Dog gadgets and gizmos - are they necessary?

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2014/03/all-the-stuff-you-need-to-make-your-dog-happy-this-spring-and-summer/

I think one of them is quite useful, which is the 'Give Me Space' equipment. Otherwise, they all just look like pointless money-makers to me. Dog-attracting perfume? Rain coats with umbrella balconies? The Whistle Activity Monitor doesn't sound as bad, but I should imagine it doesn't work half as well as it's advertised to.

The rain coat one just baffles me. By all means, get a dog a coat if he feels the cold easily. But just to keep off the rain? Nope. Unless a medical condition means that your dog needs to be kept dry, let them go out in the rain; rain is extremely good for their coats.

Dempsey has a waterproof coat for the rain, but that serves to stop him from getting chilled in the rain if we're out for longer than the average walk or if we can't get him back to dry him off straight away. It's for a medical reason, as he is very prone to developing Limber Tail, which in his case is triggered by the cold and damp.

The perfume. Just no.

I like the Give Me Space vest. I'll order one in a couple of days & let you all know what it's like. With postage it comes to just under £20.

As for the rest of the gadgets, the rubber muzzle looks like a duck's bill, the umbrella is a joke and the ball launcher is an expensive waste of time!  

I think the vest is a good idea, as his 'No Dogs' harness just isn't fit for purpose.

No, the harness is a good idea, but it's a rough webbing that digs into his skin. The writing's also just a bit too small!

Exactly. Not really suitable to attach to a lead.

A couple of them are useful, like the vests. My two would be packing their bags and moving out if I tried to put those duck muzzles on them but I have a sneaking suspicision Bella would love the raincoat, she absolutely hates any rain touching her at all   

  Only In America eh?

Bless her! Luckily, Dempsey isn't too fussed by rain unless it's in his garden.

Only in America!

To me it depends on the 'gadget' in question like i'm always looking for more dog cooling gizmos - without them Chance would be a hell of a lot more miserable and potentially ill.

Some are just plain stupid and a waste of money.

I think the cool collars are great. Like you said, it prevents Chance from overheating. Most of the stuff mentioned in the article, though, is just pointless. Yet strangely, people still buy them!

I've ordered the vest - I'll let you know what it's like when I get it!

Nice!