The Ruffwear Web Master Dog Harness seriously got me thinking differently on dog harnesses. I grew up with large dogs all my life. We always had wide leather collars and leather harnesses – they were the strongest most reliable walking and training devices we can use.

I wasn’t sure what to think when I had the Web Master Dog Harness in my hands. It looked too simple – no way this would be good for large or pulling dogs – but boy was I wrong.

Buy the Ruffwear Web Master Dog Harness.

To put this harness to the test, we basically took it for a simple hike… er… sketchy up hill hike in La Tuna Canyon.

Ruffwear is known for quality outdoor dog gear, so we weren’t surprised when the harness did more than expected.

First off, it’s super lightweight. The simple, ergonomic design will give your dog full range of motion so they can fully engage and feel comfortable on any kind of walk. Add along it’s 5 point adjustable straps and you have for a full tailored fit, dogs small and large. It has a small, padded center plate, where as traditional harnesses have oddly large chest pads.

The coolest thing about this harness was the useful assist handle I used in areas where Frisco (pictured below) needed assistance.

Me and my old boy Frisco (10 years old) on a sketchy hike.

With over hundreds of dog beds to choose from one has to stop and wonder, “its only a dog bed, right?” But the important reality is that no two dogs are the same, even if they are from the same breed. A dog’s stature and sleeping habits play the biggest role in determining which dog bed is best.

A dog’s size will determine the proper construction of the bed. Large breed dogs start off small and cuddly but can quickly outgrow and ruin their puppy bed. Certain dog beds are simply not designed to take the punishment from the cute little pup as it morphs into a 100 lbs beast. Most dog beds in these cases ‘bottom out’ and loose their orthopedic support. Larger dogs also age faster and thus are prone to arthritis and other bone related disabilities. A large dog bed that can contain and support the dogs weight is crucial for a good nights rest.

Observing a dogs sleeping habits is pivotal in selecting a bed your dog will actually sleep on. The biggest problem dog owners often come to realize is when their dog rarely sleeps on the newly purchased dog bed. Owners scratch their head in confusion and blame the dog when it’s most likely the bed itself. All dogs have different sleeping habits; some like to curl up while others like to sprawl out or sleep on their backs. It is important to select a bed that will contain your dog. Your dogs head or paws should not be forced to rest off the edge or supports unless they naturally come to rest that way.

Dogs that usually sleep outdoors will sleep in a tight curled position to preserve warmth. Indoor dogs may nestle or nest for the same reason along with the fact that it provides security. However, sleeping in a tightly curled position is not the most relaxed for a dog. In this position a dog will not have a restful nights sleep; their muscles would have to be tense to hold this position. A bumper bed or bolster dog bed with walls would give these kind of sleepers the maximum comfort and sense of security during nap time.

Lastly you have the dogs that love to stretch out and occupy the whole bed just like us humans. For dogs that sleep with these tendencies it is important to select a dog bed that can contain the entire dog toe-to-toe. A dog pillow bed or large dog bed will have your pooch stretched out and counting sheep faster than he or she can sit for their favorite treat.

Once the owner understands the specific needs of their dog depending on how they sleep, he or she can confidently choose the best dog bed that will provide their pup with the maximum comfort they deserve.

Need Help Choosing A Dog Bed?

We’ve narrowed it down to 3 main categories:

Round: Is your dog a curler? Then a round or bumper dog bed is the answer. These type of dog beds give these kind of sleepers the best sense of security and comfort while catching some Zzz’s.

Rectangle: Is your dog a sprawler (like most humans)? A pillow dog bed gives your freedom sleeper the liberty of stretching out edge-to-edge without running out of real estate.

Bolster: Own a leaner, or those that like to hog up the sofa? Bolster dog beds are ideal for dogs who like to rest their head on a sofa bolster.

And last but not least, if you have a dog that likes chewing their dog bed to pieces, a chew-proof dog bed always solves that issue.

