Dog friendly cars hit the market - Examiner.com

As seen on the Examiner.com...

With more and more American homes including a furry family member, families are looking for cars that are comfortable and safe for our four-footed friends. Some car makers are now (or will in the future) offering vehicles specially designed to be a safe, secure ride for you and your dog. If you're shopping for a new car, check out these pet friendly autos.

A new offering from Honda Motor Co. may get dogs more interested in checking out the inside of their ride rather than hanging their heads out the window. The Japanese automaker showed off a "Dog Friendly" version of the Honda Element SUV at the New York International Auto Show. The new Dog Friendly™ Element concept is coming in the fall of 2009.

Now you can get your dog a cushy ride.

The vehicle features a cushioned pet bed with safety restraints in the cargo area, a spill-resistant water bowl, and even a ventilation fan to keep canines comfortable.

A folding ramp gives animals an easy way to get in and out. In the back seat, there's an integrated pet carrier and machine-washable seat covers to make it convenient and safe to carry smaller pets. The rubber floor mats feature a toy-bone pattern, and paw-print emblems on the side and back of the vehicle draw attention to its pet-friendly status.

The 2009 Toyota Venza.

The 2009 Toyota Venza offers canine-friendly options in its new five-passenger crossover, which was designed and engineered in the U.S. exclusively for the North American market.

The Venza is available with roughly a dozen pet features, including a rear hatch pet ramp for easier loading and unloading, a leash tether for securing pets in the vehicle, a pet booster seat with harness, a cargo area pet barrier, pet seat-belt buckles, and waterproof, removable hammock-style seat covers. All of these options are available through dealers.

Of course, you can buy many of these pet travel items like ramps and car booster seats from pet supply stores if you decide to get a "plain old car," but it's nice to know that car makers are finally recognizing the importance of pets in our lives and our need to provide safe transport for our pooches.

For more info: If you're looking for a comfortable car for you and your dog, check out the new website dogcars.com. They review dog-friendly vehicles and pet products designed for traveling. Nearly every week they get a wagon, crossover, truck, minivan, SUV, or other dog-friendly vehicle to drive and write about from a dog-lover's point of view.

Source: http://www.examiner.com

How to outfit your home for your pet - Fosters.com

As Seen on Fosters.com

Your house is also your pet's home, and a pet unhappy with its surroundings can lead to all kinds of problems.

A cat disgruntled with its litter box may decide your prized Oriental rug is a more attractive place to relieve herself. Or your dog might run off every time a car whizzes by if he's not penned in the yard.

Or even worse, an inappropriately caged pet could pose danger to its owners like a recent incident in Oxford, Fla., where a Burmese python broke out of its too-small cage and strangled a two-year-old girl.

While options to house and care for your pet seem nearly limitless, remember that one size doesn't fit all. Your pet's temperament will determine what works best.

Sixty-two percent, or 71.4 million U.S. households own a pet, according to the American Pet Products Association, or APPA, and pet owners love to shower their animal companions with supplies. The trade group estimates pet owners will increase their pet spending 5 percent this year to $45.4 billion.

More households own a dog than any other pet, and keeping a canine friend in the yard is a safety precaution for all.

Many owners choose visible fences made of wood, chain link or heavy wire, to keep your dog in the yard. These are practical and durable. However, they can get costly. The least expensive are do-it-yourself wire fences (Benner's Gardens carries kits between $250 and $1,000 depending on size). Another bonus: they aren't as noticeable as other above ground fences and can be taken with you when you move.

Other options include a chain link fence or a wood fence. With installation, a 300-foot chain link fence costs between $2,500 and $3,500, whereas a wood fence of the same length runs between $5,000-$10,000.

A more affordable option is an underground electric fence, or an invisible fence. The price tag for these: $1,500-$2,000. But if you're a handyman, a do-it-yourself fence runs as much as $400.

The fence is actually a radio antenna that transmits a signal to the dog's collar, which then creates a shock like static electricity. That's usually enough to dissuade a dog from going any further. The learning curve takes about two weeks. Until the dog learns its boundaries, flags are set up along the fence as visual indicators.

