Dogs

Petmate's Floatimals Make Water Play Fun

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

It seems this is water week for reviews at All Things Dog Blog. Of course you know the rule: Have Retriever; must swim! At our house the words "Swim", "Porch", and "Fetch" probably all mean about the same thing to Tanner, our water dog. At a very young age we discovered that he would quickly take most any opportunity to indulge himself in the wet stuff if we didn't intervene when necessary.

Now that Tanner knows the rules (No swimming without permission) he's much like any other kid around the pool, meaning that he enjoys his pool toys. We have experimented with all sorts of pool toys over his nearly 5 years, and I'm beginning to get a clear idea of his favorites. When I spotted the Floatimals in Petmate's display during Global Pet Expo, I knew I had found a winner.

Today Tanner got the Dragonfly for his first test run. Thanks to my friend Elizabeth for running the camera, as a fetch game is tough to participate in, while also photographing. Didn't she do a great job? Thanks Lizzi!

Tanner's first plunge was met with great pleasure--a marshmallow-soft fetch toy was unexpected. What fun!

Now I'll make him work a little harder. He has to bring the toy to me for the next pitch, dropping it at my feet again, as a way of offering good sportsmanship--manners.

As usual, Tanner brings the toy all the way to my knees, rubbing it against me as if to be sure I know it is there. My resulting wet clothes are nothing more than an endearing way that he assures me he has returned the toy. How can I complain about that?

Let's "Fetch" again. This time a little harder task. I'll ask him to "Leave it" after I toss it. Let's see what happens.

Tanner got a round of applause from me when he successfully waited till I gave permission to Fetch. That said, he also decided he wasn't ready to return it immediately. He's no dummy! After climbing out of the water he headed in the opposite direction of me and took another dip:

Tanner enjoyed a naughty round of the pool, knowing he was supposed to return the toy to me, but I tolerated his fun in favor of more photos. Normally that sort of misbehavior would result in the toy going back on the shelf and the end of a game. :(

Now it's my turn to tease him. I flaunt the dragonfly in front of him, but he holds his Sit. Good Boy.

I thought Oliver's interested spectating might distract Tanner, but his eye was on the prize. I'm sure he was saying, "C'mon mom; please throw it again."

Okay, let's go again. This time you'll have to find me in a different spot to return Dragonfly. Go Fetch!

I think you probably get the idea by now, huh? This is a great pool toy that is enticing and different. It's not your typical, hard rubber tube-type toy. Tanner enjoyed the squishy, water fun and I appreciated the durable neoprene fabric that it's made of, despite the fact that I got doused. It's part of the fun, and besides, I got cooled off too.

Petmate's Floatimals come in a variety of critters including ladybugs, monkeys, snakes, bees, and gators. Whatever your dog's favorite chase is, they're likely to have something to fill his fun-factor.

Speaking of fun factor, I think we should share the love. Petmate has shared 5 Floatimals for a giveaway, so start your engines. You can win a Floatimal with your comments here on the blog. Here's a bunch of ways to enter, so join in the fun. Go Fetch a Floatimal for your Fido!

You may enter the giveaway once daily per method, but you must use a different Tweet, comment, photo, etc. each time.
COMMENTS are the primo form of entry--super simple since you're already here. Visit the bottom of the post to find the COMMENTS link and click.
Winners will be selected from comments here on the blog that include a method of contact (URL, email, Twitter handle, etc). All Tweets and emails must be followed up with a comment here to be entered in the drawing. Random.org will be used to select the winners.
For 3 entries, post a photo of your pup to my Facebook page with a sign that says "We Love Floatimals". You can print a picture from this post and write the note on the photo for an extra entry. That's 4 entries right there! You can also post your photo to Petmate's Facebook page and it may be featured on our blog if you email it to me at [email protected]m.
Leave a comment here saying "I Like All Things Dog Blog and Petmate on Facebook" for another entry.
Likewise, follow @AllThingsDog and @PetmateProducts on Twitter and leave a comment here telling me you've done this.
Subscribing to our blog by email using the dog house subscription box at left is a great way to keep up with our posts, giveaways, Ask the Vet and Trainer columns and more. Leave me a comment for one entry, saying "I subscribe to All Things Dog Blog." RSS subscribers may use this method also. Click this link for more info on RSS.
And of course, hit that Tweet/Retweet button at the top of the post, and then leave me a comment telling me you Tweeted/Retweeted this post. Leave your Twitter handle for verification and we'll be thrilled to give you another entry.
Entries will close at 5 PM sharp on Thursday, July 28th. I'll report the winners on Friday, July 29nd.

If you're not the patient sort, preferring to just go ahead and buy your own Floatimals, you can find them online at this page on Valley Vet. At least that's a sure thing, but it's not near as much fun as entering our giveaways! Hope to see you all in the comments list. Happy Fetching!

Related Posts:Teaching Your Dog to FetchTeaching "Go Get the Newspaper"
Full disclosure: The Floatimal seen in these photos was provided to me for a product review by Petmate. I was not paid to provide my opinion. The thoughts shared in this article are my own.

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