Wildebeest Guides

New Year, New You: 5 Tips To Reset You + Beest
Start the year off on the right paw by implementing healthy habits for you & your dog! Most of us humans like to reset and welcome the New Year with new goals, healthy habits, and striving to a...
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Aug | 26 | 2019
Dogs are part of our family, so it makes sense that we’d like to include them on the family vacations, too! While many pups love getting to travel with their people, taking preparations is essential to ensuring safe and smooth travel ahead. Whether you’re taking them on the ultimate road trip or a quick overnighter, these tips are essential to keeping your pup comfortable and happy through the miles!
Pack Their Favorite Things
When you take your pup on a trip they’ll be put into a new place with a lot of unfamiliar smells, so packing familiar things is key to keeping them calm. Bringing their prized blanket and favorite toys will allow you to create a “safe area” once you get where you’re staying, making their home-away-from-home that much more comfortable.
Always Check IDs
If you’ll be on the move, make sure your pup is easily identifiable just in case they were to get loose. Double-check that their microchip and tag information is up to date, and consider using a no-dangle ID tag to prevent it from getting snagged or lost.
Plan Ahead For Dog-Friendly Accommodations
While a perfect world would welcome well-behaved pooches anywhere, places like hotel rooms, restaurants, and even some outdoor spaces have policies and codes they have to adhere to. Research the pet policy of your lodging options before booking and call any restaurants or attractions you plan to stop at along the way to confirm their policy before you arrive. This will ensure happy travels without any surprises.
Tip: Utilize sites like BringFido and GoPetFriendly in your planning — they keep a crowdsourced database of pet-friendly lodging, activities, and restaurants for dog lovers!
Prepare A Dog First Aid Kit
“It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it,” said every adult ever, and the same is true for your dog’s medical supplies. Hopefully, you won’t run into any issues as you rove the open roads, but assembling your own dog first aid kit and keeping supplies on hand for potential emergencies is always the smartest way to travel.
Keep ‘Em Busy In Transit
While water and treats should be limited to rest stops, bringing along a favorite chew or toy for the car ride is a fun way to keep them busy if they’d rather not nap. Bones, chews or favorite plushy toys will keep them occupied through the miles. Also plan frequent stops so everyone can stretch their legs, potty, and get some exercise to keep ‘em calm.
Don’t Forget Food & Water
A vacation is not the time to rush to the store because you forgot the kibble, so be sure to pack as much as they need plus a little extra just in case! Keeping their food and meal schedules as close to normal as possible will prevent tummy upset from ruining your plans. Have a travel bowl and treat bag handy to easily keep and dispense food and water on-the-go.
Wildebeest creates everyday essentials that help you build that special bond, share adventures big & small and make amazing memories with your Beest. We'll be right there every step of the way, with our gear & Wild4Life Warranty in tow, supporting you & Beest all throughout the lifetime of your companionship!
Wildebeest's Guide To Traveling With Your Dog
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Jun | 06 | 2019
If you’re used to having your pockets filled with the scent of hot dogs and kibble, it doesn’t have to be that way! Whether you’re casually working on your pup’s manners or doing serious training sessions, sticky pockets shouldn’t be a way of life. That’s why we’re here to tell you all about treat pouches, what their benefits are, and how you can find one that’s right for you!
Why use a treat pouch?
Treat pouches are helpful for many situations, whether you’re training, competing, or just working on your pup’s manners out in the world. When using positive reinforcement training, it’s all about rewarding beest for the behaviors you’d like to see. Having their reward in an easy-to-access treat pouch ensures you’re rewarding ‘em at the right time, every time.
Some of the most common use-cases for treat pouches are dogs in obedience or agility training, puppies who are potty training, or dogs who need a little extra attention for loose-leash walks. Treat pouches are also useful to help train off-leash hiking or practice recall in a variety of situations.
What makes a good treat pouch?
“Good” can be subjective, but in our opinion, there are a few must-haves to keep an eye out for. Most importantly, it should hold treats well and they should be easy to access. It should also be designed without bulk so it’s not getting in the way, and be a breeze to clean, too.
What’s special about the Alamo Treat Pouch?
Our Alamo Treat Pouch is designed with all the must-have features in mind, plus some nice-to-haves, too.
- Easy-open, magnetic compartment: makes reaching for beest’s treats quick and simple and keeps curious noses out
- Smaller secondary compartment: keep keys, poopbags, or secondary treats on hand (our favorite review calls it the perfect dog mom purse, and we have to agree!)
- Heavy-duty clip and included waist strap: your training shouldn’t be dependent on your outfit!
