Dog Water Dispensers

Does it seem like every time you turn around your dog is out of water again?  I have two dogs in my home (sometimes three when we are dog sitting), and it seemed as though we were constantly refilling the water bowl!  I mean, I am glad they are taking in the water they need, but there were times they were out by the time I got home in the evening.  I have a solution for you!  Automatic watering dispensers.

There are many different types of watering dispensers.  You can buy a portable watering dispenser or not.  You can even buy watering fountains for indoors or outdoors.  Many of the automatic water dispensers will come with a bottle on top much like a water cooler dispenser that will keep the bowl full as the water gets low.  Some of these type of dispensers will come with a carbonated filtration system, again much like a water cooler dispenser.  The dog watering fountains are the ones that are often used outside.  These type of systems will often work by an ultrasonic sensing technology that works by sensing the presence of your dog and then turns the fountain on.  These types of systems can often times be connected to an outdoor water faucet.  Even though these systems are often used outside, you can also buy watering fountains for inside.  There are also electronic watering systems that use more of a reservoir as opposed to a water bottle.  These systems will create a bubbling effect to keep the water oxygenated and they do not require a filter. 

So, as you can see from above, there are many different types of automatic watering systems or fountains.  You just have to find the one that will work best for the set up in your home as well as the size dog you are buying it for.  We carry a wide range of these systems at baddogsupplies.  So please come by and check us out.  As always, we are here to answer any of your questions about any of the products we carry and if we don't have what you are looking for, we would be happy to research other products for you. 

Tips for traveling with your dog (s)

The last big holiday weekend of the summer is upon us. 

 Triple A has forecasted that about 33 million people will be traveling at least 50 miles or more this holiday weekend.  Of those millions of people traveling, many are bringing their dogs with them.  So, is your dog or dogs prepared for their journey, or should I say, have you prepared for your dog's journey?  I hope to offer some helpful travel tips for you and your pets.

Those people traveling by air really only have two options.  If you are traveling with a small dog then many airlines will allow you to bring your small dog on board with you in a pet carrier that will fit under the seat in front of you.  However, if you are traveling with a larger dog, then you will need to make sure that you have a crate large enough to make your dog comfortable during the flight.  Keep in mind though, that even though Fido is our beloved best friend, to the airlines, he or she is just another piece of cargo and may be treated as such. 

With the economy the way that it is, many people are still traveling but maybe not as far and therefore have just decided to travel by automobile.  This is probably a better option for your dog or dogs.  But, you still need to make sure that your dog is ready for the trip in the vehicle.  Usually, our dogs are accustomed to trips in our vehicles when they have to visit their vet.  But, if that is their only experiece with riding in the car, you may want to drive them to a few other places before your longer trip, say a trip to the dog park.  This will help your dog become less anxious while traveling.  Ideally, you should be stopping at least every three hours to give your pets plenty of breaks so they can get out and use the restroom, get a drink, and just stretch their legs.

When you travel you want to plan ahead and make sure you have the following supplies:  dog collar with up to date name tag and contact information, a leash for when you let them out to stretch or walk them,  water bowl, treats, one or two toys, doggie bags to pick up waste, blanket or dog bed, medications if needed, and either a dog seat belt or dog crate/kennel/carrier. 

No matter what your mode of transportation, you also want to plan ahead to where you will be staying.  If you are going to be staying in a hotel/motel, make sure they approve pets and what their fees are.  You are staying with friends or relatives then again you may want to check out their rules in regards to pets and what kind of area your pet will be able to get around in.  If you know that the home you are visiting does not have a fence or if you are staying in a campground where there are no fences to keep your pet in his or her area, then a wireless dog fence would be a perfect solution for you.  The wireless dog fences are easy to install in usually less than an hour and are very portable so you can take them anywhere.  You many even want to consider an indoor containment system if you are going to be staying with someone who does not want the dog in certain sections or parts of the home. 

The key for your upcoming long weekend trip is to plan ahead.  While you are packing for yourself just make sure you are packing everything you need for your dog or dogs as well.  At baddogsupplies we carry almost everything you will need for your trip.  Check us out.  As always, if we don't have what you need or want then let us know so we can try and add it to our product list. 

I hope this has helped you plan for your trip and have a great and safe long weekend!

