How to Choose the Best Dog Toys from a Designer Pet Shop

Choosing the best dog toys for your pet is about more than picking fun colors or choosing cheap dog toys that fit your budget. If you consider your dog’s personality when choosing dog toys, you can reduce problem behaviors, address your pup’s specific needs and avoid toys that could be harmful to your pet. If you’re not sure what your dog’s recreation and exercise needs are, here are some tips from an online designer pet shop that can help you choose the best dog toys for your puppy’s needs.

Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers

If you’re always rushing to rescue your favorite slippers before your dog tears them to bits, there’s a good chance you have an aggressive chewer on your hands. Dogs that like to chew can make life miserable – and be miserable themselves because the poor pup is always in trouble. The best dog toys for dogs that need to chew and tear things apart include heavy rope toys and toys made of durable, soft rubber. For the most aggressive chewers, choose tough dog toys made of special rubber blends that won’t break or chew into little bits that could choke your dog. For older dogs, choose chewy vinyl or latex toys that are easier on older gums but still provide some chewing fun.

Best Dog Toys for Retrievers

Retrievers are bred to chase and bring prey back to you on a hunt. Throw toys can help you train a dog to chase and retrieve, or just provide exercise to keep those instincts sharp. Choose throw toys that bounce erratically to provide extra fun for your pup, who’ll love the surprise of having toys that act more like living things. If your dog likes chasing a Frisbee, invest in one that’s specially made for dogs – the plastic used in people toys can break in sharp edges that hurt your puppy’s gums or damage his teeth.

In addition to safety considerations, think about your pet’s personality when you’re looking for the best toys for him. If he likes to carry things and cuddle with them, for example, choose sturdy toys made of fleece or plush fabric. If he gets bored easily, keep him interested with interactive dog toys that reward him with squeaks or that can be filled with dog treats to pique his interest. The most important things to look for when you’re choosing dog toys for your favorite canine are strong construction, safe materials and a high fun factor. As long as you keep those things in mind, you’ll find the best dog toys for your pet’s needs.

Designer Pet Shops Offer Luxury Bedding for Your Pampered Pup

She’s not just a dog – she’s a member of your family. Today, when many dog owners prefer to be called pet parents, designer pet shops do a booming business in specialty items for their pampered pups. From decadent jeweled collars to mohair dog sweaters, pet shops that cater to the high-end dog owner provide products designed to make a dog feel as if she’s living in the lap of luxury. A place for your pet to sleep is less a luxury than a necessity, but that doesn’t mean you can’t provide a luxury dog bed to pamper your pooch.

Expert trainers and vets explain agree that dogs are happiest when they have their own place for sleeping. A bed for a dog provides that space, along with providing some very important benefits. These include padding to prevent bruised over joints and to help cushion the joints themselves. Cushioning can be especially important for older dogs or for breeds prone to joint problems such as hip dysplasia.

Dog bedding also provides some insulation – it lies between your pup and the cold floor in the winter. For the dog with arthritis or for small dogs whose bodies don’t hold heat as well, a heated dog bed can provide the ultimate in comfort. Mattresses filled with memory foam offer your dog the same comfort they provide for you – and they’re much less expensive than your own mattress. Other fillings, such as gel, provide comfort and still others, such as cedar shavings, help control dog odor and fleas. The mattress may be covered in anything from sturdy canvas to waterproof ultrasuede fabrics that wipe clean and can be easily disinfected. The best dog beds include a removable mattress cover that you can slip off and toss in the washer when it needs cleaning.

A bed is more than just a mattress, of course. Look for beds for beds for dogs with soft sides designed to fit the mattress pad, or for dog beds on legs to lift your dog above drafts on the ground. If you’re not certain about the best options for your dog, an online designer pet shop often has an expert on staff who can answer your questions, or includes informative article to help make your choice easier. Whether you’re buying jeweled collars, a dog crate or a bed for your dog or other designer dog accessories, an online pet shop often offers the best deals and prices you’ll find anywhere.

Designer Pet Shop Best Sellers

$30 billion a year – that’s how much Americans spend on their pets each year according to an article by James Stephenson at Entrepreneur.com. He lists designer pet shops among the top 9 pet-centered businesses for entrepreneurs, and notes that there’s big bucks to be made designing, making and selling designer dog clothing and accessories such as doggie sweaters, rain jackets, hats, goggles and even – hold your hat there – doggie Halloween costumes. With serious voices like this espousing the cute-ifying of the American pet, it’s easy to forget that most designer pet shops carry far more serious fare than silly pet hats and diamond-studded collars. While dog hand-knit dog sweaters and custom-designed clothes for dogs are certainly among the top sellers at designer pet stores, the best selling dog accessories tend to have a more serious purpose than making Fifi look pretty. Here are a few.

Dog harnesses

Dog collars can be dangerous, especially for smaller pets. There’s a danger in pets getting hung up by the collar or choked when they’re on a collar and leash. Dog harnesses are a better solution for petite pets because they distributed pressure across the dog’s chest and shoulders rather than concentrating it at the delicate throat and neck. Small designer pet stores often carry lines of high-quality, custom-made dog harnesses that are sturdier and safer than those found in big box pet stores.

Dog beds

It’s easy to think of beds for dogs as novelty luxuries, but the fact is that your pup needs cushioning for his bones as much as you do. In the wild, canines make their own dens, complete with mattresses made of leaves and other materials to cushion them from the ground. Indoors, your pampered pet needs some cushioning between him and the cold, hard floor. Beds with memory foam mattresses for dogs offer comfort and warmth for older dogs, especially those who suffer from arthritis.

Tough Dog Toys
Dogs can be rough on their toys – and cheap dog toys pose a serious choking danger. Designer pet stores often carry high-quality dog toys that won’t break apart and injure your pup when he plays with them.

Why Choose a Harness for a Small Dog at a Designer Pet Store?

Designer pet stores often carry adorable harnesses for small dogs – cute harnesses in bright fabrics, harnesses with little pockets and other fashionable styles that wow pet parents who like to dress up their teacup-size pups. While there’s nothing wrong with dressing your pet for success with designer pet accessories, there are also some very practical reasons for choosing a harness for a small dog instead of a collar.

Small Dogs can Easily Slip Out of Their Collars

It’s way too easy for small pups, especially teacup and miniature breeds weighing less than ten pounds, to slip out of their collars. This can be annoying at best and dangerous at worst. Harnesses attach at the chest and the belly, making it almost impossible for your dog to wriggle out of them.

A Harness Takes the Strain off the Dog’s Throat and Trachea

Dog leashes and collars can become a choke device, putting pressure on the trachea and throat if the dog lunges or tries to run ahead too far. This can be especially dangerous for small dogs, who have less muscle and fur to reduce the crush against their throats. Instead, a dog harness distributes pressure evenly across the shoulders, chest and belly, which reduces the pressure on any one part of the body.

Dog Harnesses do a Better Job of Stopping Forward Motion

Because a dog harness puts pressure against the chest when a dog tries to pull ahead, they do a much better job of stopping that forward movement. A well-made harness for a small dog has the same effect as putting your hand against his chest to pull him back.

And, of course, there’s the fun factor. You’ll find funky and fun styles at the designer pet store – styles that suit your pet’s personality and yours. While you’re there, check out the selection of high-fashion designer pet accessories that are both fun and practical. From luxury dog beds to keep him cozy during naps to interactive pet toys to keep him engaged, you’ll find everything you need to treat your pampered pooch like the unique individual he is.