Some breeds take more, or less, time to learn the boundaries.

"Golden retrievers are wimps," says Bob Vetere, president of APPA. "It took one time to train mine."

Now, that you've got your dog safely contained in the yard, where's it going to sleep? If it's strictly an outside dog, make sure to provide a dog house with appropriate insulation. Typically, insulation is built into the material of the dog house, so to keep the dog from chewing on it. And it the dog keep him cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Houses range from easy-to-clean plastic ones to the tried-and-true cedar models. If you want something more elaborate, there are multileveled houses and ones with porches or sundecks. One company unveiled a three-room dog house at an APPA trade show. One room was for eating, one for sleeping and one for play. The catch: This monster dog house was intended for indoor use.

Want to travel with your canine? Consider buying a collapsible tent-like dog house for the road. Read more...

Read full article!

Pet-Related Franchises; More Bark Than Bite?

Are there more pets? Do pet owners have more disposable income to spend on their pets? What gives?

According to the American Pet Products Association;

• 62% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 71.4 millions homes

• $45.4 billion will be spent on our pets in the U.S.

• $3.4 billion of that figure will be spent on grooming & boarding

The pet industry is obviously huge. This category is getting so popular that some major brands that have typically sold their products to humans are starting to get involved in it.

Paul Mitchell, Omaha Steaks, Origins, Harley Davidson and Old Navy are now offering lines of pet products ranging from dog shampoo, pet attire, and name-brand toys to high-end gourmet treats and food.

The franchise industry has certainly jumped into this market with vigor, and the short list of young franchise concepts below demonstrates this fact;

• Preppy Pet Suites - Pet daycare and boarding
• All American Pet Resorts - Hotel, restaurant, and workout facility for pets
• Pet Depot - Retail pet franchise
• Hey Buddy! - Pet supply and vending
• Hydro-Groom - Mobile pet wash
• Interquest Detection Canines - Contraband and drug detection
• Lil’ Pals Pet Photography - Mobile photography
• The Pet Food Courier - Pet food delivery services
• Hounds Mounds - Pooper scooper services

If you are a pet owner, would you use these services? If these services were able to save you time, or add value in some other way, could you find the money in your budget to use them?

Read the FULL article at:
Pet-Related Franchises; More Bark Than Bite?

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How to Travel with Your Pet - As Seen on FOX News

As Seen on FOX News By Paul Eisenberg...

Apricot had never been to Hawaii.

But like anyone, man or beast, who has ever visited the islands, the poodle sensed there was something very special about the place the moment his plane landed.

In this case, that special something was that he wasn’t supposed to be there.

Turns out the airline messed up and Apricot was never loaded onto a nonstop flight from Miami to New York’s JFK Airport, where his anguished owner, writer and lifetime traveler Lea Lane watched the luggage carousel lazily spin without her dog. Hours passed until a 3 a.m. phone call alerted her that the poodle was back in New York after the Hawaii detour. Once home, Apricot stared blankly and wouldn’t respond for hours. Lane never put him on a plane again.

This horror story took place about 25 years ago, and while airlines are more accountable today for the handling and tracking of pets checked as baggage or cargo, stuff still happens, and there’s a lot you can do to ensure your pet has a safer and happier experience if you decide to travel together.

Read the FULL Article at:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,528545,00.html

The World’s Ten Smartest Dogs - As Seen ON DivineCaroline.com

PetMD came up a list of the top ten smartest canine breeds in the world. See if your dog’s breed makes the grade.

#10 Australian Cattle Dog
Yes, that Australian Cattle Dog from Down Under. A working dog that is traditionally occupied with controlling and herding cattle, its qualities are exceptional intelligence, alertness, resourcefulness, and a fiercely protective loyalty over its property and people. They are agile, strong, active dogs, both physically and mentally, which revel in new experiences. The flip side is that they bore easily and will unintentionally find trouble while looking for activities to occupy themselves with. The Cattle Dog is very organized; many are known for putting their own toys away after playing.

