Doggie Doors

I am sure that we are all familiar with what a doggie door is.  If not, then a doggie or dog door, is a small opening that you place into any style door in order to give your dogs the freedom to go in and out when they want or need to.  I love our dog door!  My husband often says that our dog door saved one of our dogs lives.  Not really, he is just kidding, but we have a dog that we had a very hard time potty training when we first got her as a stray.  It did not matter how long we were out of the house, as soon as we walked out, she would urinate on the floor.  We were at our wits end until we finally tried a doggie door.  Believe it or not, we pushed her through it a few times to show her how it worked, and she never went on the floor again!  Now, maybe not everyone has those results but it sure did help us.  I love the dog door because it also saves us the up and down and having to get up at odd hours in the evening to let our dogs out.  They are free to go out whenever they need to.

As I stated, they have dog doors to fit any door style.  So, even if you have a sliding glass door, you can still get a dog door that will work with your sliding glass door.  They even have motion sensor pet door kits now that you can buy for your sliding glass doors that will open your door automatically to let your dog in or out.

These really are a simple but wonderful, time-saving product.  Like I said, we love ours.  I don't know now how I went so many years without it.  At baddogsupplies.com we have a variety of dog doors to fit every need and budget.  This really is worth looking into if you have a dog.  If you are concerned about weather being an issue, don't be.  There are dog doors that are more energy efficient so that you don't need to worry about it being to hot or too cold and then having this opening for your dog door.

As always, we aim to try and help you in any way we can.  Check us out and if we don't have what you need, please let us know so that we can help you find it.

How to Train Your Dog With a Prong Collar

The last blog discussed what prong collars are. With this blog I would like to discuss how to use a prong collar for training.  Again, this is a brief blog, just a general overview.  This does not take the place of you doing more research yourself or seeking the advice of a professional regarding your prong collar training.  With that being said, let me now give you some tips on training with a prong collar.

As we discussed previously, prong collars are an effective tool to use in training your dog to walk properly without pulling on the leash, or dragging you along, lol.  In the last prong collar blog we discussed the proper placement of the prong collar so I will not go through that again in any detail. I will just reiterate that you need to unhook the collar to put it on and take it off. Do not just slide the collar over the dog's head.

Now that you have the correct size collar properly positioned on the dog's head, lets get started.  Begin walking your dog as usual on their leash.  The leash should be relaxed.  You do not need or want a constant pressure on the dog's neck.  As you are walking, if the dog begins to pull, lunge, bark, or acts in any other unacceptable behavior, then you are going to provide a correction with a sharp "pop" or "yank" on the leash.  This is just a very quick correction with a quick release. Again, no constant pressure.  If you need to make turns then you can either use your body as guidance to let the dog know what you are trying to do or you can use the leash and prong collar and provide a gentle guidance pull on the leash.  You can also teach your dog to sit with a prong collar by pulling up and back on the leash while providing the sit command.  The up movement lets them know to stop while you are walking and the pulling back lets them know you want them to sit.  The pressure you are using to provide correction is just enough force to stop the undesirable behavior.

A few extra things I want to cover here are a slight overlap from the last blog.  Prong collars come in sizes small, medium, and large.  Many professionals recommend the lighter collars even with larger dogs as the large collars are sometimes just too bulky or heavy.  You will however need to add additional links to a smaller collar to make it fit a larger dog.  Remember, the collar should fit up high on the dog's neck just behind the dog's ears and along the jawline.  If you remember, the collar has two rings.  The solid ring goes against the dog's neck, while the swivel ring is the one you hook your leash to.

Another brief  but important tip.  Make sure that the collar is not twisted when you place it on the dog's neck.  If you take the collar apart in the middle and just let it hang you can check to make sure it is not twisted.

So, there you have it. Some very quick tips on using a prong collar.  When used correctly, they are great collars for training.  If there are any questions though about whether you are using it the right way, then please contact a professional who can help.

At baddogsupplies.com we do carry dog prong collars.  As always, we aim to please.  If we don't have what you are looking for then please let us know so we can help you find exactly what you need or want.

What Are Dog Prong Collars?

