Monthly Treat Box Challenge: Woof Box

In our quest to find the best way to spoil your dog, we here at Smooth Pixelater have undertaken the arduous Monthly Treat Box Challenge, every month we purchase one of the many Treat Boxes that are available online and review them in the hope of finding the best box out there. We will be assessing each box on their Quantity, Quality, Variety, Value, and Satisfaction with each category being rated out of 5.

We are kicking off the Monthly Treat Box Challenge with the February Woof Box.

About Woof Box

Woof Box offer "A monthly box of top quality goods for your dog - delivered to your door". They promise that every month you will receive a box with between 4-6 high quality items from a range of different areas, like treats, toys, and hygiene.

Woof Box allow you to customize your box, based on your dog's weight, and their likes and dislikes, so if your dog dislikes chew toys, remove them from the rotation. For Pixel, we opted for their standard random box.

Contents

• Gor Hugs Bunch Family toy
• Burns Gluten Free Chicken and Rice Sticks (4 Sticks)
• Pet Munchies Chicken Strips (100g)
• Hollings Beef Curls (100g)
• Good Life Gear Pet Drinking Bottle

Quantity

We received 5 products in the February Woof Box, a toy, three bags of treats, and a water bottle. The toy was relatively small, and the treats were all in 100g packs. It was clear that the Good Life Gear Pet Drinking Bottle was supposed to make up the bulk of the order, and I can't help but feel that the toy and the treats suffered as a result of this. That said, extra toys are always nice, and 300g worth of treats will last us a while, and we do like the pet drinking bottle.

Quantity: 3/5

Quality

Everything contained within the box comes from well-known brands that you might find in any local pet store (in fact, we regularly see Burns, Pet Munchies, and Gor in our local shops).

The treats are exactly what you would expect them to be, decent quality products, high in protean, and relatively healthy. The Pet Munchies Chicken Strips came in a resealable bag for extra freshness, while the Burns Gluten Free Chicken and Rice Sticks came in what feels like very cheap packaging.

The Gor Hugs Bunch Family toy is of average quality. It is made well enough that it should withstand most dogs so long as they are not particularly destructive in regards to their toys. We received a bright yellow elephant that Pixel has moderate interest in. Again there is nothing exceptional about the toy.

The Good Life Gear Pet Drinking Bottle is where this box shines. It is the highest quality product in the box, and also the one that excited me the most. The main bulk of the bottle is made of metal, while the top is made of plastic. It came with a carabiner clip for easy attachment to your bag. The bottle feels like it made to last both long mountain walks and trips in the car.

Quality: 3/5

Variety

The lack of variety in this box is what really lets this Woof Box down. We received three packs of treats, two of these were variations on chicken sticks, and all three treats were simply jerky-like dried meats. There was nothing that really made these treats stand apart from each other. Pixel does like these treats, but we like to vary the treats he received and there is just no way to do that with what we received in this box.

Variety: 1/5

Value

We purchased the One Month subscription that cost us £21.99. If you purchased a longer subscription (3-months £18.99, 6-months £17.99), this box does offer good value for money. We did some quick maths and determined that this box would have cost us around £25 depending on where you bought the individual items.

The bulk of the box was made up of low cost treats, while the Good Life Gear Pet Drinking Bottle would set you back £12.99.

Value: 3/5

Satisfaction

Ultimately I was left unsatisfied with the February Woof Box. On their website they talk about how they source their treats from smaller suppliers that focus on natural ingredients but what we received was a box of average, mass produced treats. The example box they show on their website was of much higher quality than the one we received, and I walked away from the whole experience disappointed with the majority of what we got.

Even if we were not undertaking the Monthly Treat Box Challenge, I would have cancelled my subscription and looked for another supplier based on the box I received.

Satisfaction: 1/5

Woof Box received a total of 2.2 Barks out of 5.

The Monthly Treat Box Challenge Rankings

1. Woof Box (2.2 out of 5)

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Wordless Wednesday: Pixel Party Edition

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A quick thank you...

Pixel and I started this blog nearly a month ago, it was intended to be a simple creative outlet, and also a way for me to procrastinate. In that time we have had nearly 1,000 views on the blog, and while that might not be that many, I think it is sort of amazing that people are interested in reading the reviews and ramblings of a man and his rescue dog.

This week has been pretty hectic and I haven't had the time to sit down and write out a whole weeks worth of content (hence no Toy Box Tuesday this week, but we will be back to normal next week), so I thought I would just express my gratitude to everybody who have visited the page over the last month. I have a few ideas for future content and Pixel and I continue our quest to gather more readers, so watch this space.

