Reactive Dog Gear

Easy 2 Ingredient Dog Treats

julia — Wed, 17 May 2023 11:18:37 +0000

Easy 2 Ingredient Dog Treats

Learn how to make these easy 2 ingredient dog treats for your pup this summer!

As the temperature rises and summer approaches, it’s important to keep our pups cool and refreshed. And what better way to do so than with some delicious homemade frozen treats? In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to a simple yet nutritious recipe that combines two doggie favorites: carrots and applesauce. Packed with vitamins, fiber, and natural sweetness, these frozen delights will not only help your canine companion beat the heat but also provide them with a healthy and tasty snack option. So, let’s grab our aprons and get ready to spoil our dogs with these refreshing treats that will leave their tails wagging with delight!

What you will need

Pick unsweetened applesauce and make sure it doesn’t contain any xylitol or other harmful ingredients.

How to make it

This might be the easiest recipe for frozen dog treats ever! All you need to do is put your carrots in a blender with a little water to make a smooth sort of carrot purée, this will make it easier to put in the mold.
Next, pick a cute ice cube mold and put in your applesauce and carrot purée. You can make it cute or simply just put it all in and blend, it’s up to you.
Stick it in the freezer for about 3-4 hours until solid or overnight, and you’re done!

If you don’t have a blender, fear not! It is possible to make these delicious dog treats without one, you just have to take some extra steps.
Firstly, slice your carrots into small pieces and put them in a pot containing enough water to cover them. Boil the carrots until they become soft, and check their texture by poking them with a fork or stick during boiling. The aim is to make them soft enough to poke without any resistance.

Next up is mashing your carrots. This is why we want them as soft as possible, to make the mashing easier. I used some of the water I boiled them in, to make a smooth consistency.
The rest is the same as above, into the mold and freeze. It doesn’t get easier than that!

Make variations

If you want to spice things up, you can make some variations of these easy pupsicles!
For example, I mashed in some strawberries with the carrots for a carrot/strawberry treat. You can also add in chopped parsley, which benefits your dog’s dental health! Try out different combinations and see what your dog likes.

Enjoy!

Making homemade frozen dog treats is a win-win situation for both you and your dog. Not only do these treats provide a tasty and refreshing way to beat the summer heat, but you have the peace of mind knowing exactly what ingredients are going into their treats, free from any artificial additives or preservatives. So, the next time the sun is scorching, reach for this homemade recipe and watch your pup’s excitement as you present them with a frosty, tail-wagging delight.

Disclaimer:

Remember, moderation is key when it comes to treats, even the homemade ones. Treats should always be given in conjunction with a balanced and nutritious diet. So, go ahead and indulge your furry friend in these homemade frozen dog treats, but always keep their overall dietary needs in mind.

The post Easy 2 Ingredient Dog Treats appeared first on Reactive Dog Gear.

Dog Puzzle Games

julia — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 23:49:59 +0000

Dog Puzzle Games

Puzzles

No matter big or small, all dogs need some form of mental activity. We sometimes forget that mental stimulation is as important as the physical! Maybe you don’t have as much time as you used to or perhaps you don’t really know how to mentally stimulate your dog? Don’t worry! Keep reading to learn more about how these dog puzzle games can help you.

What are dog puzzle games?

These interactive dog puzzle games are designed to stimulate your dog’s brain which requires both mental and some physical dexterity. It can also help reinforce the relationship between dog and handler as you work through the challenges of the puzzles together. Perfect for reactive or nervous dogs who needs to build confidence!

How do they work?

The games are quite straightforward for us humans, maybe less so for your dog. Most dogs love problem–solving in some way and this is exactly what these games give your dog, a problem to solve. The dog has to figure out how to get the treats by lifting blocks, spin discs, push blocks etc. The games usually have different difficulty levels so that every dog can find a game that suits them, even puppies!

How do I use them?

Find a game that fits your dog’s size and difficulty level, if you and your dog are beginners it’s best to start with the lowest level to make sure that your dog succeeds! After you feel like you’ve mastered the level you’re on you can always step it up and get a more difficult game.

