Gear Patrol

He eats your food. He sleeps in your bed. Hell, he kisses your significant other more than you do. Yet you bathe your dog with a hose and a bottle of harsh, ineffective soap. Aesop Animal Wash ($35) is a bit of a splurge, for sure, but it’s made to the same standard as Aesop’s…

Your dog shreds his toys like Lindsay Lohan shreds career opportunities. No more. The Varsity Ball ($40) is a dog toy seemingly built by the makers of the M1 Abrams tank. Designed for active dogs (Bassett Hounds will probably just stare at it), the Varsity Ball is large enough to escape your dog’s hungry jaws,…

Think about how much joy your pooch brings to your life (except for that time he chewed up your bespoke wing tips — that was bad). Well, there’s a way to pamper him that doesn’t involve dressing him up like Beverly Hills poodle. The Mountainsmith K-9 Cube ($60) makes the perfect holiday gift for your…

Your four-legged best friend has borne witness to a lot in your life — new jobs, ex-girlfriends and the like — so the least you can do is repay your pal with some decent doggy gear. The Stunt Puppy Go Dog Glo Collar ($25) hits a good place to start: safety and security. Made of…

While outfitting man’s best friend with the basics (leash and water) is mandatory, over-accessorizing the poor pooch on walks and trips can dismantle dignity — both his and yours. Lucky for you, the RuffBowl ($8) combines both of these canine staples into one package. It clips easily on to the side of most standard extendable…

Studies show owning a dog provides a multitude of physical and emotional benefits — but those researchers didn’t have to let Fido out at 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning. Before now, your only options were embracing your pooch’s poop schedule or installing a robber-sized doggie door. The Power Pet Electronic Pet Door ($270+) lets…

Your pup needs all the love and protection you can give him, especially during hot summer months when he’s in danger of heat stroke. Marketing firm Rethink Toronto and the Toronto Humane Society are hoping to keep pooches cool with the Dog Caller, a high-tech piece of doggie bling that utilizes a SIM card, thermistor…

Our canine friends typically have it pretty good – sleeping through the day, chasing the occasional squirrel, barking at the mailman. Even so, when it’s time for us to go to work, many pets wind up fighting the heat in the great outdoors. The Chillspot($170) outdoor pet bed keeps tails wagging for pets exiled to…

Don’t let all Buddy’s extra energy go to waste. Harness the strength of 1 horsedogpower with Ruff Wear’s Omnijore System ($150). The simple system includes a dog harness, human hipbelt and a towline to turn any trail, cross-country ski terrain or mountain into a fun, safe way to move under canine power. The harness comes…

A dog’s paws can withstand all kinds of extreme conditions, but that doesn’t mean traipsing around in the snow, hot sand, or grimy asphalt for long periods of time is good for them. One solution is to pick up some fido footwear like the Bark’n Boots Polar Trex. If you and your hound aren’t thrilled…

Just because your four-legged friend sports a coat year round, doesn’t mean they’re invincible to the cold. Knowing when your dog requires added protection depends on a variety of factors including, age, weight, fur-type, and height. Generally speaking, though, unless you own an Alaskan Malamute or a breed with “Mountain Dog” in the title —…

Like it or not, technology has made it easier for the powers that be to keep track of our movements. So as long as we’re killing personal privacy, shouldn’t we at least leverage the same gear to keep tabs on our furry best friends? Qualcomm’s subsidiary Tagg isn’t the first company to integrate GPS tracking…

So you’ve got yourself a stainless steel, BPA-free, environmentally friendly water bottle for all your outdoor activities, but when it comes time for Buddy to have a drink it’s still the same ol’ plastic dish. The problem is, no one’s really figured out how to teach our canine companions exactly how to pick up a…

Supporting Pet Lounge Studio’s limited edition Bambu Pet Hammock kickstarter project is definitely one way to show your furry friend they’re numero uno. Designer Cory Drew approached the task as any furniture designer would, focusing on materials and lines. The result is a floating pooch palace that’s achieved by stretching the upholstery grade, ultra-suede pillow…

We can think of plenty of other things we’d rather drop $6,500 on, but if to quote Jay-Z, “money ain’t a thang”, we’d probably find some place to stash this ridiculous Labryrinth Aquarium ($6,500) in our home — most likely right next to the white tiger cage. It’s designed to house tropical freshwater fish in…

