Check out this website

http://www.fetchdog.com/

I can't recall how I found this website but I am so glad that I did. I am telling you about this site since I think it's important to share when I've found something worth talking about (which is why I have a blog about dog toys!). The previous 3 posts have been regarding toys which I ordered from this website and I really can't tell you how grateful I am.

This website has everything from car & travel supplies, to training supplies and lots of unique dog 'accessories'. On it's homepage, it has highlights featured products, new arrivals, best sellers, and staff favorites. I think the staff favorites section is invaluable since it provides direct feedback from people who work there, use the product and trust it. The 'dog toy' section is designed to find exactly what type of toy you are looking for: chew toys, plush toys, interactive toys, toss & retrieve toys, tug toys. This is helpful since I know which categories to avoid: plush! The best part is that within the categories, there is a rating of TUFF CHEW. I know to look for that when I'm browsing the toys. Tons of beds, crates, blankets, grooming supplies, supplements, food bowls, treats, waste and odor products, etc etc etc! The collars on it are really unique, none of which I have seen at the local pet stores. I think it's fun to have a distinctive, special collar for your dog; I don't want the generic collar because he's not a generic dog! Even if you aren't a dog owner, it really is a site that you should check out.

BONUS: When I received my order, I also got a catalog (which you can view online), two $20 off coupons for an order over $100 and two $10 off coupons for an order over $50. If you'd like to use a coupon, please let me know and I can email you the promotion code. They expire on 12/31/09.

Throw Me A Rope Ball Dog Toy

(Green toy: "Chewy Shoe Dog Toy", Blue toy: "Frisbee with Sole", Red toy: "Throw Me a Rope Ball Dog Toy", Orange toy: "Throw Me a Rope Bone Dog Toy")

Toy #3 of 3 from fetchdog.com: Throw Me a Rope Ball Dog Toy 3". Now, I'm not admitting that I know my measurements very well but even so, I usually order the 'medium' if not the largest offered sizes for toys. When I opened the package, I was disappointed to find that it was pretty small. As the picture shows, it is a ball with a rope going through it. I wasn't so concerned of the size of the ball but more so for the size of the rope. Louie has a talent for undoing rope knots to get the toy off of them, then he shreds the rope. It took him only a few hours to do that to this toy but I was going to cut the rope off anyways. I can rate the rope part of the toy as easy to destroy but the ball needs it own rating of amazing.

As in a previous post, I stated the need for a tennis ball like toy that could be thrown and fetched more than once. The bigger ball (big cosmos) is more of a fun, roll around, independent-play ball for Louie. But this ball is great for the park and is more fun for interacting since it's easily thrown and caught. It has what I call notches on it so it doesn't bounce very easily, but does makes it a challenge to chase after it. It went with us to the park last night and the other dog owners were very intrigued by it. Most of them didn't have an issue with tennis balls like we do (i.e. their dogs didn't obliterate them like Louie!) but liked that it was durable and the dogs seemed to like that it rolled around in unpredictable directions.

The picture shown above shows the toys that this manufacturer offers. The website states that they are "made of 100% rubber reclaimed from the manufacture of high-quality Vibram-soled boots, these dog toys are non-toxic and nearly indestructible." Which I think is really cool!

Prices range from $14.95 to $19.75 (depending on sizes). At the time of this post there was a SALE on the rope and bone toys for $15.00 each.

Big Dog Cosmos Dog Toy

This is #2 of 3 toys which I ordered from fetchdog.com. This ball caught my attention from the description (see below) which I could totally relate to. All the 'indestructible' tennis balls that I've ever brought home haven't even lasted 5 minutes out of the plastic packaging and the regular tennis balls end up in pieces at the park or all over the carpet. I searched and tested lots of balls in hopes of finding something that could stand-up to his strong jaw, last more than 5 minutes and be a fun fetch toy. Found!

The fetchdog.com website says:

"Because a tennis ball just won't cut it for big dogs, we now have the Big Dog Cosmos dog toy. These Orbee-Tuff dog balls are recyclable, non-toxic, buoyant, bouncy and mint-flavored. Hide his big healthy treats in a secret built-in treat pocket for extra games. What more could he ask for?"

I wouldn't classify Louie as a 'big dog' but he fits the need and description of this ball. This ball is surprisingly buoyant, definately bouncy and smells minty fresh. I credit Louie's chewing abilities to him having clean teeth but this toy adds a minty-flavor that even after all it has been through, still smells minty! I haven't hidden treats inside the ball since he seems to like the toy by itself. I can definately vouch for it's durability; It came with us on a camping trip 2 days after we got it and was really put to the ultimate test: 5 dogs, a lake and rocky, rough terrain. It came back in one piece! The only fatality was the word 'sol' printed on the ball that wore off... but who cares?! There are no discernible tears or holes in it. I find that surprising since it's a very flexible, squishy material but I think that's why it's able to endure such a beating.

This one is probably Louie's favorite toys! We have to hide it from him at night because he'll be playing with it or chewing on it and fall asleep with it, then wake-up and play all over again. Bonus: The fetchdog.com website shows this ball on sale for $15.99 right now. Seriously, get one!

Eco Blast Interactive Dog Toy

In search of new toys to write about, I checked-out a website called fetchdog.com and ordered 3 new toys for Louie. I have to say, I am impressed!! The first one I saw was the eco blast interactive dog toy. The website describes it as follows:

"With the unpredictable bounce of the Eco Blast dog toy, your fetch-obsessed dog will need to learn a few new moves. Made of recyclable, non-toxic Zogoflex™, this interactive dog toy is bouncy, buoyant and endlessly chewable. A built-in treat compartment lets you incorporate extra rewards."

I describe it as really fun! This toy is like 3-in-1: chew toy, treat holder and good for retrieving. The toy itself is flexible since the middle is open but the knobs on the ends are very durable. He loves to grab the top of the toy and press all the sides together; he does this endlessly until it pops out of his mouth and he chases it around. I wouldn't say that Louie is 'fetch-obsessed' but this toy does keep his interest since it bounces around in every which way. The 'treat compartment' is a little on the small side so some of his treats have to be broken down (which makes it super easy to get out) or really wedged in there (which keeps him busy). I haven't tested the bouyancy but all the other attributes have proven true.

He's had this toy for 2 weeks and the only damage thus far is a small tooth tear along the inside edge. It is only noticable when he has it all scrunched-up in this mouth and it doesn't effect the durability of the toy at all. It is awesome, and I highly recommend it! Listed price is $16.95 (see my post regarding the fetchdog.com website).