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Pack "Picks": Our Favorites
Pack "Picks": Our Favorites
Dog-lovers readily share information based on their dog-experience, includng "favorites."
The DogGone Productions Pack shares our "top picks" for fun stuff as well as helpful information:
toys, treats, winterware, tv shows, vets, trainers, household items, books.
Feel free to share your favorites & recommendations with us through the Contact page.
Fun Fave Toys
Fun Fave Toys
Jolly Balls (medium & large) are "faves" for fetch. The inner ball intrigues Woody so much that he knocks it around like a soccer ball. It's our "go to" fetch ball outdoors (not rubber, so there's a noise factor indoors).
Chuck-it Balls get our 2-Paws-&-1-Thumb Up ! Woody can't "skin" them like a tennis ball. This indestructible "squeeze ball" also makes a great jaw workout. K9 "cousin" Gus loves them, too!
Kong Jumblers (round & football shape)
Another 2-Paws-&-1-Thumb-Up ! The handles on both sides make them a great tug-toy, and Woody loves that this toy squeaks.
Another 2-Paws-&-1-Thumb-Up ! The handles on both sides make them a great tug-toy, and Woody loves that this toy squeaks.
BALLS are a favorite toy of this pack - for fetch, for tug, for chomping.
Here are our top picks.
Here are our top picks.
Other Fun Stuff
Other Fun Stuff
Thea & Woody love a good tug-match! Their "go to" tug toy is the TUFFY TUG. (Once the tug match is over, it is put away so they don't unstuff it. )
Mom's favorite: the KONG SAFESTIX, which allow us to combine fetching & tugging. The largest is long enough to keep the dog's mouth far enough away from the hand to avoid an "accident" during zealous play. (Woody, the terrier, is the determined "tug-guy" of this pack.)
Mom's favorite: the KONG SAFESTIX, which allow us to combine fetching & tugging. The largest is long enough to keep the dog's mouth far enough away from the hand to avoid an "accident" during zealous play. (Woody, the terrier, is the determined "tug-guy" of this pack.)
WUBBAS by Kong are another FETCH favorite of our pack. Thea loves to shake Wubbas by the "tail," and Woody loves the squeaker.
Thea also loves to fetch tree sticks, but then chews & swallows bark. A safe alternative: KONG SAFESTIX and KONG SQUEEZ STICKS, which look like short branches and also squeak.
Thea also loves to fetch tree sticks, but then chews & swallows bark. A safe alternative: KONG SAFESTIX and KONG SQUEEZ STICKS, which look like short branches and also squeak.
For chewing, NYLABONES are a frequent pick out of our "toybox." Because they are hard as a rock (almost), straight downward pressure could break a tooth. So we choose the shapes with rounded edges, so that teeth slip off sideways as the dog chews. So far, no broken teeth!
There's more fun than just BALL Games.
Boredom Toys
Boredom Toys
The key to durability and longevity of antlers is careful selection. The thick ones with minimal exposure of the interior marrow last longest (above/left). But some dogs need easy access to the marrow to keep chewing (above/right). Thea & Woody are willing to work for the treat within, so we buy for longevity.
On rainy days or in frost-bite weather, it's "pickle time" in our house. The indestructible PICKLE POCKET by Starmark is truly a
stress-buster for dogs getting rambunctious due to boredom. Simply stuff the 3 seams with favorite treats - the deeper, the better to keep them busy longer. On nasty days of confinement to the house, Thea & Woody look forward to "pickle time" at mid-day. After a long period of working on the pickle, they are tired enough to nap.
stress-buster for dogs getting rambunctious due to boredom. Simply stuff the 3 seams with favorite treats - the deeper, the better to keep them busy longer. On nasty days of confinement to the house, Thea & Woody look forward to "pickle time" at mid-day. After a long period of working on the pickle, they are tired enough to nap.
CHEW TOYS
When confined to the house on bad weather days, Thea & Woody need to chew more than usual.
No rawhide chews for us, but they love our alternative: large & extra large ANTLERS. Although the L and XL are pricey, they are long-lasting.
No rawhide chews for us, but they love our alternative: large & extra large ANTLERS. Although the L and XL are pricey, they are long-lasting.
Confinement to the house on bad weather days brings K9 cabin fever.
We count on these "special day" toys to cope with the boredom & stress.
We count on these "special day" toys to cope with the boredom & stress.
Top Treats
Top Treats
Woody eats his daily meals out of the "Fun Feeder" by Outward Hound. We've tried a variety of slow feeder bowls, and this is by far the best for us. "Vacuum Woody" has finally met his match. 'Now takes him longer than Thea (a leisurely eater) to eat his meals.
