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By Douglas Hanna
 Several years ago, we owned a Dalmatian that went through normal dog toys faster than rain water through a down spout. We would buy him toys and buy him toys but they never seemed to last much more than a month. In some cases they would be gone in a week.
This got me into what's called indestructible dog toys - or tough dog toys - capable of keeping your pooch happy and gnawing away for months.
What I eventually discovered is that, to be honest, no dog toy is completely indestructible except maybe one made out of cast iron - assuming your dog would be happy with a cast iron chew toy. The fact is aggressive chewers like our Dalmatian will eventually chew up even the toughest of toys.
However, "indestructible" dog toys are better than standard dog toys simply because they end up costing you less because they last so much longer.
Here are the costs of three typical tough dog toys:
Stone Bone Durable Dog Toy -- $12.95
Hurley Indestructible Dog Toy --
$8.99
Kong Original Red Tuffy -- $8.99 for the large size
While that may seem a bit on the high side vs. toys that can cost $2.00 or less, these chew toys are really a bargain when you consider how long one will last versus cheap plush toys.
What to look for in a tough dog toy
Round dog toys are better than flat ones because it's just more difficult for a dog to destroy a round one than a flat one. Second, look for a toy made out of polyethylene as this tends to be stronger and harder to destroy - even by strong dogs such as our Dalmatian or a German Shepard. Also, make sure it won't splinter or fall apart and cut the dog's mouth or get swallowed and cause a gastric obstruction
Third, consider what your dog thinks is fun. Does it like to play tug-a-war or does it like to fetch things? If so, look for a toy that's chewable but also easy to throw. If your dog likes the water, get a toy that will float. On the other hand, if your dog likes to just lay around and chew, then the toy's durability should be your number one priority.
Also, the toy shouldn't be so small your dog could swallow it but not so big he or she can't handle it. You might also ask yourself how easy it would be to clean or wash.
If your dog is big into chewing, like our Dalmatian, you should consider a rubber toy like the Kong or the Nylabone or the Hurley Indestructible Dog Toy. While these toys are not truly indestructible, they will keep your dog chewing happily for many months.
What not to give your aggressive chewer
If your dog is a heavy chewer, you should stay away from stuffed dog toys or rope toys. These will eventually come apart and your dog could end up swallowing loose bits of rope, stuffing or even plastic eyes. And believe me, some dogs will swallow just about anything. Our Dalmatian once swallowed one of my wife's knee-high stockings and it plugged him up like a cork in a bottle. It cost us more than $500 to get him "unstuck."
Finally, be sure to check the dog toys from time to time for signs of wear. If the toy is looking frayed or seems ready to fall apart, just throw it away. You might also remember to rotate the dog toys from time to time to keep your dog interested.
Douglas Hanna lives in a suburb of Denver. He and his wife have owned a number of dogs over the years. Hanna is the publisher of the popular website,http://www.doghouseplans360.com Dog House Mats and Heaters - That Time is Just About Here
By Douglas Hanna
 It's starting to get cold in our part of the country and if you live in the West, East or Midwest, you're probably also feeling a chill and may already be thinking about dog house mats and heaters.
Our dogs spend their nights in the house, but how about yours? If your dog sleeps in a dog house, you need to ask yourself how warm and safe it will be as the weather grows colder and colder?
Our winters are cold but generally on the mild side. And our dogs spend most nights inside. So keeping them warm is usually not an issue. But if you live in a very cold part of the world, and your dog house is not super-insulated, you should be thinking about adding a dog house mat or heater to your doghouse - to make sure your dog stays healthy and comfortable no matter the weather.
Dog house heaters
Dog house heaters come in two types. The first is heater only and is for places like Minnesota where the summers normally do not get terribly hot. The second is a heater/cooler for those areas where the winters are very cold and the summers very hot - think North Dakota or parts of Montana.
Dog house heater only
One heater I found, The Hound Heater I, is 5.5" x 5.5" x 5.5") and is said to produce dry, reliable heat. When it's zero degrees Fahrenheit outside, the dog house will stay around 40-degrees F. This manufacturer also offers a small version called the Hound Heater II. It uses a light bulb to keep the unit's temperature at a constant 130 degrees when the outside temperature is below freezing. The manufacturer says, "The best part is, it is so safe and easy to install. It is made out of galvanized metal so it is super strong and will last for many years. The cost of Hound Heater I is $54.95 and Hound Heater II is $52.95.
