Gallery: Wag Swag: 7 New Outdoor Products for Your Dog
01intro-4
The long days of summer seem made for romping outside with your dog. But aside from heartworm pills and their own water bottle, your pet may not be prepared for lengthy outdoor adventures -- especially if your pooch is the pampered, indoor type who spends most of the year lolling on the sofa "helping" you watch marathons of *The Real World*. We've collected some equipment that will ease their adjustment. Soon you'll be hiking through parks, jogging through the city, and taking longer road trips in the car, and even on the bike. *__Above:__* Burley Tail Wagon ----------------- The entire concept of a dog bike trailer seems embarrassingly self-indulgent. Unlike, say, a year-old child, my dogs are fully capable of running alongside my bike. But summer excursions often entail journeys along busy roads, or that span daunting distances. The [Tail Wagon](http://www.burley.com/home/bur/page_455/tailwagon.html) ($400) latches onto the back of your bike and can accommodate dogs up to 75 pounds. The aluminum hitch makes the trailer easy to detach or reattach to your bike while negotiating obstacles like gates or garages. The parking brake, fold-down tailgate and rear-facing design make it easy to load or unload your dog. Unfortunately, an interior height of 22.8 inches meant that both my 35- and my 65-pound dog had to crouch while riding. And while I understand that safety concerns require quick releases, the fact that the door flap is held shut with only two hooks made it far too easy for stray appendages to escape the interior compartment. When I took my dog on her maiden voyage, I discovered on our return that her tail had been dragging behind the trailer. If you have the patience to acclimate your dog to the trailer gradually, there is no more convenient way to keep the pack together all summer long. Otherwise, the car's backseat might be the better transportation option. __WIRED__ Easily collapsible for stowing away in a garage or car trunk. Included stroller handlebar and safety flag. Plenty of cargo pockets for stashing leashes and treats. __TIRED__ Please: More door closure snaps! 22-pound trailer + 65-pound dog = burning quads. A double-legged kickstand would have prevented some embarrassing crashes when I forgot to place the parking brake. __Rating: 6 out of 10__
02thundershirt
ThunderShirt ------------ While humans wait for summer all year -- beach vacations, weekend camping, backyard barbecues -- dogs can find the changes in routine to be terrifying. Loud noises like fireworks; separations from their owners, and long car trips are all possible sources of fear and uncertainty. The [ThunderShirt](http://thundershirt.com/) ($40) is a welcome alternative to doggy Xanax. Like swaddling an infant, wrapping a dog in gentle pressure helps relieve anxiety. Velcro bands wrap around the dog's belly and chest, and another Velcro band across the top allows you to adjust the pressure. I didn't see my dog start nudging the ThunderShirt in times of stress, as has been stated in other testimonials. But I did notice a change in her behavior when I strapped her in. Passing pooches, visits from the mailman, trips to the vet—wrapped in her ThunderShirt, she calmly stood and let it all pass her by. Next up: A party with lots of screaming children. __WIRED__ Easy to use and affordable. Don't have to drug your dog. Lightweight for use in hot weather. They make them for cats, too. __TIRED__ Not sure if she was relaxed or merely confused by the tight garment; a pair of Spanx wrapped around her head might have worked just as well. Tons of Velcro straps attract every single passing piece of lint or hair. __Rating: 8 out of 10__
03mountainsmith-k9-cube
Mountainsmith K9 Cube --------------------- When a dog owner compares their pet to a human child, resist the urge to sneer. Traveling with a dog, even on short day trips, requires a formidable amount of gear. Food, water and bowls to place both in; plastic bags, towels, toys... shoot. Did we forget the leashes? [Mountainsmith's K9 cube](http://mountainsmith.com/index.php/dog/canine-cube.html) ($60) is intended to keep your dog's necessities organized. The lined food container zips closed, and it easily held enough food for two medium-sized dogs on a weekend trip. A collapsible water bowl has a waterproof lining, and the collapsible food bowl has a drawstring to save leftovers for the next meal. The back panel's flap zips closed to hold towels and treats, and a clear top pocket dispenses plastic bags. A water bottle might have been a more useful addition than the soft Frisbee, which my dogs ignored. But I easily fit my own bottles, and tennis balls, into the mesh side pockets. A padded shoulder strap made it that much easier to sling everything into the car and go. __WIRED__ Throw in another $15 [collapsible bowl](http://mountainsmith.com/index.php/dog/canine-backbowl.html) to make the cube a kit for two dogs. Capacious food container. Lots of pockets for stowing leashes and treats. __TIRED__ Included Frisbee is an afterthought. __Rating: 6 out of 10__
04ruffwear-swamp-cooler