FROMM FAMILY ADULT GOLD has been the right food for this pack. For variety, we occasionally add some of their Four-Star entrees. Thea loves the Salmon Tunalini & the Beef Fritatta. Woody's never met a food he didn't like!
Woody "inhales" his meals, but use of a food dispensing toy prevents that. This pack uses a variety of these toys, but our 2-paws-and-1-thumb up is the Rockin' Treat Ball by JW, which keeps him busy longer. Also provides boredom relief on bad weather days.
Favorite Kibble
Favorite Kibble
Food-Dispensing Toys
Food-Dispensing Toys
Slow Feeder
Slow Feeder
A favorite special treat on holidays, birthdays, Sunday brunch: Mom's scrambled eggs. Eager anticipation fills the kitchen when the frying pan comes out!
Lo-cal Charlee Bears in Liver or Egg & Cheese. Best price in Omaha: Trader Joe's.
HAPPY HOWIE'S sliceable meat rolls make for a soft treat that doesn't crumble - and it isn't greasy in pockets. These are our GO TO training treats, especially for RECALL exercises (ever challenging when bunnies and squirrels are in sight!)
Daily Treats
Daily Treats
High Value Treats
High Value Treats
SPECIAL Treats
SPECIAL Treats
WALK GEAR
WALK GEAR
Sporting dog Thea pulled on leash like an Iditarod musher . . . UNTIL we found the Freedom Harness by 2 Hounds Design. We use it with their Euro-style leash, which clips on in front & on top of her back. This combination has made walks a joy. 'Got one for Woody, too.
Winterwear
Winterwear
This pack prefers NOT to be subjected to articles of clothing . . . EXCEPT when Nebraska winters require it. Once frost bite threatens, Thea & Woody don protective garments - and do so readily when they realize it means trips outdoors and walks through the neighborhood can resume.
COATS
Foggy Mountain coats get our 2-paws-&-1-thumb up ! Thick high quality fabric makes them warm, durable, & worth the price.
Foggy Mountain coats get our 2-paws-&-1-thumb up ! Thick high quality fabric makes them warm, durable, & worth the price.
(Below) Woody on a car ride in his Foggy Mountain coat. FYI: They are easy to put on & take off. Measuring for proper size is key. The website explains how to do it.
SWEATERS
Short-haired Woody feels the chill in our home in winter. No problem donning a warm sweater. For style & quality our "pack pick": Chilly Dog sweaters. Available from various on-line vendors & at Long Dog Fat Cat in Omaha.
Short-haired Woody feels the chill in our home in winter. No problem donning a warm sweater. For style & quality our "pack pick": Chilly Dog sweaters. Available from various on-line vendors & at Long Dog Fat Cat in Omaha.
(Below) Woody sports his favorite Chilly Dog sweater. Yes, a Mama's Boy - and proud of it !
BOOTS
Muttluks are the only boots that work for us. If the right size, they are easy to put on. When fastened properly, they STAY on, even walking in snow. Thea has 2 sets: the regular & the fleece-lined for harsher cold.
Muttluks are the only boots that work for us. If the right size, they are easy to put on. When fastened properly, they STAY on, even walking in snow. Thea has 2 sets: the regular & the fleece-lined for harsher cold.
(Below) Thea models her muttluks & Foggy Mountain coat.
EAR PROTECTION
For frost bite weather Sue slid a fleece ski gaiter over Thea's head to cover ears, then pinned & sewed it under the chin & neck for a snug fit. Homemade can work!
For frost bite weather Sue slid a fleece ski gaiter over Thea's head to cover ears, then pinned & sewed it under the chin & neck for a snug fit. Homemade can work!
Series and Documentaries
Pitbulls & Parolees on Animal Planet
Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet on Animal Planet
Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet on Animal Planet
The Secret Life of Dogs on National Geographic
Nature series on PBS (includes documentaries on dogs)
Dogs: The Untold Story on Animal Planet
Beyond the Myth on Netflix and YouTube
Top TV Picks
Thea's fave: the NATURE series on PBS.
More Top Picks
Veterinary Clinics
Veterinary Clinics
The Pet Clinic
For over 20 years members of our "pack" have received the VERY BEST of care from Dr. Barb Teter & colleagues. The mix of veteran docs who have years of experience, newer docs who bring the latest in training, plus the team spirit & the staff's sensitivity to dogs' behavioral "issues" has inspired a confidence that has never been betrayed. One of the best things about our life in Omaha: the quality of care we can count on at The Pet Clinic.
