Category — Dog Crates

If you’re a dog owner, I can almost personally guarantee that at some point in time you’ve longed for a type of dog crate, dog furniture or dog bedding that would just blend in beautifully to your home decor.  The fact of the matter is, the majority of dog crates are the large plastic and metal contraptions that take up far too much room while looking extremely unsightly…better suited for the garage than the living room.

Folks those days might just be over.  I just found a pretty amazing piece of “dog-iture” that could put an end to your search for a dog crate that can beautifully blend in with the rest of your home!  The Orvis Solid Wood Crate Furniture does just that.  It provides a safe, comfortable dog crate for your puppy while looking and serving as an end table for your living room.  They designed it in three different sizes to fit just about every possible breed of dog and it really does fit right in with whatever home decor you might have chosen.

The bad news, if there is any, is that with this level of form and function, unfortunately comes a price.  Look to spend anywhere from $200 to $500 for the small to the extra-large variety.  Just keep in mind, you’re not just buying a dog crate, those are much cheaper, you’re also buying some gorgeous furniture for your living room.  Talk about killing two birds with one stone, or rather, filling two needs with one piece of furniture!

It is officially entering into that special time of year we all like to call HOLIDAY SEASON.  With Halloween just a whisper away, Thanksgiving rapidly sneaking up and yes, Christmas on the horizon, it is pretty clear that in the next few months, you and your loved ones will most likely be doing some serious traveling.  Whether it is by plane, train or yes, automobile, if you’re anything like me, your furry friends are going to be right next to you the whole way.  The question is, how do you make that as smooth a vacation as possible for you AND your canine companion?

The good news is, if you have a few important tips in your brain, traveling with pets can be a seamless and fun process.  It doesn’t Have to result in stress, and if you keep some of the following things in mind, your holiday season this year can be a great time for everyone!

• Always, I repeat Always, make sure your pets vaccinations are up to date, current, and complete.  If you can’t take your pooch with you and kenneling is your option, make sure they are vaccinated for kennel cough as well.
• Make sure your dog has his or her collar with current information on the ID Tag.  If you’re out of town for your holiday, make sure the temporary address is on there too.
• Don’t forget the food and water!  Small changes in your dogs diet can lead to an uncomfortable and stressed dog.  Not fun.
• Bring extra Lint removers for anyone that’s not going to be as used to the dog hair as you are!
• Bring carpet cleaners, trash bags and clean up kits in case of any accidents.  Your hosts shouldn’t be responsible.
• Invest in a high quality dog carrier.
• Invest in a high quality dog crate.
• Always let your dog use the bathroom before any public stops or events.
• Look locally for a pet-sitter for the day, or a kennel that will keep your dog for the day so you can enjoy your holiday location pet-free for a day or two.

Bottom line, if you plan accordingly, pack appropriately, and follow some very simple guidelines, you can have an amazing holiday without the pain, stress, and hassle so many people associate with pet-travel.  Don’t leave your furry friends behind, travel with them and let everyone Else enjoy them too!

If you always hated the idea of leaving your dog behind while vacationing or going through the hassle of finding a dog sitter for your pooch, consider staying at hotels that are dog friendly or go with dog hotels. These places offer a kennel-like organization that acts as a hotel for your pet. You check them in (make sure to make a reservation — although not always required), then they take care of your dog for you. The staff will bathe, groom and feed your dog while you vacate around the city. Finding these places is much easier now-a-days because they are gaining popularity. Even smaller cities are now offering these services. So if you are deciding to travel with your dog in an airplane or even the car, make sure to get him or her a comfortable dog crate or dog hammock.

My motto for trips is, ” if you’re going to travel, travel in style and luxury”. The same goes for my dog. I hate the idea of packing him away into an uncomfortable crate, so I opted to buy him this comfortable luxury dog crate mattress. There are different mattress styles and colors and you can find them at local pet stores or the pet aisle of a nearby shopping center. I purchased mine online and since then I have seen these mattresses all over the place. I think they are a great idea and so far my pooch thinks so too.

Then you can add more style and decorate the entire crate as well.

If there’s anything your dog loves the most (after you of course), it’s going outdoors. If you’re a bit of an adventurous, you should consider taking your dog along with you on camping or fishing trips. There are tons of great products that you can buy to make your dog’s stay a bit smoother and more fun.

This is the Excursion Dog Pack, which is a great way to pack your dog’s food, water and favorite toys.

Then while taking a ride out, you can let your dog sway with the motion in this Auto Back Seat Hammock (I can’t wait to try this out).

Of course you gotta get a portable dog crate, so that they can have somewhere to sleep while out in the wild (keeps bugs, rain and wild animals away from your pooch).

And this backpack dog carrier was just too cute to leave out.