Ruby Reviews: Biscuit Beast Dog Treats

Have you ever been tempted to sneak a bite of one of your dog's treats? The dog biscuits that The Ginger Sisters received from Biscuit Beast smelled so good that I think Ruby and Boca knew they better guard them closely!

These treats are made in small batches in Miami, Florida with organic, human-grade ingredients that sound a lot like peanut butter cookies to me: 

organic Bob's Red Mill millet flour, organic sweet potatoes (grown in California), eggs (cage-free, antibiotic-free), organic peanut butter (unsweetened, salt-free), korintje cinnamon, vitamin E (natural preservative, mixed tocopherols)

Treat-sampling is definitely The Ginger Sisters' favorite part about being pet blogger dogs. The posing can be endured just as long as they are well compensated in delicious snacks. Biscuit Beast treats are a little on the crumbly side but I don't think they cared. They passed their taste test and Ruby was happy to show off her "jazz paws."

Boca has trained me to dole out bedtime cookies every evening. They run upstairs at the sound of the cookie jar and position themselves in their places on the bed to wait politely. Everything may be covered in dog hair, but I assure you they don't leave one single crumb. 

These treats are perfect for the discriminating dog guardian who wants naturally good biscuits made in the U.S.A. Biscuit Beast is offering my readers 10% off with coupon code TAKE10. Visit them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Disclaimer: I was provided samples of Biscuit Beast dog treats in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and I only publish reviews for products I feel comfortable using in the day to day life of my pets.

Ruby Reviews: Riley's Organics Dog Treats

At the Ginger Sister residence, we like to have lots of yummy, healthy treats around. We use small treats for training, and the girls get larger "cookies" for being members of the Clean Plate Club after meals. Boca aka Miss Lazybones, has also successfully implemented the bedtime cookie routine as the only way to convince her to move from the sofa to the bed if I stay up late watching television! As such, we were delighted to review Riley's Organics dog treats and offer our readers a chance to win some for their dogs.

Riley's offers something for everyone - their treats come in four flavors (Peanut Butter & Molasses, Sweet Potato, Apple, Pumpkin & Coconut) and two sizes (Large and Small). They incorporate natural, USDA Certified Organic ingredients and are made in the USA. Their products are human grade, and I have to admit that this human was very tempted to try the Peanut Butter & Molasses flavor, which smell just like delicious peanut butter cookies!

Ruby and Boca were very excited to sample the treats out on the patio this weekend. I feel good about the simple ingredients - each recipe contains only five or six - some of which even offer health benefits, like the Pumpkin & Coconut (Organic Pumpkin, Organic Oat Flour, Organic  Oats, Organic Peanut Flour, Organic Coconut Oil). They are free of the common allergens wheat, corn and soy. The small bones are perfect for training, and the large bones can be given whole or easily broken into pieces. 

Just a note on Boca's eye: she is recovering well from her conjunctival graft surgery and at our re-check appointment on Saturday the vet was pleased with how things are progressing. She will be wearing the cone collar for another week but was able to enjoy some supervised time without it this weekend, including the photo shoot for this review. I think everyone agrees that she deserves lots of extra treats for all she has been through lately!

Here is your chance to try Riley's Organics - four lucky readers will each win one package of Riley's Human Grade Organic Dog Treats. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and winners will be selected at random.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was provided Riley's Organics dog treats in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and I only publish reviews for products I feel comfortable using in the day to day life of my pets.

Treats for Potcakes: One Dog Organic Bakery and The Humane Society of Grand Bahama

Last month I posted about the shelter in The Bahamas that rescued Boca from the streets, and their struggle to remain open so that more dogs like Boca can be saved. Since that post, due to fundraising efforts that have reached potcake lovers around the world, The Kohn Foundation has raised over $10,000 for The Humane Society of Grand Bahama, and there are community-wide efforts being made to keep the shelter operating. Veronica from One Dog Organic Bakery saw the post and generously offered to feature The Humane Society of Grand Bahama as their rescue of the month.