But, in the meantime, let me just offer a sincere thank you. I didn't know where the blog would go when I started it, and I still don't know where it is heading, but I am grateful for everybody who has joined us for the ride.




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Monthly Treat Box Challenge

February's Woof Box

We here at Smooth Pixelater love to spoil our handsome doggit. As such we are constantly on the look out for different and exciting presents for him. One way that this can be done is through the multitude of different Dog Boxes that are available online, that are sent to your house every month.

This February marks the beginning of what I am calling the "Monthly Treat Box Challenge".  Every month we will be ordering and reviewing one of the many Monthly Treat boxes in the hope of finding what we consider to be the best option currently available.

• February: Woof Box Monthly Box
• March: Barks and Bunnies Love Them Happy Classic Dog Box
• April: Pawsome Box Monthly Box
• May: Fings for Fido Monthly Box
• June: Pooch Pack Monthly Box
• July: Parcels4Paws Monthly Box
• August: Paw Post Monthly Box
• September: Bark Beats Monthly Box

This Friday we will be kicking off the "Monthly Treat Box Challenge" with a review of the Woof Box.

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Pixel Diaries: Pixel's Party

Today was Pixel's party, to celebrate his 3rd birthday as well him being with us for 6 months.

We made him a carrot and honey cake, as well as cheese, beef and chicken biscuits. Pixel also got his presents today, he received the February Woof Box, multiple packets of Purina DeliBakie, a Pets at Home Comfort toy, as well as a Hear Doggy ultrasonic dog toy.

We would like to thank everybody who came to the party today, Pixel absolutely loved being the centre of attention and really appreciates all the gifts he got.

Over the next few months, we will be reviewing all the presents he got. He already loves the Hear Doggy toy and the Pets at Home Comfort toy.

Pixel is currently asleep on his bed, he has been there for the last few hours, completely exhausted from all the fuss he received. He is now looking forward to having some alone time tomorrow to catch up with all the sleep he has missed out on, both this weekend, and over the half-term.

Pixel's cake and biscuits

Pixel's Birthday

Pixel is 3 today! We've only had this mutt for 6 months but he has fitted into lives so naturally, and the progress he has made is simply amazing. For his birthday, we bought him a Woof Box as well as well as lovely new Housecoat, although this may take a while to arrive.

Yesterday might have been Love your Pet Day, and while we love Pixel everyday, we are being a little mean. Pixel is not allowed to open his presents until Sunday when we have his party.

I've wanted another dog for nearly seven years. When we rehomed Pixel he made our little family complete. He has brought joy to us and made us so happy and proud.

This is to Pixel, the most awesome Lurcher there ever was. May he live forever!

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Today is "Love your Pet Day"

While today might be "Love your Pet Day", every day in the Pixel household is "Love Pixel Day" and we have been busy preparing for his birthday tomorrow, and his part on Sunday. We are so excited for Pixel's first birthday with us, we spent last night wrapping up his present! So here are a few photos of Pixel being loved by Ruthie and I (and one of Pixel investigating his presents).

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Pixel Reviews: Sleepeazy Loose Crumb Memory Foam Mattress

Pixel asleep in Somerset

We bought the Sleepeazy Loose Crumb Memory Foam Mattress on a bit of a whim. We were browsing in Pets At Home (the only place that Sleepeazy Mattresses are available) searching for some last minute Christmas gifts for Pixel, Poppy, and Trippy. Eventually we found ourselves in the dog bed section and began to look around. Previously Ruthie and I had discussed getting a memory foam mattress, so we decided to pick one up there and then. We bought one Sleepeazy Loose Crumb Memory Foam Mattress, and two Sleepeazy Microberber Mattress Covers (one in Red and one in Cream), setting us back £40 (£20 for the medium mattress and £10 each for the medium covers).

Pixel wasn't with us at the time we bought the bed so we were left guessing as to what size would be best for him. To get around this, Pets At Home have a printed sizing guide on the floor which shows you the size of each of the beds once they are set up (I cannot overstate how useful this feature is). We settled on the medium mattress (which is perfect for Pixel who stands roughly at 18' at the shoulder), but we were then left to choose the between the Loose Crumb and the Single Piece mattress. After some debate we bought the Loose Crumb Mattress, partly because it felt like it would be more comfortable for Pixel as he could arrange it how he liked, and partly because it was £10 cheaper.

I have to say, I believe this bed to be worth every penny. Since we gave him the bed (in December), he has, at most, spent a handful of nights where he hasn't used this bed. The Microberber Cover seems to keep his warm and is very soft. The way the bed molds to his body keeps him comfortable and happy throughout the night, very rarely does he seem unhappy with the way the bed has shaped.