There are many different types of dog training collars available.  For every type of dog training collar available, you will find people who do or don't use them or who agree or disagree with the use in the first place.  The purpose of this blog is just to make you more familiar with what a dog prong collar is and how it is typically used.  

Prong collars are dog collars that typically have a chain similar to the martingale chain as its base.  A martingale chain is a collar that has two loops.  One loop is a smaller loop used as a control loop that will tighten the second loop or the larger loop.  This helps to prevent the dog from slipping out of the collar and at the same time allows for a limited constriction on the dog's neck with an evenly applied pressure.  To make it a prong collar, in addition to the martingale style chain, the collar will have a series of chain links with blunted open ends that turn toward the dog's neck.  The combination of the martingale style collar which limits the constriction with the angle of the prongs will prevent the dog from being pinched by the prongs.  The main purpose of these collars is to prevent the dog from pulling by applying a pressure to the dog's neck at various points.  

If you decide to use a prong collar as a training tool, here are some important tips to keep in mind.  Many trainers will not begin with using the prong collar right away and if they do it is usually when the dog is around the twelve month old mark.  It is critical that the collar is fitted properly for the size of your dog.  When the collar is on your dogs neck it should sit up high on the dog's neck just behind their ears.  The collar should be snug so the prongs cannot move around to the  front of the dog's neck where they may cause unwanted pinching on your dog's trachea.  You can tell if the collar is on correctly by putting two fingers between the collar and the dog's neck.  If you can turn your two fingers sideways, then the collar is not too tight.  Also, you need to carefully follow the directions for placing the collar on your dog's neck by unhooking one of the links and then hooking the link back together once around your dog's neck.  The prong training collar should be removed when you are not training your dog.  You should not try to just slide the prong collar over your dog's head to put it on and take it off.  It is also important to note that many trainers believe that the prong collars should be used as a training tool when you are training the dog one on one rather than in group settings as it is believed by some that group training with the prong collar may cause aggressive behaviors in some dogs with long term training and use.  

Although the prong collars may look medieval and scary, if used properly with the right amount of training yourself, they can be a very effective training tool.  It is even suggested that the prong collars are often better training collars than the choke collars which are said to put more pressure and cause more damage to the dog's trachea in the long run.  

As with any dog training tool, you need to do your research.  You need to research not only the best training tool for you and your dog but also to make sure that whatever training tool you do use, is being used correctly to prevent poor outcomes or injury to your dogs.  This blog is very short and there is much more information out there as far as training with a prong collar.  As always, at baddogsupplies.com, we carry prong collars as well as many other valuable training tools for your dogs.  If you have any questions or concerns then please let us know so that we can help in any way possible.  Thank you for stopping by.

Dog Training Dummies

If you are a hunter who uses dogs or you train hunting dogs, then I am sure you are well aware of what dog training dummies are.  But, for those of you who don't know what they are this is a brief description of what they are and what they do.  Many  times you will be using the dog training dummies in combination with a dummy launcher.  The dummy launchers are a great tool to utilize in order to help teach and simulate the hunting situation of a sound of a bang with the marking of a bird in the sky.  This process will assist with getting the dog used to the gun sound as well as the retrieval process of your catch.

The dummies themselves will come in different colors.  They may also come with a valve on them. The valve allows you to add water to the dummy in order to add weight to it.  The importance of the different color dummies is as follows:  the white dummies are the most common type because it can be seen on most backgrounds.  The orange color is used for blind retrievals because most dogs cannot distinguish it.  The Flasher dummy is used for mark training.  It is usually best to have several of each of the different colors of training dummies in order to maximize the effectiveness of your training.  

As for the dummy launchers themselves, they will also come in different colors of green, yellow, and red which will indicate the strength of the sound as well as the power of the launch for 50, 80, and 100 yards.  Some people will prefer not to use a launcher and instead use someone as an assistant to fire as they launch the dummy themselves.  Either way is effective training and you just have to find the right method for you and your dog.  

When you are not training your dog or dogs, you should store your dummies away so that your dog or dogs are not allowed to play with or chew on the them.  This will cause negative reinforcement to your training.

At baddogsupplies we do carry a few different types of dog training dummies in our training section.  Currently, we have the D.T. Systems Soft Mouth Trainers on sale.  As always, we aim to please and if you don't see what you need then let us know and we would be more than happy to help you find what you want.  We also are happy for any comments that you care to leave!

