Out and About With an Active Dog

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Last year, when Margaret Millspaugh, owner of Wagon Train Feed & Pet in Orange, California, attended SuperZoo in Las Vegas, she was so intrigued by the outdoor camping display that pet lifestyle brand P.L.A.Y. did to promote its Scout & About Outdoor Dog Tent and accessories, that she decided to re-create the setting to display the products in her own store.

“We have a monthly open house in our store and invite vendors to give away free product and promote certain lines, and the Scout & About Outdoor tent was a huge hit, especially amongst dog owners who had kids,” she said. “It’s very easy to set up and take down, and it’s very lightweight. I have stocked up again for this summer.”

The tent is made from a durable high performance 600-Denier PE fabric that is commonly found in outdoor and camping products. It is waterproof and Intertekcertified UV-resistant to prevent water seepage and discoloration. Other accessories in the line include a chill pad filled with an eco-friendly filler made from 100 percent post-consumer, certified-safe recycled plastic bottles. It is machine washable, and the toys include the Scout & About Toss and Float that is ideal for water play as well as general fun and available in two sizes.

“The toys are lined with 3M reflective stripes for evening playtime,” explained Natalie Hennessy, public relations and integrated marketing manager for the San Francisco-based company. “And they are made to the same strict quality standards for manufacturing infant and children’s products.”

A Better Walk

The GLOPUP LED leashes and collars that light up are available in six fun colors and can be seen up to a distance of 1,000 feet, making them an ideal accessory for nighttime activities.

“They are powered by two replaceable 3V Lithium batteries and [are] low maintenance, offering 48 hours of blinking,” explained Brad Locke, founder of the company. “While they are sold separately, the feedback I’ve received from retailers is that they’re popular sold as sets. I believe it’s really an important
safety feature to be able to see a dog and a dog walker from a distance after dark.”

When it comes to outdoor activity accessories, comfort for both the dog and the owner is important. For this reason, the right leash for a particular activity can really enhance enjoyment on both ends of the leash.

Kurgo’s Springback Hiking and Running Leash is a bungee-styled leash that is 48-inches long but stretches to 54 inches when fully extended. This stretchy extension removes any jolting or pulling action on the dog and the owner. It has a D-ring for accessories, a quick-grab handle and even a bottle opener. Th e sixfoot Quantum leash is a versatile accessory that converts into six different styles. With a carabineer adjustment, the leash switches styles to better serve a particular outdoor activity. It can also go around the waist so that the walker is hands-free. It’s available in several colors in nylon and a reflective nylon. And, like all Kurgo products, it has a lifetime guarantee.

Outdoor Naps

The K-9 Ruff n’ Tuff Indoor-Outdoor Pet Bed is new from K&H Manufacturing for this summer. Made from an extra-durable 1260 denier polyester fabric, it is being marketed as ideal for puppies, chewers or diggers.

Commenting on the new products, Dawn Buffington, the company’s marketing manager, explained that the liner inside the bed is channeled to keep the polyfil stuffing in place and that the bottom of the bed closes with hidden fasteners so there are no zippers to pique canine curiosity. This is the third indoor-out bed that the company has released in the past year. The other two models are the Just Relaxin’ and the Comfy n’ Dry that has a removable core that doesn’t absorb water and dries quickly. The cover is made from mesh and an outdoor fabric that is UV coated and water-resistant.

Safety in the Sun

For dog owners who are cognizant of the dangers of the sun during outdoor activities, protective clothing can off er great protection for dogs of all sizes. Gold Paw Series has added new colors to its Sun Shield Tee range, which launched at SuperZoo last year. Not only is the T-shirt great for sun protection, but it also helps with heat mitigation. To test the product, the company used an infrared temperature gun to measure the surface temperature of a dog’s fur at its office with and without the T-shirt. Th e company reports that the difference was nearly 50°F.

When it comes to all-weather protection, the company also added a new waterproof raincoat, called Rain Paw, to the product line. It’s available in all sizes and five colors, namely red, yellow, pink, beetroot burgundy and navy blue. Also new is the Gold Paw Series’ CoverAll Waterproof Blanket. It’s made of a waterproof Gore-Tex type fabric and is being marketed as a multipurpose product to be used as a seat cover as well as for outdoor outings.

Fresh Chow

The Travel-Tainer by GAMMA2 is a complete transportable pet feeding system that eliminates the hassle of packing up bowls and filling bags with food. It is ideal for a weekend away with the family pet. The system includes an airtight, clear plastic food container that keeps food fresh while keeping pests out. Two food/water dishes slip on the ends of the food container and a convenient carry handle holds it all together.

“We designed it to be a convenient way to bring along everything your dog will need for those quick getaways,” said Curt Leland, president of GAMMA2. “The airtight container keeps food fresh, allowing pet owners to keep the Travel-Tainer ready to go at a moment’s notice. Whether it’s a picnic in the park or a weekend camping trip, you can just grab it and go knowing that your dog has everything it needs.”