Category Archives: Reviews

Keep Curious Dogs Safe with COVERPLUG

When bringing a dog into your home, one of the most important parts of preparation is dog proofing. Whether it’s a tiny puppy or an older rescue dog, you can never tell how a dog will react in a new environment. Your previous dog may have stayed away from garbage cans and electrical cords, but that doesn’t mean a new dog will behave the same way. So great products like the COVERPLUG really help to make your home safer.

One of the main ways dogs, especially puppies, learn to identify objects is by using their mouths. If your dog encounters an electrical outlet and becomes curious, your dog will most likely sniff and then lick the outlet. This could have disastrous, even deadly consequences. But this kind of disaster can easily be avoided by using COVERPLUGs. All you need to do is take the COVERPLUG and gently push the two prongs on the backside of the cover into the circular ground holes of your electrical outlet. The cover fits securely in place, enclosing the entire outlet and wall plate. COVERPLUG won’t fall out of place or get knocked off by a wagging tail, but can easily be removed by some gentle tugging from an adult. It’s a quick, non-permanent dog or baby proofing solution for electrical outlets.

If your dog is like mine, he or she may enjoy the occasional nap under the bed or the couch. These locations are very important for dog proofing, as it is hard for you to watch your pet while he or she is under the furniture. You may have electrical outlets behind the couch or the bed and you can’t tell your pet to stay away from them if you can’t see what’s happening. With outlet covers like COVERPLUG, you don’t have to worry about what you can’t see, because you know your pet will be safe.

Dogs can be unpredictable in their attention. You never know when they may get a crazy idea in their head to suddenly examine an object that they’ve ignored for years. Sadie has done this on many occasions, so to me it makes perfect sense to cover our outlets, because you never know if Sadie may one day wake up and wonder what the heck those little white/black circles are. It’s also worth mentioning that you may want to consider outlet covers if you decide to change the faceplates around your outlets. The new plates may smell different, making your dog curious enough to investigate the outlet.

The COVERPLUG is proudly made in the USA. The surface of the COVERPLUG is designed to be painted to match your wall color, so that the cover will seamlessly blend in with any wall. Or you can go the opposite route and make a fun project of creatively decorating your COVERPLUG so that you have a new little piece of artwork on your wall.

Visit COVERPLUG.com to find out more and get your own package of two COVERPLUGs on Amazon for $8.95.

Or you can win a set right now! Check out the giveaway below!

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This post is part of the Thoughtless Thursday blog hop hosted by Ruckus the Eskie, Love is Being Owned By a Husky, and M.K. Clinton.

This post is also part of the Thursday Barks and Bytes blog hop hosted by 2 Brown Dawgs and Heart Like A Dog.

This post contains affiliate links. YourDesignerDog was given a free product to try in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts and impressions about said product.

Car Safety Begins with a Booster Seat

In my opinion, the best tool to keep your little dog safe in the car is a booster seat. I’ve had one in my car for Sadie ever since she was a puppy and it is something we wouldn’t live without. Recently Sadie and I were given the chance to try out a new Deluxe Pet Booster Seat from Devoted Doggy and we love this new seat!

The Deluxe Pet Booster Seat is secured to the seat of your car with two straps, one around the seat back, and one around the headrest. It’s easy to install and easy to move if you want to switch it from the front or back seats. The strap that hangs around the headrest is adjustable so that you can raise or lower the seat to give your dog a better view out of the window. It also collapses for easy storage when the back and headrest straps are not in use.

For safety, there is a strap attached to the booster seat that hooks on your dog’s harness. The strap helps to keep your dog safely inside the seat in case of sudden stops or sharp turns. It also keeps excited pups from jumping out of their seats and possibly distracting the driver. Sadie is able to stand up, move around, and change positions comfortably, while still safely strapped into the booster.