What Is A PupLight?

Have you heard of a PupLight?  Well, it is just as the name implies, a light that is worn around your dogs neck.  So, when or why would anyone need such a device?  That is what I hope to cover with today's blog.

First, let me start by telling you about the PupLight itself.  It provides bright illumination by using three ultra bright LED lights.  PupLight is the only dog light that uses triple AAA batteries so it is less expensive.  You can  even use rechargeable batteries which will save even more money in the long run.  The light itself is attached to an easy on/easy off elastic adjustable band that is worn around the dogs neck.  The collar is not attached to the leash so it will remain in one position when it is worn.  It also comes with a rim over the light so that the light does not shine up into the dog's eyes or the eyes of the person or people walking the dog.

Now to the benefits of using a PupLight.  If you are walking your dog in the evening when it is getting dark or is dark, then this light can help keep you and your dog safe.  Because the light is illuminating up to 200 feet forward and up to 70 feet to each side, you can see any potential hazards ahead for you and your dog such as potholes, wild animals, or possibly just other dogs or people.  Also, because the light is so bright, it makes the dog more visible for up to one mile away!  This will definitely make it easier for passing drivers to see your dog and you to help avoid either of you from being struck by a vehicle.  Even if you are not walking your dog, you can use the PupLight on your dog in the evenings when you let them out so you can more easily keep an eye on them and where they are in the yard so they don't run off.  If they do run off, then the PupLight will also make it easier for you to locate them.

The above benefits are just a few of many.  The PupLight is easy and convenient to use.  This product is really a must have for anyone wanting or needing to walk their dog or dogs in the evenings.  I am not sure about others reading this but for us, we live in such a humid climate that walking your dog at night is really the best choice for us and the dogs because of the heat.  So, for us, this light is a no brainer.

On our website, baddogsupplies.com, we do carry the pup light in a variety of colors.  Also, we do have a great sale on these right now.  So, check out our website for the PupLight as well as many other great dog products.  As always, if we do not have what you are looking for, just let us know at support@baddogsupplies.com.  Chances are we can get or help you find exactly what you want or need.

Types of Dog Leashes

I know.  When you look at the topic name, it seems really silly.  I mean, we are talking about dog leashes here.  How interesting can that be?  Well, actually, there are many different types of dog leashes out there.  So, this may be very interesting to you if you are in the market for a new or updated dog leash.

I think we are all well aware of the normal nylon leashes that come in a variety of lengths and colors.  Probably most of us are also aware of the retractable types of leashes.  If not, the retractable dog leashes  offer the convenience of being able to adjust the length of the leash within a reel that you can brake and release at the push of a button.

But, did you all know that there are also leashes that can carry water and doggie pick up bags within the reel as well?  This is the leash to have if you need to carry water and doggie poop bags with you on your walks.  As I said,  within the reel of the leash there is a portable water bottle, portable dog bowl, and doggie doo pick up bags.  This is all with the comfort and convenience of a retractable leash!

If you are a dog owner who as more than one dog, like myself, there are also leashes that you can connect two dogs at a time.  That way you have one handle, with two dogs.  This will cut down on the need to have more than two hands if you are walking multiple dogs, lol.

I know that this is a pretty basic, borderline boring topic.  But again, I just wanted to make sure that people are aware of your options out there.  I don't know about the rest of you, but I am busy!  So, I am always looking for ways to make my life easier, like using something as simple as a leash that I can walk two dogs with and still have the other hand open to walk my child.  I love it!

If you are in the market for dog leashes then stop by our website.  As always, at baddogsupplies.com, we aim to please.  We would love to make your life easier too!  If we don't have what you are looking for then let us know about it!

Ever Wonder What the Difference is Between Dog Crates and Dog Kennels?

Intrigued?  Don't be.  There actually is no difference between a dog crate and dog kennel and the two terms can be used interchangeably. There is however different types of dog crates/kennels.

