If you have a dog, then the beginning of summer means one thing. Shedding. Pretty much every dog does it, and it is one of the most annoying, and hard to clean messes there is. It seems that no matter how much fur you remove, there is always more to clean. It falls everywhere, and settles on any flat surface in your home or vehicle, but furniture is probably one of the worst places you find it. Pet hair collects in chairs and on couches, and will remain all but invisible until someone sits down. Now all of a sudden that nice black shirt is covered in yellow dog hair. No amount of brushing or rubbing with your hand will get rid of it all, so now you either need a great cleaning tool, or the confidence to walk around all day covered in fur.

Most people would prefer to be fur free, but it can be a real pain to clean up all that shedding fur. Vacuum cleaners can be effective, but it is quite a chore to do the furniture with one. You need to drag out all those attachments and pick up, flip and maneuver large couch cushions. This can be a time consuming chore that is best left for rare occasions and hard-core cleaning sessions only. A smaller,  more efficient tool is really better for the daily battles against pet hair. Some people end up using lint rollers to clean up the hair for this very reason, but this is one of those things that seems like a good idea until you actually do it. They can sure work well on small areas of clothing, but as soon as you try to clean a larger area it can become really frustrating. The sticky roller will get coated almost immediately so that you end up spending more time changing sticky surfaces and trying to get the hair off the roller and into the trash than you do actually cleaning.

At simplygoodstuff, we carry two different tried and tested tools that are proven to work great for cleaning up pet hair. The first one we call a rubber pet hair brush, and the other one we call a rubber lint brush. It is really a preference situation as to which one will work better for you. Essentially these are very similar tools and they both work in the same way. Depending on your taste, your pet and your home, you may want one or the other or both.

You can use either brush directly on your pet, as a grooming tool, or anywhere else as a cleaning tool. They will work great on the furniture in your home or office and even the upholstery in your car. Since they are made from solid molded rubber, these brushes will never bother your pet, or harm any surface you use them on. The rubber construction and advanced design allow these brushes to pick up tons of hair in a quick and easy fashion. There is no magic about it, but the results are nothing short of amazing. A static charge is built up as you clean that will help pull hair into the brush, keep it from flying away, and allow you to quickly pile and remove amazing amounts of hair.

Just brush using short strokes across any surface covered in hair. You will see how well it works as no hair is left behind, and your clothing or furniture is once again free of fur. Since they are made from rubber you can simply rinse the brush clean under the faucet or even wash with soapy water if necessary. You can even use the brush to scrub your dog in the bathtub too. Take it over to your stairs to quickly remove the furry build-up there too. These brushes are incredibly easy to use, and they are guaranteed to work great. Professional pet groomers, hair salons, kennels and more all choose rubber brushes and brooms for their fur and hair removal needs because they are affordable and work better than anything else available. Try for yourself and make this summer shedding season a little more tolerable.

Rubber Pet Brush

Rubber Lint Brush

Rubber Broom

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Our microfiber bathmats are perfect for washing your pets. They are great for humans too, but one of the ideal uses for these mats often goes overlooked. Because of the many great features of these mats, they are perfectly suited for use when giving your dog a bath.

Treat your dog to a soft and comfortable microfiber mat, and you will be eliminating the bulk of the mess associated with bathing an animal at the same time. This bathmat is super absorbent, so even the amount of water a large dog creates outside of the tub is quickly soaked up and held inside the advanced fibers of this mat. This means less hair sticking to a wet floor, less water tracked throughout the house, and less of a chance you or your dog will fall on those slippery when wet bathroom floors. Microfiber absorbs water so quickly that your dogs paws will be nearly bone dry just by stepping on this mat. Just quickly dry the rest of him or her with a microfiber towel and your dog will be good to go in less time than ever before. Your dog will like the mat because of the soft feel, and you will love it thanks to the decreased messiness and the shorter amount of time you will have to spend in order to clean your dog.