We bought this bed as a sort of investment. As a Lurcher, Pixel may be prone to joint pain and stiffness, and we wanted a bed to alleviate this as much as possible. I feel that this bed is certainly capable of that, and it is clear that he finds the bed extremely comfortable.

The Loose Crumb Mattress does require regular plumping, especially after you change the covers (something that is easy to do). I do wonder whether, owing to the fact that it is Loose Crumb that might lose some of its "fullness" over time, but it seems to be holding up well for the time being.

Pixel's bunny enjoying the bed

What I like:

• Covers are easy to change and clean; just pop them in the washing machine at 30.
• The bed is a good size and fits nicely into our bedroom.
• The bed is easy to move and lightweight.

What Pixel likes:

• The bed is very comfortable.
• The covers are soft and warm.
• Supports his joints after long walks and runs.

What I don't like:

• £40 isn't cheap for a dog bed.
• The bed can become misshapen and requires regular plumping.

What Pixel doesn't like:

• Not the easiest bed to shape with his paws.

Ready for sleepy times

Would we recommend?

Would I recommend?: I would definitely recommend this bed. It is clear that it is comfortable, and it should help support Pixel for years to come.

Would Pixel recommend?: Without a doubt. This is without a doubt the most comfortable bed he owns, and he always sleeps on it.

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Coming Soon: February Edition

Here is a quick overview of all the reviews that will be coming up in the next month!

• Sleepeazy Loose Crumb Memory Foam Mattress
• February's Woof Box
• Gor Hugs Bunch Family Toy
• Burns Gluten Free Chicken & Rice Sticks
• Pet Munchies Chicken Strips
• Hollings Beef Curls
• Good Life Gear Pet Drinking Bottle
• Brown's Pet Range Healthy and Active Dog Food
• Dog Christmas Cake- Primrose Bakery's Christmas Book by Martha Swift
• Cheese Dog Treats- Primrose Bakery's Celebrations Book by Martha Swift and Lisa Thomas
• Pets at Home Pets Parcels for Dogs
• AK Creations custom made Housecoat
• Other surprise Birthday Presents
• And many more...

5 Things you need to know before getting a Lurcher, Longdog or Sighthound

My Mum doing agility with Lorcan

I love Sighthounds. I always have, I grew up with one (a lovely golden coloured GreyhoundxSaluki named Sophie). As I got older my family got two Sighthounds, a Lurcher (GreyhoundxLabrador) called Tina, and a Longdog (Scottish DeerhoundxGreyhound) called Lorcan. Then Ruthie and I got our own little monster, Pixel (a WhippetxHerder). There is something about their sleek shape, their long muzzles and their wonderfully floppy ears. I also know they are not for everyone, they can be a real pain and incredibly stubborn.

Here is a quick explanations of what I mean by Lurchers, Longdogs and Sighthounds:

• Sighthounds: A Sighthound is any dog that relies on sight to hunt. They catch their prey through speed, whereas a scent hound catches its prey through endurance. These are dogs like Greyhounds and Whippets. 
• Lurchers: A Lurcher is a cross breed between a Sighthound and a non-Sighthound breed, typically a herding breed or a Terrier. Bred for the same jobs as typical Sighthounds, the addition of the Herder or Terrier is designed to increase their intelligence.
• Longdogs: A Longdog is a cross breed, distinct from Lurchers because they are bred from two Sighthounds. Not as intelligent as Lurchers, although a few mixes come pretty close.

Here are five things you need to know if you are thinking of getting a Lurcher, Longdog or Sighthound.

Out in the fields

1. They were born to run

Sighthounds were bred to hunt rabbits and other small game. Hunting by sight, they will spot their prey and then they will take off like a rocket. There is nothing they love more than to run about like complete lunatics, but this also means they have a highly developed chase instinct and they are constantly on the look out for something to run after. If you are not aware of your surroundings you will soon see the tail end of your dog vanishing off into the distance as they chase down whatever it is they saw. Tina and Lorcan were natural born hunters, working in perfect unison to ferret out and catch rabbits, the were highly skilled at catching their prey but this not true of every Sighthound. Pixel does have a high chase instinct, but absolutely no hunting drive. If he spots what he wants to run after, he will assume the stalking position (completely flat to the ground with the occasional crawl forward), until the moment is right for him to dash after what he wants. When he arrives to his target, he will bow and wag his tail happily before returning to me. I have even seen him dance merrily around a field mouse trying to get them to play (he has done this twice!).

If you cannot give these dogs any meaningful off-lead time to run about, they might not be for you. I take Pixel out into a secluded field where he gets about 3 miles off-lead to burn off all his energy. That is probably more than these breeds need, but he is a high energy dog that gets fed high energy food.