- Food-safe and machine washable: treat grease no more
All of those features, plus it's backed by our Wild4life Warranty. There might not ever be a perfect treat pouch, but we think this one is pretty darn close.
Wildebeest's Guide to Treat Pouches (With Video)
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Feb | 01 | 2019
Whether you’re bringing a new puppy home soon or are ready to brush up on your older dog’s skills, training can feel like a big undertaking. Implementing a training regimen is a great way to bond with your beest and promote good behaviors for the rest of their lives, but it’s hard to get going if you don’t know where to start! With a little bit of patience, some quick tips, and a lot of treats, you’ll have beest behaving in no time.
Start With Small Steps
You can’t run before you can walk, and you definitely can’t teach roll over before you teach down! Instead of jumping into a new trick all at once, break it up into increments to guide your pup to the behavior you’re looking for. By doing this, you’re breaking complex tricks into bite-sized pieces that pup can more easily understand — and you’ll be able to hone in on the behavior you’re looking for without accidentally reinforcing something you’re not!
Work At Your Dog’s Pace
Every doggo is different — some prefer doing longer training sessions while others will work better with frequent, quick bursts. Do a few sessions of varying length and frequency to determine what works best for your unique beest, so you can get in a routine that works for you both.
Try A Variety Of Treats
While most pups are grateful for anything that they can get their noses on, treats that they consider more enticing can help motivate them in the right direction. Mixing these high-value treats up with a variety of other healthy treats from home or the pet store, along their regular kibble will keep them interested and excited for what they’ll get to snack on next.
Reward Often And Quickly
When it comes to training, positive reinforcement keeps your pup motivated and excited to learn, and it’s important to reward them for the right actions at the right times. Using a clicker or verbal reward paired with keeping treats close by will help you catch and reward those perfect moments right when they happen. And our Alamo Treat Pouch is perfect for this!
Consider A Clicker
While your pup will be over-the-moon to get a “good dog” out of you, clicker training can provide an even more targeted approach. When you first start out, your dog learns to associate the clicker with a reward — eventually making the clicker a reward on its own! This provides a sound that’s distinct to doing the right thing, allowing them to know exactly why they’re receiving reinforcement.
Use A Lure
When trying to communicate what you want from beest, intruducing with a lure is a great way to point them in the right direction — especially for tricks that require a lot of movement! This is how the pawrents behind the IG-famous @kiba.aussie taught Kiba to weave through their legs:
“First, start with a lure and use your clicker every time they do what you ask (in the case of ‘weave’, moving through the legs). Then, we move to using our fingers as the lure so Kiba will touch our hand. From there we get in position and maybe start with one finger lure so he can put it all together! Over time and with lots of practice, it will click.”
Stay Consistent
When it comes to helping your puppy learn, consistency and repetition will strengthen the behaviors you’re asking for. Whether you make it a routine to have a quick training session first thing in the morning, before meals, or both, keeping a consistent schedule will get pup in the working mindset and help reinforce their fun new tricks!
Wildebeest creates everyday essentials that help you build that special bond, share adventures big & small and make amazing memories with your Beest. We'll be right there every step of the way, with our gear & Wild4Life Warranty in tow, supporting you & Beest all throughout the lifetime of your companionship!
Wildebeest's Guide To Successful Dog Training
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Sep | 10 | 2018
We know that a big part of bonding with your pup is taking them out for walks, but when it comes to picking the right equipment, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Between flat collars, Martingale collars, and back- or front-clip harnesses, how do you know what’s best for Beest?
Considering things such as your pup's leash behavior, what training skills you’d like to work on, and any breed considerations that might point you toward certain equipment is a great place to start. From there, learn as much about each product as you can! To help with your research, we’ve put together an overview of the four basic styles, so you can start your next adventure knowing you’re prepared:
Traditional Collar
The traditional collar is what most dog owners choose, and it’s the most convenient of the bunch. They’re comfortable enough for everyday wear and an easy place for Pet ID Tags. However, because many pups quickly find that they have more leash freedom while wearing a collar, for some dogs it’s not the best method for encouraging proper manners. Additionally, if your dog’s breed is predisposed to respiratory issues, the pressure of a collar can lead to coughing fits or health risks as your pup ages.
For most pups that are already established in their leash manners and owners who want a no-fuss solution, the collar is a great mainstay for dog gear. As long as you choose a model with a secure buckle and smooth design so pup stays safe and comfortable, the collar can be a great, convenient option!
Martingale Collar
Originally designed for sighthounds due to the group’s slender head and neck, the Martingale collar has grown in popularity across many breeds both for training and functionality. While the bulk of the collar is the same as a traditional design, the D-Ring attachment is on a second loop to provide tightening action when the leash is taut.