Millions of tiny “microfiber” threads will soak up water like a sponge in order to eliminate wet prints on your floors and rugs and keep your house clean. Your dog will feel pampered by the super soft feel of this fluffy microfiber rug, and it even has a non-slip coating on the bottom, so no amount of shaking will cause it to move from where you place it. This feature makes your job quick and easy, but also adds to the safety of this mat. It is also incredibly easy to care for because it can be machine washed whenever necessary. Just pop it in the wash to clean just like any other laundry. This versatile bathmat can also be used under your pets bowls at feeding time too. It really keeps the spills and drips to a minimum as it soaks up every drop of water splashed by your dog. It also catches and locks in other dirt and debris, so even the food mess made by your dog will be lessened by using one of these mats.

Most people hate giving their dog a bath because it can be a real time consuming and messy job. The amount of water left behind, dripped behind and shook behind by your dog is the biggest culprit, so just by eliminating that, you can make the job a whole lot easier. This incredibly absorbent mat will soak up tons of water in order to leave less of a mess for you to clean up. This makes the whole chore a little more manageable. And when the bath is over, this mat is also fast drying. Just hang it up and it will dry completely in less time than a cotton version would.

Microfiber Bathmat

More Bathroom Stuff

More Pet Stuff

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While most people are aware of the human benefits of drinking enough water each day, many likely overlook the intake needs of their pets. Water is an essential element for both humans and pets alike, yet getting enough H2O can be challenging especially for our furry friends that prefer free-falling water to stagnant water in a traditional feeding bowl. As a caring pet owner, there is a solution to better ensure the proper hydration of your pet-it’s Drinkwell The Original Pet Fountain.

Drinkwell The Original Pet Fountain satisfies a pets’ preference for running water and need for proper hydration, while also serving as a convenience product for owners. The easily maintained product holds more than one gallon of water (with the use of an optional reservoir), and best of all keeps pets off of counters and out of sinks and
toilets.

“Studies have shown that there are thousands of cats who are very particular about their water source, making it less likely that they receive the correct amount of water needed for good health…that’s where our product really makes a difference,” said Sean Rowe, an executive with Drinkwell.

Another plus for pet owners using the Drinkwell is that since the product actually encourages pets to drink more water, it ultimately promotes healthier kidney and urinary tract functioning—an important benefit as kidney and urinary tract disease is a common concern for many cat owners. Rowe added, “We are thrilled at the overwhelming, positive responses we get from pet owners who use the product and note a positive improvement in the health of their pets.”

The Drinkwell was designed and patented by licensed Veterinarian Dr. Mary Burns to encourage pets to drink more water, ultimately promoting healthier kidney and urinary tract functioning. The design features a free-falling stream that is most like the running water pets crave, and comes complete with a charcoal filter to remove bad tastes
and odors leaving your pet with fresh filtered water.

“Making sure your pet gets enough water is one of the most important things you can do as a pet owner,” said Burns. “The Drinkwell offers a chance to do that without making it inconvenient.”

More Info

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Making sure your dog stays hydrated when you’re on-the-go just got much easier with Veterinary Ventures Inc.’s (VVI) launch of the Drinkwell® Hydro-Go!™ Pet Canteen.

The Hydro-Go!™, the newest in a line of products from the maker of Drinkwell® The Original Pet Fountain®, features a convenient fold out bowl which allows for easy drinking when you’re away from home. And, its unique design allows for quick clean up. The bowl and canteen work together to form a funnel, easily allowing the unused water to be poured back into the canteen. This is truly a must-have product for road trips or outdoor adventures with Fido! The bowl also easily detaches, allowing the canteen to be used as a second bowl, giving you a food and water bowl. The Hydro-Go!™ has a wide, adjustable shoulder strap for comfort. It holds 36 ounces of water and is dishwasher safe. Traveling with your pet has never been easier!

“The Hydro-Go!™ is the perfect product to enhance your experience as a pet owner, especially if you enjoy outings with your pet. This product is convenient for those who enjoy hiking, walking, camping, car trips, visits to the park, in the RV or any other place you and your dog may go. Most importantly it ensures that you don’t get caught without water when you and your pet are away from home,” said Sean Rowe, president of Veterinary Ventures.

