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Choosing Pet Steps

dog steps, pet stairs from radiofence.comYou have decided that you’d like to purchase a set of pet steps for your dog. Envision the following picture: You’re psyched that the pet stairs you ordered online have finally arrived. Geez, the box is a lot smaller than you expected. You have to assemble the stairs, but you figure it’s a one-time price to pay for the steps. The instructions seem to be written in every language except English, and you certainly won’t make it through with the fragments you retained from high school Spanish. You’ve assembled bits of cheap plastic together—freehand—only to discover that the steps aren’t nearly sturdy enough for your dog, or that they’re too short to be used for your intended purpose (or any purpose at all!). Frankly, I can’t imagine anyone finding this scenario appealing at all. Not only do cheap dog steps result in added hassle and disappointment, but they’re a flat-out waste of money.

The best way to keep this from happening to you is to learn as much as you can about the requirements that your dog’s stairs will need to meet. To do this, you will need to ask yourself a few questions. These questions are important in narrowing down the possibilities for your dog based on his (and your) needs.

How heavy is your dog?

Your dog’s weight has a lot to do with choosing dog stairs because some steps have weight limitations. It’s best to simply narrow down your search starting by whether or not they can support your dog’s weight. Most stairs should have been tested to allow for the amount of pressure a dog will exert onto the stairs when going up and down, so be sure to inquire if there isn’t a weight limitation posted on the website.

How tall/long is your dog?

The size of your dog (both in height and length) is a good indication as to whether you have a large, medium, or small breed of dog. You need to make sure that the steps have enough climbing and landing room, which means you need to have a look at the width of the steps (from the base of the back of the step to the front). Putting a toy-sized dog on gargantuan steps could make it very difficult for the dog to navigate the steps—not to mention the possibility of a slip resulting in injury. Below you’ll find a basic guide to aid you in choosing safe pets for your dog.

Large Breed: 16” Steps or Larger
Medium Breed: 14” Steps
Small Breed: 12” or Smaller

What will your dog primarily use the steps for?

This, again, is very important to ensure that you get the correct steps for your needs. Do you need the steps to aid your dog in getting to your extra-high bed? Perhaps you should look into purchasing high pet steps. Will the stairs be used for the car? Lightweight, mobile dog steps will likely be the best option for you. The best way to figure this out is to simply dust off your tape measure and measure the distance from the floor to the top of the surface your dog needs to access. If you’re using the stairs for your bed which is 2.5 feet from the floor, try to get stairs that meet this height—or get as close as you possibly can without going higher than the bed.

Your ultimate goal is to provide your dog with a safe and helpful way to get to and from places. It would be well worth the hassle of spending an extra hour or two searching for just the right steps for your dog. Another option if steps are not practical, is to consider getting a dog ramp.

Courtesy of RadioFence.com, a Leading Internet Retailer of Pet Supplies including Pet Doors, Bark Collars and Dog Training Shock Collars.

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Shopping for a Dog Bed

Shopping for your favorite four legged family member this season can be easy. Gifts for dogs are numerous and of every color, shape and size. There are toys and treats, leashes, collars, apparel and bedding. The options are numerous.

If you are shopping for a dog bed, there are many options available in that department. You first need to decide what type to purchase for you dog. Bedding collections are numerous and there are different purposes for them also.

Some dog beds are utilized for specialized reasons such as orthopedic or extra support. Some can be waterproof, medical grade or sturdy enough for being outside. Figure out what purpose and where this dog bed will be situated.

For just as many types of dog beds, there are just as many fillings for them. One needs to think about what they would like their dog to lay on. Some of these are filled with a polyester filling and appear like a comfortable pillow. Others have cedar inside for odor control and some even sport insect repellent characteristics. A foam dog bed is one that can help the dog with arthritis. It is an orthopedic bed. The foam can be regular foam or top of the line memory foam.

Once the type of bed and filling is decided, the next decision is what size to get your dog. There are some easy tips to figure out the best size bed for the job. First, measure your dog while he/she is lying down. Measure the length of the dog from nose or front legs to the rump or rear legs. Now add nine to twelve inches to that number. The resulting number will help you decide which bed will comfortably fit your dog.

Weight counts in dog beds. Estimate the dog’s weight. It is better to overestimate than underestimate. A small dog will fit fine on any size bed but a large dog will not fit nicely on too small of a bed. If you have a very large breed of dog such as a Great Pyrenees for example, then opt for the extra large dog bed.

Buying a dog bed is an investment and one should consider. Do not forget that cheap is not always best. Shop around as prices will vary. The internet makes it a lot easier to be able to compare prices and get the best deal. Remember why you are looking for the bed. Is there a medical purpose? Does the dog require any extra support? Do your homework and that will help make the decision clear and help you find the bed that will do the right job for your dog.

Courtesy of RadioFence.com, a Leading Internet Retailer of Pet Supplies including Pet Doors, Bark Collars and Dog Training Shock Collars.

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Pet Beds

It used to be that beds for dogs were fairly uncomplicated things. You could put down a rug, a folded blanket, or a pile of old towels in a corner or close to the fireplace, and that was it. But pet beds have come a long way since those days.

Occasionally folks don’t have a special mattress for their dog, but let it sleepwith them on their own mattress. Or from time to time dog crates double as beds for the night. But others want their dogs to have something distinctive, and you will discover some fascinating and fun versions of these beds out there. Dog beds might be as utilitarian or as elaborate as you would like them to be. In most cases, your dog won’t really care, unless it is a option between a uncomplicated mat on the floor or a memory foam mattress that gives aching joints a bit of relief. If you want your dog to sleep at the foot of your mattress, or it really likes that rug close to the fireplace, then you might not need to have anything special. But you can find some real cool dog beds, and many pet owners really go for unusual designs.