For over 20 years members of our "pack" have received the VERY BEST of care from Dr. Barb Teter & colleagues. The mix of veteran docs who have years of experience, newer docs who bring the latest in training, plus the team spirit & the staff's sensitivity to dogs' behavioral "issues" has inspired a confidence that has never been betrayed. One of the best things about our life in Omaha: the quality of care we can count on at The Pet Clinic.
When The Pet Clinic is closed, we count on Dr. Doris Starks & her team for emergency care. She & her staff won our hearts, our confidence, and our 2-paws-&-1-thumb up for saving Thea from life-threatening gastric bloat & a GI obstruction on Labor Day weekend '17.
For information on the veterinary emergency known as "bloat," visit here.
For information on the veterinary emergency known as "bloat," visit here.
Grooming
Grooming
DIY (Do It Y/Ourselves)
Neither Thea nor Woody have high maintenance coats, so we shampoo, comb, clip, & nail-trim "in house." Due to his fears, Woody stresses over invasive procedures of any kind, including nail clipping. But with the help of the battery operated DREMEL 7700 rotary tool, we conditioned him to accept nail filing. He now sits calmly on lap while his nails are gently filed on low speed (a weekly routine to keep him used to it).
Neither Thea nor Woody have high maintenance coats, so we shampoo, comb, clip, & nail-trim "in house." Due to his fears, Woody stresses over invasive procedures of any kind, including nail clipping. But with the help of the battery operated DREMEL 7700 rotary tool, we conditioned him to accept nail filing. He now sits calmly on lap while his nails are gently filed on low speed (a weekly routine to keep him used to it).
SHAMPOO
For its pleasant, clean (not perfumey) scent, TOP PERFORMANCE Oatmeal shampoo is our choice. Available on-line and in the shop at Nebraska Humane Society.
For its pleasant, clean (not perfumey) scent, TOP PERFORMANCE Oatmeal shampoo is our choice. Available on-line and in the shop at Nebraska Humane Society.
Training
Training
This "pack" recommends:
(for basic behavior training) TIFFANY at Nebraska Humane Society
(for nosework & tracking) Gerianne Darnell at
Sunshine Obedience School, Council Bluffs, Iowa
See To The Rescue page for favorite books on training.
Sunshine Obedience School, Council Bluffs, Iowa
See To The Rescue page for favorite books on training.
Helpful Household Items
Helpful Household Items
Outdoor Leisure "Furniture" - Kuranda beds are the Top Pick of this pack. Sturdy, light-weight but durable, easy to clean, these elevated beds are a favorite space on which Thea and Woody nap outdoors - but off the wet ground or hot patio pavement. Our favorite is the Standard dog bed, and since Thea & Woody only dig in dirt, not furniture, we order the Outdoor Mesh (vinyl weave) fabric in Birch Forest (color) which is cool and easy to clean.
FYI: You can donate a Kuranda bed to your favorite shelter through the
Kuranda website.
FYI: You can donate a Kuranda bed to your favorite shelter through the
Kuranda website.
"PASS THROUGH" DOGGIE GATES
Not all guests are dog-lovers, so occasionally Thea & Woody need to be confined in certain rooms. After trying lots of flimzy dog gates that we had to step over (and Thea was able to jump), we invested in the EXTRA TALL TOP PAW gates. The all-metal frame is sturdy, easy to install, and has a safety latch at the handle. Best of all, no more stepping over; we simply pass through. (They come in various heights and widths. )
'Purchased ours ON SALE at PetSmart. 'Worth every penny!
Not all guests are dog-lovers, so occasionally Thea & Woody need to be confined in certain rooms. After trying lots of flimzy dog gates that we had to step over (and Thea was able to jump), we invested in the EXTRA TALL TOP PAW gates. The all-metal frame is sturdy, easy to install, and has a safety latch at the handle. Best of all, no more stepping over; we simply pass through. (They come in various heights and widths. )
'Purchased ours ON SALE at PetSmart. 'Worth every penny!
Long Dog Fat Cat (90th St just north of West Center Road)
Great customer service, plenty of parking, & best price on Fromm Family foods. The staff is eager to meet customer needs, including ordering new products.
Great customer service, plenty of parking, & best price on Fromm Family foods. The staff is eager to meet customer needs, including ordering new products.
