Reduce leash pulling with the Sporn Training Halter

I see it every day: people being dragged around by their dogs on walks and dogs choking themselves on leash. Sound familiar? It is not a pretty sight walking down the street with your swanky pup pulling your arm out of the socket and/or choking himself and it makes it hard to enjoy taking your dog out and about. The Sporn Training Halter may be what you need to get control out on the walk so you can have those leisurely walks you dream of.

I have tried a lot of different harness and almost all of them just gave my dog more leverage so he could pull with his whole body. The Sporn halter actually gave my dog gentle feedback as he pulled, making it much more comfortable for him to walk at my side and discourage pulling.

The Sporn Training Halter goes around your dog’s neck and under the armpits, where the braided cord is covered by sherpa sleeves so it will not hurt or rub. When your dog pulls on the leash, the harness tightens under your dog’s armpits encouraging him to stop pulling. The Sporn is not a substitute for training your dog to heel but it is a great tool to have at your disposal and can make a big difference for those big pullers out there.

A better walk is priceless right? Well, the halter is only $25.95 and worth every penny. Check out the video on their site for exactly how the Sporn Training Halter works and see if it is right for your dog.

Reduce leash pulling with the Sporn Training Halter

I see it every day: people being dragged around by their dogs on walks and dogs choking themselves on leash. Sound familiar? It is not a pretty sight walking down the street with your swanky pup pulling your arm out of the socket and/or choking himself and it makes it hard to enjoy taking your dog out and about. The Sporn Training Halter may be what you need to get control out on the walk so you can have those leisurely walks you dream of.

I have tried a lot of different harness and almost all of them just gave my dog more leverage so he could pull with his whole body. The Sporn halter actually gave my dog gentle feedback as he pulled, making it much more comfortable for him to walk at my side and discourage pulling.

The Sporn Training Halter goes around your dog’s neck and under the armpits, where the braided cord is covered by sherpa sleeves so it will not hurt or rub. When your dog pulls on the leash, the harness tightens under your dog’s armpits encouraging him to stop pulling. The Sporn is not a substitute for training your dog to heel but it is a great tool to have at your disposal and can make a big difference for those big pullers out there.

A better walk is priceless right? Well, the halter is only $25.95 and worth every penny. Check out the video on their site for exactly how the Sporn Training Halter works and see if it is right for your dog.

Wooly Dog Toys from TheVelvetSnoot.com

Harold is really hard on his toys. His favorites are the stuffed fuzzy ones but we gave up on buying them because he ruins them so quickly. I was a little skeptical when the Wooly Dog Toy collection from TheVelvetSnoot.com arrived. I thought Harold would have the stuffing out in seconds. But I was wrong!!!

The toys came beautifully wrapped with colorful tissue and bows, without even asking for the extra service. The toys are 100% boiled wool, appear hand made, and are much more durable than most. Harold went crazy for these toys. He loves the wooly texture, and Jarad and I love that there was no squeaker to drive us crazy all night. Available in lots of different shapes and colors, from animals to vegetables and people, these toys are also more reasonable than the toys we generally buy for Harold (they start at just $3.75). As for our quest for the indestructible toy, Harold did manage to rip one of the toys apart, but it took a lot longer than usual. We gave a few to friends dogs who also loved them and have not ruined them yet!

Check out the Wool dog toys and lots more are available at http://thevelvetsnoot.com. Through January ask for the Swanky Pup discount, 20% off.

Wooly Dog Toys from TheVelvetSnoot.com

Harold is really hard on his toys. His favorites are the stuffed fuzzy ones but we gave up on buying them because he ruins them so quickly. I was a little skeptical when the Wooly Dog Toy collection from TheVelvetSnoot.com arrived. I thought Harold would have the stuffing out in seconds. But I was wrong!!!

The toys came beautifully wrapped with colorful tissue and bows, without even asking for the extra service. The toys are 100% boiled wool, appear hand made, and are much more durable than most. Harold went crazy for these toys. He loves the wooly texture, and Jarad and I love that there was no squeaker to drive us crazy all night. Available in lots of different shapes and colors, from animals to vegetables and people, these toys are also more reasonable than the toys we generally buy for Harold (they start at just $3.75). As for our quest for the indestructible toy, Harold did manage to rip one of the toys apart, but it took a lot longer than usual. We gave a few to friends dogs who also loved them and have not ruined them yet!

