Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Are you thinking of getting a dog? Check out our compilation of the top dog products we think all dog owners should own. These products are practical to own and make life easy for both you and your pup.

Here is a list of the top dog products all dog owners should own.

1. ID Tag

An ID Tag is the first on the list! This is an essential item that you should be purchasing for your dog. Do get the ID tag customized with your dog’s name, the owner’s name, and your address. The ID should be attached to your dog’s collar at all times. If your dog gets lost, the personalized details will ensure it gets home as quickly as possible. This is also useful in case of emergencies like a fire or an earthquake. Do make sure your pet pooch wears the ID Tag even if they are microchipped. The Tag can help return lost dogs much quicker than having a company scan the chip and find owner details.

2. Harness

A dog- harness is definitely one of the best dog accessories. It is great for dogs who tend to pull on leashes yet provides the necessary security and comfort. If you own a very strong or huge dog, a harness gives you much better control over your dog. It is also easier for you to walk your dog with a harness, as it eases pressure on your arms and back.

It can also be possible for small breeds of dogs to injure themselves with a leash as pulling or tugging can put pressure on their neck. A harness spreads out the pressure over a larger area of the dog’s body, therefore, reducing strain on the dog’s neck and back, and may be a safer option.

3. Pet Hair Brush

A pet hair brush is an absolute necessity, especially if your dog is long-haired or has a dense coat. It removes all the excess hair from your dog’s coat, thus reducing the level of shedding. This means lesser hair to vacuum from the furniture, from your cat seats, and also your clothes! Regular brushing also distributes the natural oils present on your dogs’ skin evenly throughout the body, making their fur coat shiny and healthy.

4. Dog Bed

Dog beds are useful dog accessories for your pooch and can be used for napping in the daytime or sleeping at night. A bed will keep your dog warm and comfortable, especially in the winter months. Dog beds also support arthritic joints and prevent calluses.

Having its own dog bed also gives your pooch a space of its own, unlike a couch or a human bed. Having their own place can make dogs feel calm and help in de-stressing.

As dog beds and light and soft, you can easily carry them with you when traveling. The sense of familiarity can make your dog feel comfortable and secure and reduce the anxiety caused by traveling.

5. Stain and Odor remover

This product is a must-have and usually is a lifesaver for pet owners! A fast and effective solution, enzyme-based cleaners can easily remove stubborn urine smells and wipe out underlying pheromones that dogs usually return to and can re-mark. After investing in a strong stain and odor remover, you do not have to worry if your pooch has an accident on the floor or on the carpet, as it can easily be taken care of!

6. Car Harness seat belt

A dog car harness can be your all-time top dog product if you and your pooch like going on long journeys together. Car dog harnesses keep dogs safe in the car as it prevents them from roaming around or jumping on your lap (which can be distracting).

With a car harness, dogs usually stay comfortable and cozy in the car, thus enjoying the ride.
Also, in the case of a collision or a sudden stop, your pooch stays restrained and can avoid a serious injury. Most car harnesses can easily be attached to your dog’s lead, so you can easily go from your car to out for a walk in the park without hassle.

7. Pet First-Aid Kit

Pet first aid kits are useful and handy to have around as emergencies can strike at any time, whether you are at home, running errands with your pooch tagging along, or traveling with your dog. These kits are also useful to keep your dog’s medication in, in case of a health issue. Pet first aid kits also make great dog accessories as you can always keep copies of important paperwork, such as vaccination records, medical records, and emergency phone numbers, with you close by.

8. Dental Care: Toys and Treats

Regularly maintaining your dog’s dental hygiene is something dog-owners are usually unaware of. Teeth cleaning toys and treats are useful for this purpose. Investing in the best dog dental products can not only clear a dog’s breath but also clean plaque and tartar from their teeth and soothe irritated gums.

9. Dog Treats

Dog treats are useful and convenient to have close by for many reasons!

Dogs get motivated to learn new tricks and behavior with a dog treat at hand. They can also be used to sneakily give your dog take a prescribed pill for an ongoing health condition and can also help aid digestion. Purchasing dog treats can be expensive at times, so you can also try making some at home for your pooch. Little bits of chicken or sausages make great treats. You can also boil an egg and cut it into pieces and use it as a treat as dogs usually like the taste of boiled eggs.

10. Flea Spray

These annoying blood-sucking parasites can be irritating for your dog and can easily infest your home. Some fleas can also cause allergies in dogs, such as red and flaky skin, hair loss, and scabs. It is always better to treat this condition right away by always keeping flea spray handy.

If you are thinking of getting a dog, do invest in these top dog products. They are absolutely essential to have around and make taking care of your pooch easy and convenient.

by Maria A Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.