Halloween Dog Bones a Perfect Seasonal Treat

My neighbors go all out for Halloween. Next door there is an incredibly
spooky haunted house where hundreds turn up every year. Other houses have
scary music, smoking cauldrons, and the streets fill with costumes that know
no limit. My neighborhood is the essence of Halloween spirit.

So, when the trick-or-treaters ring my bell, if they have dogs, and many do,
I need to have a special treat just for them. I can't give the dogs candy,
of course so this year, I'll be giving them very special Halloween Dog
Treats -- FetchDog's own Classic Bones Package, tasty biscuits dipped in dog-safe
carob and frosted in Halloween hues. They're bone-shaped, which is perfect
for skeleton season and quite pleasing to the dogs. I can't wait to see who
and what shows up this year. Now I just have to figure out what I'll be
wearing!

Dog Halloween Costumes that are Cute and Comfortable

I've had dogs that hated wearing Halloween dog costumes and those dogs I
left alone. Fortunately, for me, I now have three dogs who are very good
natured about dressing up, in large part because the FetchDog dog costumes and
Halloween party dog collars fit better and feel better than other dog
costumes I could make or buy.

We make the rounds of several nursing homes and assisted living facilities
and the dogs coming in costume are a real hit. And because they are getting
in and out of the car and going in and out of rooms, it's critical that the
dogs feel comfortable in their dog costumes.

Bob, my Wheaten Terrier, is the most tolerant of the three and, therefore, has an assortment of dog costumes for nearly every holiday -- some hand-me-down from other dogs, some homemade and a fancy FetchDog Halloween dog costume where he transforms into a Lady Bug complete with little head bobbers. Bailey, a young Wheaten Terrier-Cocker Spaniel mix, is fetching as Bob's smaller bug sidekick in her yellow and black Bumblebee Dog Costume.

And last but not least, Piglet, a melange of American Eskimo, Papillon and maybe a little Corgi, is stunning strutting the streets in FetchDog's Fairy Dog Costume. Their  Halloween dog costumes are of higher quality than other dog costumes on the market, so they last more than a couple of wearings, are easy to get on and off, and are comfortable for the dogs.

And believe me, a good fitting dog costume is the difference between a dog
looking content and a dog looking like he's been sentenced to prison. I think most dogs hate costumes because the materials pinch, shift and twist. If you absolutely think your dog won't go for a Halloween dog costume, consider a Halloween Party Dog Collar. My particular favorite is the FetchDog orange party dog collar with bats. Piglet may be getting that for this Halloween and saving her fancy Fairy Dog costume for Christmas.

Crypton Dog Couch Cover and Quilted Car Bench Dog Seat Cover Keep the Dog Hair and Dog Grime Off My Seats

My dog, Madison, shares much in my life -- including my car and furniture. Madison is a Yellow Labrador Retriever. So if she sees a mud puddle, she strolls through it. If she spies a pond, she heads into it, and if she's on the beach, it's a straight shot across the sand to the waves.

I keep a Paw Plunger, some Mud Magnet gloves, and a small mountain of Spa Towels in the trunk to wipe her down and I groom her regularly with the Furminator -- which sets her wriggling 'cause it feels so good. But no matter how much I groom her, she's still a Lab and sheds dog hair -- liberally. I used to try to contain the dog hair with old blankets thrown over the car seat and sofa but got tired of them soaking through, wadding up, slipping off and looking pretty horrible in general.

When I wanted to upgrade to a dog seat cover that was durable, comfortable, and impervious to dog hair, dirt, and drool, I went first-class and got the Quilted Bench Dog Seat Cover for the car -- which will help maintain my car's resale value by keeping the upholstery fresh. I also like that it doesn't look fussy or out of place.

For the home front, I went with the Crypton Dog Couch Cover -- which looks so elegant no one believes I picked it. Dog photographer William Wegman designed the fabric, so it's handsome and the back of the dog seat cover is so soft. It feels like real suede and is so rugged.

I still keep quick cleanup supplies on hand to wipe down Madison before she gets in the car or trots into the house, but I no longer feel like my seats and sofa have that worn out old fraternity house look.

Gentle Leader put me in control during dog walks again

Even after puppy classes, where the basics are established, it was a horror show to walk my Wheaten Terrier, Bob - or River Run's Matta Hobbit, as he's known in the American Kennel Club registry.

He was a model dog until a squirrel or a cat appeared and then it was chaos - pulling, barking and jumping from a dog who'd grown very strong. Oh yes, and the gagging. Bob pulling and me pulling back so it looked - and sounded - to passersby like I was choking my dog to death.

Our so-called walks became defensive maneuvers, with Bob on a short leash and me trying to spot Bob's furry targets before he did. Our walks were not relaxing and certainly not fun.

For no reason other than ignorance, I avoided puppy training collars and humane dog training collars, such as Gentle Leader and Gentle Leader Deluxe until the day Bob jerked me so hard my elbow was inflamed for a week.

After finally doing my homework on dog head collars, I settled on the Gentle Leader Deluxe because I like the padded -- and decorative -- nose strap. After I watched this Youtube video, I took Bob to an empty school playground - fewer distractions - put on the head collar and hoped for the best.

He fidgeted for a few minutes, but once he realized I was willing to let him have more leash than usual he walked on and, by the end of the first walk, forgot he was wearing the Gentle Leader Deluxe.

Now, our walks are fun, relaxed and we feel connected rather than me just feeling like a cussing hitching post. My dog no longer gets hysterical and chokes himself at the end of the leash and I no longer contort in pain from my dog's pulling and jerking. Calm is good. Very good.

Fetchdog's Leashes and Collars

Weight Control Dog Feeder helps keep dogs trim and happy

Friends and family say I treat my Cairn Terrier, Lucy, better than I treat myself and there's certainly a ring of truth to that.

Whether it's in the car for errands or accompanying me to work, Lucy often goes where I go which makes it easy to exercise her and keep her in shape. Sometimes, however, she needs to stay at home, where our kitchen now includes FetchDog's new Weight Control Dog Feeder.

This automatic dog feeder is wonderful because it automatically dispenses the right amount of food several times a day. That way, Lucy doesn't overeat in one sitting or get bored. She knows her "magic machine" drops food in her dog bowl when she's not looking.

This sturdy, easy-to-clean feeder reminds me of a high-tech espresso
maker and I found it simple to program the amount of food Lucy gets and
the times it "magically" drops into the bowl.

Knowing Lucy has her automatic dog feeder also makes me feel less guilty
when she has to stay behind without me.

Fetchdog recommends automatic dog feeders and waterers.