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

*A Dogasaur “Daily Woof!”

Well, you can fill in your own blank. Whatever it looks like, this nylon plastic bone-shaped chew toy satisfies a dog’s desire to chew and helps clean his teeth and gums at the same time. That’s why Galileo Nylabones are made of super-tough virgin DuPont nylon, which is more than ten times as tough as any bone on the market.   As such, it’s designed for aggressive chewers over 25 pounds, is safer than abrasive bones or rawhide and comes with a warning that despite its shape, it’s a chew toy, not something to be thrown.   That’s clear enough. Why it’s named after Galileo, however, is anyone’s guess. Granted, Galileo was many things, such as the father of modern astronomy, physics and science. He said that Copernicus was right and that the earth revolved around the sun, for which he was punished with house arrest by the Catholic Church for heresy. But there’s nothing to indicate he had any interest in chew toys or nylon. Even so, Galileo, we salute you.

*Ten times stronger than any other bone on the market.

*Made for aggressive chewers weighing more than 25 pounds only.

*Comes in five sizes, from petite (3.75”) to souper (7.75”).

*A Dogasaur “Daily Woof!”

Then again, we know that appearances can be deceiving. The Gentle Leader Complete System acts like a muzzle when you need it to be, but other times the dog can still eat, drink, fetch, bark and even, if online reviews can be believed, bite. (Okay, the biting shouldn’t happen. But the rest is good.)  The system works by putting pressure on the back of the neck, which triggers the dog’s natural relaxation response. Leash control while walking becomes much easier, as the head turns where the leash is gently pulled. The gentleness extends to the soft leather, which won’t leave any telltale marks.  No wonder they are endorsed by any number of vets and trainers who call the system a gentle yet very effective method of behavior modification. They come in all sizes and any number of vibrant colors including Hot Pink, because everyone’s got a bit of dominatrix in them.

*Head control without choking.

*System comes with a head collar, 4” lead, 10” indoor drag line and a 66-page training manual.

*Head collars sold separately, but not recommended for first-time users.

*A Dogasaur “Daily Woof!”

Here’s proof that fools rush in where wise men no longer need to. Because there’s nothing worse than smelling someone’s dirty business without knowing exactly where the little sneak pooped, peed or threw up.   When that happens, most of us are forced to put our nose on the front line, and find the spot by trial and error. All to the amusement of the gadget geek, who merely waves his magic wand: the Stink Finder ultraviolet black light. Whether it’s a large area or small, recon of your house, car or fleabag motel, the light will lead you straight to the source of accident, recent or untreated.  Because a little knowledge is in this case a dangerous thing, they even threw in a free bottle of urine odor remover. Although primarily designed for cat urine, this non-scrub, non-rinse formula works instantly on contact, is non-toxic and non-flammable and biodegradable and prevents re-marking. All in all, back to gently used in a jifferoo.

*A Dogasaur “Daily Woof!”

You’ve got the costume ready to go. He’s going as a pumpkin, a biker, an elephant, or Miley Cyrus…whatever it is, it’s pretty darn funny. But before you dress your dog in something that you can safely assume is going to be a one-shot deal (unless you repeat for next year, but where’s the originality [...]

Paws are a high-maintenance body part. An entry point for infection, they need to be cleaned and dried carefully once the rest of the dog has gotten wet from swimming or the bathing process. But as you know, paws can be difficult on which to get a grip, especially if Fido is feeling frisky.  The Soggy Paws Towel puts a stop to all that. Designed exclusively for dogs, this towel manages to be both soft and durable at the same time. Oval in shape, the super-absorbent 100% cotton towel has two pockets, one that lets you hold the dog in one hand and the other to work the hard-to-reach areas like the paws, ears and belly.   Plus you get to do the job with your hands in your pockets. Honestly, how often do you get to swing that deal?

*Oval shape with 2 pockets; loop on end for hanging

*Pre-washed, pre-shrunk, and color fast; machine-washable

*Measures 10 by 30 inches

*A Dogasaur.com “Daily Woof!”

Hit the dog forums and you’re bound to come across a litany of complaints about how owners’ dogs never want to go out in the rain. But nature is an unforgiving master, and sometimes, rain be damned, you need a walk. So take your umbrella — along with Snoozer’s Pet Umbrella–so Hedda can come along with you and stay dry as dry can be.   The umbrella is actually a nifty little thing that clips on to the dog’s collar. It comes in clear plastic so you can be in full view of each other despite the most torrential downpour. And it comes with its own coordinated carrying bag, so depending on your point of view, you’ll look plenty stylish as you make your way through the drops.

*For pets up to 15 pounds and less than two feet long.

*Bendable handle adjusts to your height

*Folds to fit in carrying case, included

*A Dogasaur “Daily Woof!”

When it comes to poop disposal, the Mutt Mitt disposal waste system is tha bomb. First of all, it is the official removal tool of choice on Sacramento’s American River, which is the city’s principal recreational artery. For another, they’re the subject of a very flattering article in Park 7 Rec. Business Magazine. Imagine.  The reason is two-fold: First, the Mutt Mitt is 100% degradable. And unlike many other bags, Mutt Mitts use multiple degradation technologies so that the bags are degradable regardless of what recycling system is used. Also, these suckers are big, so you can fit two to three times the amount of poop in one that fits in a typical bag.  So these are perfect when taking your pet elephant for a walk as well. Also, because it’s bigger, folks like Sactown’s American River Parkway Foundation can sell advertising on the bag, and with the money they raise, give the bags away to anyone using the park and riverbed. You even have something to read while Beasley goes to the bathroom.

* 2-ply design protects hands

* Roomy pocket for easy clean-up

* Use with solids or liquids, or as a portable water bowl.

*A Dogasaur “Daily Woof!”

You got to hand it to the ChuckIt people. They understand that no matter how much you two want to play fetch, it’s hard on your arm. Before too long, it can be downright painful.  The Chuckit Pocket Ball Launcher is made for those times. A little over a foot long, you put a tennis ball at one end, and grab the handle at the other end. Then you extend your arm back over your shoulder until the ball is behind you, swing it forward in a smooth arc and follow through. Swing fast enough and the ball will sail through the air, landing anywhere from 100 to 140 feet away from you. Each and every time. Without arm pain. Pretty cool.

*Comes with one tennis ball in an assortment of colors. (But hold out for the lime green.)

*12.25” long. Short enough to be portable; long enough to do the job.

*Not recommended for use in densely populated areas. Open space works best.

* A Dogasaur “Daily Woof!”

Go where you want to go is a good idea, but not when you’re talking about urine. Free spirits notwithstanding, aimless urination has brought more than one dog owner to his knees. But rise up, all ye’ afflicted: The Pee Post is here.   This simple stake in the ground, unbelievably, can train even the most sprayful of dogs and with minimal fuss. Its secret is a pheromone mix that lures Fido with its smell. Dogs who have not established their marking patterns are the easiest to train. Generally speaking, male dogs need less direction and reinforcement, but the pheromones stay active for months so even the slowest and bitchiest learners will get the message sooner or later.

•Makes housebreaking easier by using the natural instinct of your pet.

•Train your pet to go in just one area! Keep the rest of your lawn green!

•Simple design for easy stalking, removal, relocating.

*A Dogasaur.com “Daily Woof!”