Embrace Pet Community blog

Sneaky Dogs get the Sofa Scram

My dog, Lyger, is just one big ball of blond fur, and it is very clingy and difficult to remove from the sofa upholstery.  He also likes to climb into my bed while I'm away during the day, roll around, and get his fluff all over my sheet and pillows.  As much as I love him, I don't much care for the fur he leaves behind.

There are a couple of solutions available for purchase-such as the Sofa Scram, a battery operated mat that emits a loud, (but harmless) sound at the press of a paw.  It can be placed on chairs, beds, and even in doorways or near trash cans.  We found it at Sam's Club for $17.61

The Scat Mat, is similar, but offers a very low voltage "zap" when your pet touches it.  There are quite a few sizes and shapes available, (starting around $48 at the Dog Training Store) including extensions and dummy models.  A particularly nice feature is that it's training indicator light tells blinks to tell you how many times the mat has been contacted since it was turned on.  You'll be able to see that it's working!

Have any of you used these training aids?  What did you think?

Check out more posts on Dog Training

Litter Chest at BigFatKittyCat.com

When the folks at Fat Cat Creations designed the Litter Chest, they used a little common sense and some nice design touches to make their very practical litterbox containment furniture.

Firstly, it really looks like quality furniture (it's sturdy enough to double as a seating bench), is available in over a dozen stain finishes, as well as a wainscotting option.  There are quite a few opening options, so you can customize the piece to fit right where it needs to go.

Secondly, it's offset dividers work together to reduce litter tracking and deter dogs and children from invading the litterbox.  It's got a hinged lid for easy cleaning.  What more could a cat owner look for?

Cheap Tags at Love Your Pets

We just changed phone numbers at home, and then I realized the dogs' ID tags would need to be changed too!  I didn't need pretty, I needed cheap, so I found LoveYourPets.com where tags are just $3.50 each (if ordering 2 or more), with $2 shipping.  Lucky for me, they happened to have 3 shapes we like, all in brass (except a lightweight plastic tag for the little guy).

Whew , that's done!  I sleep better when everyone's got their ID on, just in case!

Great Deal for readers in the Denver Metro Area!

Canine Massage is offers more than just stress release-it provides increased blood circulation, lymph movement and muscle health.  It can also improve skeletal issues and emotional health.  Sounds wonderful, no?

Peaceful Paws for Dogs is a mobile canine acupressure massage service for the Denver Metro Area. If you know the wonderful benefits of massage for yourself, imagine how much they can help a dog who is scared or fearful, depressed, arthritic, stiff and sore, or recovering from an illness/surgery.

Visit peaceful-paws.net for answers to some of your canine massage questions, today.  Mention Embrace, and get 10% off!! (Fuel surcharge may apply to visits outside of the mobile area.)

Dog Collar Boutique

We've got a new partner for you!  Dog Collar Boutique now offers 5% off to our readers and community members-just log in to the deals page to get the code.

They've got lovely collars and you can shop by style, color and size.  Elegant carriers, tags, leashes and harness are also available, so they've nicely covered all of your dog walking needs.

We especially liked their Dosha Dog collars which use genuine leather and gemstones to make quality, long lasting leashes and collars.  Products start as low as $15.60.

It's so fun to get pet fashion with an exclusive discount, and they offer free shipping on orders over $75 too!

Support the Gorilla Foundation

Koko is most likely the world's most famous gorilla, and with good reason.  She has a vocabulary of over 1000 signs and understands even more spoken English.  She's become the ambassador for her species, and provided researchers with amazing insight into the heart, soul and mind of our animal companions.

With all of the marvelous things that Koko has given humanity, perhaps we can give a little something back.  The Gorilla Foundation is working to move Koko and her partner, Ndume, to the Maui Ape Preserve, where Koko can build a gorilla family, and hopefully share her gift with her children.  The sanctuary will also provide a world-class interspecies communication center and a training center for African conservation efforts.

You can help by shopping or donating at KokoMart.  They have books, videos, and apparel.  Best of all, they have Gorilla Art!  You can purchase prints of paintings done by Ndume, Koko, and their late friend, Michael.  (Shown left is "Apple Chase", a painting that Michael did of his dog, Apple.)

Prints start at only $100, and would make fantastic holiday gifts for the person that already has everything.

Cute Overload for 2009

This year's holiday shopping will be a piece of cake, thanks to the fantastic new desk calendar from Cute Overload.com.  That's right! 365 days of outlandishly cute  puppies, kittens, otters, hamsters and more.  So utterly cute you'll go "awwww" and then get one for yourself.

Check Amazon.com for ordering details.

Pretty Please-with a cherry on top!

It's not too late to pick up a new little something for your little one to wear this summer.  This Very Cherry Pink Harness ($35.00) from Putting on the Dogs is made of a light weight, breathable cotton, accented with a pair of cherries, and topped off with a matching necklace.

Pretty and practical-it's the small dog's perfect alternative to a collar.

Antlerz, alternative to rawhide

Sometimes it's hard to think about what your dog is chewing on, especially when it's a distinguishable body part-a pigs ear, a goats hoof, a snout!  But it's a little less unsettling if you know that the part fell from the animal naturally, without a trip to the slaughterhouse.

Antlerz are cut-down pieces of antlers that are shed naturally by wild deer.  The shed antlers are gathered by ranch workers and sent to be cleaned, cut down and packaged, without any addition of plastics, petrochemicals or stinky "flavorings".  They're naturally wild, so they appeal to a dog's instincts.  They're also mineral rich, last longer than rawhides and don't splinter like bones.

They're cut down in sizes small through extra large, with packages starting at $6.50.  Get more reviews and details at Asankadogs.com

Handmade 4 Hounds at Etsy

When you shop at the Handmade4Hounds Etsy shop every purchase supports greyhound adoption groups and other sight hound rescue programs.  Handmade items are donated from other Etsy sellers, to support Greyhound adoption.  There's products for people (like the Hound Cup Collar shown right) and their hounds (like the King of the Couch hand stamped tag).

It's fun to get handmade stuff that's supports artists and homeless Greyhounds!