One dog took a long journey from a tropical island to change the lives of her guardian and her little ginger sister in Colorado. We are lighter with Boca around. We are lazier in the late mornings when Boca reminds us to snuggle closer and sleep longer. Even through her ongoing eye problem, Boca keeps smiling, wagging and loving life. She has taught me so much about trust, resilience and the appreciation of a warm spot of sunshine on the patio. Because of Boca, I have learned about street dogs around the world and international rescue, coming to the conclusion that compassion should defy geography. Because of Boca, I have committed to a monthly donation to HSBG and am dedicated to giving back in whatever small ways I can. The Ginger Sisters have some treats on the way from One Dog Organic Bakery and I hope that the matching donated treats will brighten some other potcakes' days as they wait for their very own family.

If you are in the market for some dog treats, please consider placing an order from One Dog Organic Bakery in the month of March. As an added incentive, use code RUBICON15 for 15% your order. Other ways to help are listed below:

• Sign the Petition to encourage the local government to support The Humane Society of Grand Bahama. 


• Donate to the Colorado-based Kohn Foundation, a 501c3 organization dedicated to raising funds for The Humane Society of Grand Bahama. 


• Foster or Adopt! Both Colorado Animal Welfare League and Outpaws here in Colorado regularly have Potcakes for adoption and are always in need of foster volunteers. Transportation can usually be arranged for dogs to be adopted directly from The Humane Society of Grand Bahama into the U.S.


• Spread the word! Please share this blog post on Facebook, Twitter (#savethehsgb) and other social media.

Positive Training Toolkit

You may have seen those people at dog parks or walking their dogs with a remote in hand or a prong collar at the end of their leash. They may have been yanking on the leash or shocking their dog, and they probably didn't look like they were having fun. You might have noticed yelling, tense expressions and stress signals such as a lowered tail, lip-licking, an averted gaze. Did they seem to be in control?

You may have also seen those people wearing treat bags on their belt, making clicking noises and handing out smelly treats. Maybe they seemed a little bit dorky - treat bags look suspiciously like fanny packs... Look closely and you might have noticed happy voices, smiling faces and signs of a relaxed dog such as an open mouth, loose body language and bright eyes.

We have the intelligence and the resources to put together the best training toolkit for our dogs, one that will strengthen our relationship and increase understanding. While I will admit that sometimes it feels like I need another set of hands to juggle my leash, treats, clicker (and don't forget the poop bags!) the choice is obvious to me, even if I look "dorky." Which will you choose?

Suggested Reading:

The Power of Positive Training by Pat Miller

Plenty in Life is Free by Kathy Sdao

Bark and Lunge by Kari Neumeyer

This post is part of the Positive Pet Training Blog Hop, hosted by Cascadian Nomads, Tenacious Little Terrier and Rubicon Days. The hop happens on the first Monday of every month, and is open for a full week - please join us in spreading the word about the rewards of positive training! Next month, we invite you to take part in the Ten Minute Training Challenge - take ten minutes to teach your pet something new and report your results in the next hop on April 6th!

Ruby Reviews: One Dog Organic Bakery + Discount Code

The Ginger Sisters were happy to review three kinds of treats from One Dog Organic Bakery: Ginger Snaps, Peanut Butter & Honey and Pumpkin Spice. Each recipe comes in several varieties, including gluten-free, so that even dogs with allergies can enjoy them. They also offer targeted support for immunity and joint health. The story behind the bakery is a sad one: the bakers lost a beloved pet to a recalled product. They turned their personal tragedy into an admirable mission and started making pet treats they could trust.

Everyone loves cookies, and my dad made some delicious ones for the humans in the house this weekend since Ruby and Boca didn't want to share their One Dog Organic Bakery treats, which are made with wholesome, all-natural ingredients. In addition to yummy things like peanut butter and pumpkin, One Dog Organic Bakery treats contain super-foods with known benefits such as chia seed which can reduce inflammation, and coconut oil which promotes healthy skin and coat.