#9 Rottweiler
Another herding dog, the Rottweiler began in Germany as a true work companion. They are still primarily used for work as guard dogs and as police dogs. They are well known for their stoicism, keen perception, courage, and unflagging loyalty. They make an excellent addition to the family.

#8 Papillon
This deceptively cute, butterfly-eared dog is smarter, tougher, and stronger than it appears (it’s like the bionic dog). Often described as big dogs in little bodies, they have the athletic stamina to keep up on long walks, and the bravura of a canine ten times its size. The Papillon is a true companion and watchdog. Although they can be ferociously protective over what belongs to them, their keen intelligence makes it possible to take them anywhere. Let’s not forget they can be litter trained, a big plus.

#7 Labrador Retriever
The Lab, as it is affectionately called, is the most popular breed chosen by families. Another member of the working class of dogs, the Lab is best known for its intelligence, affection, patience, and gentility, making them perfect companions for households with kids. They are easily trained, and, in fact, are one of the top dogs chosen for search and rescue, assisting the disabled, and police work. They are also known to self-train, observing behaviors in humans and repeating them—a great asset in emergency situations.

#6 Shetland Sheepdog
Another herding dog, the Shetland takes this ability into the home, showing the same commitment and protectiveness over its human “herd” as the farm raised version does. Highly intelligent, the Sheltie handles life with great efficiency and diligence, learning new commands with little repetition, and making sure that all of the family is safe, sound, and in place. They show great devotion to their families, and are happy to live just about anywhere.

#5 Doberman Pinscher
Due to an inborn fearlessness and deep stamina, the Doberman is one of the most popular of guard dogs. Smart and assertive, they can easily be trained for dominance or docility. Because of their past as war and police dogs, they may appear fearsome, but they are actually quite gentle. Their loyalty and acuity make Doberman’s great additions to the family.

View the TOP 5 Smartest Dogs at: www.divinecaroline.com

Schnoodle of the Month Recommends: "Dogfessions" By Nikki Moustaki...

Schnoodle of the Month is highly recommending a really great Dog Book called: "Dogfessions" By Nikki Moustaki...

You're shamelessly in love with your dog. And his adoration for you would eclipse the moon. But is love all there is to your relationship? When you come home to find the trash can toppled and a few "surprises" on your rug, what then? Behind your best friend's doting gaze, ever wonder what's he's really thinking?

Here's your chance to find out. Based on the website www.dogfessions.com, this full color collection contains hundreds of handmade postcards that reveal the deepest confessions from dogs and their owners. From unabashed admissions ("Yes, I made that puddle 5 minutes ago") to thoughtful revelations ("I think I kiss the dogs more than I kiss my husband") to self-affirmations ("I do this deliberately to look cute"), you'll steal a glimpse into the lives of dogs and their dearest devotees.

Read Full Book Description at: http://www.harpercollins.com

Meet "Rudy" from Pasadena, California - January 2009 Schnoodle of the Month!

Meet "Rudy" 5 1/2 Year Old Schnoodle Dog from Pasadena California. What a Sweetheart Rudy is...

"Rudy's" Profile:
Name: Rudy
Nicknames: Rudalah, Rudyberto, Rudyboy, Shadow Man
Home: Pasadena, California
Gender: Male
Age: 5 1/2 Years Old
DOB: June 22, 2003
Personality: Live to Play, Play to Live, he is so Loving!! Would never hurt a fly. Major People Person.
Occupation: Loves to Eat. Major watch dog… Very protective in a good good way! Loves to toss his Rope toy in the air for hours at a time!

Favorite toys: Stuffed toy called "Baby," Pink Ball, Glow Ball, Rope Toy, Peppermint Stick Rubber Chew Toy and Stuffed Blue Bone!
Favorite season: Spring and Summer Time, he loves to play in water!

Submitted by: Marci R, from Southern California

Thank You Marci R. For Submitting "Rudy" to Our Blog!

--> Click Here to Share "Rudy" with Your Friends, Family and Colleagues!

--> To Submit YOUR Schnoodle for Next Month, Email us your Schnoodle's Bio/Profile and (jpg) Photo to: Info.SchnoodleLover@gmail.com