Embrace Pet Community blog

Product Review: Martha Stewart Crochet Squeak Toys

It's a good thing...that Martha Stewart now has a luxurious line of quality pet products available exclusively at PetSmart.  Now your pets can enjoy the same delightful toys and practical products that Sharkey and Francesca (Martha's French Bulldogs) have come to expect.

The Crochet Squeak Toys from MS are just darling!  A nice size for most dogs to carry around, soft, and with a quiet squeaker.  They're all so cute, you won't be able to pick.  Elephant or Hippo?  Pig or Squirrel?

Duck? Definitely!

Cooper loves the squeaky duck that the Martha Stewart folks sent him.  There are no rough spots, or plastic bits to swallow.  The only setback is that his small, sharp teeth took the duckie's bill off almost instantly, telling us that this is not a good toy for even small chewers.  (Cooper chewed down to stuffing in under 10 minutes.)  But, with the fat little body and fluffy hair, it's the perfect toy for any dog that loves to carry their "baby" around.

Here's Cooper, playing with the Pig:

Want your own Martha Stewart Pets Goodies?  Don't forget to submit your photo for our Postcards from Pets contest!

Free 6oz. Bag of Greenies Treats

While supplies last!  Get a free 6oz. bag of Greenies with any purchase at DogToys.com.  At checkout, just enter coupon code: GREENIES.

Don't you just love free stuff for doing the shopping you had to do anyway?

Details

Today's doggie model is Fiji.  This little cutie got to go to a Minor League Baseball game, complete with ice cream!  How cool!

Donations to Labrador Rescue earn perks

There was such interest in the CatToys.com donation drive that Labradors are now having their turn in the charitable spotlight. At DogToys.com you donate $5, $10, $15, $25 or $50 and receive a free 4 oz bag of dog treats and a free dog 12" toy. Just pay the shipping.

All proceeds go to the Labrador Retriever Rescue.  Offer ends 3/21, so act now.

 

The Trader Joe's Bone

After the loss of Baby Dragon (R.I.P), Lyger seemed to be a little sad without a plush toy around.  But I think we found him a new BFF, at Trader Joe's of all places.  For just $3.99 we found a boiled wool bone, with a little crinkle sound, and Lyger is swooning. 

Lyger has already started bringing us the bone when we come home, which is a sign of a prized possession.  It's within 5 feet of him at all times, and it seems to be very durable, so I expect a long-term love affair with Lyger and his new woolly bone.

Find a Trader Joe's near you to check out their delicious and all natural pet treats, chews and foods.  (Tahlula recommends the Sweet Potato and Chicken biscuits.)

Puppy Housebreaking Check-List

If you're struggling to get a new puppy into a housebreaking routine, the least we can do is set you up with a quick checklist of the things you'll need most for helping your puppy get into good habits.

1. A good crate that will grow with your puppy.  If the crate is too big, your puppy will have room to mess away from their sleeping area, but crates like the Life Stages Crate (starts at $35.33) include a divider, so you can adjust the sizing of your puppy's crate as they get older. You won't have to buy several crates, and your puppy gets to grow attached to her special space. 

3. A dog bed or crate pad, preferably one that is washable, like the Quiet Time Pet Bed.  Accident happen, and you don't want to be throwing out every foam bed that gets yucky.

4. Try Puppy Pads as a training aid, but keep Nature's Miracle Odor Remover for those cases when your puppy forgets to hold it.

5. Not every puppy gets the idea of "getting your attention", but the door bells method of training works wonderfully well!  Poochie Bells are low hanging door-bells that you train your puppy to ring when it's time to go our.  (training method is here)  And, check our our deals page for 10% off your Poochie Bells order.

5. Consistent positive reinforcement training is great!  Try giving your puppy a very small, bite-sized treat after each and every deposit they leave outside.  Try something like Zuke's Mini Treats and your puppy will soon be all business about doing her business.

Our Spokespuppies today are Diamond (top) and Darren (bottom).

Update on Baby Dragon

Back in mid-January, I posted on the Chew Guard Technology Baby Dragon.  Well, I wanted to give an update on her condition.  As I said then, they had a hole in her within 15 minutes, so I figured she was doomed.  It's gone downhill from there, and she's not looking too cute anymore.

Well, just yesterday, we declared Baby Dragon to be on her last leg, literally.  Poor baby dragon has no more face, wings or ears, and is down to one leg.  She's been ripped from stem to stern, but she held out for over a month.  (I'd post before and after pictures, but I fear it's too graphic.)

But, in my opinion, if this toy can hold out for 5 weeks with two aggressive chewers, the Chew Guard Technology gets my seal of approval, at least for moderate chewers.  I think it would have held up better, except for them playing tug of war with her.  They really enjoyed playing with this toy, and Lyger the Lab brings her furry carcass to me whenever I come home, so Baby Dragon did not die in vain.

Boiled Wool Aquatics from Olive

I just fell in love with these underwater darlings from A Cheerful Pet, available at Olive.  The toys are handcrafted in Nepal, from boiled wool and natural dyes, and they have these very sweet facial expressions that are sure to make these toys a new favorite in your dog's collection.

Cuter still, are that most of these toys are pairs, like the Big Daddy Shark and Lil' Baby Shark, or the Mother and Daughter Sea Turtles.  There's the Angel Fish, Blue Fish, Earl the Eel, and the dye free Beluga Whale.

Toys start at just $6.50 and a portion of all proceeds go to charitable causes in Nepal.

See our recent post on the eco-friendly feline furniture at Olive.

Talking Valentine's Day Hearts

  Candy Conversation hearts are one of my favorite things about Valentine's day, and now these Talking Pastel Heartswill be your dog's favorite.  Every time your dog squeezes the toy, it says "I love you!"  They're in 8 different sizes for every love of your life, and on sale until February 1st.

Your pup may also enjoy the Tuff Grunts Hearts, or Heart Throbs.  All are at DogToys.com

Savvy Snax

In Clover

 recently launched a new healthy treat for dogs, called Savvy Snax. They contain natural ingredients – chlorophyll and anise to freshen breath, Green Tea for tartar reduction, and fructooligosaccharides to aid in digestion.  You can give them just one a day, or  as many as you want for treats or as training aids.

 

As an added bonus, Savvy Snax contain no wheat, soy, sugars, animal fats or artificial preservatives, they're also corn and dairy free.  Check out where you can buy online, to help keep your dog's smile clean and fresh.

Winter Seasonals for Canine Comfort Foods

WagginTails.com has a delicious four pack of dog food flavors from Merrick, their Winter Seasonal collection.  $8.99 for the pack, including one each of  Wisconsin Winter, Plymouth Rock Dinner, Sunday Supper and Susie's Shepherd's Pie.  Yes, Shepherd's Pie!  That sounds wonderfully cozy and delicious!

I think after a long walk through the crisp winter air and across the slush and ice, any pup would love a bowl of Shepherd's Pie, perhaps warmed just a bit? 

Now, if only we could find hot chocolate for dogs too.

Be sure to login to our Deals Page to get a 10% discount on any non-sale item at WagginTails!