Last year was another banner year for doggie products, according to Whole Dog Journal. Among the most unique products reviewed in 2019 by the publication were:

• Clawguard Scratch Shield
• Pooch Paper (non-plastic poop pick-ups)
• BreezeGuards
• PetAml waterproof dog blanket
• Treat Hugger

Check out these and other products and books that made the Whole Dog Journal "best of" list here:
https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/care/whole-dog-journals-2019-gear-of-the-year/

Technology is influencing every aspect of our lives, so it's only natural that there should be an emerging segment of the pet products industry called "pet tech." Yes, it's really a thing! Some of the pet tech products available today may strike you as absurd, but you may think others are pretty ingenious and useful.

Here is a link to 17 of the hottest pet tech ideas for 2019, courtesy of the firm Design 1st:
https://www.design1st.com/pet-tech-products/https://www.design1st.com/pet-tech-products/

You'll find some pretty amazing stuff here, including:

• A dog carrier for your bicycle
• A "smart" dog house
• A "dog activity social network"
• A harness for dogs with hip dysplasia

Check out the list -- it's mind-boggling!

Image: Pixabay.com

Petrics, a Wilmington, NC pet technology company, is now offering a health and nutrition application for pets that "gives you the tools necessary to ensure proper diet and safety for your pet." The application features:

• A database of over 15,000 pet foods and treats that can be scientifically matched and personalized to your dog's individual needs
• A comprehensive ingredients analyzer
• At home delivery and auto-ordering of pet foods
• Pet food recommendations based on genetic risks and pre-existing medical conditions
• Schedule reminders for vet visits and medications
• Recall alerts

The app can be downloaded free. More information is available at: https://www.petrics.com/

This company has also just introduced the world's first connected pet bed, which maintains a comfortable temperature for your dog and also reports on body temperature, heart rate, and other data.

Looking for the best chew toys for puppies? Or how about the best dog shampoos and conditioners for dogs? You might even want to find the best boots for your doggie to wear this winter.

Now a website reviews all sorts of doggie products so you don't have to. "The Goody Pet" is a pet product review site that buys products at full retail prices and does not accept sponsored items. Pet lovers research the products, often by speaking with veterinarians and pet owners. Then they summarize their findings for other pet lovers and post reviews on the site.

Whether it's the best hands-free dog leash, the best vacuums for pet hair, or the best pet odor eliminators, The Goody Pet covers a wide variety of pet products, compares and contrasts product features and prices, and makes objective recommendations.

Check it out: https://www.thegoodypet.com/

Ever heard of ThunderShirt? It is a product made by a Durham, North Carolina company, ThunderWorks, that is proven to reduce anxiety in many dogs. Now ThunderWorks has introduced a product line that naturally relieves anxiety in dogs and cats called ThunderEase.

According to the company, ThunderEase replicates feline and canine pheromones — naturally providing a sense of comfort and security during a wide variety of stressful occasions and situations.

“Both dogs and cats emit natural pheromones to help them feel safe and communicate in their environments," said Phil Blizzard, CEO of ThunderWorks.  "For dogs and cats, mothers emit them during nursing. ThunderEase mimics those comforting pheromones and, in turn, provides a very natural solution to treating anxiety and many other behavioral problems in cats and dogs.”

Like ThunderWorks’ other products, ThunderEase is a drug-free and veterinary recommended solution. The pheromones are effective in treating uneasiness in a new home or environment, fear of loud noises like thunder or fireworks, urine spraying and scratching, stressed caused by change, multiple cat tension, anxiety when visiting a veterinarian office or while boarding, and much more.

The ThunderEase diffuser kits, refills and sprays are now available for dogs, online at thunderease.com and will soon be available at pet retailers across the country. ThunderEase Collars for dogs will be available this fall.

“ThunderEase has been proven to be over 90% effective for many anxiety cases ,” said Blizzard. “Pheromones are highly recommended by veterinarians as an alternative solution to treat fear, anxiety and stress in pets without the need for a costly prescription.”

A new product, "Canine Calm Aromatherapy Wipes," is designed to calm pets during storms, fireworks, boarding, grooming, clinic visits, and other unsettling times. While aromatherapy is commonly used in sprays and diffusers, the development of therapeutic aromatherapy in convenient, travel-friendly wipes creates a new product category for the industry. The Canine Calm wipes are made with pure essential oils to create a serene experience and come in a re-sealable package.
 