Check out the Wool dog toys and lots more are available at http://thevelvetsnoot.com. Through January ask for the Swanky Pup discount, 20% off.

Going out? Don't forget the doggie diaper bag!

As a mother to an 11 month old baby girl, I know that I never leave the house without my diaper bag. It's my purse, her changing table, toybox and kitchen when she gets hungry. Well, I recently saw a diaper bag for my dog too, on the Pupcentric.com website. The bag is called the E.B.D. Carry-all and it is AMAZING!!! It's called E.B.D., because in the bag you can carry Everything But the Dog.
If you are like me, I take my dog out as often as I can. He comes for rides in the car, he goes to the park and he even has overnight stays at his grandparent's house. For those times, that we need to bring a little extra for him besides his leash and collar, this is the bag I take with me.
The bag comes with coordinated and collapsible food and water bowls, an indoor/outdoor blanket, a freezable gel pack to keep treats cool and fresh, and tons of pockets. There are pockets for pens, a canister of hand sanitation wipes, a poop bag dispenser, cell phone or MP3 player, and vet records. You can get the bag monogrammed with your pets name and it even comes with a bone shaped carabineer for easy access to your keys. The bag comes in brown with a pink or blue interior. More colors are becoming available soon.
So, the next time you're on the go with your dog, don't forget to grab the E.B.D. Carry-all from Pupcentric.com. For a 10% discount enter "theswankypup" at checkout.

Going out? Don't forget the doggie diaper bag!

As a mother to an 11 month old baby girl, I know that I never leave the house without my diaper bag. It's my purse, her changing table, toybox and kitchen when she gets hungry. Well, I recently saw a diaper bag for my dog too, on the Pupcentric.com website. The bag is called the E.B.D. Carry-all and it is AMAZING!!! It's called E.B.D., because in the bag you can carry Everything But the Dog.
If you are like me, I take my dog out as often as I can. He comes for rides in the car, he goes to the park and he even has overnight stays at his grandparent's house. For those times, that we need to bring a little extra for him besides his leash and collar, this is the bag I take with me.
The bag comes with coordinated and collapsible food and water bowls, an indoor/outdoor blanket, a freezable gel pack to keep treats cool and fresh, and tons of pockets. There are pockets for pens, a canister of hand sanitation wipes, a poop bag dispenser, cell phone or MP3 player, and vet records. You can get the bag monogrammed with your pets name and it even comes with a bone shaped carabineer for easy access to your keys. The bag comes in brown with a pink or blue interior. More colors are becoming available soon.
So, the next time you're on the go with your dog, don't forget to grab the E.B.D. Carry-all from Pupcentric.com. For a 10% discount enter "theswankypup" at checkout.

Curl up and watch TV with your pet with this great blanket!

There is nothing better than staying home, lighting a fire, and watching TV with my dog (oh, and husband, too!) We like to snuggle under a blanket and stay warm -- and the blanket we love to use is a picture blanket!

These soft, generously-sized, 100% cotton blankets feature a picture of your favorite pet or person. The image is amazing quality and the blanket is thick and warm. What a great way to memorialize a special pet who is no longer here! I can also see a pet-lover enjoying this blanket as a gift with their furry friend on it (I know my mom would love this with a picture of her cat!)

You can upload your photo right on the site, and then your picture is knitted into the blanket using four colors of yarn, black, natural, and two shades of gray, giving your blanket the classic appearance of a great black and white photo. A sepia-tone blanket is also available. The blanket has a finished look on both sides and the back is an blend of the four colored yarns knitted into a birds mouth pattern.

Also available are adorable and cozy pet wraps for your dog and embroidered plush chenille blankets.

Make a purchase on one of these keepsake blankets and take 15% off! Use code BR15.

Curl up and watch TV with your pet with this great blanket!