Cuddled up on our bed

2. They were born to sleep

People often call Greyhounds 100 mile-an-hour couch potatoes. While all Sighthounds were born to run, they were also born to sleep. All Sighthounds seem magnetically drawn to the softest thing in your house and then they will sleep upon it. Not necessarily for the most houseproud owners, Sighthounds are typically short-haired and prone to malting, leaving a furry mess where ever they sleep. If we take Pixel as an example, he sleeps for roughly 18 hours a day, saving his energy for his runs and yet he still manages to sleep through the night. Pixel loves sleeping so much that he has a bed in every room of the house (we might have gone a little overboard). Even if he doesn't have a bed, he will sleep on the sofa, or failing that he will find a pile of laundry. In short, Pixel will find a way to sleep, no matter where he is.

These breeds love to run and then they love to sleep when they come home. The more affectionate of the breeds will absolutely adore sleeping on the bed with you, snuggled up as close as they can get. Be aware, if you leave them alone they will be on your sofa or on your bed.

Lorcan in an agility tunnel

3. They can be a trainable breed

Originally they were bred to hunt, but they can do some much more than this. With Tina and Lorcan we did both Obedience and Agility. My Nan's Lurcher, Trippy, is a Pets As Therapy dog, who regularly visits the local hospital.

While they do have the reputation for being stubborn, especially Sighthounds and Longdogs, they can also be very intelligent. Lurchers in particular may need additional  stimulation owing to the herding or terrier mix that increases their intelligence.

You are unlikely to win an obedience or agility competition with these breeds, but they can take to it incredibly well (Tina would consistently finish Agility courses without any faults). These breeds can be very rewarding to train, they can also be very frustrating. Training, however, is essential, especially in regards to recall otherwise they might take off and you'll never see them again.

His first jumper was a little too big

4. They need to be dressed up

Sighthounds, Lurchers and Longdogs are incredibly athletic, they are excellent examples of selective breeding. They were bred with a single purpose in mind, to be high speed hunters, as a result of this they store basically no fat on their bodies, their fur is a thin single coat to keep their heat down, in short they are muscle and bone. As a result of this selective breeding they feel the cold very keenly so you may need to dress them up to keep them warm.

No matter what you think about people who dress their dogs up, Sighthounds definitely feel cold. For Pixel we have a jumper for when he is in the house (although we have ordered him a housecoat). In addition to this, we also have a waterproof coat for when it is raining or particularly cold outside. There is an upside to this, they might be unwilling to go particularly far when it is raining, just make sure to do some extra training or playtime to tire them out.

Not only are they prone to the cold, they are also very sensitive to heat. You may need to find a way to keep them cool. This can easily be achieved with a towel-coat (a coat made of a fabric that you dunk into water and then put on your dog). Before getting your Sighthound, Longdog or Lurcher you should consider what coats they may require.

5. They will steal your food

The word Lurcher is a bit of an etymological mystery, but I once read one of the possible origins that really rang true. Supposedly it is French for Thieving Mongrel. They will see your food, and they will know that it wrong to steal it, but when your back is turned, they will do it regardless.

One Christmas, Tina and Lorcan knocked a bowl of sweets off the side and went to town. This Christmas, Pixel found a packet of Shortbread biscuits at the end of our bed and ate the whole lot. They feel bad for it afterwards, but there is just something hardwired into their brains that prevents them being able to help themselves.

If you want to keep your food safe, you will need to put it out of reach whenever you leave a room.

Pixel has a baddie-paw

Feeling sorry for himself.

Pixel is feeling pretty sorry for himself this morning. While on his walk, running about like a lunatic, he has managed to hurt his carpal pad (the ones a little up the front legs). It looks worse than it is, it's only a small cut with some of the dry skin coming away with it (although Pixel is acting like he might have to lose the leg).

For the time being we will keep an eye on it, making sure that it stays clean and healthy. If it begins to get worse, or he won't leave it be, I will bind it so he can't get at it (we might even have to use a sock...). All I know sure is at moment I have a rather unhappy looking doggit.

Wordless Wednesday: 18/02/2015

Pixel's first Christmas with us

Pixel orders a coat

Today we ordered Pixel a custom made Housecoat from AK Creations, a site that specializes in coats and pyjamas for sighthounds and longdogs. It has been pretty cold this month, and poor Pixel isn't much more than muscles and bones so this coat will keep him snuggly and warm, especially when he is left at home or over night.

