Mutts to Represent at Dog Shows

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recently announced that they will allow mixed breed dogs to compete at some AKC events starting this October. Mutts will be able to compete in agility, obedience, and rally events. (Rally events are where the dog and handler compete on a course designed by a judge and proceed through a set of 10-20 “stations”.) The catch is, mixed breed canines will only be allowed to compete against other mutts and will be excluded from events like Westminster and the “best in show” category.

Credit: Time Out Chicago

According to Lisa Peterson, an AKC spokeswoman, "the dog-advocacy group's rule change creates an opportunity for mixed breeds and their owners to demonstrate their skills—training often acquired in AKC-sponsored classes."

Is it wrong that I am thinking of signing Riley up? She would kill it in the agility category. The obedience category, though, could get awkward.

(Thanks to Georgina for sending this in!)

Eco-Friendly Dog Shampoos

I admit it; my dog is not the most hygienic of pets. She is oblivious when she pees on her own foot; she rolls in dead worms; and she likes to dig holes in grass so she can eat the dirt beneath it. She then proudly tracks her skanky mess all around my apartment with her little paws. As a result, I’m a little obsessive about washing her, and I do it in my own bathtub. I’m always looking for good dog shampoos, and a month or so ago, a friend forwarded me a Daily Candy for pets. It included an amazing line of dog products from TrueBlue. (They also make cool bowls, leashes, and carriers.)

TrueBlue grooming products are “detergent-free, tear-free, easy-to-rinse, pH-balanced for pets, hypo-allergenic, bio-degradable, and cruelty-free, with no sulfates, parabens, or artificial colors.” They make eye wipes, ear wipes, and even dental “swipes”—although it’s unclear to me what these dental thingies entail. The best part is, all of their products smell glorious.

Some other companies that have these include: Earthbath, Botanical Dog, and Bio-Groom.  

Do you have any favorite grooming products for your dog? 

Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags

If you don’t scoop your dog’s poop in the city, you’ll be slapped with a $250 fine. You’ll also have a whole bunch of pissed off people coming after you on the street. So, you’re going to want to keep your butt covered by carrying little bags around. Sure, there are dozens of dog doodie bags, but one company, Flush Puppies, has created water-soluble, 100 percent biodegradable ones. (The average plastic bag can take up to 1000 years to decompose in a landfill.) If you choose, you can even flush these down your own toilet. (Meh. That would be difficult for me from a psychological standpoint, although admittedly very environmentally responsible.)

Sign by PetPro

According to the Flush Puppies website, in a city of 100,000 people, dogs can generate about two and a half tons of feces per day. That's almost two million pounds a year. Since I have zero math skills, I had someone help me confirm the following numbers: In New York City, where there are approximately 10 million people, that means dogs generate about 250 tons of waste per day, and almost 200 pounds per year. That’s a lot of shit.

Flush Puppies were created by three University of Florida grad students, and their site is pretty damn funny. If you want to try out the product, it’s $3.99 for 15 bags, and you can get them on their website here. 

Take a Day Trip With Your Dog

Living in a city, it’s hard not to feel like your dog is getting shortchanged some days. He’s got to pee on pavement, and the sad, mangled trees that line many New York City sidewalks are few and far between. So if you’re interested in getting your pet out of the city (and you don’t have a house in the Hamptons, Connecticut, or wherever), one really cool company, Blue Sky Dogs, plans day trips for you and your pooch.

Honestly, I was looking at the photos from one of their “canine country days” on their website, and it looked like these dogs were having the most fun ever. Blue Sky Dogs can also help you plan weekend trips or counsel you on dog-friendly travel planning.

For more information, contact:

Blue Sky Dogs
Phone: 212-531-3647
info@blueskydogsny.com
http://www.blueskydogsny.com/

The Power of Flowers

I was having a conversation with a woman in Central Park this morning, and she swore by Rescue Remedy as a legit chill-out product for dogs. It’s a flower essence that is supposed to relax your pet when he or she is in stressful situations—whether it’s a trip to the vet, to quell separation anxiety, whatever. (Touted as “yoga in a bottle,” it’s also available for humans and has been written about in basically every major magazine.)

Rescue Remedy Pet comes in a dropper bottle, and you’re supposed to put 4 drops in your dog’s mouth, on a treat/food, or directly to his or her nose, ears, or paw.

Has anyone tried this—for yourself or your pet?