I’ll admit, I didn’t know what to expect when it was time to review the Double Donut Dog Bed up close and personal. But man let me tell you, I’m in the process of finding a human version one now! They’re the ultimate in luxury dog beds.

To the touch, the micro-velvet is extremely soft and puts you into a relaxing state of mind. I jumped in and called dibs before my dogs even had a chance of sniffing the bed.

Buy the Double Donut Dog Bed:

I was also caught off guard with how many components the bed had and was hoping it wouldn’t be too tedious of a task to take apart and wash. Luckily, everything is pretty straight forward and exceptionally well made. The zippers are heavy duty making it a breeze to take the covers off for washing.

There is a luxurious pillow that acts as a pillow top, this is what your dog will actually be resting on. Right below that, in it’s own fabric covering is a 2″ piece of convoluted foam for extra therapeutic support.

Both bolsters (why it’s called the double donut) are covered in a semi-durable pillow sheet allowing you to wash these (only if your washer machine can handle the load). Otherwise, you can always soak and hand wash the bolsters if they ever need serious cleaning.

Not only is the micro-velvet cover super plush and soft, it wears beautifully! With every wash it gets softer. Micro-velvet fabric is great at repelling fur and dirt so the bed is always nice and clean with a few swipes of a cloth.

The support the bed puts out is great! It’s a high quality bed with high quality components.

The Ruffwear Palisades Dog Pack is probably one of the most crucial pieces of equipment when planning a day outdoors. Its construction, functionality, and ease of use make it that much more fun for my dogs to do a job.

Living in Southern California, we’re a bit spoiled with what we’re allowed to do year round in the outdoors. Weather is always perfect and we don’t mind a nice little adventure on rainy days either.

Buy the Ruffwear Palisades Dog Pack:

From a construction point of view, the Ruffwear Palisades Dog Pack doesn’t mind water splashing or rain beating on it. It has a very durable, water-resistant type fabric with an ingenious zipper design so your stored goods stay dry.

It has two side load compression systems (one on each side) to keep the bag from shifting or bouncing around on your dog’s back. Included is the comfortable Web Master Dog Harness at the core to hold everything together so you’ve got a hell of a dog backpack.

The coolest thing about this dog pack are the two 1-liter platypus bladders on each side of the pack. They feature a common drinking tip for humans, so you’ll need some type of travel dog bowl to serve.

For those long outdoor trips where extra food, water, and clothes are needed, the Ruffwear Palisades Dog Pack is the best bang for your buck!

Quality wise, it ranks way higher than some “quality” human gear.

The portable soft dog crate is an extremely portable and versatile dog crate. We’ve used it for just about every occasion you can think of – car rides, at dog shows, at home, and the list goes on and on.

The fact it can fold down in a matter of seconds makes this one of my favorite dog crates. It’s lightweight, yet features very durable materials like a steel frame design and outdoor backpacking type fabric & materials for the cover.

Buy the Portable Soft Dog Crate:

The dog crate features a water-resistant bottom backing which is great for spills or accidents.

There are mesh viewing windows that allow maximum ventilation. Two mesh windows have zippers to unzip, roll up, and stay up with velcro attachments.

The steel frame feature two coupling type slide-n-lock mechanisms that allow anyone to fold up or take down the dog crate in a matter of seconds.

Our crate is always in use, but when the crate is not in use you can tuck it away under a bed or closet. It also features a handy handle for easy carrying.

Search for a dog mat or dog bed to fit the crate and your dog is set.

Dog mats are doggy essentials for everyday living. Most dog mats on the market are extremely versatile, but the Eco-Nap takes it to a whole new level of comfort and design.

First off, Eco-Nap Dog Mats are 100% certified safe. They’re tested for over 100 potentially harmful substances. (Traditional dog beds and mats use synthetic fibers and dyes that cause gnarly skin problems to allergy prone dogs.) This ensure that even the most allergy prone pets have a safe and comfortable place to nap anywhere, anytime.

