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Guides

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42 items
GPS tracker guideAirTag and Bluetooth tags for dogs: what they can't do

Many owners clip an AirTag to the collar. It costs little and needs no plan, but it isn't a GPS tracker. Here is when it helps and when it fails.

Travel guideAirline-approved crates and carriers: what that means

'Airline approved' is a marketing phrase, not a universal standard. How to check a carrier or crate against your airline's rules.

Dog door guideAre dog doors a security risk?

Large dog doors can be a weak point. How to lower the risk with locking panels, selective-entry doors and smart placement.

Feeder guideAutomatic feeders for dogs: portion control and schedules

How automatic dog feeders measure portions, how many meals they can serve, and what to check for big dogs and big kibble.

Bark control guideBark collar types compared: static, vibration, spray and ultrasonic

How each type of bark collar responds to barking, who it suits, and the downsides of each.

DNA test guideBreed DNA vs breed + health tests

Breed-only DNA tests answer 'what is my dog?'; breed + health tests add genetic risk screening. What each includes and who needs which.

Car travel guideCar harness vs crate for dog travel

Car harnesses and crates both keep dogs restrained. How they compare on safety listings, space, comfort and cost.

Fountain guideDo dogs need a water fountain? Capacity and cleaning

Fountains tempt some dogs to drink more, but a clean bowl works too. When a fountain helps, what size dogs need, and the cleaning it takes.

GPS tracker guideDo you need a subscription for a dog GPS tracker?

Most dog GPS trackers need a monthly plan because they send location over a cellular network. Here is which ones don't, and what you give up.

Dog door guideDog doors in walls, doors and glass: installation options

Where you can install a dog door: in a door, a wall, a sliding glass door, a window or a screen, with the trade-offs of each.

GPS tracker guideDog tracker battery life: what the maker figures mean

Tracker battery claims run from 2 days to 3 months. Why the numbers differ so much, and how to estimate what you'll actually get.

Training guideE-collars explained: tone, vibration and static

What the three e-collar functions do, how levels work, why budget collars' numbers can't be compared, and the welfare questions to weigh.

Containment guideElectronic fences and multiple dogs

How in-ground, wireless and GPS fences handle two or more dogs: extra collars, per-dog settings and training each dog separately.

Fountain guideFountain filters and pump maintenance costs

What a pet fountain costs to run after you buy it: filters, pump cleaning, replacements and power.

GPS tracker guideGPS collars for small dogs: weight and size limits

Small dogs need light trackers that fit narrow collars. The makers' minimum weights and device sizes, and what to check before you buy.

Containment guideGPS dog fence accuracy, trees and buildings

Why GPS dog fence boundaries drift, what makers claim about accuracy, and how to set up a fence so drift doesn't confuse your dog.

Containment guideGPS vs wireless vs in-ground dog fences: which technology fits your yard

How GPS, wireless (radio) and in-ground dog fences work, what yard each suits, what they cost over time, and the limits every owner should know.

GPS tracker guideHealth and activity data from smart collars: what it measures

Many trackers log steps, sleep and more. What these sensors can measure, what they can't, and how to use the data sensibly.

GPS tracker guideHow GPS dog trackers work: cellular, satellite and radio

Every dog tracker finds its position by GPS, then has to send it to you. How it sends it (cellular, satellite or radio) decides range, cost and battery.

DNA test guideHow accurate are dog DNA tests?

What affects breed results from dog DNA tests, why two tests can disagree, and how to read percentages and 'supermutt' results.

Containment guideHow big a yard does a GPS dog fence need?

GPS dog fences need room for the boundary to drift. The minimum property sizes the makers state, and what to do on a smaller lot.

Training guideHow to choose a qualified dog trainer

Dog training is unregulated in most places. What to look for in a trainer, the questions to ask, and red flags.

Dog door guideHow to measure your dog for a dog door

Dog door size comes down to body depth, chest width and mounting height. How to take the measurements and read flap sizes.

Car travel guideHow to secure a dog crate in a car

Where to put a dog crate in a car, how to strap it down, and why an unsecured crate is dangerous in a sudden stop.

GPS tracker guideHunting dog GPS vs pet GPS trackers

Hunting GPS systems and pet trackers solve different problems. Radio range and fast updates versus anywhere-coverage and a monthly plan.

Containment guideInstalling an in-ground dog fence: planning the wire

How to plan the buried wire for an in-ground dog fence: loops, twisted wire, driveways and how much wire you need.

GPS tracker guideLTE-M and cellular coverage for dog trackers

Which network a dog tracker uses decides where it can report from. How to match a tracker's carriers to the places your dog actually goes.

DNA test guideMDR1 and drug sensitivity in dog DNA tests

What the MDR1 result on a dog DNA test means, which dogs it matters most for, and how to share it with your vet.

Dog door guideMicrochip dog doors: which chips work

Microchip dog doors open only for your pets. Which microchip standards they read, size limits, and what 'entry-only' means.

Dog door guidePowered vs flap dog doors

Flap doors are cheap and simple; powered doors use a solid panel that opens only for your dog. How they compare on security, weather and cost.

Training guideRemote trainer range: what the numbers mean

Remote trainer ranges are open-ground best cases. What reduces range, and how much you really need for yards, parks and hunting.

Training guideReward-based remote training tools

Tools that let you mark and reward behavior at a distance: remote treat dispensers, vibration cues, clickers and long lines.

Car travel guideThe Center for Pet Safety list explained

What it means when a dog harness, crate or carrier appears on the Center for Pet Safety's published list, and how to read maker claims about crash performance.

Containment guideTraining a dog to a new electronic fence

Electronic fences only work after training. A week-by-week approach with flags, leash work and rewards, and when to stop.

Pet camera guideTreat-tossing cameras: how they work and limits

How treat-tossing cameras dispense from a hopper, which treats work, and how to use them without adding calories or anxiety.

Bark control guideUltrasonic bark devices and neighbors' dogs

Outdoor ultrasonic bark stations react to any dog in range. What they can and can't do about a neighbor's barking dog.

Feeder guideWet and fresh food feeders: keeping food cold

Hopper feeders only handle dry food. How timed tray and microchip feeders handle wet food, and how long wet food can safely sit.

Pet camera guideWhat pet camera subscriptions add

Some pet cameras work fully without a plan; others lock alerts, video history or even live view behind one. What to check before you buy.

GPS tracker guideWhat to do when your dog goes missing: using a tracker

A calm, practical checklist for finding a lost dog with a GPS tracker, plus what to do if the tracker can't help.

Training guideWhat veterinary behaviorists say about e-collars

A plain summary of the AVSAB position on aversive training tools, including e-collars, and what it means if you're considering one.

Bark control guideWhy dogs bark and what to try before a bark collar

The common reasons dogs bark and practical fixes to try first: exercise, enrichment, managing triggers and training.

Containment guideWireless dog fences and metal: why boundaries shrink

Why wireless dog fence boundaries shrink or wobble near metal roofs, siding, appliances and vehicles, and how to place the transmitter.