While there are  many choices for to find bed that makes your dog happy, heated dog beds increase you options with the many shapes and styles available.  Some dogs prefer this type of bed. My dog loves to sprawl on the bed so an open style is best for me. There are hundreds of choices for dog beds to accommodate our different styles and choices. You should have no problem finding what you and your dog need and something that will fit with your home decor.

Courtesy of RadioFence.com, a Leading Internet Retailer of Pet Supplies including Pet Doors, Bark Collars and Dog Training Shock Collars.

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Top Dog Products We LOVE!

There are thousands of pet products on the market today. Estimated to be a $54 billion a year industry, pet supplies are big business with manufacturers trying to grab on to as much of the pie as possible.

Interestingly, it seems that the pet industry has not been affected by the recession as severely as businesses in other sectors. Pet owners still seem willing to shell out big bucks for products to pamper their pooches. But this is not surprising when we stop to realize that, for many pet owners, their dogs and cats are members of the family.

We have evaluated these pet products in a variety of ways, some more intensely than others.

  1. Rapid Bath. Dogs need to be bathed regularly. But when a groomer bathes your dog, it can be quite expensive. We wanted to find a good quality product that lets you quickly and easily bathe your dog at home – and we found it. That product is Rapid Bath. This dog washing system attaches to any faucet, so you can use it to wash your dog in your shower or bathtub, or outside with a garden hose. It requires special shampoo cartridges, and I’ve been very impressed with the quality of these shampoos that include formulas for soothing, whitening, deep cleaning and allergies. This is a very good product that will bathe your dog in 5 minutes or less. For more information, go to: Rapid Bath.
  2. Drinkwell 360. It is important that pets drink enough water, but just like us, many pets don’t drink enough water to meet the daily recommendations. (After all, how many of us drink eight full 8-oz glasses of water a day?) It is hard to get pets to drink if they don’t want to. But the Drinkwell 360 pet fountaincan help them drink more. This is a great quality fountain with filtered streaming water. Pets prefer fresh running water. If I were to offer water in a bowl vs. the fountain, dogs go to the fountain. The Drinkwell 360 is recommended for small to medium size dogs weighing less than 50 lbs. For more information, go to: Drinkwell 360 Pet Fountain.
  3. Drinkwell Big Dog Fountain. Big dogs need big fountains, and this one is REALLY big! With a reservoir that holds more than 2-gallons of water, this is the largest capacity pet fountain on the market. The Drinkwell Big Dog Fountain is perfect for larger dogs and multi-pet households. Most dogs don’t drink enough water, but this fountain can help your dog drink more. This is a great quality fountain with filtered streaming water. Pets prefer fresh running water. If I were to offer water in a bowl vs. the fountain, dogs go to the fountain. For more information, go to: Drinkwell Big Dog Fountain.
  4. PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Stations. The PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station is the first gravity food system with a removable-stainless steel bowl that is easy to clean and is dishwasher safe. Simply sanitize the stainless steel bowl at high temperatures in your dishwasher to eliminate potential bacteria that can cause your pet harmful infections from micro-organisms, allergic reactions or skin and nose irritations. The coordinating PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station and Healthy Pet Water Station are designed to complement most home decor. Space-saving footprints and modern style are ideal for kitchens, laundry rooms, garages and other indoor areas.. The healthier way for your pet to enjoy dry food! For more information, go to: PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Stations.
  5. Garmin Astro 220 GPS Dog Tracking System. The Garmin Astro 220 GPS Dog Tracking systems features a bright color-screen and the rugged, all-weather collar. The collar has an integrated GPS transmitter and is specially weighted so the antenna will always point to the sky for optimum signal. To get started, just take Astro outdoors and turn on the handheld transmitter to acquire GPS satellite signals. Then attach the collar to your dog. Now you’re ready to turn him loose – no other setup required. For more information, go to: Garmin Astro 220 GPS Dog Tracking System.
  6. Pooch Ball Dog Toy.  Pooch Ball is an ideal interactive toy, two toys in one. Aids in helping alleviate boredom. Your pet will focus at getting to the tennis ball, once he finally gets it out simply reinsert the ball and the fun starts all over again. Toss it on land or water (it floats). Helps promote healthy gums and teeth. For more information, go to: Pooch Ball Dog Toy.
  7. Poop Posse Pooper Scooper. The Poop Posse Pooper Scooper is the ultimate pooper scooper. Designed for double-duty, the unique design features a rake on one side for yard cleanup and a scraper on the other side for hard surfaces. This heavy duty, long-lasting pooper scooper is rust proof and super easy to clean. No metal parts to rust, all hygienic, heavy-duty plastic. Easy two-piece assembly simply clicks together – no tools required. For more information, go to: Poop Posse Pooper Scooper

Courtesy of RadioFence.com, a Leading Internet Retailer of Pet Supplies including Pet Doors, Bark Collars and Dog Training Shock Collars.

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Pet Door Sale!

RadioFence.com is having the largest sale in it’s history on PetSafe and Staywell pet doors with unheard of savings on Pet Doors. Every pet door has been reduced as well as replacement items such as pet door flaps.

PetSafe designed the Dog Door to be easy to use, and easy to install. PetSafe dog doors are designed to fit in almost any door or wall. Of course, with a PetSafe Dog Door you always get complete, step-by-step, easy to follow instructions. Dog owners love our doors, and so will you. In fact, our doors have been the most popular dog doors in the U.S. since 1952!

Courtesy of RadioFence.com, a Leading Internet Retailer of Pet Supplies including Pet Doors, Bark Collars and Dog Training Shock Collars.

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