With the discussion of dogs, as an issue, I got thinking about the different solutions plus what products I use that make life easier on the road and/or at home.  Once I learned about using a crate, I would never be without one.  Our dogs count on the crate as their bed and go there even with the door off.  Although many oppose it, I have used the prone collars for almost 30 years with our dogs as it allows me to control them and it provided some protection for the neck of our dogs when we encountered the 2 pitbulls since biting on on them.  I walk them with a traffic lead which is 24" long - I have just the two large dogs so the reach is perfect.  Some people use the longer leads, like 20 feet, and if you do, know your area and be vigilant because coyotes have been known to snack from the end of a very long lease and dogs are fast when approaching and if you freeze......   One of our dogs, Rinnie, has separation anxiety (another name for she is determined that she should not be left alone feeling she is people equal) so I tried a cheaper vibrating collar and I think she liked the "buzz".  For the difficult barker, the collars were $100.00 so I decided she might be more difficult than that so I purchased a citronella collar after reading reviews and it works like a dream.  With the collar on now, she doesn't bark and it only took about 3 sprays from the collar before she realized "cause and effect" so now she doesn't challenge the collar.  For bathing, we love the outdoor shower and I use "fleecy beds" inside because they attract the hair, wash up easily and last a long time.  Our dogs ride on the back seat of the van and I purchased a heavy duty pet cover for the bench seat and leashes which attach into the seat belts so they are leashed from the minute we stop rather than having to leash them out of the crate or worse yet catch them if they are loose.  We buy most of our dog supplies from a company that we have used for probably more than 20 years and they have a dog trainer that you can email about advice.  I have used her a few times and she has a lot of knowledge as she worked with the shelter where Rinnie was adopted from as a puppy 9 years ago in AL.  I did purchase a small tape recorder long ago to tape what went on when we left, this is how I learned about Rinnie's "issue".  I treat my dogs well but they are pets not people so if anyone knows a way to convince Rinnie she isn't a human................  Yellow Dog seemed to realize she isn't human but considered herself "dog royalty".

-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Sunday 14th of September 2014 08:06:17 AM