At the most it should take a month for the coat to arrive so it will most likely be a late birthday present for Pixel. Anja, the owner of AK Creations makes all these coats by hand, so I am looking forward to a lovely, bespoke coat that will keep our furbaby warm and cosy.

Toy Box Tuesday: Go Dog Periwinkle Dragon

Of all the toys in Pixel's toy box, this is one of my favorites. Unfortunately it is also one of Pixel's least favorite.

The GoDog Periwinkle Dragon (a part of the GoDog Dragon range) boasts Chew Guard technology and double stitched seams that should vex the most destructive and murderous dogs. I think however that most dog owners would agree that there is no such thing as an indestructible dog toy, so take their promises with a pinch of salt.

We bought this toy for the rather steep price of £16. When I saw it, I knew I had to have, I mean come on, it is a dragon.

The GoDog Periwinkle Dragon is stuffed with a rustly filling and a honker. The website claims that the dragon has minimal stuffing to give the toy "a fun floppy feel" that your dog will love. It is certainly true that the GoDog Periwinkle Dragon  is a little light on the stuffing side, and it is most certainly floppy, its arms, legs, wings, and tail all flail about wildly when the toy is thrown or played with.

So why doesn't Pixel like this toy? On paper it sounds perfect. It rustles. Its floppy. It has a honker. By all accounts he should love this toy, but he doesn't. I think the reason for this is rather simple. The Dragon's fur is unremarkable and virtually non-existent. That is not to say that this toy has no fur, but rather it is incredibly short and almost coarse to the touch. This, couple with the woeful lack of stuffing means that Pixel has practically nothing to chew on with the GoDog Dragon.

What I like:

• Visually speaking, I love this toy. It is a dragon and it looks cool. The other GoDog toys are equally as awesome in their design.

DogTV (aka the window) wins against this toy every time.

What Pixel likes:

• Not a lot.

What I don't like:

• The price. £16 is quite a lot of money to spend on a dog toy, especially as there is nothing particularly special about it.
• I don't relieve believe that Chew Guard technology will give this toy any more longevity with destructive dogs.

What Pixel doesn't like:

• The toy is lacking in stuffing, even for a low-stuffed toy.
• The fur is boring and almost coarse.

Would we recommend?

Would I recommend?: From Pixel's reaction to the toy, I wouldn't recommend it. There are cheaper, better toys on the market. If this toy were cheaper, I would say go for it, but £16 is a lot to spend on a toy that you are not certain your dog will like.

Would Pixel recommend?: Nope, he can't chew on it,
so he doesn't care for it. He will be giving it to Poppy the next time he sees her.

Did you know Pixel has been on TV?

We had owned Pixel for a couple of months when I got a text message from my Mum saying that she was pretty sure that she had just seen Pixel on television, apparently there had been some debate about it at their house about whether it was him.

Needless to say we turned on the TV and loaded up ITV on demand. Sure enough there was Pixel on Paul O'Grady's "For the Love of Dogs". He didn't have a whole feature but was a part of a small vignette where Paul O'Grady when around looking for dogs that looked like other animals. He approaches Pixel's kennel and says that he looks like a fox. Pixel, being true to his nature, decides that such a comment is worthy of a series of barks. Paul O'Grady responds "Well, you do look like a fox."

So the next time you see Pixel, remember that he is a celebrity!

The best photo we could get

Pixel Diaries: 15/02/2015

Out for a walk in the field

It has been a quiet week for Pixel and I, not much of note happened which I guess is both good and bad.

On Tuesday I decide to shake things up a little with our walks. While we still kept the two walks a day routine, for the morning walks we would do roughly 5 miles (with Pixel doing the better part of 3 miles off lead). This meant that our second walk of the day was little more than a amble to let the dog have a wee. I found this had led to a much more relaxed dog during the day, as well as a sleepy dog.

On Wednesday I realized that Pixel struggled to settle while I worked at the Breakfast bar so I was forced to bring in a bed for him to sleep in which he certain enjoyed. He happily naps there most of the day while I work. It does seem to have made Pixel more clingy, with him following me from room to room but he quickly settles in whatever room I go to so I am not too concerned for the moment.

Asleep on his kitchen bed

This week marks the second week of Pixel being on Brown's Pet Range dog food, which we buy from a local pet shop. Other than possibly causing an upset stomach in the first week, Pixel does seem to have improved on this food. He is less hyper-active in the house and his coat is looking much better. I also found out on Friday that Brown's also make Fish Skin, and Kelp treats so I will be picking some of those up soon. I would expect a review of Brown's Pet Range food in the near future.

Finally in the coming week Ruthie will be off of school. Hopefully we will be able to take Pixel out on lots of fun walks and maybe visit somewhere new.