Once you’ve found a game it’s time to decide what you want to treat your dog with. You can hide your dog’s food, treats, peanut butter or anything that your dog likes as long as they are motivated enough to work for it. Depending on the game you have they might look a little different, but usually, you hide the treats (or whatever you decided for) under something like blocks or sliding discs and your dog has to figure out how to get them.

As the levels increase it gets harder for your dog to get these treats, instead of just moving one block to get them, they might have to slide a disc in order to then move the block.

Always play the games with your dog the first few times to make sure that they understand what to do and if they don’t, make sure to guide them! Never leave them to play these games unattended!

What are the benefits?

There are a lot of benefits to letting your dog play these games! It exercises your dog mentally, but also physically as they have to grab and lift blocks, maybe push slides with their paws and so on.

It can help reduce or prevent behavior problems, boost their confidence and it can also strengthen the bond between dog and human as you guide and help them with their problem. Plus, it’s so much fun! Not just for your dog, but also for you. Seeing them trying to figure out how to solve the puzzle and see how creative they become when they want the treat is so much fun to see!

Another plus is that they take up very little space (usually) and can be done pretty much anywhere. Is the weather bad and your dog doesn’t want to go out? No problem! Give them a game to work on to make sure that they don’t get bored. Obviously, these games are not a substitute for walks or other types of training that your dog might need. Always make sure to check up any underlying problems or health issues that your dog might have.

The post Dog Puzzle Games appeared first on Reactive Dog Gear.

Hurtta Monsoon Coat

julia — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 14:33:19 +0000

Hurtta Monsoon Coat

HURTTA

Hurtta is a brand founded in Finland that originally made clothing, but decided to make functional dog gear instead. They are a well-established brand within the dog gear industry and have a 20-year history of creating these products. Their products are made for active dogs no matter the weather as their motto is “Tame the great outdoors”.

Personally, Hurtta is a brand that I love, especially as a Scandinavian that experiences lots of different weather types and seasons.

You can find them here: hurtta.com

The Monsoon Coat sells from 75.90-116.90 EUR on their website at the time this review was written.

FEATURES

Here is what Hurtta says about the raincoat on their website

The Hurtta Monsoon raincoat is an essential outfit for every dog in rainy, windy or muddy weather.

Hurtta website

The Monsoon coat comes in sizes from 20 – 90 so you can find the perfect fit for your four-legged friend and in different colors. It is fully waterproof with a shell fabric and taped seams that covers around 70% of the dog’s body. The website states that it has 4-6 adjustments points, allthough I’ve only found 4 on the one we have, but perhaps it depends on the size of your coat. The adjustment points are drawstrings at the inner collar, the start of the back and at the end of the back by the tail. You can also adjust the belly strap that goes around your dog to keep it in place. There is a closable harness opening at the back, for clipping on to your dog’s harness under the coat.
The coat also has a reflective trim and large reflective prints on the coat’s rear hem for visibility at night.

REVIEW

We have had this raincoat for quite some time now and it still hasn’t failed us. We have been through heavy rain, dense forests and still, not a scratch. It is not the most lightweight raincoat out there, so if you plan on bringing it with you out on a hike or so it’s good to keep that in mind, especially after it’s been wet it gets heavier. The top layer of the coat feels like it collects water, but it never reaches the inside, so I have never had a problem with him getting wet. The belly strap is not made in the same way as the rest of the coat, it is thinner, but the same here, he is always dry underneath it so I have never had a problem with it.
As said, the coat does get wet after some rain, so you will need to let it dry. You can’t simply shake off the coat and it’s dry again.

The coat is easy to adjust to your dog and the drawstrings make it super easy to adjust on the go! I haven’t had any issues with the coat moving around or that you have to keep adjusting it. It’s also very easy to put on your dog. You simply put the dog’s head through the opening and then clasp the belly strap around your dog. It has two straps for the back legs that you can put around them to keep it in place as well. These are a little too big on Marvel and it mostly shows when he sits down in the coat, otherwise they do what they are supposed to do.