Combination dog house heater/cooler
A combination heater/cooler is great for areas that are both cold in the winter and hot in the summer. There is apparently only one of these available - the portable PetCool unit. This unit looks very easy to install with 2500 BTU heating and cooling capacity. The manufacturer says that it "adjusts automatically to maintain a constant comfortable range of temperatures both as a dog house heater for winter and dog house air conditioner for summer, while also providing additional functionality as a de-humidifier lowering humidity levels 70%."
Be forewarned that the PetCool is not cheap with a price tag of $415.95.
Heated mats and throws
If your part of the country gets cold but doesn't get below zero for many days, then a good way to heat a dog house (and the dog) is with a heated mat or pad. The advantages of a heated pad are that it requires no maintenance, has no moving parts to get out of whack, is completely safe and can also be used in an unheated garage and basement. Most heated pads have an internal thermostat and some manufacturers offer an optional temperature control rheostat for heat adjustment.
Another alternative is to buy your dog its own heated throw or dog bed. A heated throw will cost about $73 for a large size.
The cost of a heated pad varies from $43.59 for the small size up to $66.99 for the large. A thermo throw will normally cost about $73 for the large size.
In other words, it won't cost you an arm and a leg to keep that best friend snug and comfortable all winter.
If you'd like more information about building a dog house, hop over to http://www.doghouseplans360.com
Douglas Hanna, and his wife, have owned many dogs over the years. They currently share their home with a Wheatland Terrier named Emma Lou and Jake, a Cairn Terrier. Dog Supplies for Proper Care
By Gerry Ronson
 Dogs are apart of a family and deserve our respect and care. If you have never been a dog owner before you probably have lots of questions regarding the care of your new member of the family. If you do you will find this article looks at some of the available dog supplies and offers a few tips for proper care. In some instances proper care can be solely based on the dog breed you have, but most of the time general tips can help you pick the right dog supplies for the proper care.
When you are choosing your dog you have to decide where it will sleep, how much training you will be giving it, and of course the proper nutrients they will need. Some dog breeds have special needs to do digestive issues they are born with or can develop. This can make finding the right foods a little more difficult. It is best to speak with a vet or a dog breeder regarding the proper nutrition. You will also find that proper nutrition is based on age. Growing puppies are going to need softer foods that have plenty of nutrients, while older dogs may still need some nutrients, but a different formula.
Pet food is just one of the dog supplies you will need to buy for proper care. Grooming is also an essential part to owning a dog. You will need to take care of their teeth, give them vaccinations, clip their nails, and of course brush them. Some dogs, especially those with long hair or thick coats will need to be brushed more often. Sometimes you will find brushing them once a day is essential to that dog breed, while others can be brushed twice a week. Dogs have very sensitive skin so before giving them a bath you will need to understand the type of shampoo you should use and how frequent a bath should be. For dog grooming you will need the proper dog supplies at home from different brushes and of course the nail clippers for dogs.
Part of the proper care for your dog is having enough space. Some dogs tend to be very active, such as Alaskan Malamutes, German Sheperds, and Terriers. For these dogs you will need plenty of space to let them run and expend that energy. When you are talking about pet supplies for an active dog you will need to have fencing and even a runner in some cases. You may feel a runner is enough for the dog to stay out of harms way, and often it can be. However you dont always want to hook them to the runner, but give them the entire backyard, so a fence can help you keep them inside the yard without restrictions.
You may also want to have a kennel or crate for your dog to sleep in at night and during the day. Some of us dont mind our pets sharing the bed, while others want to teach their dogs as puppies that they have their own bed. Crates can also help you take them to the vet or on vacations so they can serve two purposes. You can also purchase softer bedding for them to lie in around the house.
Other essentials include dog toys, food bowls, and water dishes. Dog toys will help you exercise your dog physically as well as mentally, which is important to having a healthy happy dog. You will want to choose food dishes that allow for the proper amount of food intake during the day as well as water. This dish can be made from anything or purchased at a dog store. It is just important that it has enough room for your dog to get the nutrients and water he or she needs in a day.
Gerry Ronson is a writer for the websites Dog Supplies and Dog Training Aids. Share Your Opinion. (0 posts)
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