Ruffwear Swamp Cooler --------------------- Like a beaver that lets its incisors grow straight into its mandible, black dogs seem to be an evolutionary maladaptation. When the mercury rises above 65 degrees, my tireless companion is reduced to a miserable, panting heap. [Ruffwear's Swamp Cooler](http://www.ruffwear.com/Swamp-Cooler-Dog-Cooling-Vest-Sun-Protection-Prevents-Canine-Heat-Exhaustion-from-Ruffwear?sc=2&category=12) ($55) is an ingenious, effective solution. The silver vest's outer layer reflects heat, while the inner layer absorbs water. Soak the vest, strap it on, and evaporative cooling properties keep your pooch comfortably damp. I took my dog on three-mile runs on during the heat of the day, and she sprang ahead with her usual alacrity. Under the vest, her chest and belly remained cool and wet to the touch. The only drawback is that passersby will gawk and point at a dog wearing a jacket in the heat of summer, no matter how happily it's trotting next to its owner in shorts and a tank top. Note: Though it's most effective on brunettes, our blonde model dog seen in the photo above also appreciated the cooling feel. __WIRED__ Highly effective. Outer layer reflects heat even when dry. Adjustable side straps allow full freedom of movement. __TIRED__ Not compatible with harnesses. Dogs don't like having gigantic, dripping garments pulled on over their heads; an additional buckle and handle on top would be nice. Long days require frequent soakings. __Rating: 8 out of 10__
05planet-dog-orbee-tough-cosmos
Planet Dog Orbee Tough Cosmos ----------------------------- Judging by the ecstatic reaction of a dog who's just discovered a dead, rotting rat, it might not seem that our four-legged friends are particularly picky about their toys. But if it's not smelly or squeaky, they're not interested. And even if they are, the toy needs to be able to withstand the ardent attention of teeth and claws that were originally designed as killing tools. Planet Dog's [Orbee Tough Cosmos](http://www.planetdog.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=COSMOS) is a set of three balls ($12-$15 each): Sol, with a 5-inch diameter; Luna, with a 4-inch diameter, and the 3-inch Ringo. Each toy has a uniquely springy, pliable texture that bounces satisfyingly off hard surfaces while still resisting damage. A hole in each hollow toy is perfect for hiding a bit of liver jerky. While my 65-pound dog had a hard time getting her mouth around Sol, Luna was perfectly sized -- and it glows in the dark, which is helpful if you like playing fetch around the evening campfire. __WIRED__ Resists the most determined dog jaws. Minty flavor that was (sadly) confirmed with human tastebuds. Planet Dog donates 2 percent of sales to dog-related charities. __TIRED__ Cute text wears off after ten minutes. __Rating: 9 out of 10__
06stunt-puppy-go-dog-glo-stunt-runner
Stunt Puppy Go Dog Glo Stunt Runner ----------------------------------- Every runner who owns a dog secretly longs for a companion of *White Fang*-like loyalty and devotion -- a tame wolf trotting obediently at their heels for miles, oblivious to any and all distractions. With a few drawbacks, the [Stunt Runner](http://www.stuntpuppy.com/) ($44) indulges this illusion. The hands-free leash buckles around your waist and clips to your dog's collar or harness. The leash's flexible webbing allows for adjustments between your stride and the dog's, and Airex reflective trim keeps both you and your pet safe and visible in low light. Stunt Puppy tested its leash extensively with a running team in Utah. Based on the team's suggestions, the minimalist design is very short and has no conventional add-ons, like a plastic bag holder. The Stunt Runner works fabulously if your dog has been trained to heel. However, if you normally use a Flexi-Leash, there may be an acclimation period. When my dog saw a squirrel, the subsequent yank around my waist squeezed my kidneys like a Capri Sun in a first-grader's fist. __WIRED__ Patented Airex trim reflected a startling amount of light. Short leash prevents tangles. Hands-free waist belt spins if the dog switches sides. __TIRED__ Heavy, despite its minimalist design; belt drags southward after a few miles. No plastic bag holder. Requires a very well-trained hound. __Rating: 7 out of 10__
07garmin-astro-dog-tracking-system
Garmin Astro Dog Tracking System with DC 50 Collar -------------------------------------------------- When your dog is off-leash -- only in permitted areas, of course -- it should always be within your line of sight and under voice control. But when backpacking or camping in the wilderness, this isn't always possible. Garmin's [Astro dog-tracking system](http://sites.garmin.com/astro/) ($600) was developed for hunters and can keep track of up to ten dogs over a nine-mile radius. My dog didn't mind the collar and long steel antenna, and it remained operational as she plowed through bushes and swam in the river. The handheld unit suffers from the usual Garmin disabilities -- the display was a pixelated throwback to 1997. And in a time where you can look up Everest Base Camp on Google Street View, purchasing Garmin's proprietary maps seems like an outrageous expense. At one point the base map placed me 50 yards into the Columbia River (I was not in the river). But the handheld updated my dog's position every five seconds through dense brush and tree cover, and tracked her path with remarkable precision. The collar also notified me if she was barking, sitting, or running back and forth behind a bush trying to figure out where I was. If you travel extensively in the backcountry, the Astro system is indispensable. Still, I couldn't help but wonder wondering when a more affordable option might be available. __WIRED__ Fast and accurate. Handheld vibrates when your dog is barking or in need of rescue. Automatically tracks each dog's path. __TIRED__ Expensive. Collar would be a big burden to any dog under 30 pounds. Did we mention it was expensive? $600 gets you a collar and a handheld tracker, and extra collars are $230 each. __Rating: 7 out of 10__