ISSUES

I can’t really say I’ve had any real issues with this coat! We probably could have gone for a smaller size, but it was quite some time ago since we bought it now. One thing I would’ve loved to see tho is another opening for clipping to your harness at the front by the chest. A lot of harnesses today have the no pull ring at the front and it would’ve been nice to be able to use that even when you have the raincoat on. As you can see in the picture below, the opening at the back for the harness is pretty simple, something similar could probably be done at the front on the chest/belly flap.

PROS

Weatherproof
Many adjustment points
Closable opening for harness
Easy to put on
Reflective patterns and trim making it visible
Easy to wash

CONS

No opening for harness at the front
Takes some time to dry after heavy rain

SUMMARY

I don’t have much bad to say about this coat, it’s lasted us many seasons, many weathers and different environments. On their website they even make it easy for you to find the right size for your dog by typing in their weight and breed. Overall, the Hurtta Monsoon coat is an excellent investment if you want to keep your pup warm and dry during rainy days. Its quality construction ensures that it will last through multiple seasons. Even tho it might not be for colder temperatures, I have used it on Marvel when it’s been colder outside and he has to wait in the car for a bit, to make sure he’s warm. So it definitely will work for those in between temperatures or for dogs who might not need a full on thermal warmer.
As for the fit on the dog I think it works great, it doesn’t feel restricting, Marvel can still run and play and it’s not restricting for him when doing any of his business. If you are looking at buying this coat, then I definitely recommend doing so!

Marvels Measurements

Chest girth: 76 cm/29.9 inches
Neck girth: 46-48 cm/18.5 inches
Back length: 61 cm/24 inches
Height: 56 cm/22 inches
Weight: 26 kg /57.30 pounds

WEATHERPROOF

Can handle water column over 10 000mm

DURABLE

Works well in dense forests and heavy rain/wind without scratching

WASHABLE

Easy to machine wash when dirty

VISIBLE

Large reflective patterns and trims across the coat

Disclaimer:

Always make sure that you test the product yourself first to see how it fits your dog or you and if it feels safe. Don’t go hardcore after our measurements as every dog is differently built.

If you have any further questions about the product, please reach out to me

The post Hurtta Monsoon Coat appeared first on Reactive Dog Gear.

DOG Copenhagen Urban Trail Leash

julia — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 14:43:59 +0000

DOG Copenhagen Urban Trail Leash

DOG Copenhagen

So before I start reviewing the leash I thought I would talk a little about the brand behind it: DOG Copenhagen. It is a Danish brand based in Copenhagen and founded in 2015, so a relatively “new” brand. Their mission is to develop comfortable and sustainable dog products with functional and attractive design. As a Scandinavian myself, I can really see the Scandinavian design in their products, and I’m loving it!

Their products can be bought in over 20 countries around the world.

You can find them here: dogcopenhagen.com

This leash sells for 45.95 GBP/399 DKK/52.95 EUR on their website

About The Leash

Here is what DOG Copenhagen say about their Urban Trail leash:

The Urban Trail leash from DOG Copenhagen is a 160cm versatile dog leash that comes with our Pouch Organizer leash bag included to conveniently carry pick-up bags and treats. Two products in one! The leash also features a soft neoprene padded handle, efficient 3M reflective trim, and four different traffic-handles for secure and close control making this an ideal urban walk leash.

DOG Copenhagen

The leash is made from soft nylon webbing with a neoprene padded handle and the carabiner is made from aluminum making it both strong and lightweight with a locking option. The leash comes in two different sizes, S and L, and we have size L. As stated above it has four different traffic handles, although the older version had five, so that you can choose the length of the leash for more urban environments for example. It also has reflective trims around the pouch and at the bottom of the leash near the carabiner.

REVIEW

First of all, I wanna say that I have their older version of this leash, I think it is their 2020 edition. So I have used this leash for over one and a half years now. The leash that they have now looks pretty much the same, but with some improvements, which I will get to later. The leash feels overall very sturdy and of good quality, none of the seems have started to loosen except for at the bottom of the treat pouch where you can put the bags through. The hardware doesn’t feel worn at all and feels stable. The reflective trim is what have been most worn out on this leash, mostly at the bottom of the leash, which is not that weird because that’s where I sometimes hold the leash in really tight situations. So overall I think that after this long, the leash has held up really well and I use it for our daily walks!