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With all the attention we give to ensuring we are eating the proper diet, it’s no wonder that this consideration has extended to our furry friends. Organic food – once thought of only as a human commodity that vastly benefits our overall health and the environment to boot – has now been made available for our pets. Also not surprising, is the growing popularity of organic pet food as conscientious owners look for ways to invigorate the health of their pets and extend their life span.Organic food – grown and produced without the use of chemicals, hormones, and pesticides – is vastly healthier for the human body. While these substances continue to be used without reservation in traditional food production, it is unstudied and unclear as to the long term effects of chemicals on our health and longevity. For these reasons, and the positive impact that organically grown food can have on the environment, more and more people are making the switch to organic food. Just as organic food benefits humans, its advantages extend to animals as well, through the use of organic pet food.

[ Good Stuff for Pets ]

Research has suggested that a switch to organic pet food greatly reduces the possibility of illness and disease. Pets that are fed organic pet food are healthier overall with a healthier coat and teeth, improved energy, and increased longevity. Organic pet food comes in meat based or vegetarian varieties and is not much more expensive than traditional pet food.

For those looking for organic pet food, they can find a growing selection available at many pet supply stores and large retail chains. As the popularity of organic pet food continues to grow, consumers will soon see a larger and larger assortment of products as the benefits become clear to pet owners everywhere.

For those who have limited access to organic pet food in specialty pet food stores and retail outlets, the Internet can be a terrific resource for such items. Additionally, organic pet food that is ordered in this manner can be shipped directly to your door.

For easy to understand, in depth information about organic pet food visit our ezGuide 2 Organic Food.

[ Good Stuff for Pets ]

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Your elusive 12 week-old puppy walks into the living room. “Where have you been?” you ask, as if he will answer you. You immediately jump up and begin your search. Everything seems fine in the bedroom. Everything seems fine in the den. Everything is fine in the dining roo—oh no! Not your brand new Oriental rug. What are you going to do?Time is of the essence. So, you grab your trusty bottle of miracle spot remover and spray it directly on the stain. You press a towel you grabbed from the kitchen into the stain. You rub and scrub. It doesn’t seem like it’s working, so you try more spot remover and you scrub harder. At least you’re trying to take care of the accident quickly, but now you’ve got a bigger problem. You have an even larger puddle that includes urine with spot remover added to it. Even worse, you’ve scrubbed the rug so hard the fibers look frayed and unraveled. Adding spot remover to a urine stain and brushing it in does not mean you are removing the stain. Where did the stain go? You’ve spread it in the backing of the rug.

4 Easy Steps To Emergency Pet Stain Removal

1. Do it NOW. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove. It isn’t always convenient to clean up a pet stain, but your life will be much easier if you take care of it immediately. The stain could become permanent in just a few hours, especially with some light colored fibers.

2. Use the right equipment. Use a small, hand-held carpet spotting machine or wet vacuum to extract the urine, vomit, or feces. If you find the stain while it is still damp, it is important to extract the liquid BEFORE rinsing or adding a spot remover. Some popular brands to look for are Bissel, Little Devil, and Little Green Machine. For a wet vacuum, go to any hardware department and ask for wet vacs or shop vacs.

3. Use the proper cleaning agent AFTER the liquid has been removed. Use a low residue spot remover if the stain is fresh or an enzyme spot remover like Quick n Brite if the stain has been in the fiber for more than a few hours. A mixture of white vinegar diluted at a 1 to 3 ratio will also work in a pinch. Never use bleach. If you are using an enzyme, allow it to dwell for at least 20 minutes or according to the label. An enzyme actually digests the bacteria associated with the odor in urine and works well for spots that have been in the carpet for more than a few hours.

4. Rinse the spot with plain water and extract the water with your wet vacuum or carpet-spotting machine. This can be done by rinsing with water from your spot removal machine or simply pouring a glass of water on the area and extracting with your wet vacuum.

What to do if these steps don’t work?