The Ginger Sisters taste-tasted all the cookies, and it might not surprise you that they liked the Ginger Snaps best, as evidenced by much lip-smacking.  I loved watching their satisfied crunching and their eyes widen as they hoped for more. Rest assured that although Boca does not appear in this review due to an unfortunate accessory known as The Cone of Woe (paw bump to my friend Hailey for this nomenclature), she was able to fulfill her treat-testing duties. 

One Dog Organic Bakery is offering a 10% discount to our readers with the code RUBICON

 

Updated: the original version of this post contained a giveaway which has ended. 

 

Disclaimer: I was provided One Dog Organic Bakery treats in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and I only publish reviews for products I feel comfortable using in the day to day life of my pets.

Irresistibly DIY with Aimee & Chuy

I'm delighted to again be participating in the Pet Blogger's Gift Exchange hosted by Something Wagging This Way Comes. This year I was paired with Aimee from Irresistible Pets. Aimee lives in Virgina Beach and has been blogging fabulously about making your own pet toys, treats, apparel and decor with the help of her adorable 5-year-old Chihuahua, Chuy, since 2010. Chuy is the perfect model and taste-taster for Aimee's many creative projects.

Here are a few of my favorite posts:

• These treat jars were the inspiration for my own treat station! 


• How cute is this Winter Wonderland dog sweater? 


• Time to make the frosted dog donuts!

• I'm literally drooling over these awesome DIY dog bookends. 


• I especially love her pet-friendly travelogues, such as this guide to Charlottesville.


• Chuy lives life to the fullest, celebrating everything from Valentine's Day to Halloween in style.

I would like to try my hand at more pet-centric projects this year, as I miss my more artistic days, and I know that Irresistible Pets is going to be one of my first stops as I collect ideas on Pinterest. I absolutely love this exchange as a way to connect with other bloggers and share the many ways we can enjoy life with our beloved dogs. Happy New Year, Aimee & Chuy - can't wait to see what you'll wow us with next!

Ruby Reviews: Fruitables Vanilla Snowflake Treats

Ruby and Boca got to try some new holiday treats: Crunchy Fruitables in Vanilla Snowflake flavor! We are already big fans of Fruitables: small, low-calorie flower-shaped treats. They have healthy ingredients and are made in the USA. My favorite quality is that the treats have the yummy scents of things like bananas, berries and apples, and I don't mind having them in my pockets!

 

The Vanilla Snowflake treats are extra special, because they are made with real snow harvested right here in Colorado! You can watch a cute video about the snow harvest here. They also contain pumpkin granola and Greek yogurt. They're only available for a limited time, so if you're looking for a last minute gift for the dog in your life, hurry before this snow melts! 

Disclaimer: I was provided Fruitables Vanilla Snowflake treats in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and I only publish reviews for products I feel comfortable using in the day to day life of my pets.  

Ruby Reviews: The Honest Kitchen Nuzzles

We are big fans of The Honest Kitchen at my house, so The Ginger Sisters were happy to taste-test another wonderful treat: Nuzzles, a crunchy combination of duck & cherry.  

Nuzzles are made with just eight natural, human grade ingredients, not one unidentifiable or impossible to pronounce: 

Barley flour, duck, molasses, water, eggs, coconut oil, cherries and Parmesan cheese

They are a cute heart shape that can easily be broken into smaller pieces - perfect for sharing!

I love to have a variety of treats on hand to keep training interesting for my girls, and I want their treats to be as healthy as the rest of their diet. I am always confident that The Honest Kitchen has the best interest of my pets in mind.

Product reviews are a perfect opportunity to practice their modeling skills (sit-stays, down-stays, and "watch me"). Boca is becoming a real pro at posing, and Ruby is always happy to show off with some tricks.

We took advantage of one of our last days of sunny weather before temperatures plummet next week. I even recruited my dad to help with some pictures! 

Ruby will jump through hoops for The Honest Kitchen! 

We have also been practicing "in" and "out" with her hula hoop - she caught on to it in a heartbeat and is happy to demonstrate for a heart-shaped cookie! 