“Aromatherapy has been used for centuries, and scientific studies on the effects of essential oils with dogs and horses were well-established by the mid-1880s in areas of Europe,” Vicki Rae Thorne, founder of Earth Heart Inc., said. “We formulate our products with 100 percent pure essential oils that are developed by an aromatherapist with 25-years of experience to ensure a safe and easy-to-use product for all canine owners.” 
 
A dog’s sense of smell is far more advanced than humans’, and their olfactory memory is remarkable since their world revolves around scents. Dogs can associate scents with calming persons and environments, which is why the use of essential oils and aromatherapy is effective when calming canines in stressful situations.

Canine Calm Aromatherapy Wipes contain the same high-quality, pure essential oils as other Earth Heart Inc. products. The company’s reputation has been built with safety in mind and all of its products, including Canine Calm Aromatherapy Wipes, have been formulated for use as often as needed.

Learn more about this new product from Earth Heart Inc., the creator: http://earthheartinc.com/index.html

Image: Earth Heart Inc.

On the right hand side of our blog page, you'll notice a section called "Support Our Advertisers." Carolina Mountain Dog carefully selects only advertisers who meet the highest standards for dog-related products and services.

One of our advertisers is Cherrybrook. Founded in 1969, Cherrybrook has a long, outstanding history of serving professional breeders, show dog handlers and pet parents. Cherrybrook’s vision is to provide customers with the supplies they need to raise vigorous puppies…to turn show dogs into champions…and to keep family pets healthy and happy. Built upon high standards of excellence, Cherrybrook offers a wide selection of health and wellness products, grooming supplies, educational materials and unique gifts for pet lovers. Cherrybrook is the leading supplier of high-quality show dog grooming products that are used by top show dog professionals around the globe. Their products and expertise can help all pets become champions!

Cherrybrook is currently making a special offer to Carolina Mountain Dog readers: Simply sign up for their free e-newsletter and you'll receive $10 off your first order of $50 or more. Take advantage of this great offer by clicking the link below.

Sign up for our Newsletter and receive $10 OFF your order of $50 or more!

Carolina Mountain Dog usually does not promote products, but "Walkin' Pets" is such a cool organization it deserves some recognition. Created by HandicappedPets.com, Walkin' Pets offers dog wheelchairs, products, services and support for disabled, injured, and aging pets. Through the month of January, Walkin' Pets is having a major sale. See the details below, and then visit: http://www.handicappedpets.com/on-sale

Technology has come to the pet world just in time for the holiday season. Whether you're looking for an easier way to feed, care for, or entertain your dog, there are a whole host of technology-enabled items available now that you could consider as gifts for your favorite four-legged friend.

Here's an informative article, courtesy of Petco, that describes many such items, including:
- automatic feeders
- water fountains
- video cameras and remote treat dispensers
- health trackers, and
- interactive dog toys.

Read the article here:
https://community.petco.com/t5/Blog/These-Awesome-Gifts-Will-Make-Your-Life-and-Your-Pet-s-Life/ba-p/81849 

Image: Petco

Not surprisingly, the same people who own dogs often care about the environment. Loving and caring for an animal demonstrates a certain respect for living things and a sensitivity to our earth and its precious resources. Dog owners who share nature with their pets are especially aware of their environment.

So how can you, as a dog owner, "shop green" and do your part to protect the environment? The website RetailMeNot has a helpful, detailed article called "The Ultimate Guide to Shopping Green for Your Pet" that shows you how to do just that. The article discusses the things that make a pet product green, how to find "green" pet food (with some great advice about food ingredients and additives), shopping for green playthings, choosing the right kind of pet beds, and more. It even has a handy green checklist for buying pet products.

Read this great article here.

Image: Aopsan, freedigitalphotos.net

It is estimated that 1.2 million dogs are hit and killed by cars every year. Long work hours, strict off-leash laws and short days often mean people are walking dogs at night.

"Shine for Dogs" has the answer -- and it's a win-win for the dog lover. The company's products use rechargeable fiber optics to cast a bright light from collars and leashes. Plus, the company promises to donate $10 for every item sold to shelters and rescue organizations that care for dogs.

Shine for Dogs products are:

•  Rechargeable - never pay for batteries again!

•   Use LED - Ultra bright.

•    Made of fiber optic strips allowing better flexibility, comfort for your dog and the current does not break when bent, twisted, or pulled. 

•    Durable, weather resistant, and come in a variety of colors and sizes.

The rechargeable LED light-up collars and leashes can be purchased on the Shine for Dogs website and at supporting pet stores and pet service establishments who believe in their cause.