Why my dog isn't smart: Toys make a good bed

Like most dog owners, I am certain that my dog is actually the smartest dog that ever lived. That it is until he does something to prove to me otherwise...

This week Pixel showed me just how "smart" he is by collapsing on a hessian bag and a pile of toys that sat less than a foot away from not one, but two(!) beds. I couldn't believe it, it couldn't have been comfortable.  Either way, it was a reminder that my dog might not be as smart as I think he is.

Pixel Reviews: Purina DeliBakie Stars

Pixel Investigates

I was first recommended these treats by my Mum while we were looking to get all the family dogs Christmas Presents. On that recommendation we went ahead and bought a packet for both Poppy and Trippy but it wasn't until last week that I purchased a pack for Pixel.

The DeliBakie Stars are short bread cookies that are flavoured with the delightful combination of cheese and beef. They come in a resealable package to ensure maximum freshness.

When I opened the pack I was surprised at the size of the cookies, they fit nicely in the palm of my hand but at the same time they are quite large. They also have a strong smell, not the most appetising from my perspective but it certainly catches Pixel's attention. Pixel also seems to like the flavour, he hops around the house on his back legs, following you as you carry the treats.

I cursory glance at the Purina website is enough to know that these dog treats are perhaps best used as an occasional treat, rather than a regular one. They have a high fat content, and even for a 15kg dog the recommended daily allowance is 3 stars, not particularly high considering that the treats are not exceptionally large.

I would probably buy these treats again but I doubt that they will become a part of Pixel's typical rotation. While the treats are eagerly devoured, I am hesitant about their fat content, considering Pixel's diet tends to be heavily subsidised by treats already.

Waiting patiently for his treat

What I like:

• The individual treats are a decent size
• The resealable packet keeps the treats fresh and easy to carry around

What Pixel likes:

• The treats have a strong smell
• The treats taste really good

What I don't like:

• The fat content seems a little high for the size of the treat.

What Pixel doesn't like:

• At most, he can only have three star cookies a day.

Would we recommend?

Would I recommend?: The treats certainly catch Pixel's attention, and he does start to bounce off the walls when I get the pack down. That said, the fat per treat seems a little too high for my liking. If you're not fussed about how healthy your treats are, I'd say go for it.

Would Pixel recommend?: Pixel loves these treats. Their smell and flavour really grip him. He wholeheartedly recommends.

Training Thursdays: 12/02/2015

I have moved away from Clicker Training this week. I've done this because I feel that Pixel responds better to verbal praise. Previously I have had great success using a clicker with other dogs but for Pixel it doesn't yield the same results. In a couple of months I may come back to Clicker Training, especially with the intention of teaching more complex tricks.

This week Ruthie asked me to focus on teaching Pixel the Stand command. I think most people will agree that teaching Stand can be a little tricky. The way I have been teaching Pixel involves putting him in a Sit before holding an item of food in front of him and slowly moving it away. When Pixel stands up I say "Stand", before I praise him and give him the treat. He seems to have taken to this trick a little slower than others but after practice it appears that he is learning the command, especially with the corresponding physical movement on my part. To further reinforce the command, we have been chaining together the different positions (Sit, Down, Sit, Stand).

We continued to practice Bow this week. I am happy to report that Pixel now knows the command. The way I have always taught this trick is to bow toward the dog and have them bow toward me, I feel like it adds a certain level of enjoyment and fun to the trick as well as providing a prominent visual cue for the Bow.

Finally we have began training on Roll Over. The going has been slow on this one. Lurchers and other Sighthounds can often struggle with this trick because of their large, narrow rib-cage. I have been placing Pixel in the Down position and moving a treat slowly around behind his head. For the time being I am rewarding him for looking around while remaining in the Down. I have attempted to build on this further by trying to encourage Pixel to lay on his side but currently all this has yielded is several dog punches to my face. We will continue to work on this trick but I am aware that this might take awhile to teach (I deviate slightly into Play Dead, but I will just have to see how we progress).

As always, if you have any suggestions for tricks that I should teach Pixel, or have any questions, do feel free to ask.

My Velcro Dog: Dog bed in the kitchen

Thank you for keeping me company

While I sit at the breakfast bar and do some work, poor Pixel was left standing aimlessly at my feet. After having him distract me with his constant pacing while I was trying to do some work, I have decided to be nice and move one of his beds into the kitchen while I work.

He has be sitting there napping for the better part of two hours, happy as can be.

Toy Box Tuesday: The Trixie Beaver

One of the first soft toys we bought Pixel was this squeaky beaver. This soft toy is stuffed with rustling goodness and a honker (rather than a squeaker). The toy also allowed us to work out that Pixel prefers toys that rustle when they are played with, rather than standard soft toys.

