Best Dog-Friendly Air Freshener: It Works Everywhere

August 28, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Indigo Wild Air Freshener Review

Wild Indigo Air Freshener Review — Carlos Die Banyuls/Adobe Stock

Sharing our homes and vehicles with dogs can get a bit smelly. While dogs should have minimal body odor, they can still emit noxious gas at times. Plus, a wet dog can smell musty for hours and that smell lingers for days. Instead of using chemical-filled plug-in air fresheners or spraying synthetic air fresheners frantically, give this natural option a try.

Zum-tastic Air Freshener

As a professional dog trainer, I’ve tried thousands of dog-friendly air fresheners. Most products mask odors instead of eliminating them, and they just don’t cut through stinky dog smells quickly and effectively enough.

When searching for the perfect dog-friendly air freshener, I researched natural options that eliminated odors and left a pleasant fragrance behind. Since dogs have an amazing sense of smell, I found chemical and synthetic air fresheners caused dogs to sniff, cough and generally avoid a previously sprayed area. This was a hint that something was wrong. I tried several natural air fresheners, but they all left a light scent that just didn’t cut through dog farts—sorry to be so candid.

After years of searching, I found my favorite natural air freshener ever! Look no further: You must try Indigo Wild YUM MIST doggie spritzer. This stuff smells amazing, and contains purified water, pure essential oils and vegetable glycerin; that’s it!

Indigo Wild’s air freshener is chemical- and alcohol-free, and it’s safe enough to spray on your dog too. While the essential oil ingredient list skips specific oil names, this blend smells like frankincense with hints of lemon, patchouli and lavender. Not only will this freshener knock out odors, this clean scent will also linger for hours. Honestly, the price is extremely reasonable too. An $11 bottle lasts at least six months with daily use.

How to Use

Spritz your home with this air freshener daily. It works really well inside vehicles too. Spray your vehicle’s interior liberally when your dog is not inside. During road trips, if your dog lets a fart rip, spray one pump and it’s gone—voila! This product works so well that we use it as a bathroom spray too.

Do know I don’t work for this company nor do I receive any type of compensation for reviews or recommendations. I just love this product and company! P.S. Their dog shampoo bar smells amazing too!

How And When To Use A Long Dog Leash

August 23, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Walking Your Dog on a Long Leash

Most pet owners feel short dog leashes are restrictive, so they dream of walking their dogs off leash. While this thought process is understandable, it’s not a safe option. Leashes are used as safety lines because they prevent dogs from running away, accidentally walking into roadways, and running up to strange dogs and people. There’s a reason states are issuing mandatory leash laws and that’s because leashes save dogs’ lives. The solution? Use a long dog leash.

Walking a dog on a long leash will provide your dog a sense of freedom, yet keep him safely contained. Before teaching your dog to walk on a long leash, you should first understand how and when to use a long dog leash. Plus, you’ll need to teach your dog a certain skill set before wandering around.

Choosing a Long Dog Leash

Safe long leashes are between 8- to 15-feet long and are made of nylon. These leashes look like super long leashes with a soft hand loop on one end and a sturdy clip on the other end. Retractable leashes are not considered safe long leashes. They’re not user-friendly due to the fickle “stop” button and the weak leash attachments inside the handle. Safe long leashes are sold in most pet retailers and online.

Use Only With a Body Harness

To keep your dog safe, only attach a long leash to your dog’s body harness. Long leashes attached to collars are extremely harmful and can cause permanent damage to a dog’s neck. Attach a long leash to your dog’s harness back clip and not the front one (i.e. located on your dog’s chest) to prevent sudden injury.

Use a Long Line Once a Dog Has Learned Polite Behaviors

Long leashes provide dogs more freedom, but dogs must have a certain skill set before walking 15 feet ahead of pet owners. Once your dog will walk politely (won’t pull) on leash 90% of the time, then it’s time to practice these behaviors using a long line.

Your dog should also respond 90% of the time to the cues below to ensure you and your dog are safe during walks with a long leash.

As an example, dogs walking on a longer leash are able to chase small vermin or gobble up discarded food before pet owners are able to see it. If you’re not sure if your dog will respond to these cues, it’s best to use a 6-foot nylon leash instead of a long line.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Think of holding a long leash like a fishing pole; pet owners must constantly adjust the line tension, depending on their dog’s location. [/perfectpullquote]

Start With a Shorter Leash First

Walking a dog on a long leash can be challenging for the pet owner because certain handling skills are needed. Before loading up your dog and going for a walk in the woods using a 15-foot leash, practice reeling in a long leash. Think of holding a long leash like a fishing pole; pet owners must constantly adjust the line tension, depending on their dog’s location. Start slow, let out 8 feet of leash at first, and then slowly increase 1-2 feet of leash based on your environment.