Visits to veterinary emergency clinics tend to increase during the holidays. Many pet parents are well aware of the numerous hazards to their pets during this time of year. Some even prepare emergency kits to make sure they will be covered, should an incident occur. But the makers of VitusVet – the mobile app that allows users to view their pets’ complete medical records at any time – warns pet owners could be missing one of the most vital elements needed during a health crisis. How will you access your pets’ updated medical records and how difficult will they be to obtain during a holiday-related emergency, when most offices are closed for extended periods of time?

The free VitusVet app is currently the only method that allows veterinary offices to share their patients’ entire medical record history with their valuable clients when they need it the most – during an emergency. It is also the only app of its kind that includes a pet owner-facing solution, which also allows the user to invite friends and family to view their pet’s history and offers a search option to find the closest veterinary emergency clinic – both crucial during the holidays when college students may be home from school or people will be traveling with their pets.

“Fifteen million pets went to the ER last year, where there is essentially no after-hours record access. We know that spikes over the holidays, due to pets ingesting people food and other holiday objects, like ornaments, tinsel, and poinsettias,” said Mark Olcott, DVM and co-founder of VitusVet. “We created VitusVet to help pet owners in their greatest time of need and to put an end to preventable tragedies. One key bit of information in a pet’s medical records could mean the difference between life and death and pet owners should be able to access that information whenever they need it.”

You can get this free app here: https://vitusvet.com/for-pet-owner/

The smart folks at Neato Robot Vacuums have created a very useful infographic that tells you how to remove pet hair from just about anything. You'll learn how to remove pet hair from clothing, upholstered furniture, non-upholstered furniture, car interiors, hardwood, and carpets. There are also tips on how to remove pet hair from your dog!

Check out the infographic here: 
https://www.neatorobotics.com/tips/how-to-remove-pet-hair-from-every-surface/

Microchips and ID tags are the best way to prevent your dog from getting lost. If you do lose your dog, follow these helpful tips provided by the ASPCA. Be sure to report your missing pet to your local animal shelter as well.

Not surprisingly, another way to track down your dog is by using your smartphone and a specialized app. Here are some of the apps available to help you:

ASPCA
The ASPCA's mobile app offers you the ability to receive a personalized missing pet recovery kit, including step-by-step instructions on how to search for a lost animal in a variety of circumstances. You can also build a lost pet digital flyer that can be shared instantly on your social media channels. The app covers additional emergency situations.

Finding Rover
Finding Rover uses facial recognition technology to scan your dog's face and keep the information on file. If your dog is lost, Finding Rover notifies a large network of organizations and members who snap a photo using the app to see if there's a match.

iPet Alert
Think of iPet Alert as an Amber Alert for dogs. With iPet Alert, you can instantly alert others when your dog goes missing. A message is sent to local area vets and iPet Alert members to be on the lookout for your missing pet. 

PetRescuers
With the PetRescuers app by HomeAgain, you can help keep a lookout for lost pets in your area and recently found ones who have been reunited with their families. You can further expand your search beyond posting signs in your neighborhood by sharing lost pet alerts via Facebook, Twitter and email with ease. As a PetRescuer you will have access to articles and resources as well.

Pedigree Found
Pedigree Found is a real-time app currently available in New Zealand, but its availability may be expanded. You take a picture of your dog and then, if your dog goes missing, you use Pedigree Found to send out a free alert to Found members and people in your area using Google's ad network.

Tagg
Tagg is not just an app, it integrates with a GPS pet tracker that attaches to your dog's collar so you can keep track of your dog. Tagg allows you to define your dog's home base and tells you if your dog wanders off, and it can pinpoint a dog's location anywhere in the U.S.

Image: Africa, www.freedigitalphotos.net

We're pleased to announce that Carolina Mountain Dog has a brand new bookstore. Now you can search for any book about dogs, dog care, and dog training right from this blog. The bookstore features a collection of books for dog lovers available through our relationship with Amazon.com. You'll find all the dog books you want -- plus you'll have the convenience of shopping with Amazon!

Just click on the Bookstore link at the top of the page to go to the bookstore.

You have probably heard that 2015 promises to be the year of tech "wearables." Now a Boulder, Colorado company, WUF (pronounced "Woof," of course), is introducing a "doggie wearable." It is a versatile device that can be used for training, activity tracking, games, GPS, and more. Perhaps the most unique thing about the WUF collar, though, is the built-in two-way audio, so you can actually talk to your dog remotely and hear him or her as well!

