How to keep WeatherTech floor mats clean?

As a protective barrier for your carpets, WeatherTech can collect dirt and mud which would otherwise stain your carpets. Luckily, the floorliners are easier to clean without the use of harsh chemicals.

For caked on mud and dirt, you can spray the mats down with water and use a simple glass cleaner that foams up to remove dirt from the ridges.

For dark scratches on the floorliner, you can use an all-purpose cleaner and buff out the marks and scratches. You may also opt to use Magic Erasers that are commonly used for vinyl flooring that can also help remove black marks from the floorliner.

Does anyone else have any other tips to share?

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spcaLA: Sassy (Shiba Inu Mix)

I have a soft spot for Shiba Inus. It's the ears. And the face.

Sassy is a young pup. Don't know about her history yet, but you can meet her at the spcLA in Long Beach. For more contact information, see the PetFinder page.

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Question of the Week: How do I keep my dog warm inside a crate?

When the temperatures are high, you'll notice that your dog will often sit or sometimes even sprawl across the kitchen floor to cool off. But what do you do when you need to keep your pup warm during the colder months of the year?

Fortunately, most dogs have a thick coat of fur that'll keep them warm, but there are also other ways to help keep your dog at a comfortable temperature. Crate pads, for example, offer insulation which keeps them off cold, hard bottoms of the crates. Unlike blankets, they are water resistant so they do not soak up any potential accidents and give your pup the wrong message on where the appropriate place to potty is. Also, a potty blanket may create a generalized association that can cause your puppy to mistake your bed or your clothes for a potty blanket!

It is also ill advised to simply throw a blanket over the crates because blankets aren't designed to allow sufficient air to go through. Imagine the suffocation when you are completely under a blanket. AnimatedPet Crate Covers are coated with polyurethane which is known for its breathable waterproof and windproof properties and is widely used in outerwear clothing.

A little protection from cold with breathable material is better than stuffing the dog's crate with blankets that can quickly turn into chew or potty blankets. AnimatedPet Crate Covers and Pads provide the needed support and protection for a comfortable pup.

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Pet-Friendly Winter Vacation

Pet boarding kennels are filling up quick and some are even booked through the winter months as people make plans to leave town for vacation. Before you start planning your winter vacation, research some pet-friendly accommodations that will allow you to take your pet with you!

Instead of spending $25-30 a day on basic pet boarding with little one-on-one attention, you can include your pet in your vacation. Pets Welcome offers listings of pet-friendly hotels, resorts, campgrounds, and vacation rentals that are perfect for your entire family. With ideas ranging from local travel to out-of-state travel, you can pick one that suits your family and your budget.

If you are traveling by car, make sure your pet isn't prone to motion sickness. There are multiple rest stops and vista points along interstate highways for your pet and yourself to stretch your limbs and get some fresh air. Also, make sure your pet is buckled up. Seat belt harnesses can save your dog's life in the tragic event of an accident. If you have a larger dog who sits in the cargo area of your vehicle, Pet Barriers keep your pet safely in the rear and prevent your pet from jumping to the front driver area.

Other things to pack:
Bed & Bedding from home - You want to keep it home-like and comfortable for your pet. For dogs, wire crates are collapsible for easy traveling so they can be comfortable in their own space.

Food & Water (bowls too!) - It's important to stick to the same feeding schedule, even on vacation. This is one of the advantages of taking your pet with you on vacation rather than leaving it in a boarding facility since pets tend to lose their appetites when their owners are away.

Towel - Wipe off dirty paws after being outside as paws tend to collect dirt and debris that can be harmful if ingested.

Leash, Collar, ID Tags - Always keep your dogs on a leash when you are traveling as they might get lost in an unfamiliar setting.

Other things to consider:
Changes in Weather - If you're going to areas with very cold temperatures, your dog may need a coat or booties to keep them bodies and paws warm. See paw-rescue.org for more tips on protecting your dog in cold weather. If using a crate, covers can offer some shield against the coldness without the stuffiness of a huge blanket over the crate.

*Photo by Bonnie MacPherson via Boston.com

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Puppy Training: Pads vs Crates?

No matter how you train your dog, the inevitable fact remains that you will have to clean up after them when they go potty. Some pet owners are immediately drawn to using puppy pads or training pads because it seems like an appropriate target that will teach a new puppy to go potty. However, puppies can very easily "miss" the pad or mistake a rug for a pad.

Properly house training a puppy extends beyond just your own home. What if you bring your puppy over to another home? A puppy pad trained pup may find a rug or a piece of furniture so exciting that it will soon be too late to catch him and stop him before it's too late. Overall, the puppy pad becomes a very confusing mechanism since it makes it okay for the puppy to go potty indoors. After learning how to go potty inside, it is difficult to correct if you ultimately want to teach your puppy to go outside for potty.

Training pads are appropriate to use as an aid for puppies if they haven't completed their shots yet, or for dogs who are ill or in recovery who aren't able to go outside. For training purposes, pads are of great use, but if your goal is to properly housebreak your puppy, it is best to ditch the pads for crate training.

The crate provides more than a durable and environmentally friendly alternative, it is also something that dogs are intrinsically drawn to: a den-like environment. They want to be in their own sheltered space when they are winding down and catching a snooze.

The crate can be also be used as an aid in potty training. Quickly, your puppy can learn where each appropriate potty spot is. A crate where your pup sleeps, eats, and plays would not be as enticing to soil. By creating these associations, your puppy can understand the message you are sending to them.

Overall, puppy pads can have a negative affect if used as a crutch in potty training. Pads should only be used when there is a vulnerability involved and your dog cannot be let out to go potty. Crates not only double as a cozy den for your dog, but it can also be a positive association in properly potty training and housebreaking your dog.

Whichever method you choose, it is important to stick with it. Most dog owners have a difficult time because they try too many methods, take too much unsolicited advice, and end up with a confused dog who doesn't know any better. Remain consistent and use positive reinforcement.

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AnimatedPet Crate Pads and Cover Reviews

Here are some of our reviews from FetchDog

from Rock Tavern, NY

"Clean, neat and nice earthtone. This crate cover cleaned up the look of the crate in our living room, while also allowing our puppy privacy. It cleans well, is light weight, and matches the earthtones in our home."

from Northern California

"This crate/pad cover is very good so far. The pad cover is easy to remove and clean. My only complaint is that the crate cover is a tiny bit short. My puppy is easily distracted by light and movement and there is about an inch at the bottom that is not covered. Otherwise, I love it. The material allows air flow while still keeping out most of the light."

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New to store: WeatherTech FloorLiners, Cargo Liners, and Pet Barriers

The complete protection package for your vehicle. Custom-molded 3-layer protection offering surface friction to the carpet and traps all dirt, mud, and other debris to keep your vehicle interior clean and pet hair and dander free.

Pet Barriers

Cargo Liners

FloorLiners

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Adopt a Dog Month

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month to encourage adoptions not just this month, but throughout the year and to raise awareness on shelters which are filled with homeless pets with uncertain fates.

In struggling economic times, people are on tighter budgets. Unfortunately, this has resulted in many people giving up their pets, not realizing that pets are an essential part of their family. Pets do not care whether you are rich or poor. Their needs are simple yet they become such an integral part of who you are as a human. Compassion and loyalty are just a few of the many gifts a pet can give to you that unfortunately in this day and age, we lose touch with.

PetFinder is an excellent source to start looking for your pet. You can search by breed, size, and age to narrow down the search results. You can also visit your local shelters and rescue organizations and meet your potential new companions.

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