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If there is one thing that you need to know about Ryan and I, it is that we are dog obsessed. So, it was only natural that we decided to adopt a dog after we got married. We had always talked about getting a Husky because of how playful and energetic they are. Ryan wanted a dog that he could play with, run with, and roughhouse with when his hours and hours of training just weren’t enough (haha).
A few months ago, Ryan convinced me to visit a local shelter just to “look at the cute puppies”. Well, I’m sure you can figure out how this story ends! When we arrived, a Husky pup was front and center. Umm hello, fate? We took him out for a few walks that same week and we were in love. We quickly adopted him and couldn’t wait to bring him home. Of course, we stocked up on tons of dog supplies and practically cleared out a few pet stores. After 6 months of owning Jax, we have gone through countless dog products. We have really learned what works for him and what doesn’t. Therefore, I have rounded up a few of my favorite dog products that I believe are must-haves for any “pawrent”. Below are my favorite items with direct links so you can purchase them for yourself!
Easy Walk Harness
This harness here is something we searched long and hard for after we adopted Jax. When we first brought him home, he was a complete and total nightmare to walk on a leash. I kid you not, this dude would try to jump and sprint away as fast as he could the minute he was brought outside. He is the strongest dog I have ever attempted to walk and I physically could not walk him by myself.
Okay, quick story… We discovered pretty quickly that Jax absolutely loved the water, so we try to take him to the beach near our home as often as we can. One day, Ryan and I took Jax to the beach together and we brought our super long leash so he could roam in the water or on the sand without being restricted (I think the leash is about 30 feet long). Jax was being extremely calm and well-behaved, so I offered to take him from Ryan. I could not have been holding the leash for more than 1 minute when Jax bolted away from me and pulled me straight to the ground. If you can picture this, I was literally pulled face first into the mud in one swift motion. Yeah…get your laughs in now so we can move on. After that day, we made it our mission to find a better solution for ourselves.
Ryan and I have never owned a big dog before so we weren’t exactly sure what type of collar or harness would be best. We tried a regular neck collar and that didn’t work because he would pull so hard that he would practically choke himself. We then tried a regular back harness which just made him 10 times stronger when pulling. So we were starting to research various choke and prong collars when we came across the no-pull harness. We bought it right then and there without hesitation and it is probably the best dog product we own! If you have a dog who pulls like crazy while walking, you MUST give this a try. It has been such a lifesaver for us and I can finally walk him by myself without being afraid of being pulled to the ground (again).
The two best things about this harness are the front-leash attachment and the fact that it cannot choke your dog. The front-leash attachment allows you to steer your dog to the side which then stops the pulling, and the straps are secured around the belly and the chest so choking is never a concern. When purchasing the harness, make sure you triple check the sizing! Ryan and I made the mistake of just guessing what size Jax was and we ended up back at the store exchanging sizes that same week. There is a very easy-to-read chart that you could refer to in the link above to help you choose which size you need. A video is also available if that’s more your style! All you have to do is pull out your cloth tape measure and take 2 simple measurements (do this with your dog standing up). The sizing chart also provides a description telling you how to properly take the measurements. Super easy, right? Then, when you receive the harness, it takes a little time to fit and adjust it correctly to your fur friend. No need to stress because once again, there are detailed instructions that walk you through each step. After it is fitted properly, it is insanely easy to get on and off each time you are taking your pup outside with it.
Pet Hair Remover
This product here is something that I shamelessly asked Ryan to buy me for Christmas this past year. It was one of those stupid “adult” gifts…you know, the ones that make you feel super grown up when you get excited about receiving them. I usually don’t purchase “as seen on TV” products, but this is one that I actually love and use multiple times a day.
For those of you who own shedding dogs, you KNOW how annoying it is to watch the fur accumulate on your furniture, rugs, and even clothing. Ryan and I were using the regular lint rollers with the sticky paper which actually worked quite well despite one problem…we would go through an entire roller like every week! I got so tired of continuously buying these rollers and luckily, Santa delivered the Fur Wizard on Christmas morning. Cue the happy dance!
The Fur Wizard has a double-sided brush that is used to remove fur from a variety of surfaces. It comes with a self-cleaning base so all you have to do is dip the brush into the base in order to remove the fur, and that will leave the brush clean and ready to be used again. When the base is full, simply pop off the bottom and dump out the fur. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. I have been using this product for about 3 months now and overall, I would say it works pretty well. I have found that it works amazing on some surfaces, while others I feel it barely removes any fur. In my opinion, it works phenomenally on our couches and carpets. However, I was disappointed to see that it didn’t work quite as well on clothing. I have found that it works best on surfaces that are flat. For example, if you want to use it on a blanket or on your bedding, you should hold it taut before you begin brushing. So, when it comes to my clothing, I still prefer to use the sticky lint rollers
Car Hammock
This product here is a lifesaver for your cars! Because we live in a city, sometimes we like to drive Jax to a nearby park and let him be free to roam around. It only took one rainy day to realize we needed something to protect our car seats. I’m sure you can imagine the heart attack I had when a giant and mud-covered dog jumped into our backseat. Not to mention, he couldn’t sit still in the car to save his life. He would constantly try to find a way into the front seat and sit on our laps. That’s when I went searching for a car hammock. I wanted something that would protect our seats from dirt, snow, mud, etc., and also something that would force him to stay in the back. This hammock is perfect for all those things!
This particular car hammock is water resistance and protects your car seats from scratches, tears, and of course, dirt! It also has straps with buckles that secure around your car’s headrests making it super easy to install. When we first purchased this hammock, we spent a bit of time fitting it to our car. After that, it only takes us a few seconds to install and uninstall when needed. This car hammock claims it is a “universal fit” and will fit into most back seats. However, we have an exceptionally small car so I’m not sure what the fit would look like in a larger vehicle. But, for anyone who has a tiny European car like us, don’t stress about the fit! The hammock also has slits where you can still access the seat belt clip but let’s be honest, if you have a larger dog, there is a 0% chance you can fit a human as well as your dog back there.
Kong Toy
Okay, I know this isn’t groundbreaking information but this toy here is probably Jax’s favorite! If stuffed with the right treats (aka peanut butter), he will remain entertained for quite some time. I originally bought this to fill with treats when Ryan and I would be gone for a long period of time, like a game day, and it works fabulously! It is great for mental stimulation or for when Jax just needs something to chew on.
Moral of the story: if you have a fur baby at home, you need these dog products in your life! They will make your life easier and help keep you sane, all while staying budget friendly. Drop a comment and let me know what your favorite dog products are!
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PetSafe Easy Walk Harness | Hurricane Fur Wizard | Animal Planet Car Hammock | Kong Toy