Buy the Eco-Nap Dog Mat:

Dog Mats & Pads

Second cool fact about the Eco-Nap Dog Mat is that they’re constructed from recycled soda bottles. This is only one of West Paw’s many Eco-friendly dog products.

Third, they’re made in Montana, USA!!! Woooooot!

The Eco-Nap features a solid one piece construction design. They’re a cinch to wash and dry. Their bright, cool colors don’t fade (I’ve washed ours over 10 times already). This makes them super versatile. We use ours on camping trips, car trips, or where ever there are hard floors.

4 inches from the edge of the dog mat, you’ll notice that they’re stuffed with a little more poly-fill creating a comfy bolster. My dogs love, love, love laying their head on this part of the dog pad.

The key reason for having a dog mat is to keep dogs off hardwood or tile floors. Who wants to rest on that?

Turn any hard surface into a comfy dream spot with an Eco-Nap Dog Mat.

Are you in desperate search for a dog bed that can’t be chewed to pieces? I’ve been there and done that. I was able to train chewing dogs into non chewing dogs by getting a a chew-proof dog bed.

Training is like practicing, for that, you’ll need equipment (in this case a bed) that can withstand the beating during the training process. It only takes a dog a matter of seconds to destroy a dog bed, so using a durable dog bed to start or end the problem is a great method.

Buy the Kuranda’s Standard Chew-Proof Dog Bed.

Now, there are a few ways to go about training your dog to stop chewing their dog bed. You can either:

#1. Purchase a durable dog bed and call it day (they’ll resume with trying to chew everything especially their bed and maybe give up, just maybe).

or

#2. Use the dog bed as a key piece of training equipment to correct the problem.

Hopefully you’ve answered to go with #2. Compulsive chewing is a serious problem and needs to be fixed. It’s one of the main reasons dogs get in so much trouble these days and inevitably end up in the pound.

What a chew-proof or chew-resistant dog bed (learn the difference here) allows you to do is catch them in the act and do what’s called “repetitive correction” – practice. With a dog bed they can’t destroy you’ll be able to get your point across during training without going through a couple hundred dog beds.

If your dog is a powerful chewer be sure to select bed options that are much tougher than the vinyl weave fabric shown in the video. That particular bed was used to correct mild digging and clawing. Either way, there is no way your dog can get their teeth on the fabric due to the unique manufacturing process of the bed.

Even after your dog has been trained out of their bad habits, these dog beds make great long term beds due to their even level therapeutic support. They are great for indoor or outdoor settings and are 100% rust proof.

Simply add a dog pad to the top for extra comfort and you’re set!

I know what you’re thinking, “Zogo what?”

Trust me, if you don’t know what Zogoflex dog toys are, then you’re in for a treat!

Durable dog toys are beneficial for dogs in so many ways. As dog owners, we sometimes know it’s impossible to find the perfect, reliable brand of chew toy for our dog. We hope for them to be non-toxic, Eco-friendly, fun colored, fun shaped, annnnd indestructible – a combination that would probably only exist nowhere!

But aren’t you reading? I said you’re in for a treat!

One thing dog owners must understand is, no true dog toy is indestructible. A dog toy needs to be pliable (flex) for it to be truly safe. Things like tires or any other hard plastic objects designed for industrial use are NOT dog toys! The safety of your dog was not in mind when the rubber tire was being milled who knows where.

Allowing your dog to chew on objects that are way too strong and tough will leave your dog with worn down teeth or even worse, fractured teeth. There is absolutely no substitution for adult supervision when it comes to dogs and tough chew toys. With that being said, let me introduce you to the durable and fun line of Zogoflex Dog Toys by West Paw Design!

Zisc Dog Toy

Zisc Dog Toy

The Zisc Dog Frisbee is the pliable flyer all dogs dream of. Much softer than traditional plastic frisbees and better flying than some fabric frisbees. The Zisc is soft and flexible making it perfect for dogs’ mouths.