You can get dog crates or kennels that are wire, hard plastic, or soft sided.  The hard molded plastic type typically has a top and bottom which is held together along the middle by bolts.  It has an opening along one end and the door is either wire or plastic.  It also has ventilation along the sides of the carrier.  If you are going to be traveling and need a dog carrier then choose the type that will best fit your traveling needs.  If traveling by airline, you will need the hard molded plastic style.  If you are traveling by car then either the wire type or the hard plastic type are fine but a lot of times the hard plastic type can be belted into place easier and will hold up better if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a motor vehicle accident.  Also, the wire type of dog kennels are not meant to be able to be moved once your dog is inside whereas you can do so with the hard molded plastic type.  The wire type of dog kennels are good for training.  You do want to make sure though that you buy the correct size.  Make sure there is enough room for your dog to stand, sit, and lie down only.  If they are given too much room in their kennel then they may use the bathroom in it as well.

So, when you are ready to choose a dog crate or kennel, ask yourself some basic questions to make sure that you are buying a suitable crate or kennel for your needs.  Is the crate for home use only?  If so, the wire type may be fine.  But, if not, you again need to consider how you will be traveling.  If going by air, the wire type will not be approved by airlines.  Are you buying a crate for a puppy or young dog not yet done growing?  Then make sure you buy a size large enough to still use once the dog is full grown.  Do you need a dog crate or kennel that is portable or collapsible?  As stated earlier, the hard plastic type can moved even while the dog is inside, the wire kind cannot.  However, the wire types are usually collapsible so they may take up less space when not in use.

This was just a brief description on the different types of dog kennels/crates that are available.  Again, before making any kind of purchase for your dog, sit down and figure out what your needs are.  Once you know how the crate/kennel will be utilized then the selection of one really just comes down to getting the proper size for your dog.  I hope that this has helped you some on the kennel/crate selections.  We are here on this blog to try and provide you with some useful information on different types of dog products out there.  Also, check out our website at baddogsupplies.com.  We have a wide selection of the different types of dog crates or kennels, including the soft sided and airline approved.  As always, whether you are looking for a dog crate/kennel or some other dog supply product, if we don't have what you need or just have a question about a product then let us know so we can help.

Yes, blog followers, this is an older blog post that is probably going to show up as a new post because I am still trying to make some corrections to my site here and at baddogsupplies.com.  When we switched to our new web service and developer we lost some of our older pictures so as people are reading through our blog, you see a lot of blanks.  I am a bit of a perfectionist and I don't like the way it appears so I am going through to try and make those corrections.  So, please continue to be patient with us as I continue through this process.  Thank you.

Heated Water Hoses.

Happy Friday.  I am sure you have seen the news already with some of the states like Wyoming, Colorado, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas getting snow already!  I can't believe it.  Just another reminder that winter is just around the corner.  With that being said, I thought this would be a perfect time to let you know about a product that may save some of you who live in those frozen tundras a lot of headaches this winter.

The product that I am referring to is the heated water hose.  I am fortunate enough to live in a state now where we don't have to worry that often about freezing temperatures.  But, I did grow up in the cold and I can remember my father winterizing by disconnecting the hoses and making sure that the faucets were drained and covered so that nothing would freeze up.  That worked OK for us but what if you really need that outside hose hooked up?  Some people have outside animals or animal pens they need to keep up with even through the winter months.  That is where the heated water hoses come in.  These hoses are so convenient to use.  The hoses come in 20, 40, or 60 ft lengths.  You simply plug the hose in and it keeps the hose from freezing. If you need the hose everyday then you can leave the hose plugged in constantly and there is a sensor that will automatically shut the heater off in warmer weather.  If you need the hose frequently but not everyday then maybe you want to just have the hose handy and then you just need to plug it in twenty minutes before you are ready to use it.  These hoses are not meant to heat your water, only to keep the hose itself from freezing.

So, if you have outside water buckets that you need to fill everyday for your outside animals such as horses, this is a great piece of equipment.  No more hauling buckets of water from the barn to outside water bins.  If you live in one of those climates that has already seen snow or is going to see snow in the very near future, now is the time to start thinking about making your life easier this winter.

I know this was a little outside our usual topics but I just had to let you know about a great product that may really help you out this winter.  As always, at baddogsupplies.com we are here to help you in any way we can with your dog supply needs.  If we don't have what you are looking for then just send us an email.  Chances are good that we can find what you need or want and we would be more than happy to do so!

