O2COOL 5″ Clip Fan Reviewed

Summer is almost here! With that comes another challenge: keeping our dogs cool in the heat. Today I want to share with you one of the tools I use to help keep my dogs cool and comfortable during the summer; the O2Cool 5" Clip Fan.

About

The O2Cool 5" clip fan features 5" blades and has two speeds: low and high. They run off 4-AA batteries and the manufacturer states the run times to be 14 hours on low and 11 hours on high. The fan head rotates and pivots so you have complete control of the airflow. The sturdy clip opens approximately 2.25" and can attach to many surfaces.

My Review

I love this portable fan! It is my to go to fan when heading outdoors to train or to clip on crates inbetween runs. I can just toss it in my training bag and run.

 

Keeping cool outside
o2cool soft
o2cool rtk
o2cool clip

The convenient clip allows me to easily attach the fan to a fence for outdoor training. With a fully adjustable head I can make sure the airflow is hitting my dog. Once adjusted you can easily "lock" the position into place so you don't have to continuously adjust it. The fan also easily attached to the lip around the door or my Ruff Tough (now Ruff Land) crates as well as the bar on my soft side crates.

The 5" blades throw off a decent amount of airflow for their size and overall the fan is quieter than similar fans from other manufacturers I have tried. Now don't get me wrong, these fans do a great job for their size but the 5" blades can only do so much. If it is really hot, or if I will be at an all day trial/show, I will bring out my O2COOL Desktop fans or my Ryobi fans. If you are looking for a smaller, more portable fan though the O2COOL 5" Clip fan is a great choice.

4 Paw Trainer Rating
4 Paw Trainer Rating
4 Paw Dog Rating
4 Paw Dog Rating

To purchase or find out more about these awesome portable fans click here or follow the link below. I have found great deals on these on Amazon.

2019 Subaru Ascent – Is It the Dog Car For You

 

 

I loved my 2011 Subaru Outback but I really wanted rear air/heat for my shelties plus I wanted to be able to tow a small travel trailer and the Outback’s 2700lb towing capacity was really limiting my choices. When I first saw the announcement for the Ascent I instantly became excited. A larger, but not too big, SUV with Subaru’s well-known AWD system that could tow 5,000lbs?! It sounded too good to be true. Then I started hearing rumors of seats with serious inclines when folded down and big bumps in the cargo area and my excitement started to dwindle. I heard Subaru was bringing the Ascent to my local auto show so I decided to go and check it out and person and I am so glad I did! It turned out to be just what I need at the moment and on 10/30/18 I drove one home.

There are a lot of reviews out there for the Ascent but many don’t cover the need to know information (like how crates fit) that dog owners need. Now that I own an Ascent, I thought I would put together some information to help other dog owners out there figure out if the 2019 Subaru Ascent is the right dog care for you.

In this post I will be reviewing the 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited with 8 passenger/bench seating and the Navigation/Moonroof package. Some features and dimensions may vary slightly depending on model. This post is graphic intense.

Safety First

First and foremost I want a safe car for me and my dogs to be traveling in. I was already familiar with Subaru’s award winning AWD system but what I wasn’t familiar with was Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology; which now comes standard on every Ascent. Per Subaru “EyeSight monitors traffic movement, optimizes cruise control, and warns you when you’re swaying outside your lane. The Pre-Collision Braking feature can even apply full braking force, bringing you to a complete stop in emergency situations, reducing rear-end crashes with injuries by 85%.” A backup camera is also standard. My model has blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert that helps warn you of traffic approaching from the side as you are backing up. The alerts and sensitivity are adjustable and can be turned off if you wish. With all these safety features it is no surprise that the 2019 Subaru Ascent was recently awarded the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.

Convenient Features

One of the things I really wanted for the girls was rear air/heat and this comes standard on every Ascent model. The Limited and Touring models also have neat built-in sunshades that pull up from the second row doors. There is storage everywhere with lots of USB ports and cup holders. Some models have heated second row seats which is nice for those pooches that ride with harnesses in the second row.

 

Push button start models also have access to a Subaru Starlink app on a smart phone for a small fee. It was worth getting! It gives you remote access to compete vehicle reports and monitors everything but the feature I absolutely love is Remote Start with climate control. Yes climate control on your phone. Honestly this is one of the more advanced remote start apps I have seen. When you start the car you can control the temperature, air flow, how long the engine runs, turn the heated seats on and off and control the air speed. Oh and it also comes with PIN access so you can unlock your car even if you forget the key back at your setup.