Disclaimer: I was provided a sample of The Honest Kitchen Nuzzles in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and I only publish reviews for products I feel comfortable using in the day to day life of my pets. 

DIY Doggie Treat Station

I already had these mason jars with chipboard labels from the Dollar Spot at Target that I use for keeping crunchy training treats and chew treats for Ruby and Boca, but when I saw these darling treat jars on Irresistible Pets I knew they needed improving. I immediately started perusing eBay for some plastic dogs, and had to have the set that included a toy which could pass for a Norwegian Elkhound. I intended to paint them but I like the way they look in black and white too...

I also wanted a nicer way to keep the clickers, extra treats, nail clippers, medications and all the rest of the doggie items I reach for frequently that were cluttering my countertop. I found this three drawer organizer at Michael's, but I won't recommend it because it fell apart immediately and my dad had to reinforce it for me. I have seen sturdier ones at The Container Store. I purchased the chalkboard labels and like that I can change them if I ever rearrange the contents. 

I completed my spruced-up doggie station with this framed print, also from Michael's. I was so excited to find it because I've been wanting something similar. I love the vintage look and the colors are perfect for my kitchen/dining area. There are so many fun ways to organize canine accoutrements and turn your home into a pup's paradise - I've even started a Pinterest board for my dog-friendly dream home. These little projects just make me want to do more!

Ruby Reviews: Sojo's Simply Meat Treats

I'm a big supporter of smaller companies with an obvious dedication to happier, healthier pets, and I believe that Sojos is just such a company. When I found out they had released a new, single-ingredient treat I knew that we had to try some!

There really isn't anything not to love about these Simply Meat freeze-dried treats. They are exactly what they say there are: nothing but morsels of raw, freeze-dried turkey, beef or lamb in cheery, resealable packaging.

Since they are all natural, the treats are an assortment of sizes which make them perfect for my multi-dog household. When I grab a handful for training, I can give the larger pieces to Boca and the smaller ones to Ruby.

The girls both went bonkers for these, and they are perfect for working on new behaviors since they are without a doubt a high-value treat. I can feel good about feeding the Simply Meat treats knowing that they are nutritious and all-natural. They would be great for dogs with food sensitivities, too, since there are no guessing games with their ingredients. These will surely be a staple at my house.

DISCLAIMER: I was provided Simply Meat treats from Sojos in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and I only publish reviews for a products I feel comfortable using in the day to day life of my pets.

Ruby Reviews: Sweetpea Kitchens

When I learned about Sweetpea Kitchens, there were a couple things to love right away: 

• Their treats are all natural, organic, and made with human-grade ingredients
• They are handmade in small batches right here in Colorado! 

I strive to provide Ruby with a healthy, natural diet - treats included - and I support small, local business whenever possible. I was delighted when Sweetpea Kitchens sent us their three best-selling flavors to sample.

• Myles: Gluten-free peanut butter & blueberry 
• Lakota: Gluten-free turkey bacon, cheese and applesauce
• Oh My Apple Pie: Gluten-free apple & cinnamon

Ruby is always happy to assist in the taste-testing portion of a treat review. She sampled the cute heart-shaped Oh My Apple Pie, the small Lakota biscuits, and the mini Myles biscuits. The Myles flavor seemed to be her favorite, and she even staged a "I need to go out so I can come back in again" fake-out to try to earn some extras! The treats are easy to break into smaller pieces for use in training as well, and all of them smelled good enough to eat myself. 

This time around we have a special guest reviewer: Lydia the Fostercake! Lydia is learning how to sit and lay down for treats and likes the Myles flavor as well. I'm a big fan of Sweetpea Kitchens and think they will become a staple in the treat jar around here. 

DISCLAIMER: I was provided three packages of Sweetpea Kitchens biscuits in their top-selling varieties in exchange for my honest review. 