The interior of the bed is soft and cushy for your dog’s comfort. It has a liner of sherpa-style fabric that can be removed and washed after the inevitable muddy car ride. Sadie loves to snuggle down in her booster seat for a nice nap, especially when she wants to avoid the sun. But there is also enough room for her to stretch out. Sometimes she enjoys using the side of the booster seat to rest her chin, and sometimes she rests her head on the headrest strap.

This particular model of booster seat has a convenient pocket in the front of the seat. It has a zipper closure so you won’t lose your belongings. In the above photo, I’ve got Sadie’s leash stored in the pocket so it will be handy when we’re ready to get out of the car.

The Deluxe Pet Booster Seat is available on Amazon for $39.95. It’s made to hold pets up to 20lbs and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

This post is part of the Thursday Barks and Bytes blog hop hosted by 2 Brown Dawgs and Heart Like A Dog.

This post is also part of the Thoughtless Thursday blog hop hosted by Ruckus the Eskie, Love Is Being Owned By a Husky, and M.K. Clinton.

I received this product free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own and I received no monetary compensation for this post. Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I will receive compensation for any sales resulting from clicking on those links.

Sadie’s Summer Style from Micha Doggy Wear

Sadie is looking stylish this summer thanks to her adorable new shirt from Micha Doggy Wear! This Hawaiian shirt is one of the cutest pieces of doggy clothing I have ever seen. It’s just like a miniature version of a Hawaiian shirt for people! It has three buttons down the front and a cute little collar, exactly like a human shirt, but tailored perfectly to fit a dog!

Sadie feels perfectly comfortable wearing her Hip Hawaiian Shirt. Occasionally when Sadie doesn’t want to wear what I’ve put on her, she protests by refusing to move. But Sadie happily runs around the yard wearing this shirt. We ordered the size large, which fits perfectly on my 14 pound Yorkipoo.

The bright colors and the flowers and palm trees pattern are perfect for some summer fun. The shirt is 100% cotton, allowing for maximum comfort even in the summer sun. In these photos Sadie is hanging out on her surfboard, enjoying some sun in the backyard wearing her Micha Doggy Wear Hawaiian shirt.

In addition to offering great quality, stylish dog clothing, Micha Doggy Wear is a company with heart. All of the designs were inspired by life with the owner’s adorable rescue dog, Micha. Micha was rescued from a shelter/dog sanctuary in Korea, where she lived for two years without hope of adoption due to a birth defect. As a thank you for the great care Micha received during her stay at the Busan Abandoned Pet Sanctuary, a portion of the proceeds from MichaDoggyWear.com will be donated back to the shelter so that many more animals can receive the help and care they need.

Check out MichaDoggyWear.com to get your own Hip Hawaiian Shirt for $19.99 or browse their other adorable designs.

This post is part of the Thoughtless Thursday blog hop hosted by Ruckus the Eskie, Love Is Being Owned By a Husky, and M.K. Clinton.

This post is also part of the Thursday Barks and Bytes blog hop hosted by 2 Brown Dawgs and Heart Like A Dog.

I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. I was given a free product to try in exchange for my honest opinions and experiences.

Does Your Dog Have a Driver’s License Yet?

Sadie is super excited today because her driver’s license just arrived in the mail! She immediately ran and grabbed my car keys, ready to put her new license to use. She even got behind the wheel of the car! Unfortunately for Sadie, this new license doesn’t really allow her to drive. It’s actually a cute new type of dog ID tag from DoggieID.com.

The state license ID tag is a whimsical alternative to the traditional dog tag. It looks just like a miniature license from the state of your choice. Personally I was very tempted to order a Hawaiian license tag for Sadie, because the rainbow design makes Hawaii’s licenses the prettiest of the 50 states. But Sadie and I live in New Jersey, so in the end we ordered the New Jersey ID tag. We’ve already received quite a few compliments during our walks from other dog owners amused by this unique style of ID tag.

