It depends on the dog and your situation. I have never and will never allow my dogs to be outside when no one is home. A concrete fence would probably solve most of my issues (snakes, tree limb breaking fence, neighbor kids harassing or even poisoning). I'm almost 60, have had exactly zero dogs who loved being in their crate (except my first rottie who wanted it for sleeping in, gate open.. she didn't NEED a crate from the time she was about 6 mos old). But if you give them good quality toys and chews, dogs generally chill out. They sleep up to 18 hrs a day so I consider a crate a good safe haven. My basenji is fine left in my bedroom now that she's grown. My 2nd basenji didn't destroy things, she'd pee on my bed.. so she got crated. My first was incredibly dog aggressive, so the rotties and chow ran free, she was crated when I was out, slept with me at night (as did/do the other 2).
Pass It Along: Great Doggie Items
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I think we should have a thread that showcases our favorite items for our dogs… no matter what we're talking about. I'll post a few of my favorite things...
First, I like using a leash splitter. It works for us. We have the black coupler from Petsmart.
Although I haven't been jogging with both of the dogs yet, jogging with Lexi was the best!! The best perk is, is that the faster you go, the better the dogs stay with you. If you walk, chances are they will want to smell EVERYTHING! It's great work out motivation!
"These are a few of my favorite things…" :p
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Hide a Squirrel –- The kids LOVE this one!!
Microwavable Bean Bag – Lexi LOVES when I heat this up and put it in her bed. I don't have to worry about cords or chewing and then getting electrocuted with an electric pad. Plus they love to play with it too. -
GREAT suggestions BDawg!!! I've been looking for something to give my TOPAZ some warmth in her crate at night. She's a big time cuddler & whines a little bit at night….we give her a fuzzy blankey but this bean bag or the burrow bed looks like it might just work for her
THANKS!!
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Great links BDawg! I've been wondering about the soft harnesses for my Stormie (who thinks he's a sled dog when he's attached to the leash! lol!). And the Hide A Squirrel - such a hit around here, too! Great idea to share the links! Thanks!
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Bindi likes whatever she can get a hold of as far as toys go, but she loves her rope and this tennis ball rope, thing hehe
~Kat
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firefoxkatan - Those types of ropes are good ropes, I got a rope ball once…
that was like a giant knot and the fringes came out in all directions making it look like a big fluffy ball. She LOVED it but it was torn to shreds in days and it was ALL over the place. I'm still finding peices of it months later...never again. Here is a link to a really cool rope ball though that looks a little sturdier...http://www.amazon.com/PetstagesTM-Rag-Rope-Ball-Dog/dp/B000BO3DZ4
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firefoxkatan - Those types of ropes are good ropes, I got a rope ball once…
that was like a giant knot and the fringes came out in all directions making it look like a big fluffy ball. She LOVED it but it was torn to shreds in days and it was ALL over the place. I'm still finding peices of it months later...never again. Here is a link to a really cool rope ball though that looks a little sturdier...http://www.amazon.com/PetstagesTM-Rag-Rope-Ball-Dog/dp/B000BO3DZ4
that one looks really cool! I bet Bindi would love it
I couldn't find an image of the tennis ball rope toy I have so I found one that was closest, it's got two balls a rope going threw them, the knots are tied really close to the balls and there's just enough space in between for her mouth :3P.S. and when I bounce it on the ground it goes flipping and flopping in crazy directions hehe it's fun to watch her chase it
~Kat
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BDawg post in another link about great winter coats from Montana Dog Wear:
http://www.montanadogware.com/photos.html
They are nice, soft and warm, the only downside (IMO) is they don't cover the chestI also like these, my boxer likes to rub on things when he wears his coats and it has stood up to him rubbing and rolling, they are water-proof, lined, cover the chest and have refelctive stripping that is HIGHLY reflective
http://www.ruffwear.com/K-9-Overcoat-trade-II?sc=2&category=12Ruffwear also has this one that fits closer to the body, yet is stretchable to not constrict movement. Water/wind proof, fleece lined.
http://www.ruffwear.com/Cloud-Chaser-Soft-Shell-Jacket#note for ruff wear items my boxer wears a medium for thier coats and harnesses, I'm guessing Basenjis would be an extra small based on thier sizing chart
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I found another toy that she loves and it's mess free, part of the nyla bone family…
What's great about it is that there are treats on both ends that are hard to get to so they start to chew the nylabone right away. I know some dogs take a while to show interest but this gets them into it right away. And once there are chew marks all over it they seem to chew on it more often.
http://premierpetdirect.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_30_36&products_id=112
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@WBL:
BDawg post in another link about great winter coats from Montana Dog Wear:
http://www.montanadogware.com/photos.html
They are nice, soft and warm, the only downside (IMO) is they don't cover the chestThese were real nice. I saw one B was from Columbus. Where are they hiding?????
