The Goods

Thundershirt

A snug hug against anxiety

The Thundershirt fits the bill as an inexpensive, easy-to-implement, natural way to treat anxiety in dogs. Boasting an 85% success rate, Thundershirt guarantees to soothe anxiety symptoms such as destructive behaviour, hiding, barking, panting, shaking, vomiting and even seizures.

Simply wrap the Thundershirt flaps around your dog's torso and chest, securing them with Velcro for a snug but not restricting fit (you should still be able to slip your fingers between the Thundershirt and your dog). The constant pressure is designed to deliver a calming effect that alleviates Fido's fear of fireworks, lightening, crate, noise, other dogs, separation, strangers, travel, or whatever it is that is causing the anxiety. $1 of every sale goes to a dog rescue group.

Available in adjustable XX-Small to XX-Large sizes for $36, and now featuring a sporty style, $41 at thundershirt.com

EZ Tag Swap

Tag swapping made simple

The EZ Tag Swap by Gwen Gear San Francisco is the paw-fect little accessory for the dog with multiple collars. The simple silver ring easily and securely clips on to a collar’s D-ring and holds several ID tags and/or charms. When it’s time to switch collars, voilá, simply unclip the EZ Tag and attach it to the new collar--much faster, easier, and less frustrating than removing and reattaching each individual tag and charm. Comes with your choice of charm: Skull, Love, Peace, Paw or Bone.

$8 at gwengear.com

Poochie Bells

Ring my Bell
 
The next time your pup has to piddle, let him ring his Poochie Bells to let you know. With a wee bit of practice, we were turned from skeptics to proud guardians of skilled pets able to announce their needs in a civilized fashion. Consistent practice makes perfect: Slip the Poochie Bells ribbon over the handle (or hang from a hook for smaller breeds) of the door your dog uses “to go.” Start with a command phrase and ring the bells. When your dog begins to associate the two, phase out ringing them yourself and let him do it. Easy as one, two, pee.
 
Available in assorted styles. Check out the Eco-Friendly Bamboo Webbing collection and Leather collection made by craftsmen and women in Botswana, Africa. We also dig the new collection of stylish hooks for hanging Poochie Bells.
 
Poochie Bells: $16.95 - $29.95 at poochiebells.com

Treevers (A Modern Dog “Green Product Pick!”)

Cork goes the Canine
 
Treevers, a durable, flying, floating toy, offers a green solution in bold primary colours. Sturdy enough for the toughest chewers yet soft on gums, Treevers are constructed from scraps of wetsuit and tarp material. The heavy-duty cotton canvas and soft neoprene layers are sewn together around the granulated cork filler with double-stitched seams. The non-toxic filler comes from the bark of a cork tree, a sustainable resource, and the packaging is 100 percent recycled. We love eco- (and wallet!) friendly toys for Fido.
Tip: For teething puppies, wet and place the Treevers toy in a plastic freezer bag and freeze for about two hours.

Bone, $9.95; Dummy, $11.95; Octagon $14.95 at Treevers.com

FiZZion Concentrated Cleaner (A Modern Dog “Green Product Pick!”)

A green clean that’s mean and lean!
 
We love the squeaky clean and green FiZZion Concentrated Cleaner. Combine one CO2 tablet with warm water in the reusable spray bottle and bid adieu to pet stains and odours--and excess packaging! The quick-dry, non-toxic formula starts work on removing stain particles from carpets and breaking down bacteria immediately, leaving a fresh scent and no chemical residue.

Spray Bottle with Pet Stain & Odour 2-Tablet Pack, $9.99; Pet Stain & Odour Tablet 2-Pack, $6.99, at fizzionclean.com

Pet Pouch

Compartmentalized Canine
 
Pack the Pet Pouch for weekend getaways, kennel stays, or simply to get organized at home. Each of the seven pockets has an embroidered label indicating its intended contents and stays open for easy access to everything from leashes to toys. Waste bags are kept tidy in a side pocket with grommet for ease of use. At 16” long, 7” wide and 11” tall, the Pet Pouch is large enough to keep all of Fido’s fiddly-bits in check, and its handle comes in handy when it’s time to hang the carrier in the cupboard, away from prying puppy eyes should treats be stored in one of those handy pockets.
 