Long leashes should not touch the ground during walks. Keeping it above ground prevents the leash from tangling around a dog’s legs and trees. When your dog walks closer to you, gather up the extra leash in your hands. This may seem cumbersome, but with lots of practice, it becomes an automatic response as a dog moves back and forth.

WATCH: How and When to Use a Long Dog Leash

Keep Allergies At Bay With This Pet Air Purifier

August 2, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Best Air Purifier for Pet Dander and Allergies

Living with dogs means our homes are probably covered in dog hair and dander; it’s part of sharing your home with a dog. While it’s frustrating because of the required frequent dusting, mopping and vacuuming as well as the persistent allergies, there is one device that can keep pet dander and fur to a minimum.

Pet air purifiers remove pollution from the air circulating throughout your home, including dog dander. If you or your family member suffer from allergies, you’ll want to check out our recommendation for the best pet air purifier on the market. Not only is this brand listed as a top recommended air purifier, but I’ve also personally used two units for 10 years with great success.

Causes of Pet Allergies

If you share your home with a dog, there’s inevitably going to be dog dander floating around your home. Most pet owners seek “hypoallergenic” dogs, but there’s no such dog breed. Don’t believe the dog breeders who market puppies for allergy prone people and children. All dogs shed and produce dander. Some breeds may not shed hair onto the floor, but they may lose hair that eventually collect inside a non-shedding dog’s coat.

Allergy prone individuals are not allergic to dog hair; instead, they’re allergic to dog dander. Dogs shed skin cells that float in the air, and then collect onto furniture and flooring. It’s impossible to prevent dog dander, so it’s best to bathe dogs weekly and invest in a good air purifier.

How Air Purifiers Remove Pet Allergies

As air purifiers filter indoor air, the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) air filter removes small pollution particles and emits clear air back into the room. When choosing a pet air purifier, it’s important to choose one large enough to filter an entire room. Many purifiers can easily filter air in a small or medium bedroom. For a large room, such as your living room or common area, choose a larger purifier. An air purifier that has a HEPA filter will remove pet dander and provide the best air quality.

Best Pet Air Purifier Brand

With many brands to choose from, the best pet air purifier brand is Austin Air Purifiers. Austin Air offers an air purifier that specifically targets pet dander called the Austin Air Pet Machine. Not only will this air filter remove pet dander from inside your home, but it will also remove other allergens, viruses and bacteria within 1,500 square feet. While this brand is a bit pricey, it does an amazing job and will keep allergies at bay.

7 Tips For Bike Riding With Your Dog

July 5, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Biking With Dogs Safely

As temperatures warm up and daylight lingers just a bit longer, pet owners are taking advantage of the summer months with their dogs. While many pet owners choose to go on a walk, some enjoy biking with their dogs. Before grabbing your dog and bicycle, check out these dog safety tips first.

1. Size of Dog Matters

When humans pedal bikes, they move really fast, so only bike with a dog that can keep up. Think twice before exercising with an energetic Chihuahua, terrier or hyperactive young puppy. Small dogs must run at maximum capacity during a bike ride, and it’s impossible for them to comfortably maintain this speed.

Additionally, biking with a dog under two years old is highly discouraged because adolescent dogs are still growing, and high impact exercise can cause permanent damage. Ideally, it’s best to bike ride with healthy medium or large-sized dogs over two years old.

2. Introduce Dog to Bike First

Bikes are spooky to dogs, especially if dogs haven’t been introduced to one before. Think about it from a dog’s perspective: Bikes are big and move awkwardly plus they can run over dog toes.

To get your dog used to a bike, push your bike alongside slowly during a walk. If your dog still avoids your bike, have a friend push your bike during walks. Once your dog is comfortable with a moving bike right next to him, it’s time to bike slowly.

3. Position is Key

Teach your dog to hang out on the side of your bike. Your dog should not cross over in front while you’re riding. Better yet, use a safety device to hold your dog’s leash in place. This way, you can use both hands to steer your bike.

My favorite is the Springer Dog Exerciser. This device attaches to your bike and keeps your dog safely away from moving bike wheels. Before riding off into the sunset, attach your dog to this safety device and push your bike around for a few days.

4. Start Slow

Once you’ve installed a bike safety leash attachment and your dog is comfortable walking next to a moving bike, it’s time for a slow and short bike ride. Start by pedaling slowly up and down your driveway, which includes turns to the left and right. Reward your dog with tiny bits of yummy treats for moving with the bike.