Using Dog Bark Control Collars

How do dog bark control collars work?  First, let me start by saying that there are different types of dog bark control collars that are used to control nuisance dog barking.  The different types of collars are as follows:  citronella collar which will emit an unpleasant odor in front of the dogs face when she or he barks, a tone correction bark collar which will emit a loud noise to distract the dog when he or she starts to bark, and a stimulation bark collar which will emit an electrical impulse once the dog begins to bark.  All three types of collars are very effective in curbing nuisance dog barking and the one you choose for your dog is really up to you and the type of correction you think will work best for your dog. 

All three types of collars work by emitting one of the three types of stimulus discussed above when the dog begins to bark.  The corrective stimulus interrupts the dogs barking and the dog will then associate the barking behavior with the corrective stimulus to help stop the barking. 

As with any training device, the amount of time it takes to train your dog with a bark control collar will vary from one dog to another.  The bark control collars (http://www.baddogsupplies.com/collars.html)

are not meant to be worn forever and are again used only as a training tool to curb your dogs nuisance barking behaviors.  Now remember, you are talking about dogs and they are meant to bark.  That is their nature.  What you are trying to do with a bark control collar is control nuisance barking. 

So, if you are trying to control nuisance dog barking then try a dog bark control collar (http://www.baddogsupplies.com/collars.html).  They come in different types as discussed above and some are automatic and some are handheld.  The automatic types will pick up on the vibration of your dogs bark from their vocal cord and then initiate the response whereas the handheld ones will be manual stimulation that you provide through a handheld device once the dog begins the nuisance barking.

As stated, there are different types of collars.  All are safe for your dogs and all are effective.  Pick the one that you think will work best for your dog and begin training your dog today and you will soon get rid of that nuisance dog barking behavior that you and your neighbors are annoyed with. 

As always,  check us out at baddogsupplies.com for all of your dog supply needs.  If we don't have it, let us know so we can find it for you. 

How Do You Train Your Dog with a Dog Containment System?

As mentioned in previous blogs, it is important to use your wireless or in-ground dog fences as a tool in training your dog or dogs.  Your dog will learn the boundaries through the visual aids with the flags that you set up around the perimeter as well as with your voice commands.  The in-ground or wireless dog fences are additional aids in learning.  


We have mentioned it in the past and we will reiterate that you do need to utilize the flags with training so that the dog has a visual aid.  This will especially be useful if you have a dog that has hearing problems because they may not hear the warning signal from your in-ground or wireless fence, so they can use the flags to guide them.  During the training period, you do want ample flags.  The flags should be left in place for at least two weeks but may remain in place for up to one month.  Once into the training and after the initial two weeks, then you may want to slowly start to decrease the amount of flags that are present.  


It is recommended that you start the training with the dog containment systems with dogs that are about three months old.  But, these systems can be used at any age and some dogs may need to be trained sooner if they are a little more advanced.  You can still use these systems with older dogs too.  The actual amount of training that a dog will need in order to learn this system will vary on the dog itself as well as the amount of time you spend with the dogs and your experience.  On average, if you spend at least ten minutes a day with your dog, then it should take roughly two to three weeks to train your dog with the dog containment systems.  The recommendation is to spend the first week training your dog while the dog is on a leash, then one week with a 20-30 foot line, then the last week with the dog off the leash.

Now, to get down to the actual training and what you will actually do with the dog to begin training.  With the first week, while the dog is on his or her leash, you will begin to walk the dog toward the boundary with the collar next to his or her ear.  When you hear the collar beep, hit the flag with your hand and rush your dog  back toward the center of the yard.  Praise your dog at this point.  After your have completed this training for one week while the dog is on a leash, then start adding some distractions for the dog.  Try to let the dog correct himself.  If the dog does not run back towards the center of the yard as trained, then use the leash to guide the dog back towards the center of the yard.  As stated above, after you have done this step for at least one week while the dog is on a leash then you will switch to using a long line.  Again, once you have worked with the dog some time with this step then you will need to add distractions.  You will then spend at least one weeks time training the dog off the leash and with you out of the dogs line of vision.  


If you have found in the past that your dog or dogs are more difficult to train then you may want to consider a stubborn dog containment system such as the Petsafe In-Ground Stubborn Dog Fence, (http://www.baddogsupplies.com/catalog/item/8482923/9419887.htm).


