Pet Supplies and Product Reviews

Should we teach our dogs YES and NO or should we study their language? When I encountered the idea of choice in dog training  for the first time, I was fascinated. I still am, but there is much more to it than meets the eye. And while it does sound great, limiting choice is an important tool in positive reinforcement training. By managing the environment and therefore limiting choices we set our dogs up for success. Positive reinforcement training has become the choice of a lot of qualified and accredited dog trainers and the laws of learning still apply but we have started questioning if the dog really has to do as told, always ... WHY SHOULD WE BOTHER WITH CHOICES? A fundamental condition for wellbeing is the control the outcome of our actions. Choice is empowering ! There is not much research for dogs but it makes sense to assume that it is similar for them as it is for us. Anecdotal evidence suggests that dogs prefer having choices ... One reason why I am interested in this top...

Guide Dogs Victoria is celebrating its 60th Birthday in 2017 and wants to share the (puppy) love with you.  To mark International Guide Dog Day on April 26 , Guide Dogs Victoria will be hosting a one-of-a-kind 60th birthday tram celebration in partnership with Public Transport Victoria (PTV) and everyone is invited! All you have to do is keep an eye out for the Puppy Tram (No. 3536) around Melbourne (Swanston Street/ St Kilda Road) and jump on board to receive your birthday treat and have a cuddle with the Ambassador Dogs. Over the past 60 years, Guide Dogs Victoria has bred over 8,000 cheeky and adorable puppies, helping thousands of families - that is whole lot of toilet training, teenage doggie tantrums and so many puppy cuddles. FUN FACTS 150 puppies are currently being raised in homes across the state  Over 200 working Guide Dogs supporting clients to get out and about everyday in Victoria  7 ambassador dogs living with staff or community ambassadors, and spread...

International Guide Dog Day on Wednesday 26th April , celebrates the incredibly important role Guide Dogs play in the community and acknowledges the amazing difference they make to the lives of people who are blind or vision impaired. HISTORY References to service animals in literature date at least as far back as the mid-16th century. In a 19th-century novel by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the title character remarks, "The blind man walks wherever the dog pulls ... And so I answered." Dogs were first used to guide people who were blind in 1819 when Johann Whilhelm Klein founded an institute for the blind in Vienna, Austria. His ideas were later put into practice in 1916, when Dr Gerhard Stalling established a school to train dogs to assist German soldiers who had been blinded in the First World War.  But interest in service animals outside of Germany did not become widespread until  Dorothy Eustis , an American dog breeder living in Switzerland, wrote a first-hand accoun...

Have a destructive dog? Does your dog love to chew? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then the brand new range of  DURASPIKES tough toys   from  GiGwi Australia  (also home to the  Push to Mute toys ) will be perfect for you! Specifically created for dogs who love to play rough and chew everything in sight, the  DURASPIKES collection  is made from  extra durable  cotton canvas and  innovative TPR spikes  moulded onto the fabric to withstand punctures from your dog's teeth! We have  12 of these fabulous toys in 4 different styles and colours  to give away  (Total Prize Pool of $420) 1. ELEPHANT BLUE (x 3) 2. RABBIT GREEN  (x 3) 3. RACOON ORANGE  (x 3) 4. WILD BOAR PINK (x 3) To enter, simply tell us  "which DURASPIKES tough toy is the one for your dog and why? - including #gigwiaustralia in the comments"  via our   Facebook Page   or   Instagram   (post 21/04/17) ....

Sydney’s most popular festival for dogs and their humans is heading back to Western Sydney Parkland's Warrigal Run (one of Sydney's largest off leash dog areas) at  Bungarribee Park  (near Blacktown, NSW) on  Sunday 25 June 2017 . Now in its sixth year, Woof-fest is a fun free, community event for dog lovers of all ages. This year's Woof-fest is boasting an impressive line-up of live entertainment, dog skills demonstrations, expert advice from vets and dog trainers and kids’ activities.  There will be: Talks by expert veterinarian Dr Peter Higgins Tips from dog behaviourist Laura Vissaritis - author of the new Dognitive Therapy book Training techniques with Farmer Dave Graham Advice from Sydney-based animal trainer Ryan Tate Cooking demonstrations by Pet Nutritionist Naoko Okamoto from Chew Chew Pet Restaurant . Does your dog bear a resemblance to Snoop-dog, Madogga, Bark Obama, J.K. Growling or Queen Elizabark?  The Search for the Next SuPaw Model  c...

The Stockman Series™ 'Premier' Original is a waterproof dog coat designed by Australian company Pet Protector Hunter Valley . Founder Karen Stevenson was fed  up with coats that would constantly slip off her active dogs so she created  an entire range of dog coats that will stay on, keep your dogs warm and last from one winter season into the next.  Shouldn't all dog coats fulfill these simple requirements?  Sadly many don't, as they are manufactured poorly overseas using velcro straps or fasteners that wear out quickly... WHAT WE LIKE The outer shell of the Stockman Series™ 'Premier' Original dog coat is made from premium quality 600 Denier Cordura which will keep your pooch dry. The 200gsm polyester fill provides an insulating layer to keep out the cold air. A cosy soft fleecy inner lining was added to provide extra comfort. Our favourite feature (and a massive improvement on coats we trialled in the past) is the attached belly band which enabled me to sec...

It is that time of year again when dog lovers nationwide get ready to participate in the annual  RSPCA Million Paws Walk  to fight animal cruelty and raise essential funds for the RSPCA. On  Sunday 21st May 2017 ,  Million Paws Walk  will gather all dog lovers to make a stand for animals in need!  Regular walk routes will be transformed into a celebration of man’s best friend and people like you will become the voice for animal welfare. It’s all about walking your way to a better world and a healthier you. The RSPCA Million Paws Walk is a fun-filled day for the whole family With 22 locations across New South Wales alone, including Sydney Olympic Park , the Central Coast , Hunter and Illawarra , you're sure to find a great walk for you and your furry friend. Registrations are officially open and animal lovers are signing up across the country, but with a fundraising target of $375,000 for NSW alone, there is still a long way to go! THE MILLION PAWS CHALLE...