There is nothing better than staying home, lighting a fire, and watching TV with my dog (oh, and husband, too!) We like to snuggle under a blanket and stay warm -- and the blanket we love to use is a picture blanket!

These soft, generously-sized, 100% cotton blankets feature a picture of your favorite pet or person. The image is amazing quality and the blanket is thick and warm. What a great way to memorialize a special pet who is no longer here! I can also see a pet-lover enjoying this blanket as a gift with their furry friend on it (I know my mom would love this with a picture of her cat!)

You can upload your photo right on the site, and then your picture is knitted into the blanket using four colors of yarn, black, natural, and two shades of gray, giving your blanket the classic appearance of a great black and white photo. A sepia-tone blanket is also available. The blanket has a finished look on both sides and the back is an blend of the four colored yarns knitted into a birds mouth pattern.

Also available are adorable and cozy pet wraps for your dog and embroidered plush chenille blankets.

Make a purchase on one of these keepsake blankets and take 15% off! Use code BR15.

Jingle, jingle... I have to tinkle!

Wouldn't it be nice if your dog could say to you, "Hey! I gotta go out!"? Well, now they can with Poochie Bells. Poochie-Bells are jingle bells that are hung on decorative ribbon. You simply hang the bells on your door that your dog most uses to go out, and with a little training and, of course some positive reinforcement, your dog will ring the bells when he or she has some business to attend to outside. The bells come with a small instruction card on how the training should be done. There are a wide variety of ribbons to choose from to match any room decor. It's not likely that you are ever going to hear your dog speak, but Poochie-Bells are a great alternative. At checkout, enter "SWANKYPUP" and receive free standard shipping on your purchase. Ding-a-ling-a-ling!

Jingle, jingle... I have to tinkle!

Wouldn't it be nice if your dog could say to you, "Hey! I gotta go out!"? Well, now they can with Poochie Bells. Poochie-Bells are jingle bells that are hung on decorative ribbon. You simply hang the bells on your door that your dog most uses to go out, and with a little training and, of course some positive reinforcement, your dog will ring the bells when he or she has some business to attend to outside. The bells come with a small instruction card on how the training should be done. There are a wide variety of ribbons to choose from to match any room decor. It's not likely that you are ever going to hear your dog speak, but Poochie-Bells are a great alternative. At checkout, enter "SWANKYPUP" and receive free standard shipping on your purchase. Ding-a-ling-a-ling!

Swanky Pup of the Week!

Check out this handsome birthday boy named Cedar! He is a beagle/rat terrier mix who was born in Michigan and now loves life with his family in Virginia. Tomorrow, January 11th, Cedar will be turning 4 years old and we hope he has a birthday filled with lots of treats and attention since he is a very special boy. Cedar’s sister Gizmo ran away and his mommy hopes she is safe and being loved tomorrow for her birthday and everyday too!

Nicknames: Wigglebutt (he can wiggle his way up a 5 ft chain link fence!) and pupper

Likes: Cheese, hamburgers, walks in the park with his mom and nice car rides in the country

Dislikes: Water and getting wet (he will even walk around puddles to keep his paws clean), city buses


Want your Swanky Pup to be featured on our site? Send you dog's info to allie@theswankypup.com

Swanky Pup of the Week!

Check out this handsome birthday boy named Cedar! He is a beagle/rat terrier mix who was born in Michigan and now loves life with his family in Virginia. Tomorrow, January 11th, Cedar will be turning 4 years old and we hope he has a birthday filled with lots of treats and attention since he is a very special boy. Cedar’s sister Gizmo ran away and his mommy hopes she is safe and being loved tomorrow for her birthday and everyday too!

Nicknames: Wigglebutt (he can wiggle his way up a 5 ft chain link fence!) and pupper

Likes: Cheese, hamburgers, walks in the park with his mom and nice car rides in the country

Dislikes: Water and getting wet (he will even walk around puddles to keep his paws clean), city buses


Want your Swanky Pup to be featured on our site? Send you dog's info to allie@theswankypup.com

A Table For Your Pooch!