As always, please visit us at baddogsupplies.com for all of your dog supply needs.  If we don't have what you are looking for then let us know and we will do our best to find it.  

Are In-ground Dog Fences Cruel and Unusual Punishment?

One of the biggest questions that comes to peoples minds when they are considering in-ground dog fences is, "Is It Safe for My Dog?"  Because an in-ground dog fence will deliver a small electric shock through the collar that the dog wears around its neck, people are concerned whether this is cruel to their dogs.  Let me start by saying, I love my dogs very much!  I would never do anything to them nor would I recommend anyone else do anything to their dogs that I thought was going to cause them harm.  That being said, in-ground dog fences are meant to train your dogs.  If you use them as such, then you should have nothing to worry about.  

The dog containment systems (http://www.baddogsupplies.com/fences.html) are set up so that your dog will first receive a warning beep if they get to close to the boundary.  If they continue towards the boundary at that point then they will also get the small electric shock.  Now, the shock that your animal is getting is about the equivalent of you receiving a small electric shock after you have been shuffling around in your sock feet in your carpet and then touch a metal object.  Does it hurt, NO, but it will get your attention real quick.  That is what these systems are meant to do.  Most of your dog containment systems will also come with the flags which you set up around the boundary so that your dogs can also see where the boundary is as you begin to train them.  Additional flags are available if your dog containment system does not come with enough.  Yes, you do have to train them.  Putting the fence in place without training your dogs as to the boundary and consequences of crossing the boundary would be more cruel to your dog or dogs.

None of us, I hope, want to create any undue pain for our pets.  I hope you have pets because you are a pet lover to begin with.  But the small correction shock that your dog will feel as you train them with these systems is nothing in comparison to the pain that they will feel if they run off and are injured by a passing car or something else.  Besides that, by giving them an area in which they can run and play rather then chained up to one spot all day, you will be giving them much more freedom, happiness, and exercise.  

So, if the only thing holding you back from owning an in-ground dog fence or wireless dog fence is the concern of the correction, then you can rest assured that they will be just fine.  Many, many vets, trainers, and other individuals can vouch for the safety of these systems when they are used in the way they were designed for, which is for the training of your dog as to the perimeter of your yard.  

As always, we can help you with all of you dog containment system needs.  Visit us at:  http://www.baddogsupplies.com/page/page/8408616.htm for all of your dog supply needs.  I hope this has helped you so that you can make an informed choice when it comes to training your dog or dogs with an in-ground or wireless dog fence.

What In-Ground Dog Fence to Buy for Different Sized Dogs

     When you are searching for an in-ground dog fence, you want to make sure that you are going to select a fence that meets the size of your dog.  There are many great systems out there, so it should not be hard to find a dog containment system for your dog and your dog's size.  Here is some basic information that may be useful to you and a couple of sample systems that may work for your size dog or dogs.  
   If you have one, two, or even more large dogs that are all over fifteen pounds, then you have many options available to you for an in-ground dog fence.  One of the favorites is the Innotek IUC 4100  (http://www.baddogsupplies.com/catalog/item/8482923/9420417.htm).  People tend to like this system because it has three correction levels, a progressive correction setting, and it is rechargeable. The only down fall to this system is that you cannot control the correction level for each collar if you have multiple dogs. So, to use this system with multiple dogs, you really want them to all be over fifteen pounds. There is also the Petsafe In-Ground Stubborn Dog Fence or PIG00-10777 (http://www.baddogsupplies.com/catalog/item/8482923/9419895.htm) in your 20 gauge wire or PIG00-10777-HD which is the same fence but in the 18 gauge wire (http://www.baddogsupplies.com/catalog/item/8482923/9427896.htm)

     If you do happen to have two or more dogs and there is at least a thirty percent difference in their weights, then you too have options.  There are different systems out there that offer an option that allows you to control the correction level for each collar worn by the different dogs you have.  One such system is the Dogtra system.   This system also has the rechargeable batteries (http://www.baddogsupplies.com/catalog/item/8482923/9418831.htm)
This system is a little older and the collars are a little larger but is probably your best choice when it comes to different sized dogs.
     Now, when it comes to your smaller dogs or any dogs under twelve pounds, you also have some great options.  One of the options you have for your little dogs is the the Petsafe Elite System for little dogs or PIG00-10773-HD which is your eighteen gauge wire system
(http://www.baddogsupplies.com/catalog/item/8482923/9428027.htm), or the PIG00-10773 (http://www.baddogsupplies.com/catalog/item/8482923/9419900.htm), which is going to be the same fence in your twenty gauge wire system.  Some of the Petsafe systems will offer additional collars if you have larger dogs as well.  
     The above systems are as I stated, only a few of the many options available to you for your dogs.  Visit us at http://www.baddogsupplies.com/page/page/8408616.htm for all of your dog containment system needs.  While at our site check out some of our other great products that we carry that includes bark control collars, watering systems, GPS tracking systems, and much, much more.  

