(article courtesy of Ruffwear)

Q: Will the Swamp Cooler work in humid environments?

A: Yes, although it works more efficiently where there’s more evaporation (i.e. drier climates). 

Q: Will the Swamp Cooler work if it’s not wet?

A: The Swamp Cooler will provide SPF protection and sun reflection even when not wet, which will help keep your dog’s temperature down (like wearing white instead of black on a hot day), but for the evaporative cooling to occur, it needs to be wetted down, preferably with cool water.

Q: Should I put my Swamp Cooler in the freezer?

A: No.  There are no crystals or chemicals in this product that require “activation”.  Putting the Swamp Cooler in the freezer may degrade the material and cause the temperature shock to your dog.   Just soak in cool water, wring out, and put around your dog.

Q: Will my dog be soaking wet after putting the damp Swamp Cooler on?

A: Not really.  Initially their top coat may become damp, but the water in the Swamp Cooler will evaporate (cooling your dog!),so they will not be wet for very long.

Q: Can I use salt water to wet the Swamp Cooler?

A: While you can use ocean water, salt does not evaporate.  If you do use salt water, make sure to rinse your vest out thoroughly after use.  For best results, we recommend using fresh, cool water for optimal cooling and performance.

Q: How long will the Swamp Cooler stay wet?

A: Generally, 45 minutes to two hours depending on the climate.

Q: What’s the best way to recharge the Swamp Cooler?

A: Have your dog jump in a river, lake or pond.  Second best?  Pour water directly on the coat while the dog is wearing it.

Q: Will the Swamp Cooler work underneath a pack?

A: Yes, but not as well.  The areas exposed to air will cool most effectively.

Q: How do I activate the Swamp Cooler?

A: Just soak in cool water, wring out, and put around your dog like this.

Did you know…

1. All dogs shed. Yes, all dogs, though some more than others.  There is no such thing as a non-shedding dog, unless your dog is one of these.(!)

2. Dogs with “hair” instead of fur, shed a lot less, but are more likely to mat if not groomed.

3. Dogs kept indoors year-round may shed year-round because their body is “confused” by the lack of change in season, but some dogs are just genetically programmed to shed year-round.

4. Shedding helps a dog maintain a healthy coat by old, dirty fur/hair with shiny new fur/hair.

5. When a dog sheds its seasonal winter undercoat, that’s actually called “blowing their coat,” not shedding.

6. Here at Muddy Paws we recommend the Furminator Grooming tool as the best comb on the market to get rid of the unwanted hair before it hits the floor and carpet.

Cold-Weather Dog Gear

(article courtesy of gearjunkie.com)

Late fall and winter, when the leaves drop and the air gets cold, can be an optimal time to get outdoors with your dog. I run and hike with my eight-year-old Weimaraner, Rodney, all year ‘round. When the snow flies we skijor and “dogsled” a few times a week. (We put him in a harness and let him pull our kids around on plastic sleds on a frozen lake near our home.)

Don’t let the cold weather or deep snow slow your dog time down. Indeed, many breeds love it when the temps drop and they can run and run without overheating. Ruff Wear Inc., a dog-gear company in Bend, Ore., recently handed out a list of cold-weather dog tips. Take this advice before leashing up your canine in the cold this year. —Stephen Regenold

 

Don’t fear the chill. Cooler weather provides a great opportunity to get outside with your dog. Some dogs thrive in cool temperatures so take advantage of the seasonal weather! Try a new activity together: trail running/hiking, snow shoeing, or skijoring. If it’s really cold, make the adventure more comfortable for your dog by putting on dog boots and/or a dog coat. This will help the dog stay out longer.  

Leash ‘em in the snow. When snow storms hit, it’s best to keep your dog on a leash. Ruff Wear cites a source that says more dogs are lost during the winter months than during any other season. Dogs can lose their bearings when the weather turns nasty, so keep identification tags on at all times.

 Water in the cold. When you’re out on the trail this winter, don’t expect your dog to find their own water source. Eating snow isn’t an acceptable way to take in water either. Make sure to carry extra H20 and a collapsible water bowl in your pack.

Ruff Wear Inc. Cloud Chaser dog jacket and Polar Trex dog boots

 

Dog booties. During the colder months, outdoor surfaces may contain any number of harsh substances that could irritate dogs’ paws. A product like Ruff Wear’s Polar Trex dog boots not only provide excellent traction on snow and ice, they can protect paws from harmful chemicals like salt and antifreeze on winter sidewalks and roads.

Fur considerations. Short-haired dogs like my Weimaraner often need an additional layer to keep their core temperature in a healthy range. A dog coat is a must-have for breeds not equipped to handle winter’s lowest temps. One option is Ruff Wear’s Cloud Chaser, a softshell zip-on that repels wind and moisture while helping a dog stay warm.

Need to save some money, then Muddy Paws is offering free shipping all bank holiday weekend on all purchases on our website.