If my dog could, he would sit at the dinner table with us. He would probably lick clean all the food on everyone's plates and he'd probably knock over a glass or two. Well, now he has his own table...a table just for him. Fitzyourpet.com is a website that will make a dinette set for your cat or small dog. Its stylish design, custom colors and easy maintenance make it so nice to keep in your kitchen. Not only that, but there are so many benefits for the health of your pet. Since it has adjustable heights, it helps reduce neck and shoulder strain and it improves digestion through better alignment. It's very easy to keep clean with mild soap and warm water. Fitzyourpet.com also carries accessories for your dinette such as braided rugs for your dinette to sit on, engraved dinette nameplates, personalized placemats, food and water bowls, treat jars, toys and more. So, if you're ready to bring your pet to the table, check out Fitzyourpet.com. Enter coupon code "theswankypup" to receive 5% off your purchase.

A Table For Your Pooch!

If my dog could, he would sit at the dinner table with us. He would probably lick clean all the food on everyone's plates and he'd probably knock over a glass or two. Well, now he has his own table...a table just for him. Fitzyourpet.com is a website that will make a dinette set for your cat or small dog. Its stylish design, custom colors and easy maintenance make it so nice to keep in your kitchen. Not only that, but there are so many benefits for the health of your pet. Since it has adjustable heights, it helps reduce neck and shoulder strain and it improves digestion through better alignment. It's very easy to keep clean with mild soap and warm water. Fitzyourpet.com also carries accessories for your dinette such as braided rugs for your dinette to sit on, engraved dinette nameplates, personalized placemats, food and water bowls, treat jars, toys and more. So, if you're ready to bring your pet to the table, check out Fitzyourpet.com. Enter coupon code "theswankypup" to receive 5% off your purchase.

Get their look for less

Mariah Carey was spotted in the most recent issue of People magazine with her best friend and pooch Jack vacationing in Aspen. Mariah looks great in her army green snowsuit, but Jack Jr. steals the spotlight in his swanky camo coat.

Want to steal this look for your dog without spending a fortune? Check out this camo coat vest from Pamper Me Puppy on sale for $46.95. It features the same great print and furry hood that Jack was sporting, but without the sleeves that tend to irritate many dogs. Also, it has a snap closure making it easy to take on and off your pup. Even if you can’t make it to Aspen, your dog will be a fashion icon wherever you go!

Get their look for less

Mariah Carey was spotted in the most recent issue of People magazine with her best friend and pooch Jack vacationing in Aspen. Mariah looks great in her army green snowsuit, but Jack Jr. steals the spotlight in his swanky camo coat.

Want to steal this look for your dog without spending a fortune? Check out this camo coat vest from Pamper Me Puppy on sale for $46.95. It features the same great print and furry hood that Jack was sporting, but without the sleeves that tend to irritate many dogs. Also, it has a snap closure making it easy to take on and off your pup. Even if you can’t make it to Aspen, your dog will be a fashion icon wherever you go!

Poop scooping goes hi-tech

For me, having a dog is one of the biggest joys in the world. Unfortunately, owning a dog does come with one major drawback: they poop and it is our job as owners to pick it up. Now, thanks to Swoop, this job has become much less yucky.

Swoop not only picks up the poop for you but it also bags it so all you have to do is walk it over to the trash can and drop it in. It sounds too good to be true, right? Well I have been using it with my puppy Baxter and it really is everything I was hoping for! All you have to do is put a special bag over the top of the Swoop (it looks like a mini shower cap), pull back the funnel revealing the claw, place it over the poo and hit a button. Voila! The poop has been successfully scooped and bagged and best of all, the Swoop did all the dirty work.

The Swoop operates using a reverse spring so no batteries are required and because it never actually touches the poop you don’t even have to clean it after each use. Also, it has a handy strap so it will be easy for you to carry around and take out on your walks or in your yard. Because the Swoop scoops and bags individual piles, I recommend this product most for people who pick up after their dog every time they go potty, but anyone who hates this dirty deed will consider the Swoop man/woman’s second best friend.

Order the Swoop and get free shipping and 20 free bags with your purchase!