How to Install In-ground Dog Fences

So, you have done your research, purchased your first in-ground dog fence, and now you are ready for installation.  The purpose of this blog is just to cover the basics of installation of your new in-ground pet fence.  I have included the information you need to install the in-ground dog fence in the ground or install it without having to bury it.  Keep in mind that your dog containment systems will also come with their own guides on how to install that particular system.   Below are some steps to use as just another guide:


1.)  Before you start tearing up your yard and getting frustrated, you may want to just sit down with a pen and paper to sketch out where your dog containment system will go.  Once you have come up with the boundary perimeter, then draw a circle around the area that will represent the warning area and about 3 to 4 feet from the boundary perimeter draw another line to represent where the pet fence perimeter will be.  If you are going to have to cross any utility lines then you will need to contact your local utility company to have them mark their lines for you before you start digging.


2.)  Locate an area that you can place the radio transmitter.  You will probably want an exterior wall in an area that will have easy access to both the pet fence wiring and an electrical outlet.  You also want to choose a location that is going to be weatherproof to avoid getting water damage to your radio transmitter.  Once you have chosen a good location you can screw the radio transmitter into the wall with the screws that are usually provided. 


3.)  Next you will want to lay out the provided wire along the pet fence perimeter.  You are not yet doing your digging yet but you are getting close.  


4.)  Now you can attach the wire ends to the radio transmitter box.  There are different methods to do this depending on your dog containment system, so be sure to look at your systems instructions to correctly carry out this step.  Once the wiring has been attached you will want to plug the box  in to see if you have a complete circuit which will be indicated by the green indicator light and to make sure that the system is operating.  


5.)  At this point you want to test the dog fence.  Most of the systems will come with a test light strip to do this step.  All you need to do is place the test light over the shock plate or shock electrodes and walk toward the pet fence perimeter to see if you first get the warning beep or tone as you get closer and then the test light strip should light up to indicate that an electric shock is being emitted once you have continued forward toward the pet fence perimeter.


6.)  Now that you know the system is operating properly, you can bury the wire.  When you are installing the wire underground, it is easiest to use an edger to assist you in digging the hole.  The wire only needs to be in the ground about 2-3 inches but you can go deeper if you need to.  The best way to keep the wire underground is by digging the hole a little deeper and at an angle.  It is important to have the wire buried enough that you will not disturb it if you need to mow in that area.  If you have to lay the wire through an area that is heavily wooded, instead of burying the wire, you can leave the wire on the ground and use wire staples to hold it in place.


7.)  The last step you will need to do is to place the training flags that are provided with your dog containment systems in the ground to warn your pet and other people that there is a pet perimeter there and that crossing that perimeter with the pet collar will cause an electric shock.  


Now, if you are not going to be burying your wire at all, then simply follow all of the same steps as above up to the point where you start to bury the wire.  When you get to that point, you will be using the wire staples to hold the wire to the ground about every 5-6 feet but you may need to use additional staples to make sure the wire is flush with the ground.


A couple of other side notes would be this:  you do not want to weave the wire through an existing metal fence because it will interfere with the correct operation of the system.  Also,  if you have an existing fence, it is best to place your wire about a foot inside the existing fence.


There are many great dog containment systems that come with everything you need to install your in-ground dog fence ( http://www.baddogsupplies.com/inground_fences.html ).  Just make sure that if you are going to need additional wire for a larger size yard, that you also buy additional perimeter flags, as well as staples if needed.  


I hope that you have found this information helpful.  I have also included a link for a video that you can watch that will also cover many of these steps if you are more a visual person.  As always, you can hop on over to http://www.baddogsupplies.com/page/page/8408616.htm to find your dog containment system or the extras that you will need for installing that system.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYJZGpPq2BA&noredirect=1