Winter isn’t the only time Fido needs an extra layer. Give him the same rain protection you sport during the Spring with the Filson Shelter Cloth Dog Coat ($70). The water-repellent shell can be reversed to expose their signature red/black plaid Mackinaw wool lining and features an extra layer of moleskin around the neck, adjustable…

Glowdoggie LED Collars ($45-$50) are designed to make b(raving) the elements with your four-legged friend a safer affair. Their integrated Superflux LEDs have a lifespan of 150,000 hours or roughly 81 dog years of use — providing owners and other citizens with plenty of visibility for tracking rover’s movements. Thanks to an “all-in-tube” design, each…

It’s amazing how much we take the basic designs of products for granted. Case in point, after seeing the Quirky-developed Kosoku, we’re now questioning why dog leashes have taken this long to evolve. The Kosoku Dog Leash ($40) features a fully retractable 6-foot leash, reflective tape for extra visibility at night, an ergonomic handle for…

Made entirely of durable Duck Canvas, the Bow Wow Bed ($20+) can be filled with your stuffing of choice (old pillows, memory foam, old shirts) to create a long-lasting chaise for good ol’ Rover. The zipper-free construction is safe for Chewy McChewers and available in a variety of sizes and personal messages like your pet’s…

If your four-legged friend is the active type and has no intentions of slowing down despite the change in weather, picking up a pair of Bark’n Boots Polar Trex ($90) may save you a few trips to the vets. Brought to our attention by the outdoor fiends at Gear Junkie, these boots are engineered for…

If the pet bed we recently showcased was too extravagant (and weird) for your four-legged friend, how about the Paul Smith Ceramic Dog Bowl ($75). The cream-colored ceramic dish with its multi-colored stripes around the base is a great way to express you and your dog’s style. It’s also dishwasher safe so it’s easy to…

The Holden Designs pet bed ($250) is for those who demand that their four-legged friend’s possessions match their own distinguished tastes. Constructed from bent-ply wood and coated in a walnut finish, its retro curves and white detailing certainly look better than an old pile of blankets. Whether your pooch will opt to sleep in it…

When it comes to travel companions, a dog is often the preferred choice. As this is the case, your pup needs the proper gear for adventuring just like you. REI’s Adventure Dog Water Bowl ($17) is smartly designed and incredibly durable. Constructed out of 100% post-consumer recycled PET fabric (no pun intended), this bowl features…

After spending a long winter couped up, summer is the time for man’s best friend to cut loose. Especially if you have a backyard that they can explore even when you’re away at work. Dehydration though is certainly a concern that most loyal owners solve by leaving out a water bowl. The Doggie Fountain ($40)…

Gear Patrol’s most docile four-legged assistant is a prolific shedder. You can’t stop the shed, you can only hope to contain it. You can’t hide from it either. The fur shows up whether you’re wearing white or black, not to mention the twice-yearly fur-bomb shed. Time for some gear. With the addition of the FURminator…

Eating healthier is no fad. Whether you’re cutting down on processed foods or looking for more whole or organic ingredients, better nutrition is more important than ever. The problem is, we’ve forgotten about man’s best friend. Your pooch isn’t just a dog, it’s a part of the family and if you want them to be…

Not all dog collars are created equal. Skip the PetSmart off-the-rack options and get a collar worthy of your hound. While you’re at it, give ‘em a scratch too – go ahead, we don’t mind waiting. The Mungo & Maud (great name) Rope Collar is made of durable rope, brown leather, and brass hardware. Adjusts…

For owners that still believe dogs are not humans (see more), and should be trained accordingly, Knoxville, Tennessee based SportDOG’s FieldTrainer SD400 provides safe distance-training in yard, field, and hunting-based environments. Depending on size or stubbornness of dog users can select from 16 levels of continuous or 8 levels of momentary stimulation that render no…

You spend a major portion of your life sleeping on the comfort of a mattress, so why shouldn’t your best four-legged friend? DoggySnooze ($139) is an orthopedic, elevated bed with bolstered rails designed to give Fido the most comfortable sleeping experience (besides his/her favorite place, of course: beside your feet in bed). DoggySnooze is available…

Man’s best friend doesn’t get a lot of attention from a gear perspective here on Gear Patrol, we’re aware and we’re hoping to change that. Our first step is bring the Chuckit! Launcher to your attention. The Chuckit! is a plastic tennis ball launcher made to let you keep your hands slobber free, throw the…