Often, the spot will be even bigger and darker when it returns. Many spot removers can leave excess residue in the carpet that attracts soil. If you experience this phenomenon of a mysterious spot returning, simply pour a cup of water on the area and extract with your carpet spotter or wet vacuum. If the spot returns again, rinse it again. To prevent this from happening in the future, use less cleaning agent. If you continue to have problems with returning spots, try a different spot removal product. Try an all natural enzyme cleaner like Quick n Brite. It is the best cleaner you will ever use in your shampooer.
So now you’ve removed all or most of the stain and the odor. But, you notice a slight discoloration of yellow is still left behind. Hydrogen peroxide can gently fade discolorations from urine and vomit stains and is available in most drug stores. The solution should be misted on and allowed to dry over the course of an hour. This procedure should only be used after all attempts for removal have been made. As with any spot remover, make sure you pre-test the peroxide in an inconspicuous area before using.

The next time you don’t know where your puppy has been and he strolls into the living room to greet you, don’t be quite so alarmed. You’re now armed with the right information and right tools that will make taking care of the accident a breeze. No more worries. Your life will be so much easier.

Visit Premium Carpet Care of Pensacola, Florida at www.PensacolaCarpetCleaning.com for your FREE Pet Stain Removal Guide, by John Braun, available for immediate download.

Quick n Brite

Good Stuff for Cleaning

Good Stuff for PetsÂ

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When and How Do I Train My Puppy?
Anyone who has ever had a dog knows that training a new puppy is a challenge, but essential. With any new dog, puppy training starts the day that you bring your new pet home and continues for months as they continue to learn the basics becoming a part of the family. By the time you bring your new puppy home they are ready to learn. In fact, puppies can be trained from a very early age as long as we don’t expect too much of them right away. By natural design the mother dog has been educating her litter for several weeks, preparing them to survive on their own. By seven weeks the puppy’s development allows him to leave the mother and ensures the strongest human ties and best socialization possible. Older puppies may be less inclined to attach to humans right away, but eventually with love and affection and our constant interaction the bond will be just as strong. No matter what age you bring your puppy home, the important thing to remember is that they are ready to learn, they just need patience and practice!

Dog training at this early stage will focus on the essentials; house training, chewing, digging, jumping, and learning to wear a collar and walk on a leash. The most important thing to remember about training your puppy is that you are creating boundaries and establishing house rules that will be in place for a lifetime, making your time together the best possible. The groundwork you lay today will allow you to have a wonderful, productive relationship with your dog every day.

Responding To His/Her Name: The first place to start training is to begin training your puppy to respond to his name being called. You can begin by calling the puppy’s name as you feed him his meals so that the puppy starts to associate his or her name with his food- a good thing! After a few days you can change the order, so that you call his name, wait for him to look at you, and then give him a treat. Once he’s responding on a regular basis, you can phase out the treats, using your voice (good puppy!) and your and petting to praise him and let him know that you are pleased with him. Treats can still be used on an unpredictable schedule as a reward, but the puppy is responding to your voice and praise more than looking for his payment of the food or treats. Having your dog recognize his name and respond by looking at you will prepare him for dog obedience, puppy training classes and more!

House Training On his first day in your home you should begin house training your puppy. Most people are surprised, but house training is one of the easiest things to teach a dog. Because dogs are clean by nature and do not want to soil their ‘den’, it can be particularly useful to use the crate method of house training. The first thing to keep in mind with house training is that you must supervise your puppy closely and give the pup the chance to go outside when he has to relieve herself.

Young puppies are not ready to have full access to your whole house, it will overwhelm and either intimidate or over-excite them. One of the biggest pitfalls in house training fails is when people allow their puppy more freedom than he can handle within the home and don’t supervise his initial experiences going potty outside. It is important for owners to set aside time to take the new puppy out, watch them go and bring them back in so that the puppy begins to understand how you want them to handle their natural urges. We can give a general outline of what you can need to do to maximize house training, remember that you should always consult a professional trainer to guide you through the process.

Method One: Crate Training You can tap into the puppy’s natural desire to be clean and not soil the area in which he sleeps by using a crate. Using a crate to replicate the safe, secure “den” environment can aid your house training efforts, as long as he is given the opportunity to get out of his crate when necessary.