Beaver surgery 

Pixel now owns two of these beavers, one small one, 27cm, (I accidently popped the honker in this one when I stood on it) and a large one, 40cm, which is in fully functioning order (once the tail was reattached following a particularly aggressive play session). 

What I like:

The toy provides a variety of stimulation, the tail and feet are a different texture to the fur, and the stuffing rustles and the beaver honks. The toy is light-weight and able to be thrown both by me and the dog without fear of anything being damaged.

What Pixel likes:

Pixel loves to chew the main body of the beaver, both to make it rustle as well as the chew on the plastic honker inside. He is particularly fond of chewing the broken honker in the small toy. Pixel prefers the larger of the two toys, which is a good size for a medium sized dog, making it easy to throw and catch.

What I don't like:

The quality with the Trixie Beaver doesn't seem particularly great. Pixel, who is traditionally a gently player, was able to tear the tail off the Beaver without much effort. In addition to this the honkers inside the toy are not built to last either, I broke one by stepping on it. Comparatively speaking these are not particularly expensive toys (a quick look on Amazon shows that the 40cm Beaver is currently £6.99), but I can't help but feel that most dogs would completely destroy these toys in no time at all.

Pixel gets the toy back

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What Pixel doesn't like:

Nothing, Pixel loves the Trixie Beaver, it is a staple of his toy box and regularly gets played with.

Would we recommend?

Would I recommend it? If your dog doesn't play too roughly I am sure they would love this toy, but if they set out to destroy their stuffed toys I doubt the Beaver would last that long

Would Pixel recommend it? Absolutely. The Trixie Beavers are two of this favourite toys and he would be lost without them.

The Pixel Diaries: 08/02/2015

One poorly doggit

Pixel started off this week with an upset stomach. This means that for the majority of the week we've had a clingy dog who has been feeling very sorry for himself. Luckily by the middle of the week he was feeling better and back to his normal self.

On Friday Pixel and I decided to go for a long walk (roughly five miles). We went around the nearby fields as well as along the creek. We met a couple of dogs on the walk and I was struck by just how far Pixel has developed since we brought him home. He is getting better at meeting dogs and if he does start barking, he is getting over it faster. I hope that given more work he will develop further and become even better with dogs.

To round the week off, Pixel and I went for a four and a half hour walk. On this walk he met a lovely Staffie-cross called Muttley who he had a great time playing with. When we got home Pixel was absolutely caked in mud and had to have a bath. As usual, the weekend results in a very sleepy doggit.

Pixel Reviews: The King of Kong

When discussing boredom breakers and toys, for dogs, you are almost certain to hear one name over all the others; Kong. As a company, Kong has successfully carved out their niche in the market, they achieved this through creating fun and durable boredom breakers and toys; for many the name Kong is synonymous with the word tough. Over six months Pixel has acquired a number of Kong products and we have decided to present them all in one large review.

Pixel's Kong Collection

Kong Classic

The Kong Classic is exactly that. Like many, we purchased the rounded red rubber cone as a boredom breaker, something to give to Pixel to stimulate him, especially when being left at home alone. Once filled with something delicious, the Kong Classic will provide Pixel with a happy distraction when we leave the house. Typically we use pâté although we also have a can of Kong Stuff'n (which has a great shelf life and is fantastic in a bind).

The problem with the Kong Classic is that it is just too simple for Pixel to get the treats out. Ultimately he loses interests in the Classic after about ten minutes or so (as opposed to the zee.dog Super Toys that can hold is attention for a half hour or over).

Kong Quest Bone

This blue rubber bone is a more challenging treat feeder than the Classic, with a central section for the Kong Stuff'n and four smaller holes, perfect for treats that can be difficult for the dog to get to. With the correct combination of treats, the Quest Bone can keep Pixel interested for twenty minutes and sometimes longer.

The Quest Bone however is not as durable as the Classic and if your dog is a heavy chewer this might not last that long.

Kong Wobbler

This heavy duty, plastic, weeble-like feeder is a fantastic way to prevent your dog from gulping their food, as well as providing a stimulating meal. Pixel happily walks around a room, violently batting the Wobbler with his paws, sending it spinning across the floor and scattering the food randomly about. The Wobbler is by no means a toy, and will remain unloved in the corner of a room when not being used for a meal (apart from the occasional inquisitive nudge to make sure it is empty). If you don't wish to feed your dog their meals from the Wobbler, you can easily use it for treats and watch as your dog works for the food they love.

