Canine Couture
by
Chance Googling | on November 4th, 2009 | in
Swag the Dog,
Things Dogs Wear
In case you’re wondering whether dog fashion has gone over the top: Yes, dog fashion has gone over the top. Here are a few of the prime innovators (or offenders) of late:
Add any others as comments. . .
Fashion Week!
by
Walker Parks | on September 18th, 2009 | in
Things Dogs Wear
Cozy Hemp Collar
Natural Hemp Leash
Planet Dog announced last week that they’re adding new sizes and colors—pink, blue, and natural—to their fleece-lined Cozy Hemp Collar and Natural Hemp Leash. The combo is straightforward and simple—perfect for around-town use.
Another Solution for Aggressive Petters
by
Grayson Schaffer | on September 17th, 2009 | in
Things Dogs Wear
Don't pet me patch
Nothing will spin your dog up or teach him to pull out on his leash like a stranger diving in on him with baby talk and aggressive petting. This is a dangerous combination that can lead your dog to view every stranger out ahead of you as a reward worth sprinting toward. We’ve talked about a few ways to prevent this kind of thing; here’s another: signage.
On Belay? Woof!
by
Walker Parks | on August 31st, 2009 | in
Features,
Things Dogs Wear
I will now attempt the 5.12 dog-width crack
Ever leave your pup at home because the terrain you’ll be tackling is too rough? Now you’ve got another option: add your pooch to your ropeline. The RuffWear Doubleback Harness is a full, strength-rated climbing rig that cups your dog by the backs of the hind legs and chest—just like a full chest harness on a human. The Doubleback can be used to catch a canine fall, lower him off rapel anchors, or hoist him into a helicopter. Available later this fall. (We’ll update you when they’re ready and have a price.)
Web Master Harness
by
Walker Parks | on June 23rd, 2009 | in
Swag the Dog,
Things Dogs Wear
Maggie making off in her harness
While Maggie is no Houdini when it comes to her traditional harness, she is an energetic walker who loves to chase down the unsuspecting cat in between vigorous sniffing sessions. The harness she has been wearing for years was a vast improvement over “leash on collar” walks, but there was definitely even more control when we walked with the Web Master. The harness was a bit more fitted than your standard harness, and the design of the harness prevented it from slipping around too much as Maggie walked. The support it provides really helped with the pulling, and when Maggie was off leash she was still able to run freely and didn’t seem hindered by the extra material/padding. The harness is lined with a soft material so it should not irritate the skin of dogs with even the shortest of coats. An added bonus is the handle on the back which made it easy to grab hold and lift Maggie into the car, as well as pick her up and move her quickly away from inappropriate snacks along the road or trail.
Pack Animal
by
Grayson Schaffer | on June 3rd, 2009 | in
Features,
Swag the Dog,
Things Dogs Wear
Danger briefly considered obeying and then ran off
Danger got to try out Mountainsmith’s Sport Line Dog Pack this weekend on an overnighter into the Pecos Wilderness. It’s got three pockets, variously outfitted with quick-draining mesh and waterproof zippers to carry everything from food to water to leashes and tie-out cords. The thing I love most about this pack is that its fleece-padded strap system doesn’t require the dog to step through anything in order to get it on. Two straps go under his belly and a connecter from the front strap comes up his sternum to connect to the collar strap. The trade-off is that you end up with a few more dangling tag ends than some of the other dog packs I’ve tested.$60.
One other quick tip about dog packs. They’re a great tool for teaching your dog to heel on a single track. By doubling the dog’s width, the pack forces the dog to stay behind you on a narrow trail. This is immensly helpful when horses or aggressive petters might be coming down the trail ahead of you.
Following Mace down the trail
Danger gettin' his pack on
Tut Tut, Looks Like Rain
by
Grayson Schaffer | on May 1st, 2009 | in
Things Dogs Wear
Danger's a good sport
A slicker on a Lab is a bit like a lifejacket on a duck, but Danger is doing his best to model Ruffwear’s new Sun Shower Rain Jacket for all the short-haired dogs of the world. The Sun Shower is made from coated nylon with taped seams and includes hi-vis reflective piping to make your pooch stand out at night. The zip-off hood exposes a preppy popped collar that makes any dog look like an athlete. $75
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Danger’s a good sport
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The Sun Shower Rain Jacket, without hood
Swimmies
by
Grayson Schaffer | on March 15th, 2009 | in
Swag the Dog,
Things Dogs Wear
A reader's dog in her Ruffwear Float Coat
We got this post from a reader in response to our March issue
I loved the Essentials dog gear (”Swag the Dog”) in the March issue. One item overlooked is the Float Coat by Ruffwear. This is a doggie life jacket with both safety and function in mind—perfect for that water loving pooch who can’t resist bailing out of the canoe. The coat fits like a harness, providing flotation, and has a handle on the back of the jacket just right for hauling the wet one back aboard. My aussie mix, Riley, developed a whole new attitude toward water while wearing hers.
Jaime Coffman
Greenwood, IN
