Petco promise:

• Prong training collars help you control even the most stubborn dog
• They’re electronically welded for maximum strength
• Nickel and chrome plated for durability, and resistant against rust, tarnish, or breakage
• Swivel ring to prevent the leash from becoming tangled
• Quick release allows for easy application and removal

Sniffing Snout review:
I will admit that by the time I bought a prong dog collar, I was at the end of my proverbial leash with walking my dog. I was ready to get Mr.Brown to walk at any cost and frustrated with his constant pulling and tugging.  By this point, we had been through leather collars, nylon collars, a Gentle Leader, chain collars, a harness, none of which were able to give him the proper correction when he became fixated during walks.  Most dog owners, myself included thought these prong dog collars were inhumane and abusive.  But, after a lifetime of growing up with dogs, some basic anatomy, and studying dog behavior, I have realized that my labrador retriever has pretty thick skin around his neck.

I am happy with the Petco brand that I bought for Mr.Brown because the links are fairly easy to remove and so I was able to quickly customize the size.  Also, the easy relase contraption makes getting the collar on and off pretty simple.  I also saw some gel caps that you can place on the prongs once your dog gets better at walking but can’t find the link for it on the website.

To be honest, when we first started using this dog collar on Mr.Brown, I was probably not using it correctly and my frustration and ineptitude may have inflicted some inadvertent pain.  However, after months of watching the Dog Whisperer and reading body and behavioral clues from Mr.Brown, I can (usually) do a minor correction at the right time to alter an undesired pattern or reaction.

The prong collar *snap* should be used more as an unexpected stimulus to alter a state of mind rather than as punishment.  One *snap* to regain the dog’s attention and the release should result in a loose and slack leash.  Long term pressure would achieve the opposite result since the dog would grow desensitized to the prongs, or worse, physically injure the dog.

Yes, I’m drinking from the Cesar Milan-ade.  Not to sound preachy, and I am still learning how to do this myself, but its always good to approach your dogs problems from a calm and objective state of mind.  Why is he/she constantly pulling? Is it fear? Aggression? Over excitement from lack of exercise? Poor leadership from the owner? Only when you address the root of the problem will walking your dog get easier.

..if only i could consistently practice what I know!!

–edit–
Since I’m writing a review for this dog collar, I did some basic research online and have realized that I’ve been using it all wrong!!

Mistakes I have been making:
- prong collars should not be slipped over the head. links should be detached and fit around the dogs neck.
- collars should not fit loosely on the base of the neck, they should fit snugly where the head and neck connect- right below the ears and up under the jawline

Writing this blog might just be Mr.Brown’s saving grace…

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The Gentle Leader Promise: The principle behind the Gentle Leader Headcollar is one that allows owners to communicate with their pet in a way that dogs instinctively understand…Because of the placement of the nose loop, the dog immediately understands his/her place in the hierarchy. The dog considers the owner his/her leader.

Sniffing Snout Review:
Umm, no, sorry Premier Pet. Among all the dog supplies and dog collars that we own, I would say that this was one of the more expensive dog products and most disappointing. Perhaps Mr.Brown has been so humanized and far removed from his canine roots that his “instinct” is gone but he definitely didn’t understand his place in the hierarchy.

I have purchased this dog collar on 2 separate occasions- once in CA when Mr.Brown was ~4years old, and again after moving and losing my first one, recently, Mr.Brown age ~7years old.  On both occasions, I was very fastidious about the initial fittings. From a human perspective, I could sympathize with Mr.Brown. This looked like an extremely uncomfortable product to have strapped to your face, but I would have continued to use it because I was so desperate to get him to behave on our walks.

The initial (prolonged) discomfort of using this particular dog product did cause Mr.Brown to slow down, only because of his discomfort. However, during the course of the walk, he became either desensitized or too consumed by to the outside environment to be bothered and would continue to pull.

As a huge advocate of Cesar Milan’s psychological approach to dog behavior modification, I would say that this dog collar failed us because we weren’t addressing Mr.Brown’s main excitement and issues with being outdoors.  We retired the Gentle Leader and have been working on correcting Mr.Brown’s instinctive tendencies, and I can say that so far it has been more effective.

As a disclaimer, I see PLENTY of happy, calm, and behaved dogs enjoying strolls through NYC streets.  I do believe for a dog with an existing calm disposition, this dog collar does work. However, before you spend ~$40, try and figure out what the root of your dogs unruliness is… otherwise you can leave me a comment and I would be happy to lend you out my gentle leader

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When I realized that Mr.Brown  might have a gluten allergy, I decided to switch his dog food from Eukanuba Labrador Retriever Formula (you can find the review here) to Eukanuba North Atlantic Salmon & Rice. I admit, it was the shiny, glossy, colorful bag that first caught my eye..kudos to the design/art team for the Bob Ross-esque illustrations   I eventually got down to business and flipped the heavy bag on its side for the juicy main ingredients: Salmon, Brewers Rice, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Potato, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Chicken Meal, Fish Meal (source of fish oil), Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Dried Egg Product, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Flavor etc.. While I am not such a fan of the ingredients following the etc, as they are mostly supplements and preservatives, for a “mainstream” dog food brand I’d say Eukanuba did a good job with this particular line.