Poop scooping goes hi-tech

For me, having a dog is one of the biggest joys in the world. Unfortunately, owning a dog does come with one major drawback: they poop and it is our job as owners to pick it up. Now, thanks to Swoop, this job has become much less yucky.

Swoop not only picks up the poop for you but it also bags it so all you have to do is walk it over to the trash can and drop it in. It sounds too good to be true, right? Well I have been using it with my puppy Baxter and it really is everything I was hoping for! All you have to do is put a special bag over the top of the Swoop (it looks like a mini shower cap), pull back the funnel revealing the claw, place it over the poo and hit a button. Voila! The poop has been successfully scooped and bagged and best of all, the Swoop did all the dirty work.

The Swoop operates using a reverse spring so no batteries are required and because it never actually touches the poop you don’t even have to clean it after each use. Also, it has a handy strap so it will be easy for you to carry around and take out on your walks or in your yard. Because the Swoop scoops and bags individual piles, I recommend this product most for people who pick up after their dog every time they go potty, but anyone who hates this dirty deed will consider the Swoop man/woman’s second best friend.

Order the Swoop and get free shipping and 20 free bags with your purchase!

Natural, healthy treats for your dog

My dog Maggie got some awesome gifts for the holidays... but her favorite by far were the Chix and Pork Riblets by Pet 'n Shape. These all natural, healthy treats are perfect for her as she loves to chew.

I love Pet 'n Shape because their treats are all natural and healthy, with 100% natural chicken and duck breast. They have:

NO additives or coloring
NO preservatives
Not affected by Recalls
LOW in calories
LOW in fat
LOW in cholesterol
HIGH in protein

There are a number of awesome products that they offer so take a look to see what is right for your pet.

Buy from Amazonand take advantage of sale prices (over 25% off!) and free shipping when you spend $25.

Natural, healthy treats for your dog

My dog Maggie got some awesome gifts for the holidays... but her favorite by far were the Chix and Pork Riblets by Pet 'n Shape. These all natural, healthy treats are perfect for her as she loves to chew.

I love Pet 'n Shape because their treats are all natural and healthy, with 100% natural chicken and duck breast. They have:

NO additives or coloring
NO preservatives
Not affected by Recalls
LOW in calories
LOW in fat
LOW in cholesterol
HIGH in protein

There are a number of awesome products that they offer so take a look to see what is right for your pet.

Buy from Amazonand take advantage of sale prices (over 25% off!) and free shipping when you spend $25.

Swanky Pup of the Week!

This lovable, 13 year old boy is Paws…aka Mr. Waggles. He earned this affectionate nickname because he never stops wagging his little stubby tail and his whole body wags if he is especially happy to see you. Waggles loves to destroy stuffed animals and pulls all of the stuffing out within minutes. He also LOVES food and will wait patiently next to you while you eat hoping you will share with him…which explains why he is a bit hefty. He is a loyal and loving pup and truly is man’s best friend!

Nicknames: Pawsy, Waggles, Sir Paws Woodruff Waggles, Baby

Likes: Going for walks, socks, food (especially the human kind), getting attention, taking long naps, stuffed animals

Dislikes: When other dogs come over and steal his toys, going to the vet, getting groomed, the rain


Want your Swanky Pup to be featured on our site? Submit your dog here.

Swanky Pup of the Week!

This lovable, 13 year old boy is Paws…aka Mr. Waggles. He earned this affectionate nickname because he never stops wagging his little stubby tail and his whole body wags if he is especially happy to see you. Waggles loves to destroy stuffed animals and pulls all of the stuffing out within minutes. He also LOVES food and will wait patiently next to you while you eat hoping you will share with him…which explains why he is a bit hefty. He is a loyal and loving pup and truly is man’s best friend!

Nicknames: Pawsy, Waggles, Sir Paws Woodruff Waggles, Baby

Likes: Going for walks, socks, food (especially the human kind), getting attention, taking long naps, stuffed animals

Dislikes: When other dogs come over and steal his toys, going to the vet, getting groomed, the rain


Want your Swanky Pup to be featured on our site? Submit your dog here.