What are Dog Training Collars?

Today I want to discuss a little about dog training collars.  More specifically, what are they and how do they work?  When many people think of dog training collars they think of "shock" collars and then many people freak out thinking that you are the most horrible person in the world to be "shocking" your dog.  No people, we are not in this to cause any harm to any dog.  We love our dogs and would never do them any harm as we know you love yours and feel the same way.  The stimulation that the dog will receive from one of these collars can be compared to the mild stimulation or electric shock that you may experience if you walk around the carpet in your sock feet and then touch a metal surface.  Does it hurt? No.  But it will get your attention and that is what we want to do here with the training collars.  So, for the sake of this discussion, let's just call these systems by the name many professionals use, which is electric collars or Ecollars for short.

What is an Ecollar?  An Ecollar is a device used as a training aid to assist you with obedience training for your dog.  Ecollars are operated by using a remote switch that will send a signal to the collar your dog wears.  The stimulation on the collar can be modified to increase or decrease the stimulation depending on your dogs sensitivity level.  Depending on the model of your training collar, you can correct behavior in your dog from a distance of twenty feet to over a mile.  The purpose of the training collar is to provide an undesirable distraction via the stimulation of the collar.  When the dog obeys your commands they will quickly learn to avoid the unpleasant stimulus.

Again, these training systems are meant to serve as an aid in obedience training.  Take this seriously!  This is not something you are doing with your dog just for the fun of it.  To reiterate, the shock that the dog receives is minimal!  If however, you are still hung up on the fact that your dog is going to receive any shock at all, then keep in mind that many of these training systems will also come with an option on the device that allows you to use a vibration or tone rather than a shock to correct unwanted behavior.  So, as with many things in life, you have options.  Do your research.  Find out which device would work best for you and your dog or which device you would feel most comfortable using.

I hope that I have at least scratched the surface of what a training collar is and how it works.  If you have any questions or comments then please feel free to ask.  As always, check us out on our website, badddogsupplies.com.  We have many quality dog supply products there and would love to help you in any way we can.  If we don't have what you are looking for then just let us know and we will assist you in your search and help you find what you need.

GPS Dog Trackers for Hunting

Hunting season is here!  If you are a hunter that uses dogs for tracking, then the GPS Dog Trackers are a great resource!  When it comes to GPS tracking devices there are a couple of different options.  The one that most hunters will use though is the handheld version.

GPS dog tracking devices, much like the GPS devices in your vehicles, utilize assisted global positioning satellite technology to track your dog.  A handheld GPS dog tracker will consist of two parts.  The first is the transmitting unit which is worn by your pet as a collar and the second is the receiver which is your handheld device.  There are many different types of handheld GPS dog trackers available and you will need to do your research to see what is the best fit for you.  Some of the units are even waterproof.  Still others, like the Garmin Astro 220, can track multiple dogs at one time.

Here are some things that you may want to check out before making your final purchase on a GPS dog tracker.  Check the battery life as some are up to 24 hours only.  Check what areas the device will work in, including its range.  Many of the devices will work in dense cover and if that is where you and your pet are going to be, then that is something you are definitely going to need to consider.  The ranges of the devices vary as well with the average range being anywhere from three to seven miles.  The SportDog TEK-V1LT-Collar for example can track up to twelve dogs at a time for up to seven miles.  As mentioned earlier, some devices are waterproof.  If you are going to be hunting with Fido in the snow or damp conditions then you will need the waterproof device.  Hunting is a sport for you and your dog or dogs but safety for you and them is still very important so check to see if the device has any options to alert you if your dog is in trouble.  Finally, check your pet size and get the right device based on the size of your dog.  If you buy a device meant for large dogs and you have a smaller dog then the device may not work properly.

This blog is only meant as some very basic information as you begin your research on GPS dog trackers.  Use this as a guideline on what to look for as you begin your search and before you make the final purchase, be sure that device you are looking at has everything you need or want.  At baddogsupplies we have many different options available to you when looking for a GPS dog tracker.  Come by our website and see what we have to offer.  As always, we are more than happy to look for something that we may not have on our website.