We can’t keep these toys in stock at the store! Dogs absolutely love them and go nuts trying to yank out the squirrels, birds, or bees.  Perfect for interactive play, these toys sharpen your dog’s cognitive abilities by challenging them to “find” the critters inside.

Surprisingly durable, these toys hold up well to vigorous play and each have a strong squeaker.  The perfect gift for your dog to unwrap on Christmas morning…and it will keep him busy while the family is opening gifts!

Owning a dog store, I am ALWAYS “testing” new collars on Remy.  But each time I change his collar, I have to transfer his tags and this process is never fun. After breaking a few nails and cursing out the tags, I usually end up searching my garage for a pair of pliers to pry the darn tags off one collar and onto the new collar.  Needless to say, I was in desperate need of something to make this process easier.

A few weeks ago at the store, I was opening the mail and found a free sample of the Rubit Tag Clip.  FINALLY! Why hadn’t I found these clips before? That night, I took the Rubit home for Remy’s tags and it worked great. You just have to attach the tags to the bottom of the Rubit, clip it to the collar, and VIOLA! Now, every time I change his collar, I just have to remove the clip instead of painstakingly removing each tag.

If you are like me and like to change your dog’s collar frequently, the Rubit Tag Clip will be your new best friend :) The Rubit comes in a variety of sizes and colors.

Does your dog inhale bones and chews in a matter of minutes? I know it sounds weird, but deer antlers are a great choice for big time chewers and large dogs because they are durable and really last!  Don’t worry, the antlers are naturally shed, so no animals are harmed to collect them.   Here are some of the great benefits of antler dog chews

• Long lasting and durable
• Safe – antlers do not splinter
• Odor free
• The natural marrow in the middle provides calcium and minerals
• Clean, oil-free, leaves no residue on floor or furniture
• No chemicals or preservatives

Antlers fly off the shelves at our store because our customers with big dogs love how long they last.  Actually, one of our customers who has a HUGE Great Dane buys the XL sized antler and it lasts her dog a few months! So, if you have been looking for a long lasting and safe chew for your furry friend, try a deer antler!

It’s not often you find a dog toy that has been made right here in America.  Outsourcing from China has become so cheap that almost every tag I read says “made in China”. I worry about toys made in China because some have been found to contain high levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, and even arsenic.  All metals are highly toxic to humans and animals.  So, after researching American made toys to buy for the store, I’ve put together a list of my top 10 favorite dog toys made in the USA.

1. West Paw Zogoflex Toys- Hux, Hurley, Bumi, Huck, and Zisc.

These durable toys float, fly, and bounce. Environmentally friendly and great for big time chewers. Remy’s most favorite toy of all time is his blue Bumi.

2. West Paw Twist Tug Toy

This soft, durable tug toy is made from recycled plastic soda bottles.  West Paw toys are rigorously tested to ensure safety.

3. West Paw Tiny Turtle

These adorable toys are great for the little ones! They might be small, but they still have a strong squeaker. read more…

Many of my customers are only interested in buying products for their pets that are made in the USA.  I am always on the lookout for new and interesting products manufactured and sourced in America, but the search isn’t easy.  Most pet companies outsource the manufacturing and materials of their products to China because it’s much cheaper.  

That’s why I was SO excited to find the Vibram dog toys.  Not only are they made in the USA, but they are durable too!  They use non-toxic materials (some of the toys are even made out of running shoe fabric!), and constantly test the toys to ensure top quality.  Here is an article about how Vibram toys were donated to the African Wild Dogs, a rare breed with powerful jaws, at the Kansas City Zoo and withstood the test.

No toy is indestructible, but it’s refreshing to see a company like Vibram who not only makes durable and high quality products, but also takes extreme measures to ensure the safety of the toys and improve customer satisfaction.  Read more about Vibram products here.

My customers with small breed dogs, especially the tiny ones under 5 pounds, have a hard time finding comfortable and safe harnesses that actually fit their tiny dog.  After seeing the Cloak and Dawggie mesh harnesses on a little yorkie, I ordered a few for the store.  These harnesses are GREAT for the little ones.  VERY light weight and breathable, they come in sizes starting at Tiny1, for dogs and puppies up to 2 pounds. 

Another great thing about these harnesses is the velcro closures.  You don’t have to put it over the dog’s head, just velcro around the neck and belly!