Martingale collars are a great training solution for dogs that can easily back out of collars or who need subtle correction on adventures. They provide the ideal blend between a comfortable, relaxed fit while still being a no-choke training solution to help hone in on getting the right kind of leash behavior on walks.
Back-Clip Harness
Back-clip harnesses have been growing steadily in popularity, both for small and large breeds alike. The back-clip design evenly distributes the leash pressure, so while the design isn’t recommended for strong pullers it can assist in other types of leash manners such as responsiveness.
A back-clip harness also alleviates pressure around the throat, making it a safer solution for dogs with slender necks or breeds prone to respiratory issues. While stiff nylon designs aren’t the most comfortable for all-day wear, the wide selection of supportive + comfortable models on the market are crafted to secure your pup in comfort all day long.
Front-Clip Harness
Front Clip Harnesses go by many names: no-pull harness, chest harness, and training harness are just a few. Due to their unique design, front clip harnesses are typically preferred for training exercises and obedience work. Because the leash attaches at the chest, the front ring reorients the dog when they begin to tug, discouraging them from putting pressure on the leash. For heavy pullers or dogs that tend to greet others with a jump, they’re an extremely helpful tool.
While a front-clip harness isn’t necessary for leash training, they are an effective solution to hone in on manners and obedience in a safe way. This is why they’re popular for a variety of dogs, from puppies just learning leash skills to grown dogs that are advancing their training.
While there’s no concrete answer to what walking method is best for YOUR Beest, learning about the pros and cons of each will hopefully help you make the decision! As you and your pup’s needs and activities change, being open to different options and trying new things will help you both be comfortable and safe wherever your adventures take you.
Wildebeest creates everyday essentials that help you build that special bond, share adventures big & small and make amazing memories with your Beest. We'll be right there every step of the way, with our gear & Wild4Life Warranty in tow, supporting you & Beest all throughout the lifetime of your companionship!
Wildebeest's Guide to "Collar or Harness?"
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May | 22 | 2018
So you’re going to be a dog parent — congratulations! The time between making the decision to get a pup and actually bringing your new beest home might feel like forever, but it will give you plenty of time to get your place prepared.
Introducing a dog of any age to a new environment can be stressful for both of you, but by planning ahead and readying the household in advance you’ll be able to relax to enjoy their company when they arrive. Here are our tips for starting off on the right paw when bringing beest home:
Research Nearby Vets
Whether you’re adopting from a shelter or picking a pup from a breeder, routine shots and checkups are a must to keep ‘em healthy. Finding the perfect vet to answer all your new pawrent questions and make your pup comfortable will make a big difference. Take the time to research out online reviews and ask other animal lovers for recommendations so you know your pup will be getting the best care possible. Once you decide on a vet, ask about their operating hours and emergency line. If they don’t provide a 24-hour service, be sure to find an after-hours pet hospital just in case!
Puppy Proof
Though you and your pup will probably be inseparable for the first few days, for dogs of any age it’s advised to do a thorough puppy proofing to keep them out of trouble! Things like cables, rugs, and curtains may not seem like appealing chew toys, but dogs in new environments tend to have a knack for breaking the rules. Remember to think from their perspective, as things can look different (and much more chewable!) from four legs. Whether your bringing home a young pup or an adult dog, establishing boundaries before introducing temptations will help you keep your beest and belongings safe.
Gather Your Supplies
Don’t bring your pup home empty handed! Get as many supplies as you can in advance to keep them entertained and safe from the moment they come home. A food bowl and a bed are essentials for the home, as well as toys and treats to keep them busy. A collar, leash, and poop bags are the very basics for keeping them secure on the go and let you start house training right away. Purchase these items separately or as part of a dog starter kit so you can be sure you have everything you need!
You may also consider getting a no-pull harness and/or a solid treat pouch to start your leash training together which is one of the best ways for you & your new pup to start building that special bond. :)
Keep in mind, Wildebeest offers a limited lifetime warranty on all products and will offer a 25% discount on replacing your gear that's outgrown, chewed or has general wear & tear.
Start With Small Spaces
Whether your pup is from the shelter or a breeder, they’ve likely never had open access to an entire house before! That’s why it’s recommended to start them off with small spaces before you let them run free. Partitioning off space with baby gates or crates will help cut down on the new space overwhelm, and help prevent accidents in your home. By starting small and gradually adding more square feet, your pup will come to recognize the entire home as their safe haven instead of an open range area to cause mischief.