Whether you are looking for Ruffwear, Hurtta, Dog Gone Smart , Tweed Dog Beds,or any other dog products, then we have something for every four legged friend!

For those of you that are looking for an “industrial strength” harness, then look no further than Ruffwear’s Webmaster Harness. It has a patented five point harness that is not only “escape proof” but it enables you to lift your dog up and they will be perfectly safe and balanced.

These harnesses are used by Search and Rescue as they are designed so that dogs can literally be hoisted up and down steep inclines. The Webmaster harness is also used as an aid to Hydrotherapy as the dog can be supported whilst swimming in the water. Equally, the webmaster can be used for dogs that spend a lot of time in the water in place of a dog life jacket.

If you have a dog that pulls, the webmaster can be used to stop them pulling, although it is not designed to do this. My cocker spaniel (Oscar) wears one of these and it has stopped him pulling. You can also attach the Ruffwear Beacon to the harness so that you can see your four legged friend is at night – the Beacon can be seen up to 3/4 mile away as it is very bright.

Ruffwear do a fantastic range of products for the outdoors enthusiast and Muddy Paws holds stock of 98% of them, so if you are looking for some seriously good gear, then have a look at what’s on offer.

We currently have the Webmaster Harnesses on offer at £39.99, however they will be reverting to the RRP of £54.99 very soon!

If you are looking to save a few pennies this weekend on products like dog beds and dog food, then Muddy Paws has something for you – with top brands like Ruffwear, Hurtta and Dog Gone Smart you can save 13% until midnight on Sunday 15th August – simply enter the code “friday13″ at check-out to get your discount

‘There was then a brief moment of celebration before I thought, “How am I going to get him back up?”.’

She called coastguards after realising Oscar was stranded at the foot of the cliffs by the incoming tide.

But the dog was rescued soon after the fall on Thursday morning by a canoeist who had witnessed the incident.

She added: ‘I like to let my dog off the lead to give him a run but I’ll never do it again anywhere near a cliff.’

Mr Brown, 41, who runs a business selling dog products, said: ‘We were quite upset and worried at the time but Laura was brilliant and she did the right thing throughout.

‘These things happen, dogs will be dogs. Oscar is walking a bit gingerly today but he is fine.’

The businessman and his 31-year-old wife also live in Iwerne Minster with Theo and their other son, William, aged two.

Steve Williams, a watch manager at Portland coastguard, said: ‘Oscar is one lucky dog.

‘I can only assume he suffered a bump or two on the way down the cliff which cushioned his fall.

‘We always advise pet owners to keep their dogs on their leads near cliffs as the animals do get excited and can fall over the edge.’

Cocker spaniel survives 120ft tumble from cliff with nothing more than a ‘little limp’ | Mail Online

When Oscar the cocker spaniel scampered over the edge of a 120ft sheer cliff, Laura Gardener was distraught.Not least because she had only been walking the dog for a friend when she let it off the leash at a coastal beauty spot.

Luckily for all concerned, the five-year-old pet escaped from his death-defying leap with just ‘a little limp’ and was yesterday back home with his owners after being checked over by a vet.

Mrs Gardener had offered to take Oscar to Old Harry Rocks, near Studland, Dorset, along with her own dog, Dougie, and her three children, because his owners, Rupert and Emma Brown, had their hands full looking after a newborn baby.

The 41-year-old said: ‘Rupert and Emma haven’t been able to exercise Oscar as much as they would have liked recently due to their baby Theo.

‘I have taken care of Oscar before so I offered to take him with me to Studland. The coastal path was quite open and I thought it would be OK to let the dogs off their leads.

‘As soon as I did they both went running off about 100 metres in the distance.’

She shouted at the dogs to stop, but while Dougie obeyed the command, Oscar carried on running and ‘flew over the edge’.

Mrs Gardener, who lives in Iwerne Minster, Dorset, with husband Andrew, an energy manager, added: ‘I peered over the top and saw Oscar.

‘He looked like he didn’t know what had hit him but he was alive”

‘There was then a brief moment of celebration before I thought, “How am I going to get him back up?”.’

She called coastguards after realising Oscar was stranded at the foot of the cliffs by the incoming tide.

But the dog was rescued soon after the fall on Thursday morning by a canoeist who had witnessed the incident.

She added: ‘I like to let my dog off the lead to give him a run but I’ll never do it again anywhere near a cliff.’

Mr Brown, 41, who runs a business selling dog products, said: ‘We were quite upset and worried at the time but Laura was brilliant and she did the right thing throughout.

‘These things happen, dogs will be dogs. Oscar is walking a bit gingerly today but he is fine.’

The businessman and his 31-year-old wife also live in Iwerne Minster with Theo and their other son, William, aged two.

Steve Williams, a watch manager at Portland coastguard, said: ‘Oscar is one lucky dog.

‘I can only assume he suffered a bump or two on the way down the cliff which cushioned his fall.

‘We always advise pet owners to keep their dogs on their leads near cliffs as the animals do get excited and can fall over the edge.’