Though the Zisc is not recommended for chewing, it’s perfect for park tossin’ fun just as it is in water. This one of a kind dog frisbee floats and fly’s to the top!

Hurley Dog Toy

Hurley Dog Toy

It’s a ball, a bone, a stick? Nope, it’s just the Hurley. Toss it, float it, chew it, love it!

The Hurley Chew Toy can withstand the toughest of dog chewers (7 months later and my Pit Bulls are still chewing).

Bumi Dog Toy

Bumi Dog Toy

The Bumi dog toy can stretch over twice its size only to bounce right back into its original form. It’s the perfect tug toy, but can also be tossed for a serious game of fetch.

Use it for light games of tug or sit back and watch your dog go bonkers as they shake the toy back and forth.

Jive Dog Toy

Jive Dog Ball

The Jive dog ball is the ultimate in crazy bouncing dog balls. It’s super tough, rated 5/5 stars for toughness. It’s unique shape allows the ball to bounce unpredictably. Your dog will only need one of these in their lifetime since these are guaranteed tough.

Tizzi Dog Toy

Tizzi Dog Toy

The Tizzi dog toy (formerly Twizz) looks somewhat like a frog, which is why I love this thing!.

You can stuff it with your dog’s favorite treat, interlock the legs turn it into a high flyer, or you can simply let the dogs tug with it.

Tux Dog Toy

Tux Dog Toy

The tux dog toy is another one of my favorites. There’s nothing like spoiling your dog with an awesome fun-shaped dog toy only to stuff it with some peanut butter!

The tux is rated 5/5 on toughness. There is literally a ball on each end of this toy (total of 4). I mean, how does a dog process that? 4 balls stuck onto a toy?!

There are no more excuses for unoccupied dogs around the house. When I want to play fetch with this one I do. When I want to hang out indoors I simply stuff it with some peanut butter. Case closed.

The whole line of Zogoflex gets a solid 5 stars. The variation in shape, color choices, and toughness make these dog toys a must for every dog.

Remember, each toy serves it’s different purpose.

Dogs love being outdoors, rain or shine. But summer can be dangerous, especially in areas where temperatures skyrocket into the 100′s.

Certain dog breeds have a zero tolerance for warmer temperatures. Take for example breeds with heavy coats or who are brachycephalic (short broad skulls), or even worse, both!

Breeds with these features will suffer in very hot climate and will require lots of monitoring. You should never exercise dogs in the peak of a summer day (afternoon’ish). Instead, do early morning walks or late evening runs for the sake of your dog.

Here are some cool dog products that help combat hot weather.

1. Dog Feet Protection – Watch out for hot surfaces on your summer walks. If you see your dog doing “the dance,” then you know it’s too hot for them to walk on.

One way to combat hot surfaces for active dogs is with the Grip Trex Bark’n Dog Boots. For light walks around the block check out the Skyliner Bark’n Dog Boots.

2. Dog Hydration – Staying hydrated in hot weather is extremely important. Always make sure your dog’s water bowl is full. During summer, use a larger water bowl because dogs will drink water a lot more and run out of it sooner.

For walks or exercise, it’s important to bring along your dogs own water supply. The H2O4K9 is an innovative stainless steel dog water bottle with a lid designed for a dog’s drinking anatomy.

The Quencher Collapsible Dog Bowl and Cinch Top Dog Bowl are also great ways for serving clean water anywhere, anytime.

For long trekking adventures and hikes, dog packs do well in making sure you’ve packed enough water for you and your dog. The Palisades Dog Pack just so happens to be the ultimate dog backpack in regards to mobile hydration.

3. Dog Cooling Jackets – A dog’s normal body temperature is around 100.5°F to 102.5°F (about 38°C to 39.2°C). This can easily skyrocket during walks or exercise in warm weather. To help dogs regulate their body temperature you can use the Swamp Cooler Dog Cooling Vest. Cooling vests for dogs are innovative ways of prolonging outdoor activity on warm days.

