Product Review: Holee Molee Extreme

Does your dog love balls? Does your dog love to chew? Then you MUST get the HOLEE MOLEE EXTREME(HME) by JW pets. This is my 2nd Holee Molee in 9 years. The first was a regular one and it last about 2 years and 2 dogs. The extreme has last 7 years and 3 dogs and still going strong.
We play with it EVERY day. We travel with it. It has as many miles on it as my service dog. Our HME has been used as a training tool for teaching retrieve, teaching focus or attention commands, as well as a great rewards system.

JJ will not leave home without it. He knows when its time for a road trip the HME goes with. JJ will stare at it until he is given permission to get it. Its his baby, his pride and joy. Even my parents have never seen a dog so obsessed with a toy.

The HME has lasted threw Hot Arizona Summers, Harsh Montana Winters, Humid Indiana Springs, Airport checks, and being smashed in over packed cars for 6,000 mile long road trips. It has rolled threw Cacti, mud, lakes, rivers, grass, dirt, snow,concrete, roads, rocks, manure....you name, we probably kicked it threw it.

I check the HME daily to make sure that it is still strong and durable as I cant imagine JJ even being one day without it. I do need to order him a new one as a back up for that day as I know he will be extremely upset on that day. Unless some kind soul wants to send JJ a Birthday or Christmas present or just a working hard (as he does work very hard for me).

The Holee Molee Extreme was given 4 Paws by JJ and 2 thumbs up by me.

Memorial Day

Today is a day of Honoring our fallen Veterans and for those who have continued to fight to keep our Country free. I say Thank You!!

We took our children and JJ to their first Memorial Day parade and Memorial at the cemetery. JJ has not attended a parade before which I had not realized it till I really sat and thought about it. It really amazed me with all the training that he had gone through. So there is some more training that needs to be done. He wasn't to keen on it. He was very talkative. I was grateful that pets were welcome and he was unvested.

Following the parade was the memorial at the cemetery. Now it was posted Dogs Prohibited so I decided to vest JJ to be on the safe side. However, pets were being walked in all over. Some left in cars. Barking at us as we walked by. I was very proud of JJ as he ignored them all. I had received many complements of JJ and many people were asking if I was a Veteran. (My husband is)

We also had 3 fly by's representing various years in combat. J didn't mind the jets at all as he had been to previous airshows. However, the gun salute he did not like and he was shaking from that. Its the one thing I can't get him over is gun shots.

Then when it was all over we walked back to the car and he walked back beautifully. As if nothing had happened. I am very happy he recovers quickly. He ignored all the running children and dogs as he walked me safely back to the car.

This day showed me some things we need to work on but also showed me that he still has it in him for the job at hand.

Product Review: Dogtra remote trainer

Dogtra remote training collars are a wonderful way to work with your dog off leash in both training and in play. I used both the Dogtra 200NCP and the Dogtra 1200NCP both of which are discontinued as Dogtra has upgraded their technology with the times. This means nothing negative with the equipment. The gear I have is just as good as it was the day I bought it.

The 1200NCP lasted 5 years before I needed to replace batteries in the collars. That is pretty amazing for regular use. I used the collars for Obedience and Service Dog training as well as allowing my dogs to roam off leash. The collars are still in great shape and very durable.

Some of the pros of the Dogtra collars besides durability are the rechargeable collars and remotes. This is a very big deal when you are using the collars daily.

Customer Service is also very good as not only friendly, but they are very helpful and knowledgeable.

With my experience of other brands, I will always come back to Dogtra.

4 PAWS UP by JJ!!

Product Review: Chuck IT Ball Launcher

The Chuck It Ball Launcher by Canine Hardware is a toy no dog owner should live with out. If your dog retrieves this is a must have. If your dog never stops this is a must have.
JJ will go find his Chuck IT and bring it to me to play. Some of the things I love about the Chuck-IT is that it allows you to throw a ball farther distances, you don't have to pick up slobbery balls, you can use a variety of balls.
I also love the variety of sizes that the Chuck It now offers. From small dogs to large dogs they have a Chuck It for all dogs.

The Orange balls are easy to find in the grass and are very durable and I prefer them much more to the Tennis balls offered.
JJ says 4 Paws UP!!

Product Review: Classipack

The Classipack is Classy. This harness/pack has a lot to offer. At first thought, most look just at the price and walk away. Yes, the Classipack is a bit pricey, but it is well worth it. Not only is it well made and very durable, but extremely versatile.

The Classipack offers a harness that can be used for walking as well as wheelchair pulling. Has many adjustable straps for the shoulder, chest, girth. However, your dog still needs to be average size to be able to fit; that being around 70-100lbs. JJ is 90lbs and it fits him perfectly with plenty of room for growth.

Here is a link of some pictures that I have taken to see close up shots of straps as well as how the pack can be used with other sturdy handled harnesses. www.rcpaws.com

I have used the Classipack for counter balance, pulling, Wheelchair pulling, carrying things, etc. I have been using it for about a year and a half. I found it to still look brand new.

To make it even better Classi Products are made in the USA.

Product Review: Freedom Design Harness

The Freedom Design Harness I feel is a great harness for a Service Dog in Training. Its perfect for that interim training period just before the dog becomes a fully trained Service Dog.

The Freedom Design Harness is not as Durable as I would like to see it. It works ok for wheelchair pulling, but does not stand up for as much rugged use. I am hard on my gear. I have 2 young children and I am moving quickly. My children will sometimes assist with putting gear on. Comfort is good and lots of adjustability; however your dog must be within average size of around 50-75lbs. The faux sheepskin doesn't seem to last that long and falls off. There is not much surface area to the harness and that can cause some problems for access issues as well as usability.

The patches are small and not real noticeable. There is only room for one. The pouch is a decent size for a puppy, but not for when the dog is working full time. You can fit a small wallet, keys, ID, and a few poopy bags, but that is about it.

I also have the Freedom Leash which is a nice leash and I like many things about it. First, its a very nice length for public access. The velcro was nice at times, but not really durable for much pulling. It did keep some attachment to the wheelchair. However, for me the leash started to fray on the sides and I had to keep trimming it.

Over all, its a good harness, I feel its a little over priced by having to purchase each piece individually (harness, pouch, patch) and with its durability.

Here is my link to close up pictures of the Freedom Design Harness at RC Paws

You can see JJ wearing his Freedom Design Harness at a pool side cafe in Florida. He was still in training in this picture at about 21 months old.

Product Review: Bridgeport Equipment Single Strap Support Assistant Harness

The Bridgeport Equipment Single Strap Support Assistance Harness is a nice well built inexpensive harness. Its made of heavy English leather. Having the heart shaped front plate does provide a little restriction on the shoulders, but you must have the harness adjusted just right. It also allows for pulling.
Some of the downsides to this harness were the placement of the straps which is right at the chest when JJ lays down and its extremely uncomfortable for him. Another is the straps are lose and flop around or rub against me when walking. I had to find ties to attach the straps to the handle. One other downside to the harness is that it is heavy for all day wear. It weighs approx 6-8lbs. Plus you have to had the person weight when they lean on the dog which adds to that is a lot. I do know many people love this harness and I am grateful that there is a harness that is affordable out there, but its also very frustrating. The harness feels like it should be made for a horse. Some more down sizes is the lack of available heights of the handle. I had the 3" and it was just to short, but a 6" would be way to high. Also if I had a 6" , JJ would never fit under a table with his harness.
I also purchased the ID holder and that does NOT stay attached to the harness in any form and was a waste of money.

My overall experience with Bridgeport Equipment is awesome and they are a great company. They have some other wonderful products which I will hopefully review at a later time.