It may look like a sado-masochist’s (wet) dream, but The Calming Face Wrap is indeed a sheep in wolf’s clothing. And, let’s face it: Even the cut est dog’s persistent barking can force you into the most gruesome revenge fantasies. So if your dog is driving you and the neighbors crazy, you can be forgiven for trying the strap-on approach.

Invented by the developer of the Anxiety Wrap, the device is a lot gentler than its image suggests. Based upon a holistic approach to behavior modification, it maintains light, maintained pressure around the face and the mouth. This pressure triggers the dog’s sensory receptors into redirecting their focus and helps calm them.

Over time, the increased positive sensations it sends to the brain retrains the dog, replacing the habitual unwanted behavior with a more relaxed and quieter pet. And if it raises a few eyebrows among the neighbors as to your dark side, so much the better.

• An effective component to a more holistic approach to behavior modification.
• Free on-line and toll-free telephone support.
• 100% unconditional replacement guarantee covering workmanship

It may have been published two decades ago, but The Culture Clash, written by Jean Donaldson, is still considered by many the last word on the topic of positive reinforcement. Indeed, with the subtitle, “A Revolutionary New Way to Understanding the Relationship Between Humans and Domestic Dogs,” it better be.  Depicting dogs the way they really are, “stripped of their Hollywood fluff, with their livable ‘can I eat it, chew it, urinate on it, what’s in it for me’ philosophy,” Donaldson’s book, which is more a series of essays than practical hints along the line of traditional self-help books, continues to earn high marks with new readers. She is a relentless champion for the dog’s point of view, a need for a good education and concern for their overall well-being. As of this writing, movie rights are still up for grabs.

*First published in 1996.

*Winner, the Maxwell Award, Best Training Book of the Year.

*8.3 x 5.4 x .06 inches; 12.8 ounces.

The time has come to turn your dog green. At least that’s what the folks behind the Orbee-Tuff Recycle Ball think. This toy company takes its leftover material and turns it into RecycleBall, a soft-rubber, big-bounce ball that leaves no carbon imprint on your wall or, for that matter, anywhere else.  Made out of 100% first quality Orbee-Tuff material, these balls live up to their name, manufactured in a regrind process. And they live up to the three R’s: Recycle. Reuse. Rewoof.  There’s only one caveat. These balls are made of soft rubber. So if your guy — or gal — is a heavy chewer, the rubber may not be strong enough to provide the environmental protection you’re using it for in the first place. Ouch.

•     100% Guaranteed

•     Buoyant

•     Minty

There’s a certain comfort in going back to basics. So rather than overload its capsule and liquid formulas with a lot of add-ons, Derm Caps are made of nothing other than high-quality Omega 3 and 6 acids and vitamin E. C’est Ca.   Since these three ingredients are keys to healthy skin and a glowing coat, it’s perfect for a dog who’s not getting enough quality fat in his diet, and for the owner who only wants to use natural products.   The only problem with this no-frills product is the lack of things you can say about it. So in an effort to fill space, repeat: There’s a certain comfort in going back to basics. So rather than overload its capsule and liquid formulas with a lot of add-ons, Derm Caps are made of nothing other than high-quality Omega 3 and 6 acids and vitamin E. C’est Ca.

* Comes in regular and extra-strength dosages.

* Suitable for use in cats as well.

* Contains no artificial flavorings or preservatives.

We don’t know about you, but each time we go to the dentist we get the usual lecture about how we’re not brushing our teeth the right way. Well, if we can’t get our own teeth right, just imagine what we’re doing to our dogs’ teeth!  Consider the Triple Pet Toothbrush: It has three flexible sets of bristles so the top and both sides of each tooth are all brushed simultaneously. You simply align the center brush with the top of the tooth and start brushing. The center brush cleans the tops of the teeth, while the two side brushes are set at 45 degree angles to gently clean both sides of teeth and massage the gums.  Oral-B, eat your heart out.

*Toothbrush is 7″ long, brush heads are 3/4″ long x 1″ wide.

*Padded ergonomic handle provides a comfortable, slip-resistant grip, even when wet.

*Cleans canine teeth of all sizes.

