact information up to date.
Dog Supplies Tip #9
If you are planning to leash train your dog on a flat collar, it is best to get a thick flat collar so that there is less stress on your dog's neck when he decides to pull. Also a buckle collar is safer because it will not break when your dog is pulling.
Dog Supplies Tip #10
Note that training collars such as choke collars, prong collars, and choke chains should only be used on the dog during training. Otherwise, the training collar should be removed. Leaving a training collar on a dog is dangerous as it may get caught on furniture, or on another dog during play. There have been many cases of dogs choking to death because of choke chain accidents. Definitely remove training collars from your dog when he is off-leash or when you take him to an enclosed dog park.
Dog Supplies Tip #11
If you are considering using a shock collar on your dog, be aware that there are scientific studies showing that shock collars can cause extreme aggression in dogs, elevated stress levels, and a reduction in quality of life. Do very careful research before using any shock collar system including anti-bark shock systems or invisible fence shock systems. These automatic shock systems are especially dangerous because they can cause a dog to associate the shocks with his environment or people in his environment, resulting in dog attacks and other dog behavioral issues.
Dog Collars
Discount Dog Supplies
Dogs are expensive. Apart from vet bills, we must buy them kibble, treats, toys, training equipment, grooming products, and much more. We must put them on Heartgard to protect them from heart worms, and also ensure that they are clear from skin parasites. All this adds up to a fair amount of money.Dog Supplies Tip #12
When shopping for toys, look for special deals on Amazon. Amazon frequently has 25%-75% discounts on their dog toys.
Dog Supplies Tip #13
When shopping online, order your products from as few vendors as possible. This saves you shipping and handling costs. If you are loyal to particular vendors, they may also send you discount certificates.
Other Dog Products
ShibaShake Blog
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Fetching RSS feed... please stand byCalling all Dogs! Let Us Know Which Food and Toys You Like Best
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ShibaShake
Jul 2, 2009 @ 4:29 pm | delete
- Hi Sarah,
Yes my Shiba is a male and my Siberian is a female. I did that on purpose because my Shiba is a pretty dominant fellow and I wanted to make sure that he gets along with the new dog.
If you are looking for a Shiba-Siberian mix, I would do a search on petfinder.com. Just do a search for the Shiba Inu breed, and you can easily scroll through all the Shiba mixes in your area.
Here is a Shiba-siberian mix that came up for me on petfinder
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13264560
Such a combination will make for a very independent and energetic dog. Be prepared :D
[in reply to Sarah]
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Sarah
Jun 30, 2009 @ 1:56 pm | in reply to ShibaShake | delete
- wow!! are they opposite genders???
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Sarah
Jun 30, 2009 @ 1:50 pm | delete
- do you know anyone with a shiba inu/ husky mix????
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ShibaShake
Apr 25, 2009 @ 5:58 pm | delete
- Hi Lindsey, Thanks for dropping by. One of them is a Shiba Inu (red one) and the other one is a Siberian Husky (black and white). They are full grown. The Shiba is about 2.5 years old and the Siberian is 1.5 years old.
I got both of them from AKC breeders in my area. Let me know if you would like to know more about them or if you have any additional questions. Each of them have their very own charming challenges :)
[in reply to Lindsey]
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Lindsey
Apr 25, 2009 @ 5:08 pm | delete
- Your dogs are adorable! What kind are they and are they done growing? Also, where did you find them? [in reply to ShibaShake]
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by ShibaShake
ShibaShake
In a previous life I did research in data visualization and online communities.
My current job is as a "personal assistant" to my dogs. I have two dogs,...
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