Natural Dog Food Store (Omaha)
Natural Dog Food Store (Omaha)
Dog-friendly Businesses
Dog-friendly Businesses
The Bookworm (on 90th Street just north of West Center Road)
For those of us who love both dogs and books, this is a great place to stop by, peruse & purchase books & unique gifts, and let our dogs socialize with the dog-friendly staff. Their stock includes books for dog-lovers, plus they are happy to place orders. The frequent shopper club is another plus.
For those of us who love both dogs and books, this is a great place to stop by, peruse & purchase books & unique gifts, and let our dogs socialize with the dog-friendly staff. Their stock includes books for dog-lovers, plus they are happy to place orders. The frequent shopper club is another plus.
Mulhall's (corner of 120th & Maple)
Thea & Woody love to follow their noses, so leisurely walks through this dog-friendly nursery, where flowers & bushes provide scents galore, is a
favorite activity year-round.
The dog-loving staff make K9 visitors feel very welcome, often stopping to socialize with them and offering water on hot summer days.
Every December our pack also looks forward to seeing - no, not Santa - but Santa's reindeer.
For lots more info on dog-friendly businesses, events, and places in Omaha, check-out Omaha.dog.
Thea & Woody love to follow their noses, so leisurely walks through this dog-friendly nursery, where flowers & bushes provide scents galore, is a
favorite activity year-round.
The dog-loving staff make K9 visitors feel very welcome, often stopping to socialize with them and offering water on hot summer days.
Every December our pack also looks forward to seeing - no, not Santa - but Santa's reindeer.
For lots more info on dog-friendly businesses, events, and places in Omaha, check-out Omaha.dog.
Simple Joys: Dogs and Books
Simple Joys: Dogs and Books
A book in my hand, a dog at my side . . . ahhh, a bit of bliss.
Even better, the book is about dogs !
Favorites include personal memoirs, reflective works that share insight into the amazing creature that we call "dog" or into the canine-human bond, & works of fiction that are deeply informed by such insight.
Here's a personal "sampler" of some favorites.
A book in my hand, a dog at my side . . . ahhh, a bit of bliss.
Even better, the book is about dogs !
Favorites include personal memoirs, reflective works that share insight into the amazing creature that we call "dog" or into the canine-human bond, & works of fiction that are deeply informed by such insight.
Here's a personal "sampler" of some favorites.
Favorites include personal memoirs, reflective works that share insight into the amazing creature that we call "dog" or into the canine-human bond, & works of fiction that are deeply informed by such insight.
Here's a personal "sampler" of some favorites.
*Caroline Knapp, Pack of Two. The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs
*Ken Foster, I'm a Good Dog. Pit Bulls, America's Most Beautiful (and Misunderstood) Pet
*John Steinbeck, Travels With Charley
*Patricia McConnell, The Other End of the Leash
*Brian Hare & Vanessa Woods, The Genius of Dogs: How Dogs Are Smarter Than You Think
*Temple Grandin, Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals
Temple Grandin, Animals in Translation. Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior
*Jennifer Arnold, Through a Dog's Eyes. Understanding Our Dogs Through Understanding How They See the World
*Matt Weistein & Luke Barber, Dogs Don't Bite When a Growl Will Do. What Your Dog Can Teach You About Livng a Happy Life
*Anna Quindlen, Good Dog. Stay.
*Joan Chittester, Two Dogs and a Parrot. What Our Animal Friends Can Teach Us About Life
*Ted Kerasote, Pukka's Promise. The Quest for Long-Lived Dogs
*Ted Kerasote, Merle's Door
*Dean Koontz, A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog
*Alexandra Horowitz, Inside of a Dog. What Dogs See, Smell, and Know
*Cat Warren, What the Dog Knows. Scent, Science, and the Amazing Ways Dogs Perceive the World
*Monks of New Skete, I & Dog
*Monks of New Skete, Dogs & Devotion. A Celebration of the Bond Between Dogs & Their People
*Susan Chernak McElroy, Animals as Teachers and Healers. True Stories and Reflections
*Jon Katz, A Good Dog. The Story of Orson, Who Changed My Life
*John Katz, A Dog Year. Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me
*Jon Katz, Dog Days. Dispatches From Bedlam Farm
*Patricia McConnell, The Education of Will. A Mutual Memoir of a Woman and Her Dog
*Nona Kilgore Bauer, Dog Heroes of September 11th: A Tribute to America's Search & Rescue Dogs
*Katrina Kittle, The Blessings of the Animals
*Neil Abramson, Unsaid. A Novel
*Neil Abramson, Just Life: A Novel
*Friar Jack Wintz, I Will See You in Heaven
*Carter Heyward, Flying Changes. Horses as Spiritual Teachers
SMILES make us SMILE
SMILES make us SMILE