Ever since Mr.Brown has been eating 4c a day, he’s scratching his ears and skin a LOT less, his coat is so lovely and glossy (multiple compliments from observers) and his stools are magnificently smooth and solid.  Since his Labradorian tendency is to consume any sort of food/food-related  (ie. wrappers) products, I can’t tell if he prefers this brand to the taste of any other brand. Nonetheless, I am very satisfied with this brand and will continue to purchase it in the future.  Also, there is a $5 off coupon in each bag, which basically covers the cost of the cab ride back from Petco…

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The meal time vigor and enthusiasm from a Labrador Retriever requires durable and heavy duty dog food bowls and water dishes.  Growing up in a Chinese household, we were fairly apathetic when it came to dinnerware for our pets.  Most of my childhood dogs ate out of retired stainless steel pots and pans which serves its purpose but, looking back, is pretty stinking ghetto.

Mr.Brown currently gobbles his food out of Petco’s Jumbo Stainless Steel No Tip Bowl.  So far its lived up to its promise to being “no-tip”, “anti-rust”, and “easy to clean.” However, I am not a fan of the cheap rubber ring surrounding the base which is supposed to keep the bowl in place.  It doesn’t stay put, which caused my husband to ask “what is this black thing for?” I’m pretty sure you can get this cheaper elsewhere, but it is very durable so I have no regrets.

Mr.Brown stays hydrated from his lovely Petco Basic Two-Toned Stainless Steel Bowl. True to its promise, its “anti-rust”, “anti-tip” and “easy to clean.”  I do have it placed on top of a shoe box to elevate it and make it more ergonomic for canine comfort.  I bought the largest bowl, but a smaller size could have sufficed since Mr.Brown is indoors and stagnant water is no bueno.

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I was pretty impressed when Eukanuba’s marketing team decided to sell breed specific dog food.  They created dog food with specific supplements meant to prevent common pathologies in  popular dog breeds. For example, Labrador Retrievers and German Sheperds are notoriously troubled by hip and joint disorders so their bags are supplemented with Chondroitin Sulfate and Glucosamine meant to slow/treat onslaught of osteoarthritis.

Initially, we bought a bag without doing much research but after further inspection of price and ingredients, we came to the realization that we had been suckered in by shrewd marketing.  The primary ingredients for Eukanuba Labrador Retriever Adult Dog Food are: Chicken, Corn Meal, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken By-Product Meal (Natural source of Chondroitin Sulfate and Glucosamine). Although this isn’t a comprehensive comparative list, these are the exact same ingredients in Eukanuba German Sheperd Adult Dog Food, and Eukanuba Healthy Joints Adult Dog Food. I’m a bit unsure how Chicken By-product Meal I would be a natural source of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine and would prefer to manually supplement these myself than rely on a dog food.

While Mr.Brown’s official allergies are undiagnosed, I did notice his ears and skin bothered him quite a bit, possibly due to a gluten allergy.  I eventually took him off this food and moved him onto Eukanuba Naturally Wild: Atlantic Salmon & Rice Formula. Check the review to see how we liked it!

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Living with a medium to high energy, large breed dog in New York City has a few notable drawbacks. In addition to adjusting to living in a small confined space, dealing with city cacophony, we had to solve the dilemma of dog food.  Back in California, driving to the pet store, picking up a 40lb bag of kibble and storing it in the house somewhere didn’t even cause me to flinch. Now in the city, I had to locate a retailer that carried Mr.Brown’s dog food in the 40lb size, figure out how to lug it home, and find room in the apartment to store it…man, the things we take for granted.

The nearest retailer that carried the right dog food in the right size is Petco in Union Square. I’m bummed that they charge a flat rate for delivery, they really need to reconsider zoning and charging per zone (ie. Trader Joes). I learned the hard way not to be a cheapskate and carry 40lbs home, so $7 bucks and a 3 minute cab ride later, I’m home.  Petco Union Square is pretty huge and seems to carry pretty much all the major labels of food and a modest-decent selection of dog supplies (clothing, leashes, collars, toys).  I’d give this location a demerit for poor customer service, but then again, that applies to basically all retailers in NYC.

One great thing about this location is its central location and proximity to the Union Square Dog Run.  Whenever I get to this dog run and realize I’ve forgotten a toyl, I can run over to Petco and buy an overpriced tennis ball (seriously, don’t buy tennis balls here!). Or, I can stop by the Farmers Market on Mon, Weds, Friday/Saturdays

As much as I’d like to shop at local dog boutiques, sometimes I welcome the predictability of a corporate chain store.

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Address:
West 15th St. and Union Square West

Pros:
- central location
- pebble/gravel “flooring”: gentler on dog paws, not as dusty as dirt
- uncrowded during the am

Cons:
- Maintenance could be improved since it constantly smells like urine
- Smaller than other nearby dog parks

In a bind, Union Square dog park gets the job done. Its especially convenient because of its location which is close to Petco, Barnes and Nobles, and Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays/Saturdays, we can pick up some produce from the farmers market while getting in some exercise.  From my experience the crowd is mixed, fairly reserved and generally not as social (humans) as other dog parks…these all being very good things, imo

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