$19.99 at kangaroomstorage.com

Paw Protection Pattes

Protect your puppy’s paws au natural

Protect your pup’s tender tootsies against harsh winter conditions with the Paw Protection Pattes. Made of natural oils, beeswax, shea butter, eucalyptus and vitamin E, the Paw Balm is a favourite because it doesn’t contain colourants, synthetic preservatives or carcinogens like parabens and petroleum. Rub the balm on and between the pads of your dog’s paws using the provided spatula or your fingers before heading out into the ice and salt covered streets. The balm hardens to protect against salt, cold, snow and ice and wipes away after a walk. dusenza.com

Wagging Green (A Modern Dog "Green Product Pick")

The Pet Product Line That Gives Back To Green Causes 
 
For a stylish lesson in eco education, choose a collar from one of Wagging Green’s nine Save The Earth collections. From supporting research into alternative energy sources with the “Mod Dog” collar to aiding the water supply clean-up effort with “Making Waves,” there’s something for every socially conscious canine. Five percent of profits go towards the cause associated with the collar you choose.    
 
We not only love the eco-friendly funding, but the fact that the collars are 100 percent bamboo. Screen-printed ribbon is hand-sewn onto the un-dyed webbing for a soft and strong combo that’s 100 percent biodegradable, breathable and hypoallergenic for sensitive skin. Plus, the bamboo is anti-bacterial, odour resistant and washable. If every class could be this cool we’d have been way more into school!
 
Collars, leads, harnesses, tees and tags, $10.99 - $34.99 at wagginggreen.com.

Nina Ottosson’s interactive dog toys

Who doesn’t love a good game of Twister? With Nina Ottosson’s DogTwister, Fido can now get in on the fun, too. Hide treats under the movable blocks and watch your dog get to work figuring out a way to manipulate the blocks to release the snacks secreted inside.

DogTwister is part of a family of made-in-Sweden, interactive toys that tap into your dog’s hunting instinct by requiring him to push, lift and move blocks to receive a food reward. This problem-solving stimulates the canine mind while providing entertainment, a bonding experience and, yes, tasty treats--what could be better? The games vary in difficulty and may prove tricky at first (after all, the point is for Rover to use the ol’ grey matter), so at the start your dog may need a bit of instructional prodding but, once he gets the hang of it, it’s remarkably fun and satisfying to watch him successfully maneuver the pieces.

The puzzles are available in wood or plastic, and are never to be used unsupervised.

For more info, visit www.nina-ottosson.com. To purchase, go to www.companyofanimals.us.

Tip: For a hot day distraction, fill the plastic puzzles with wet dog food, freeze, and watch your hot dog get to work!

Pet Top: Portable Pet Drinking Device

Easy, pocket-sized solution for hydrating thirsty pets

Staying hydrated is top priority for on-the-go dogs and their people. The Pet Top Portable Pet Drinking Device screws onto most standard water bottles for water for whenever, wherever hydration. Whether you’re out on a long walk, at the park or taking a trip, stash the petite Pet Top to convert your own water bottle into one for Fido. We like its compact nature and convenience; no more need to bring an extra bottle or bowl on outings!

The Pet Top works for dogs of all sizes—simply adjust the flow of water. To keep things tidy (no drips or spills) and your dog from drinking too fast, keep the opening on the smallest setting that works and never squeeze the bottle. Just keep the bottle at a vertical and your parched dog will angle it accordingly while lapping up the refreshment.

Pet Top Portable Drinking Device for Pets, $7.95 at pettop.com.