A mike and speaker are embedded in the collar and controlled using a smartphone app. The collar is waterproof and can withstand the wear and tear associated with your doggie's rugged off-leash adventures.

The company is in the launch stage and collars can be pre-ordered for $129 (the regular price will be $149). You can learn more about WUF at the company's website: www.getwuf.com .

Pinups for Pitbulls is a not-for-profit organization located right here in Asheville whose mission is to educate people about the history, temperament, and plight of the pit bull-type dog; raising awareness to rally against Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) and Breed Discriminatory Laws (BDL). PFPB’s goal is to restore the image of the pit bull-type dog to its former reputation of America’s companion animal, war hero, and family member.

Pinups for Pitbulls recently opened a store in downtown Asheville, "Darlings," where anyone can shop for Pinups for Pitbulls goodies and gear for both doggies and humans. Located at 69-A Biltmore Avenue, Darlings is open daily from 11 AM to 7 PM. The store also sells merchandise online. Check out their Facebook page and online store. You'll love the new 10th anniversary edition of the 2015 calendar, with professionally photographed dogs and their pinup companions for each of the twelve months!

All sales benefit Pinups for Pitbulls. Learn more about this organization at their website: http://pinupsforpitbulls.org/

Chester, the mascot of Carolina Mountain Dog, got a big surprise the other day: his very own personalized "Pet Gift Box" arrived! You can see here just how happy he was to get it.

Pet Gift Box is a neat new concept. Each month, a box jam-packed with goodies for your doggie (or kittie) comes right to your door. The box is customized to the size of your pet and consists primarily of toys, so your pet should like to chew and play with toys. Also included is at least one bag of heathy treats.

Chester's box had a wide variety of toys. He particularly liked the "knotty tug toy," a colorful rope with a knot and a ball. Great for tossing or tugging! He enjoyed chomping on the special "pup-rrr-mint" dental chews as well. This is a great way to get many products delivered to your door without going to the store.

At just $17.99 per month, Pet Gift Box is a real bargain. Chester's box had a retail value of over $57. You can cancel the monthly subscription at any time, and you can also order a one-time Pet Gift Box or subscription as a gift.

Special Offer for Carolina Mountain Dog Readers!

Pet Gift Box is offering readers of this blog a special 25% discount on your first order. Simply use the code CarolinaMountainDog (no spaces) when you check out at https://petgiftbox.com/. Also, if you "Like" the Pet Gift Box Facebook page, you will be entered for a chance to win a free gift box.

Take advantage of this special offer today for that special doggie in your life!

The latest trend in pet care combines away-from-home convenience with digital technology. Here are two new products that represent a whole new way of taking care of your dog when you're not home:

• Feed and Go
  Feed and Go claims it is the "first automatic pet feeder" that you can access from anywhere. It allows you to control your pet's eating schedule from any device and connects to any Wi-Fi network. The feeder holds food (dry or wet), treats and medication in 6 full cup sized feeding trays. You can set regular or one-off feedings. And that's not all -- Feed and Go has a built-in webcame so you can watch your pet online. More information at: www.feedandgo.com
  
  
• PetChatz
  PetChatz says it is "a new way to connect and interact with your pet" when you're at work, on vacation, and just want to check in. This remarkable device allows your pet to see you, hear you, receive treats, and gain access to scents. The PetChatz unit mounts over any electric outlet and connects to any Wi-Fi network. It can be operated via an app. With PetChatz, you can "call" your pet, speak, transmit video, and dispense treats and scents. Yes, Fido, Big Brother is watching you! More information at: www.petchatz.com.

How does one know which are the best places to take their dog and which will make them leave Fido out in the cold? Dog Land is a new free iPhone app for dogs and the people who love them.

Dog Land, created by BetterPet, Inc. allows users to share photos, as well as find and vote on dog-friendly locations in their area. Users can “mark their territory” at places in categories such as dog parks and hotels, as well as “dig” content that they like.

“We envisioned an app that would be the mobile destination for dog lovers everywhere,” says Gareth Wilson, president/creative director of BetterPet, Inc. Lead developer Guillermo Flores adds, “Dog Land works so well because it provides a social networking experience with the unique hook of finding and voting on whether a place is dog friendly.”

The team at BetterPet says they hope “Doglandians” (the term they use for those who use Dog Land) will find that the app not only strengthens the bond between themselves and their dogs, but also helps connect the passionate community of dog lovers both locally and globally.

For more information about Dog Land, please visit www.doglandapp.com.