Welcoming Spring with a Full Weekend

Happy Ruby Tuesday! I am so lucky to have every other Friday off, but even those long weekends go by too quickly. Ruby and I enjoyed three days of playing, photo sessions, an unexpected visit to a dog park, and visits from family. We have been trying to go to a nearby baseball field on Friday mornings to meet up with Cosmo the Chug, but this time there was a school employee parked on the field with the gate open. We asked if we could close the gate in order to let the dogs run around and were told that no, another truck was on its way.  With some hesitation on my part, we decided to try the dog park just down the road. I have a dog park within walking distance of my house, but have stopped going as there are too many big dogs and too much chaos, and I feared that it was contributing to Ruby's reactivity. 

I decided on Friday that we could at least take a peek - it was still fairly early in the morning on a week day and I hoped there wouldn't be too many other people. We met one dog walking from the parking lot to the enclosure, and Ruby was her usual spinning, ferocious-sounding self. I'm sure the person wondered what I was doing with her at a dog park, but as soon as we got through the gate Ruby did wonderfully. There were about seven other dogs, a nice mixture of large and small, and Ruby immediately made some friends. She bounced around with a labradoodle, got chased by two Shih Tzus and pestered a young yellow lab. I was so proud of her! She raced around the perimeter at top speed many times - she is so fast that none of the other dogs had a chance at catching her. At one point the white Shih Tzu had a hold of the black Shih Tzu's tail as they were both in pursuit of Ruby - it was hilarious! She came along nicely when it was time to go, although we did encounter two more dogs on the way to the car. I have a lot of reservations about dog parks, and still prefer the baseball field which we normally have to ourselves, but I think it's good for Ruby to have some socialization in small groups and she proved that she can handle it. That particular park will be a nice backup plan on the off-hours if the baseball field is in use. 

Knowing Ruby would be good and tired out for the rest of the day, I took the opportunity to run some errands for the afternoon, including a stop at a wonderful local pet store in my old neighborhood. Ruby got another gross thing to chew on (beef tendon) and two new toys: a replacement Walk-e-Woo tug and a Cycle Dog dino. Lucky girl! She gave them both a try when I got home. 

That blur would be her tail. 

On Saturday my dad drove down, as did my aunt and her friend, so Ruby had a fun day of company, including her favorite labradoodle, Hachi! We had a snowy second day of spring, so it was mostly spent indoors. I paid a visit to my dear friend and her wonderful dog, Tsavo, a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Tsavo is an older girl and has been having some mobility troubles but has improved immensely on a new medication regimen. I was really happy to see that sweet girl who I've known for ten years. She has a new brother - a possible Husky/Aussie mix from a small shelter on the plains who lacks confidence and playfulness, so I gave him a very short introduction to clicker training, which I think could help him a lot. It was great to spend time with some big dogs. My dad took over dog sitting duties that night so I could stay over with my boyfriend - a welcome treat!

Since receiving our Wag Pac along with a selection of foods from The Honest Kitchen to try, it was time to make some room in the dog cabinet. I'm still hanging on to the last leashes and collars that Lasya and Freya wore, but for the most part I don't think I'll have need for the big dog stuff anytime soon.  I put together a bag of items to donate and organized the rest of Ruby's things. A friend gave me a ticket to an equestrian theater performance in Golden, so I again left Ruby with my dad and had a solo afternoon at a horse show. The Foothills Animal Shelter  just happened to be right next to the fairgrounds, so I was able to drop off my donation there. The pretty weather had returned, so Ruby got several walks on Sunday and even my elder-cat, Nina, spent some time in the sun on the patio.  The window film continues to be effective - although I do worry that she is listening harder now - and my house is so much more peaceful without barking eruptions at the window. We started Day 6 of the Relaxation Protocol, which introduces opening a door - Ruby maintained her stay through each instance of sliding the patio door! She had two breaks elsewhere in the tasks but I think we'll be able to complete it in two or three more attempts. Ruby crashed early that night, evidence that she had a fun-filled weekend.

Ruby Reviews: Wag Pac March Box

UPDATE: Please note that as of June, 2014, Wag Pac has discontinued its subscription box service. 