The biggest drawback to this fun feeder is that it can be very loud. Pixel takes great enjoyment in throwing it against wardrobes, walls, and door frames. While our house has remained unmarked by the toy, the resulting bang can be a little noisy.

(For a comparative review with other "Fun Feeders", see Pixel Reviews: Fun Feeders)

Kong Bounzer

The Kong Bounzer is a large, hollow, rubber toy that is meant to be thrown for your dog to chase outside. We purchased this toy before we knew that Pixel didn't like chasing toys outside so the Bounzer sat in a cupboard for the first six months. Then one day when I was swapping around the toys that Pixel has access to, I decided to throw it inside and Pixel practically exploded with excitement. Since then the Bounzer has become one of Pixel's favorite toy. He enjoys the way that is bounces erratically around the house, the way he can chew on the handle and he loves that when you squeeze it, it blows out air. A word of warning however, if you do decided to purchase a Bounzer for indoor use, watch out for anything that might be breakable.

Kong Cozie Elmer

We bought this bright pink elephant toy as a Christmas present for Pixel and he immediately took to it. Originally this toy had wonderfully soft fur that Pixel took great pleasure in chewing on. The toy seems well made and is tough enough to survive the gentle tugging and playing which Pixel gives. Coming with one small squeaker, the Cozie provides Pixel with light weight toy to throw about the room. While this toy is one of Pixel's favorite soft toys, I think this is due to the Cozie's soft fur which is entirely subjective for each dog. All that said, I feel that the toy might not survive dogs that deliberately set out to kill their soft toys.

Training Thursday: 05/02/2015 Edition

This week I have decided to clicker train Pixel. This first involves associating the sound of the click with a reward. In theory this should allow me to rapidly reward the dog and eventually allow me to do shaping training, where Pixel will repeat the action he believes that I want. This in turn allows us to build up more complicated tricks but also requires Pixel to think about the actions he is preforming.

While we have been establishing clicker training, we have also been working on learning how to bow. We have made some progress in regards to this, Pixel is now aware of the basic principle of what I want, and he will do the trick when I preform a certain physical movement. We need to build on this further so that he will preform the trick on vocal command.

Once we have completed learning bow, we will next be working on learning roll-over.

Pixel's Martingale Collar Arrives

Today we received Pixel's Martingale collar in the post. This collar is pretty much only going to used for training purposes, the way it tightens allows for greater control. The idea is that by tightening it discourages the dog from pulling, something Pixel does when he sees other dogs...

This particular collar was only £5 on amazon and seems decent enough. If we decide we like the way that Pixel handles on this collar we might invest in a more expensive one but for the time being we will see how this goes.

Expect a review of the Martingale collar in a couple of weeks once we have had the opportunity to play with it and see if it does make training easier.

Toy Box Tuesdays: Charlie the Unicorn

Ruthie and I bought Charlie in 2009/2010, long before thoughts of getting a dog ever came to us. Charlie, a knock-off Pillow Pet, sat proudly on our bed until one spring clean in 2014 when he went into the wardrobe.

Then, one day whilst going through the wardrobe Ruthie produced Charlie and Pixel instantly wanted him. Since that point Charlie has been Pixel's best friend and his favourite toy. Pixel's love of Charlie means that whenever we travel away for any significant length of time, we have to pack the unicorn.

Charlie acted as a comforter for Pixel while he settled into our home. It provided him with a "safe space" where could retreat to if he felt overwhelmed.

Considering that Charlie is a cheap toy he has done surprising well to survive a life with a dog, only sustaining one small hole on the neck.. Pixel enjoys throwing Charlie around a room before pinning him to the floor and chewing upon his mane or his horn. Once the game is over, Pixel is more than happy to curl up on top of his friend and have snooze.

So this is for Charlie the Unicorn, who helped give a dog a second chance and settle into a new home, may he live forever and never need too many repairs.

Pixel and Charlie: Friends Forever

Pixel with Charlie

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The Pixel Diaries: 01/02/2015

Pixel gets a new toy

This has been a quite week for Pixel and I, the cold winds and rains have buffeted us on our walks and left us both chilled to the bone. That being said, now that my ankle has finally stopped causing my grief (I tripped on the stairs in September and gave myself a rather nasty sprain), we've started to push up the distance we walk every day from 4 mile to 5.

This week we continued to work on obedience, specifically we worked on his heelwork and getting him to sit and wait before going through doors.

On Friday we saw a toy in the local pet store that I thought Pixel would love. This soft flannel-like orange dog was promptly thrown around the flat with Pixel chasing after it happily. Pixel seems particularly interested in trying to pull the poor dog's nose off, only time will tell if he will be successful.

Sunday evening nap