Being a new pup parent can be stressful, but by preparing beforehand you’ll be able to relax in the company of your new best friend right away. Life is more colorful with your beest, and you’ll be going on all kinds of exciting adventures (hiking, exercising, travels...) in no time. Congratulations on your new pup — we know you’ll have a blast!
Wildebeest creates durable, stylish dog gear. Equipping your best friend for all of your adventures while providing a Wild4Life guarantee, we’re committed to creating products the entire family will love.
Wildebeest's Guide To Bringing A New Beest Home
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Mar | 06 | 2018
The chill of winter is fading away, meaning it will soon be prime hiking season for you and your beest! Whether you have a seasoned adventure pal or a young pup excited for their first spring in the wild, these tips will make sure you and your best friend are prepped and ready to enjoy your wild adventures.
1. Take the Road Less Traveled
Just like breaking in your hiking boots to keep your feet happy, your dog’s endurance level is an important factor in how comfortable you’ll be on the trails. The usual walk around the block is less stimulating to a dog’s senses than exploring the great outdoors, and walking in all-terrain environments will put a different kind of strain on their body. To help prepare your dog’s muscles (and nose!), try walking new routes around town or embarking on a few “urban adventures” before you hit the backcountry. Another great way to build endurance is by teaching your dog how play frisbee. Jumping high in the air to catch the frisbee will help build their reflexes, strength, spatial awareness, and stamina.
2. Refresh Those Manners
Depending on where you’re hiking, hitting the trails on a busy weekend might feel more like a group nature walk than a wilderness adventure—meaning your pup will be exposed to all sorts of new humans and dogs. Even if you’re going to a less populated area, your pup will still experience a plethora of smells and stimuli that might tempt them to ignore even their most familiar commands. Taking some time to refresh your pup’s memory of directives and leash manners will help their good behavior transfer seamlessly to the trail. Whether they're an off-leash pro or you plan to keep them tethered to your side, making sure their basic commands and leash etiquette are top notch will keep you both stress-free in any hectic situation.
3. Update Their ID tags
Dog tags are something all owners hope they’ll never have to rely on, but making sure they’re up to date before a big adventure never hurts. Check not only that the phone number is current and legible, but also be sure the tag is soundly secured. Brush and branches can easily snag dangling hardware as your dog romps through, so securing dangling tags or upgrading to a contoured plate will ensure they’re readily identified no matter what they get in to.
4. Pack Water for Two
It's super important to stay hydrated while you're out & about especially on warmer days. Don't forget to pack enough water for you AND pup according to your activity plans. Having an ultra-compact portable bowl on hand will keep your load light while offering peace of mind that pup won't go thirsty on the trek.
5. Keep The Right Supplies
You probably already keep a first aid kit with your hiking supplies, but adding a few tools to make it equipped for dogs and humans will keep you both safe and comfortable should an accident occur. Most of what a dog might need in the wild overlaps with a human’s first aid needs, but there are a few canine-specific supplies to bring. From itchy bites to splintered paws, knowing you’re prepared for anything is the best way to have fun without worry. If you want to put together your own hiking first aid kit for your pup, ASPCA Pro has a downloadable list to ensure your ready for hiking season.
6. Be Ready for Any Weather
Unfortunately, even the most pleasant days can give way to showers, chill, or sweltering heat in an instant. Make sure that you and your adventure pal are prepared for any weather so you both stay comfortable and content! The proper outerwear for your pup will provide protection against damp chills, while booties provide traction in the event of slick mud. Additionally, overheating is a concern for some breeds regardless of where the thermometer lies. If this applies to your pal, pack enough water to wet down fur should they start to get too warm. For more sever situations, you can also use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on their paw pads, and other vet approved methods to keep your dog from overheating. When planning for your adventures, simply equipping the right gear will allow you and your Beest to tackle any weather with ease!
7. Camp much?
Are you the type of pack that's into adventures beyond day hikes? Spending the night outdoors with your pup is a whole different experience and can be so special and magical. Pitching the tent, preparing the meals, enjoying a campfire and stargazing... give you & Beest a chance to slow down, unwind and reconnect with nature together. We highly recommend a camping adventure for any Beest, but keep in mind that it does take a more in-depth preparation and packing prior to your adventure. Check out these handy tips from campingcooks.com.
Happy Hiking & Beyond!
Wildebeest creates everyday essentials that help you build that special bond, share adventures big & small and make amazing memories with your Beest. We'll be right there every step of the way, with our gear & Wild4Life Warranty in tow, supporting you & Beest all throughout the lifetime of your companionship!
5 Tips To Get Your Dog Ready For Hiking Season
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