Far be it from us to remind you — we’ll let Turid Rugaas do that — but communication is a two-way street.  T.R. is Norway’s superstar animal behaviorist who pretty much wrote the book on what your dog’s body language can tell you. So pay attention.  Now that we think about it, she actually did write the book on the subject. It’s called, On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals. But since so few people read books anymore, she’s gone Hollywood and turned it into a DVD called Calming Signals.  Shot in Norway (but on a low budget so don’t go expecting Scandinavian nuns running around singing anthropomorphic songs about fjords), Rugaas is more than at home explaining how to tell when a dog is anxious, fearful or playful. You’ll learn to read canine posture, facial expressions and movement. You’ll see how to use calming signals in your interactions with your own dog. And all that happens before intermission!

*Thrill to the secrets of dogs’ secret conflict-free resolution.

*Eavesdrop on intimate canine conversations.

*Pop Secret is our favorite microwave popcorn.

Yet another instance of a hot human nutritional topic being treated as an animal kingdom issue by advocates of nutritional equality. Omega 3s and Omega 6 fatty acids are key in the fight against all sorts of degenerative diseases and premature aging in people and, the reasoning goes, dogs.   The only problem is that with the economy the way it is, not even high rollers like Donald Trump and Zsa Zsa Gabor can afford to feed their animals wild salmon. So suddenly, Grizzly Salmon Oil dog food supplement is a convenient option. It contains both Omega 3 and Omega 6, which need to work together in the proper balance to be effective. And it can be spread over the dog’s food, eliminating all the drama that goes with getting a dog to swallow capsules or pills. If the dog’s especially recalcitrant, put it on a bagel with some cream cheese, onion and capers and tell him its lox.

*See results in skin and coat in 2 - 4 weeks.

*One pump stroke (daily dose for 25 pound dog) is 0.12 fl. oz.

*Cannot be frozen, and should be used within 3 months of opening.

As if childhood didn’t last long enough, the Late for the Sky people have come out with Puppy-opoly, the little kid version of Dog-opoly. It, in turn, is the canine version of Mono-poly. Sense a pattern?   Getting it absolutely right, this puppy-themed version is aimed, surprisingly, at kids from five to eight. So there are puppy tokens, get stuck in the doghouse or obedience school and hoard treats rather than the far more demanding hotels and apartments of garden variety people-opoly.   And because it is for children and therefore has to have some educational component, the kids supposedly pick up lots of useful information and training tips. But education be damned, they seem perfectly content to be puppies gathering treats for as long as the game lasts. Which, as you know, could be sometime around forever.

*Puppy themed version of Monopoly

*NO banker necessary. Just like real life!

*Includes 48 bones, a packet of Treats (money) in denominations of 1 through 5, 28 Obedience School cards, 16 deed cards, one die

There’s a reason Classic Kong has been one of dogs’ favorite toys for years. The somewhat phallic exclusive red natural rubber chew toy is puncture resistant, cheerfully bouncy and dishwasher safe, nearly indestructible and as good for the dog as it is fun to play with.   Sold as a hollow shaft, the toy comes into its own when it is stuffed with one of Kong’s signature treats, peanut butter, cream cheese…bon appétit! The dog smells the food, and in his effort to get the prize out of the hole, starts chewing. The ensuing oral workout has led to the raves this product has gotten over the years from vets, trainers and dental care specialists.  Less evidently is still more.

*Comes in five classic colors and five sizes, from small to XXL.

*Recommended for most adult dogs.

*Cleans teeth, conditions gums

Sometimes it’s difficult to imagine why your pet is stressed out.  It’s not like they have the weight of the world on them. So with every need provided for them, why do they still have trouble with thunder, flying, separation anxiety, other animals, people, obedience class…the list goes on.  According to the experts, the most seemingly inconsequential external factors can cause waves of anxiety and, in response, fits of barking, aggression, shyness, incontinence and other inappropriate behavior.   Rather than threaten to bundle Fido off to the pound for the bad behavior, why not slap on the Anxiety Wrap? An alternative to traditional behavior modification, it uses a technique called “maintained pressure” that calms the pooch down. The slight pressure across a wide area of the body evidently stimulates the body’s receptors to aid in the transmission of different sensations to different parts of the brain. When the animal receives this new information, the animal “lets go” of the old sensation and modifies its behavior.   At least that’s the plan. A similar technique is used in children and adults with autism, so it should work. If it doesn’t, you can always wrap the Wrap around your own neck and pull tight.

*Available in Black only. *Measure carefully, going for a snug but not tight fit.

*Most effective when coupled with treats and gentle positive-reward training methods.