Last week we put Athena to work while we gave our cars a much needed wash. Athena's nose art was out of control on the back windows from all of the car rides that we've been taking her on.
Actually, we decided that Athena was not invited to the actual car washing party because we didn't want her getting all wet and funking up her delightful smell from her recent bath (and because the front yard isn't fenced in). So, we decided to turn the car wash into a training exercise in "watching from afar." Using the Ruffwear Flat Out Leash, we tied Athena up to the front porch and let her observe the car wash rather than be a part of the action.
Excuuuusssseeee meeee, but I wanna help toooo!
At first, Athena didn't quite get that she was tied up and therefore couldn't go very far from the porch. She kept trying to creep closer and closer to us despite our "lay down" commands. We tried putting her Nylabone in front of her to gnaw on while she watched us, but she wasn't having any of that. Next we tried presenting Athena with her KONG bone, but she still wasn't interested in settling down on the porch. She REALLY wanted to be a part of the car washing action, NOT chew on some silly toys.
Finally we gave Athena her most favorite thing in the whooooleeee world (and no it wasn't a ChuckIt! ball or a used tissue)! Athena got a cow knee cap of course. These babies cure all of Athena's boredom and crate issues and did not disappoint in entertaining her during the car wash. She laid down like a well-behaved dog for over an hour while we washed our cars!
Do you have any techniques for getting your dogs to "watch from afar," or do you just let them in on the action? What treats or toys do you provide for your dogs' self-entertainment during these situations?
Last week we popped into Green Dog Pet Supply to check out their selection of dog gear. While paroozing the leash and collar section, one of the store workers showed us the very fancy Ruffwear Flat Out Leash. We decided to buy the leash because of all its amazing features.
Flat Out leash in the color 'Klickitat'
At $30 this leash comes in a variety of colors and patterns and is made of quality materials (as are all Ruffwear products like our favorite Ruffwear Approach Pack). After much debate, B and I decided to get plain black so that it won't show dirt. The 'Topo' and 'Klickitat' colors were a close second and third!
Athena likes to make sure that I didn't ditch her!
The leash is a standard 6 feet and can be used as a standard leash if you choose. Our favorite feature of this leash is its ability to be worn around the waist for a hands-free walk. Athena can be a puller on walks, so weren't sure if the hands-free walk would work well for her. However, she has gotten much better at walking politely since enforcing the heel command. Since using this leash feature for the past week, we have had very enjoyable walks! Athena walks so nicely at our side (for the most part, unless another dog walks past us). Watch the video below to see Athena and B in action:
The other great feature of this leash is that it has a traffic handle close to the collar clip to give control when waiting at street corners. Even though we have been practicing heel with Athena while we wait at a crosswalk, she sometimes will get distracted and get up from her sit. With this leash we are able to hold onto the traffic handle to ensure that she doesn't step into the street.
The final feature of this leash is that it can be a fixed leash to allow the dog to be tied to a tree or a table when on a picnic or when out and about. So far, we have used this feature to tie Athena to the front porch when we were outside washing our cars, but didn't want Athena to get in on the action!
Talon Clip to attach leash to dog's collar
Overall, we love this leash and have been using it every day as our go-to leash!
Last week we popped into Green Dog Pet Supply in the very popular Beaumont Village in Northeast Portland. To be honest, we went into the store two days in a row. On the first day we visited the store because we were having lunch close by. The second day into the store we brought Athena with us, and boy did she get some major attention from all of the staff!
Green Dog Pet Supply specializes in environmentally friendly pet supplies for dogs and cats. They also carry many products made locally in the Northwest.
B and I went into the store just to look around, but of course we couldn't resist picking up a few new things for Athena:
The store had a display of dog friendly water bottles and collapsible bowls including some that we mentioned in a previous post about our hunt for a doggy water bottle. So, we made our final decision on the perfect water bottle and bought the H2O4K9 Stainless Steel Bottle & Bowl.
While walking through this very spacious store, we stopped to check out the large selection of collars and leashes. One of the women working in the store asked us if we had ever seen the Ruffwear Flat Out Leash. She told us about all of the amazing features of the leash including its ability to be worn around the waist for a hands-free walk! We didn't purchase this leash until our second time into the store because we wanted to go home and check out some online reviews about it before purchasing. Check out our review of this leash which is our new favorite walking tool!
Our final purchase at Green Dog Pet Supply is one of my most favorite dog purchases to date! I have been wanting to get Athena a raincoat to wear because our beautiful weather in Portland is about to change rain. I really wanted to get Athena the Ruffwear K-9 Overcoat, but at $65 I wasn't quite ready to get it (yes, I know it's crazy that we spent $80 on a doggy backpack but can't think to spend $65 on a coat!). The owner at Green Dog Pet Supply showed us the DoodleBug Duds Water Resistance Coat which is made in Oregon and was only $35 (plus 25% off) for Athena's size (her size is Tweeny). We loved this coat for its velcro closures which make it so easy to put on (Athena doesn't do so well with things that we have to put her legs through). We also loved that this coat is water resistant, is lined with black berber for warmth, and has multiple safety reflective strips.
We think that Athena looks pretty cute in her new raincoat!
Overall we were TOTALLY impressed with this amazing local dog supply store! The staff were extremely friendly to us and did all that they could to make Athena feel loved while in the store. The selection of products at Green Dog Pet Supply are of the highest quality and it's a bonus that many are made locally.