There are tons of human comforts too. My model comes equipped with heated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated mirrors, great stereo system, moon roof, memory seats, leg support, navigation, and all the modern blue tooth and apple/android stuff. Heck it even displays the current speed limit for me. Wifi is also onboard although you do need to add it to a current plan if you want to use it.

Now let’s start getting to the information that dog owners are always looking for but can never seem to find. How are my crates going to fit, how much room do I have for my dog gear and how flat do those seats really fold down? Please note that all these measurements were hand measured by myself and subject to human error. The rear seat was moved to my preferred driving position so measurements may vary slightly depending on how far back you put the seats. The best way to know if your crates are going to fit is to bring them out to the Subaru dealership and try them out. Trust me Subaru is known to be dog friendly and the sales people there are more than happy to grab some keys and let you try things out!

Second Row Bench Seat

With plans on expanding my dog pack in 2019 I wanted to see how a crate would fit in the second row. I tried out one of my Medium Double Door RTK crates (29” Long X 18 ¾” Wide x 21” Tall) and it fit perfectly on the seats, A little bit of a tilt but better than many SUV’s and the crate fit secure with room to spare. The second row seats are approximately 18” wide and there is around 28” from the second row slid all the way back to the back of the front row (again depending how far the front seat is moved up this will vary slightly.) Length wise there is 51” from the edge of the seat to the edge of the seat and about 57” from handle to handle.

 

The second row doors open extra wide to help assist passengers get into the third row. However, I found this feature to be extremely useful when adding dog gear into the vehicle. Also there is no second row bump in the floor. It is nice and smooth making it perfect for sliding crates, expens, tables, etcs in and out.

So exactly how flat do those second row seats fold? First let me state this is where one of the bigger differences is between the captain chairs and the bench seat. When the Ascent first debuted at auto shows they only brought the captain chair version and those chairs folded down have a pretty big incline. For some people this will be fine as they won’t be using the second row but for me it was an issue. I almost did not go look at the vehicle because of these reports. However, when I went to my local auto show and they only had the bench seats there and it made a big difference. Are they perfectly flat? No, they are not. There is still a slight incline. For those Outback owners it is similar. Is there a small gap between the second and third row? Yes. Is the second row usable folded down? Yes it is. Here are some pictures showing the incline and gap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third Row/Cargo Area

Here is where the fun (and pictures) really begins. Full disclaimer, I choose to have rear seat protectors on both the cargo area and the third row. All measurements were done with these mats on. The crates used in the pictures are Medium Double Door RTK crates (29” Long X 18 ¾” Wide x 21” Tall) which are my normal car crates and Pet Gear Soft crates (30” Long x 22” Wide x 24” Tall) which I do not use for traveling but thought they would be a good reference due to their bigger size. I do not have anything secured down right now as I am using just using these photos for reference.

There has been some talk about the height of cargo area. The bumper on the Ascent is approximately 28” tall which is similar to other larger SUVs. In comparison the Outback is 25” tall. However there is very little actual bumper on the Ascent so you are loading almost directly to the cargo floor which is a couple inches taller. This does not make a difference for my dogs since I have them jump in my arms to load in but if you are used to driving something like a mini van or small SUV with a low floor height it is something you may want to note and check out when you see it in person.

With the third row up there is a little usable room (about 18”) for storage but realistically you could only fit a small puppy size crate back there. I tried my medium RTK but it was just a tad too wide. There is some neat underfloor storage though that will come in handy for storing things like bowls, toys and leashes.

So what about the bump where the third row folds? When I first heard about this it was almost a deal breaker for me. That was until I saw it. The small “bump” people were mentioning is there but it is less than width of my pinky finger. It may look bigger in some of my pictures because of lip on the rubber seat protectors so I will include a pic without them below as well for reference. It does not interfere in any way with my RTK crates or my Pet Gear crates I use for reference below. If I had a large crate and felt the slight slant was an issue, a simple piece of 1/2 “ yoga mat could quickly level this out. I will include a sample pic below of this too.

 

With the third row folded down there is 45” between the wheels. That’s a good amount of room for this size SUV. At the hatch opening it is 44” wide at the bottom and 38” wide at the narrowest point right at the top. Height from the hatch to the cargo floor is 30.5”.