After a few practice sessions on your driveway, try biking with your dog about a block away from your home. Continue to move slowly, so your dog learns to enjoy jogging alongside your bike.

Increasing distance and duration will slowly build your dog’s endurance. Each week, add 2-3 minutes to your bike ride. Don’t expect your dog to run at maximum speed for longer than a few minutes, so slow down and provide multiple breaks for your dog. Offer your dog plenty of water and potty breaks during exercise sessions. Take it slow.

5. Skip Warm & Hot Days

When it’s above 80 degrees, it’s probably a bit too warm for long bike rides with dogs. Your dog is covered with a fur coat that traps heat and causes him to warm up quickly. During hot summer days, bike ride with your dog early in the morning. If you’re biking with your dog at night or during dark early mornings, ensure your bike and your dog’s collar contain reflective strips. Better yet, skip hot and humid days.

6. Check Paw Pads Frequently

Your dog’s paw pads will take a beating during bike rides, especially on concrete and asphalt roads. Starting slowly provides time for a dog’s paw pad to adjust to rough surfaces, but sometimes it’s too much.

Before a bike ride, stand on a sidewalk or road with bare feet. If you’re unable to stand on it yourself, then your dog should not run or walk on it. Hot pavement will burn pads, but excessive running on hard surfaces can burn pads too. Check your dog’s paw pads often during bike rides. Choose sidewalks that have grassy areas. These will be much easier on your dog’s paw pads.

7. Allow Your Dog to Set the Pace

When walking, jogging or biking with a dog, it’s important to allow your dog to set the pace. Dogs feel most comfortable trotting when they’re able to cover ground effortlessly. Running at maximum speed is too much for a dog, so watch your dog’s gait as you vary speeds on your bike. Slow down and watch your dog’s movement for an easy trot, then adjust your pedaling speed to maintain that trot.

Post pictures of your dog biking with you below. We want to see!

From a Dog Trainer: Most Comfortable Dog Harness

June 12, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Ruffwear Front Range Harness Review

As a professional dog trainer, I tend to focus on dog training equipment. One such equipment every dog needs is a comfortable dog harness.

With that said, dogs shouldn’t wear one every day, but they should wear a comfortable harness to vet visits, on walks and so forth.

In this post, we’ll review my favorite dog harness: the Ruffwear Front Range Harness. Read on to learn why I’m completely in love with this harness!

Adjustable Fit

An easily adjustable dog harness, with multiple adjustment points, is the secret to a well fitting harness. With so many different dog breeds, including mixed breeds and dogs with wide chests, having an adjustable harness with wide straps is vital.

The Ruffwear Front Range Harness is not only adjustable, but it also has a large collar area. This prevents the harness from riding up or restricting a dog’s airway. Also, all straps can be easily unbuckled, so you don’t have to push your dog’s legs into the harness.

Super Comfy

The soft foam padding around the shoulder and chest area makes this dog harness very comfortable. For the most part, the majority of pressure is applied on and around a dog’s shoulder and chest during walks. This prevents chaffing, especially for short-coated dogs with little or no hair.

In addition, each adjustable strap gives and takes as a dog pulls, or moves around, which prevents chaffing and rubbing too.

Doesn’t Restrict Shoulder Movement

So many well-intended harnesses restrict a dog’s shoulder movement due to straps positioned right behind a dog’s front legs. This strap placement coupled with a strap wrapped around the front part of a dog’s chest makes it difficult for a dog to fully extend his forelimbs when walking, trotting or running. When shoulder movement is restricted, this puts pressure on the rest of a dog’s body, which can cause issues later on.

Plus, straps positioned this way will rub and chaff behind a dog’s front legs, which is extremely painful and can happen within minutes of a walk. The Front Range Harness allows plenty of room between a dog’s forelimbs, so dogs are able to use their full range of motion.

Great for Pulling Dogs

For the most part, I’ve stayed away from non-training harnesses because most dogs pull on leash. Seriously though, what’s fun about walking a pulling freight train down the road?

Many pet owners use front attachment training harnesses for strong pulling dogs, but these dog harnesses restrict a dog’s movement. Ruffwear’s Front Range Harness combines comfort, security and a secure front attachment that prevents dogs from pulling while on leash—hurray!

Super Secure

Sometimes, dogs will learn specific ninja moves, so they can flip and twist right out of their harness, which is scary. Ruffwear’s harness has multiple adjustable attachments that should fit snuggly.

Loose harnesses will chaff, and dogs can easily escape them, so ensure your dog’s harness is adjusted correctly.

Give this comfortable dog harness a try, and tell them Dog Training Nation sent you!