4. Staying Fresh & Clean – Like humans, dogs love nothing more than a refreshing shower after a long hot day. Clean skin and fur will help your dog stay cool and fresh on a hot day. Bathing your dog indoors or out is simpler with the Booster Dog Bath Tub. Dogs get extra frisky when they hop out the shower because it feels “oh so good!”

5. Keeping Cool Outdoors – If your dog is an outdoor dog and is excessively digging during summer, it’s probably because they are trying to find a cool resting area – so don’t blame the dog. A couple of cool ways to keep your dog cool outdoors is with a kiddie pool or misting set up.

Kiddie pools are inexpensive, portable “swimming pools” you can relocate anywhere around the yard. They come in all shapes and sizes, so be sure to buy one for your dog this summer.

A misting set up is also a great method of keeping your dog cool and rested. They’re easy to set up and as long as you have access to a water hose, you’re set! Misting set ups can be found at any name brand hardware store for around $45.

If your dog isn’t a fan of water whatsoever, check this how to help my dog like water guide. Once they understand water, they’ll want it every time the sun shines too hard.

If you have the luxury of living close to the beach, then go for it! Beach walks, especially along the shore are perfect for keeping dogs cool outdoors.

Well, there you have it folks. I’m sure these products will benefit any dog out there this summer. I know my dogs have and will continue to do so because sunburns and dehydration suck!

One cup for Jasmine and a cup and a half of kibble for Frisco. That’s how much my dogs eat every morning. The same portion is then served in the evening.

Friends have always told me I was weird for keeping a cup in the storage bin where I keep the dog food.

They say, “dude,  you don’t fill their bowls to the top? That’s messed up! They then begin to interrogate by following with, “you don’t keep their food bowl full all day?”

They say this genuinely, and it gets to me because it’s the shear innocence of passionate dog ownership that leads to bad habits. Much like the world suffers from obesity, it is now all too common with pets as well.

Dogs, to many of us, they’re like children. With that, comes the side effects of spoiling your dog. Not a bad thing, but many dog owners do more harm than good.

Keeping your dogs on a food schedule while controlling their calorie intake is one of the most responsible things a dog owner can do.

Some dogs, believe it or not, can and will eat all day if you allow it. Keeping a dog’s food bowl full every second of the day is the leading reason why dogs are overweight. Also, feeding too much, even on a schedule can lead to obesity.

Think about athletes who run and play every day. They require a high quality balanced diet to burn into energy… too many calories and they’ll gain weight in the process.

The same thing goes for dogs. If your dog is an active dog, meaning, they hike and run just about every other day, your dog will require a higher quality calorie diet to stay in full drive. If your dog hangs around the house and plays fetch every once in a while, it’s wise to just stick to the recommended calorie serving.

Now the big question, how much is the right feeding amount? And if my dog is an active dog, how much more do I feed?

The secret to that question is in the food you feed. Serving recommendations are printed on the bag. For active dogs, it’s always better to just feed a higher quality food than to overfeed.

But….

Every brand of dog food is different. Even flavors within the same line of dog food will have different nutritional values. Chicken, lamb, and beef are amongst the most popular. Bison, water fowl, and venison have also made their stamp in the dog kibble game because these brands are usually super-packed with protein and vitamins.

Higher quality kibble will have lower serving sizes for dogs while cheaper quality foods require a higher serving size. The reason for that is higher quality kibble provides your dog with the required nutrients and supplements in a more packed form. A quality kibble is recommended for active lifestyle dogs.

Cheaper kibble has a lot of cheap fillers like corn and grains and have the nutrients much more spread out… thus requiring a larger serving size to absorb their daily nutrition.

This is a whole topic on its own. You can learn more about the difference between cheap and quality dog kibble later if you’d like.

Feeding your dog appropriately will benefit your dog in so many ways. A healthy lifestyle is the key factor in a happy and long life free of vet visits. As dog owners, we owe it to our furry friends. After all, they do help relieve our stress so we can live longer and happier lives.