Appearance wise I really like how this leash looks! It has a sleek style with a pop of color that you can match together with their harnesses and collars. Our leash is in the color Ocean Blue and there are seven other colors to choose from on their website. The DOG Copenhagen logo can be seen on both the front of the pouch as well as on the handle. The pouch is a very handy design and element to this leash. At the front is a tiny mesh/net holder where you can put stuff in. On the inside is another small mesh/net holder, perfect for storing your keys, AirPods or your card holder to keep it separated in the pouch. You can actually fit a lot in there like poop bags, treats, keys etc.

The leash is 160 cm long with four traffic handles, ours has five as it is the older version.

The traffic handles do really help, although I found it a little hard in the beginning to quickly get those loops “opened”. After some use though, it became a little less stiff and a lot easier to quickly grab. When you have a reactive dog, tight spaces can sometimes be a trigger. That’s when those traffic handles really come in handy (no pun intended).

ISSUES

Some issues I’ve faced with this leash is that the carabiner on this old version didn’t have the best locking mechanism. It would slide up and down and not stay locked through our walks. On their newer design however, they have a different type of carabiner and locking mechanism, which I think is a safer option, so if you buy this now I don’t think you will face the same issue as me. I think they had more people talking about this problem and decided to change it for the better!

Another problem I have is that the hole at the bottom of the pouch that is designed to have your bags go through is really small. It is very difficult to get the bags through and if you have longer nails, bigger fingers or maybe not very strong fingers, you will struggle. I’m sure you could make the hole bigger somehow and I’m not sure if this has been changed within their new design, but for me it was a problem, but not that big of a problem in reality. I just put the bags in the mesh/net holder on the outside of the pouch. Works just as well!

PROS

Perfect length for urban environments
Reflective trims on the pouch and further down by the carabiner, making the leash visible
4 traffic handles for easy maneuvering and better handling
Strong aluminum carabiner with locking option
Leash pouch that can hold all of your necessities like poop bags, keys or treats
Easy to wash
Comes in 2 different sizes
Lightweight

CONS

Locking option on the old leash is not ideal
Traffic handles are a bit stiff and hard to get your hand through at the beginning
The hole at the bottom of the pouch is very small and difficult to get the bags through
Length is a bit on the shorter side with only 160 cm
Reflective trims wear out pretty quick (but not too quick)

SUMMARY

Does this leash get my approval? YES! Like I said before I use this leash daily and it still feels of high quality. The pros definitely outweigh the cons! But, is it approved for reactive dogs? Also a yes for me on that one. It feels strong and of quality, the traffic handles are really good when you have a reactive dog and you need a tighter leash or better handling in some situations. It was one of the things I was looking for in a leash, having that extra handle for a shorter leash when needed. Two different sizes make it possible for smaller dogs as well as a bit bigger dogs to comfortably wear this leash. Marvel is a medium-big dog and it still feels very safe. As mentioned the carabiner and the lock weren’t ideal on the old leash, but since they updated it, it looks a lot safer and I haven’t heard any complaints about the locking mechanism on the new version.

There are always some things that could improve, for instance I would’ve liked to see some padding on the traffic handles for easier access and grabbing and I would’ve also loved more reflective trims. The spaces between the traffic handles could easily have trims going around, but those are some smaller things and don’t really affect the overall usage and quality of this leash. I think it’s a really good leash for people with reactive dogs or nervous dogs that might live in a more urban environment like me and Marvel, where you want to quickly be able to shorten the leash, without twisting it around your hand (been there done that).

WEATHERPROOF

Works well in most weather. Does hold a bit of water after heavy rain.

DURABLE

Very sturdy and durable material. Hardware is strong and well-sown seams.

WALKING

Suitable for daily walks and city walks. Also works well on shorter day hikes.

VISIBLE

Has reflective trims on two places making it visible at night.

Disclaimer:

Always make sure that you test the product yourself first to see how it fits your dog or you and if it feels safe. Don’t go hardcore after our measurements as every dog is differently built.

If you have any further questions about the product, please reach out to me

The post DOG Copenhagen Urban Trail Leash appeared first on Reactive Dog Gear.