After hooking the puppy to a leash, let him out from the dog crate and take him out to the area, the backyard, a nearby park or green space, where you want him to ‘go’ or ‘eliminate’. If he goes, praise him. If he does not then put him back into his crate and try again in about 15 minutes or so. Continue with this dog training cycle, building a routine for you and your dog. If an outing is successful, then you can allow the pup some freedom for twenty minutes or so and you can gradually extended the time as he grows older and more reliable about not having accidents in the house. Remember a seven-week-old puppy does not have a great deal of bladder control, so accidents are nearly impossible to avoid completely. You can not expect the puppy to go more than a few hours without having to eliminate, and don’t expect him to wait once he is out of his crate to go, instead take him straight outside to avoid any problems.

Before taking your puppy out for the first time, decide what word or phrase you would like to associate with his behavior or action that you desire. In the beginning, the puppy won’t understand the word, but if you use “hurry up”, or “go potty” and continue to repeat the phrase until he goes, praising him/her when it happens, your puppy will learn to associate these words with the action. Later, when in a hurry or inclement weather you can use the cue word to get your dog to relieve himself in quick time, without having to wait in the scorching sun, or freezing rain.

Method Two: Crate Training with Doggy Door Another, and many say easier, method for house training is to use a crate with a dog door and an enclosed dog run. First, you position the dog crate against the dog door which will allow the dog to go out whenever he needs. Because his small size, the dog door may need to be taped or otherwise rigged up so the puppy can comfortably go through the dog door. With the crate set up to the dog door, your puppy learns quickly to let himself out of his containment area to relieve himself. This method also helps him develop some independence always having his human to watch over him. One important thing to consider with this system is that when you first let your puppy out of his crate, you should still take your puppy immediately to the outside area so that he can go. Even though your crate has access to the outside, puppy may have been resting and not recently “emptied out.” It won’t take much excitement or physical movement for the puppies need to “go” to be present and we don’t want mistakes that could easily have been prevented.

When the pup isn’t in his crate, you need to use constant supervision to keep him from having accidents. The best way to have a constant eye on your puppy is to literally tie or tether the pup to your waist with a leash or line, or you can tether him to a piece of furniture, but be sure that he has no more than three feet of freedom in any direction. Remember that a puppy tethered to furniture should be watched carefully or he may chew it. Crating, supervising and tethering are examples of management systems used to support the dog until he is fully trained.

Because dogs are inherently pack animals, they prefer to be with us rather than to be alone. Most cases of adult “separation anxiety” would never develop if the dog, as a puppy, had been trained in the one of the management systems just described because early on the puppy would learn to deal with being alone, handling is own needs, without access to chew or destroy things. Give it a try and see if it benefits your new puppy and your family.

Remote Collar Training: Have you wondered if using a remote electronic collar can work for training a puppy? The answer is, yes. Why? Because the Sit Means Sit remote collar training system, developed by Fred Hassen, is a proven, effective and gentle training method tailored individually to your dog’s needs. Dog training, obedience, puppy, and even agility training are well suited to the remote collar training method. Sit Means Sit uses the better quality remote collars on the market, which means that these are fully adjustable for different dogs. The remote collar is used as a cue system similar to a tap on the shoulder that says “yoo-hoo” to someone in an effort to let them know you are talking to them. In other words, the collar is never used with a puppy as punishment, but instead as a means to successfully gain the puppy’s attention. In any case, you should seek a professional’s advice and aid in this type of training to avoid any elements of confusion for your pup.

Is there a specific age at which dogs can begin remote collar training? No. Common sense will tell you when your dog is physically coordinated enough to go for walks on a leash, which is a good indicator that he is ready for further training. Another indicator may be when he is active enough that you feel he is ready for more advanced training. He’s your pup knowing when he is ready for further training is personal choice akin to whether your child is ready for kindergarten. Some children are ready at just under five while some need another year. Pups, like kids, mature at individual rates. He’s your puppy, enjoy him but remember he needs rules, supervision, attention, exercise, good positive mental outlets, good food and lots of rest to grow up strong, healthy and well behaved!

Blair Stephens is a proud member of the Sit Means Sit team, spreading the word about dog training and remote electronic collar training! Come see more articles from the Sit Means Sit team at www.sitmeanssit.com.

The best way to absorb pet urine from furniture and carpets is with a Super Shammy.Â

Got a stain that won’t come clean? Try Quick’n Brite for pet urine and feces stains.Â

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