This month Ruby received a Wag Pac subscription box to review. She is always excited to see a package come through the door, as nine times out of ten it is for her!

For several reasons, this is my favorite subscription box yet, and I have tried quite a few. I currently have a six-month subscription to one, but think I'll be switching to Wag Pac when that one expires.  First of all, while many of the subscription companies donate to dogs in need, Wag Pac actually allows you to choose the rescue or shelter that your donation dollars will go to.  They have an extensive list to choose from, and I picked Colorado Animal Welfare League, the group responsible for pulling Ruby from a dismal southern shelter, fostering her here in Colorado, and making her available for me to adopt! They just got done with a spay/neuter operation for "potcake" dogs in the Bahamas and are definitely a worthy cause.

The item Ruby was most excited about (she actually stole away with it to the living room), we will be passing on (in slightly slobbered-on condition) as she is not allowed stuffies, but it was a very cute blue squeaky octopus from Kyjen.  The filling is made from recycled bottles and it would hold up to gentle chewers.  Here is Ruby making a grab for it:

Next was a Pet Blinker, something that will come in handy for walks at night, and a fun addition to the box.  I often wish more apparel and accessories were included and not just toys and treats, and this fit the bill!

The winning item, and the best single thing I've ever gotten in a subscription box, is the Alite Boa Lite Leash. This is a high-value item which makes up for more than half of the multi-month subscription price. I was thrilled that the green color matched Ruby's Up Country squirrel collar, and had to immediately leash her up and take it for a spin.  The leash is remarkably lightweight, has a built-in bag dispenser, a key pocket (although a full roll of poop bags leaves little room for anything else), a clip handle for tethering, and a utility loop perfect for attaching the Pet Blinker! The clip is on the heavy side, so it was too bulky for Ruby's front-clip harness and I'll reserve it for her back-clip equipment. 

Lastly, two full-sized packages of treats: Zuke's Mini Bakes and Fruitables Skinny Minis. Ruby is already a fan of the Fruitables and Zuke's, although we have never tried the Mini Bakes and will no longer be buying Zuke's products since they were purchased by Purina. My current subscription service features more small-batch, local companies and I do prefer that over the larger brands.  I hope that Wag Pac will be including a mixture of both in future boxes.  

As I said, between the awesome leash and the ability to choose your own donation recipient, Wag Pac will be at the top of my list when it comes time to pick a new box service.  I love getting surprises in the mail, and being able to share new toys and yummy treats with Ruby upon their arrival makes it all the more fun.  

Which is your favorite pet subscription box? 

DISCLAIMER: I received the March box from Wag Pac in exchange for my honest review. 

Ruby Reviews: Newman's Own Snack Sticks

This month, Chewy.com sent us Newman's Own Snack Sticks in Chicken & Rice flavor to review.  I like the Newman's Own brand, and natural or organic products are always appreciated. When I opened the bag they looked and smelled vaguely like pretzels. They are made in the USA and contain certified organic ingredients.

  

The ingredients are as follows: Organic Chicken, Organic Oat Flour, Organic Barley Flour, Soy Grits, Cane Molasses, Dextrose, Organic Brown Rice, Glycerin, Salt, Cultured Whey, Natural Flavors, Oil of Garlic, Tocopherol (Vitamin E). *Certified Organic 

Since garlic is in the list of things dogs shouldn't have, I am always surprised to see it in an ingredient list, and it does turn up a lot. Does anyone have any insight about this? 

 

 

The snack sticks are easy to break into smaller pieces, or they can be given whole as a large occasional treat.  Ruby was happy to take hers into the living room to munch on...once I finally gave it to her, that is.  She was quite enthusiastic about them, and finished the whole bag before this review was written.

The 4 oz. packages of snack sticks are currently on sale for $3.99 from Chewy.com. They do contain soy and quite a bit of added sugar in the form of molasses, so they're probably not something we'll be regularly purchasing, but Ruby did enjoy sampling them!

DISCLAIMER: I received a full-sized package of Newman's Own Organics treats from Chewy.com in exchange for my honest review.