Rope Toys Shaped Like Animals!

In my apartment the average lifespan of a stuffed dog toy is about 3 seconds. Harold finds the seam and just rips it apart until he is covered in fuzz. I even try sewing them up, but it takes me longer to sew then for him to rip it apart again. I simply gave up on buying stuffed toys shaped like cute animals. However, this left Harold with just a few monochromatic balls and rope toys, until now.

I discovered rope toys shaped like animals. These colorful toys come in many different shapes and sizes. I opted for the yellow giraffe but they also come shaped like a monkey, cat, octopus, lion or teddy bear. They are super durable, and this giraffe has lasted a whole week, infinitely longer than just a regular stuffed toy. Since it is made of rope and not stuffed I don't have to worry about Harold ingesting the fuzz.

I first saw them at my local pet boutique here in Washington DC but since then I also found them on thepamperedpup.com for only $14 to $16. And with the way they last it is well worth the small price tag! These adorable animal rope toys are a colorful addition to any toy box.

Rope Toys Shaped Like Animals!

In my apartment the average lifespan of a stuffed dog toy is about 3 seconds. Harold finds the seam and just rips it apart until he is covered in fuzz. I even try sewing them up, but it takes me longer to sew then for him to rip it apart again. I simply gave up on buying stuffed toys shaped like cute animals. However, this left Harold with just a few monochromatic balls and rope toys, until now.

I discovered rope toys shaped like animals. These colorful toys come in many different shapes and sizes. I opted for the yellow giraffe but they also come shaped like a monkey, cat, octopus, lion or teddy bear. They are super durable, and this giraffe has lasted a whole week, infinitely longer than just a regular stuffed toy. Since it is made of rope and not stuffed I don't have to worry about Harold ingesting the fuzz.

I first saw them at my local pet boutique here in Washington DC but since then I also found them on thepamperedpup.com for only $14 to $16. And with the way they last it is well worth the small price tag! These adorable animal rope toys are a colorful addition to any toy box.

Beautiful and inexpensive furniture for your pet

I came across this gorgeous furniture for dogs by Pet Studio. It looks nicer than my own expensive bedroom set but is very affordable!

The furniture is rich looking, with high-quality mahogany finish. The platform bed elevates pets in style with a cute paisley mattress. The wardrobe is a great piece of furniture to store all of your dogs great clothing and accessories, and features a removable shelf, a bar for hanging items, and magnetized doors. The toy chest has a ton of room for all of your dogs play items. All three items have a bone accent for an adorable matching look. You have to assemble it yourself, but it is worth it for the great price. (The bed is $109, the wardrobe $89, and the toy chest $69!)

So if you are looking to pamper your pet with an awesome bedroom set, this is definitely a great option. We looked everywhere online for a better price or coupon code but no one beats PetEdge.com. While on their site, check out their awesome January clearance sale, too!

Beautiful and inexpensive furniture for your pet

I came across this gorgeous furniture for dogs by Pet Studio. It looks nicer than my own expensive bedroom set but is very affordable!

The furniture is rich looking, with high-quality mahogany finish. The platform bed elevates pets in style with a cute paisley mattress. The wardrobe is a great piece of furniture to store all of your dogs great clothing and accessories, and features a removable shelf, a bar for hanging items, and magnetized doors. The toy chest has a ton of room for all of your dogs play items. All three items have a bone accent for an adorable matching look. You have to assemble it yourself, but it is worth it for the great price. (The bed is $109, the wardrobe $89, and the toy chest $69!)

So if you are looking to pamper your pet with an awesome bedroom set, this is definitely a great option. We looked everywhere online for a better price or coupon code but no one beats PetEdge.com. While on their site, check out their awesome January clearance sale, too!

Happy New Year!

We wish you, your family, and furry friends a very Happy New Year!

Please stop by often in the New Year as we will bring you lots of great product ideas and fab finds for your canine friends.

Happy 2008!

Happy New Year!

We wish you, your family, and furry friends a very Happy New Year!

Please stop by often in the New Year as we will bring you lots of great product ideas and fab finds for your canine friends.

Happy 2008!