The tag itself is small enough to fit comfortably on my little dog, but can be read easily. It feels like laminated plastic, so it should be reasonably durable but won’t make the annoying, jangling sounds of metal tags. And it comes with not only the standard key ring to attach to your dog’s collar, but with a mini carabiner clip, so you easily move it from one collar to another. Each Doggie ID tag is made in the USA and is backed by a lifetime guarantee.

The state license dog ID tags are available for $18.95 from DoggieID.com. I think they make a pretty unique gift for the dog owner in your life and are even conveniently shipped in a little gift pouch. You can even win one right now using the form below! One winner will be randomly selected one week from today to win one free state license tag from Doggie ID!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This post is part of the Thoughtless Thursday blog hop hosted by Ruckus the Eskie, Love Is Being Owned By a Husky, and M.K. Clinton.

This post is also part of the Thursday Barks and Bytes blog hop hosted by 2 Brown Dawgs and Heart Like A Dog.

I was not given any monetary compensation for this blog post. I was given a free product to review. All views are my own, unbiased opinions.

Wisdom Panel 3.0 – DNA Testing for Dogs

Have you ever wondered exactly which breed(s) of dog you have? Did you know that your dog’s DNA can give you important information about the health of your dog? Many dog breeds are prone to specific genetic conditions, and knowing what to look out for can help save your dog’s life. The Wisdom Panel 3.0 Canine DNA Test by Mars Veterinary can tell you all that information and more!

The newest Wisdom Panel 3.0 Canine DNA test recognizes over 250 dog breeds and varieties and can be used on purebred, mixed-breed, or designer dogs. Your dog’s DNA sample is compared to over 10,000 genetic profiles in the Wisdom Panel database! The test provides breed information for three prior generations, meaning you’ll find out which breeds were your dog’s great-grandparents! This information is particularly helpful when training your dog, as many breeds excel at specific types of activities. It can also help you understand some of your dog’s instinctive behaviors, which can be greatly influenced by a dog’s breed ancestry.

The DNA test results will also include a projected weight profile which will explain the typical weight for your breed of dog. This can be very useful in helping your dog maintain a healthy diet. You should share your DNA testing results with your dog’s veterinarian, who can use this information to provide better, more specific care for your furbaby.

Also included with this new DNA test is MDR1 Genetic Mutation screening. MDR1 stands for multi-drug resistance 1. This condition, which is especially common in herding and sighthound breeds, causes a problem with absorption of certain medications into a dog’s body. Dogs with this genetic condition can have severe reactions to some common drugs. By getting a Wisdom Panel DNA test, you can find out if your dog has this genetic mutation and can discuss the situation with your veterinarian to be prepared if your dogs needs medication. Click here to see a list of medications and dog breeds most affected by MDR1.

A Wisdom Panel 3.0 at home testing kit includes instructions, DNA cheek swabs, drying inserts for the swabs, and a prepaid return shipping box. You need one kit for each dog you want to test. The process is simple: you just swab along your dog’s gum line for 15 seconds, mail in the sample, and wait for the results. It typically takes two to three weeks to get your results once the lab receives your dog’s cheek swab.

To find out more about the Wisdom Panel 3.0 Canine DNA Test go to wisdompanel.com. Or visit Wisdom Panel on YouTube for testimonials about the Wisdom Panel DNA tests. You can purchase the at home kit online for $84.99. You can also follow Wisdom Panel and Mars Veterinary on social media for news, updates and special events.

Or you can speak to representatives from Wisdom Panel in person and get great discounts at the following events throughout 2015:

(In person DNA testing is offered at the discounted price of $39.99 and at home kits can be purchased at these events for $49.99.)

GoPRO Mountain Games in Vail, Colorado
Amazing Pet Expo in Austin, Texas
Mars Pet Adoption Fair in Franklin, Tennessee
Amazing Pet Expo Holiday in Los Angeles, California

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Mars Veterinary Wisdom Panel 3.0.