 

The floor length will vary a bit depending how far you have the second row slid up and how far the front row seats are forward. In the following measurements I have the second row slid all the way back and the front row is set to my normal driving preference (I am 5’7”.) From the tip of the mat on the cargo floor to the tip of the mat on the third row it is 44” and to the seat back it is about 47”. Folded down it is 71” from tip of mat in cargo to top of second row seats folded and 82” to the front row. I can fit 4 Medium RTK crates with room to spare. A fellow dog competitor recently shared that she was able to fit 2 large RTKS with the second row seats up! That is some serious crate space for this size SUV.

 

 

 

There are several tie down spots you can use to secure crates and supplies. There are also convenient plug ins, grocery hooks and even an added light in back.

How does it drive

Honestly, it drives like a dream. I was nervous heading to the dealership to test drive it but as soon as I got it out on the street, I settled into it quickly (and I generally am nervous driving big vehicles.) It does not drive or feel like a large SUV at all. It drives like a more powerful and slightly sportier Outback. It parks way easier than I thought it would thanks to Subaru’s class leading turning radius. Backing up is assisted by all the onboard safety features. It is smooth and way more powerful than I expected.

So is the 2019 Subaru Ascent for you

If you are looking for a large (but not gigantic) SUV that has enough cargo room to up to 4 mid-sized/small crates or a couple large crates and another mid-sized crate this may be the vehicle for you. The convenience and safety features accompanied by a competitive price and Subaru’s impressive AWD system warrant this vehicle a good look. Plus it can tow up to 5000 lbs so it is small trailer friendly!

Of course Subaru is also a dog friendly company. My sales person made sure even my two shelties enjoyed the new Subaru experience.

I hope you find this information helpful. So far Nina, Reba and I are loving our new Ascent. I will post an update once I finalize my dog setup.

On The Road With Your Dog – Vehicle Safety Crates

You just finished up a fantastic night at agility class. You leave feeling confident, knowing all the hard work has paid off and you and your dog are becoming the team you always dreamed of. It’s a beautiful summer night so you load your dog up in the car, open the windows and crank up the music. Visions of the upcoming national event race through your mind as your partner happily hangs his head out the window, wind whipping through his fur.

Then, without warning, a car runs a stoplight and plows into the side of your car. You watch helplessly as your car spins and flips, ejecting your dog from the vehicle. The American Humane Society reports that an estimated 100,000 dogs die from riding in truck beds alone each year. 100,000. That’s not including the dogs that are killed by escaping the vehicle and getting struck while fleeing the accident.

So what can you do to keep your dog safe in a vehicle? Utilizing a crate or car safe harness can help protect both your dog and your passengers in the event of a collision.

Not all crates are created equal

First let me start by saying using some kind of crate or harness is generally better than using nothing at all. Everyone has a different budget and need. However, not every crate is created equal.

In 2011, a non-profit safety science organization dedicated to consumer and companion animal safety called the Center for Pet Safety was created. This organization started testing some crates and harness and the results sent waves across the dog sport community. You can learn more about the Center for Pet Safety by clicking here https://www.centerforpetsafety.org/

Below I have listed a brief description of some of the crates that have been shown in tests or real life accidents to hold up better than traditional crates. Hopefully this information will help get you started on your research,

Variocage

Made in Sweden, Variocage is one of the only crash test certified and approved dog crates on the market. Made of steel with it’s own “crumple” zones, the crate was designed to not only protect your dog and keep them safely contained in the event of an accident but to also protect your passengers as well. It has been rigorously tested and shown to hold up well in even horrific accidents.

Variocage comes in both single dog and double dog versions. These crates have an “escape” hatch in case an accident leaves the main door unable to be opened. The doors can also be locked which is a nice feature for those who like to crate out of their cars at shows.

To find out more you can visit the manufacturer website at https://www.mimsafe.se/en/safety-products/variocage/

Here is a great website from a US distributor that has some wonderful videos to demonstrate how these crates work. http://www.mightymitedoggear.com/dog-supplies/mim-variocage-double

Ruff Tough / Ruff Land (RTK)

At first glance, Ruff Tough Kennels (RTKs) look like many other hard sided kennels. However, looks can be deceiving. RTKs are molded from high-density polyethylene. They are also one piece so there are no bolts or screws holding the kennels together. This makes for a very strong and durable crate. Ruff Tough Kennels have done some of their own testing to show just how strong these crates are. You can find more information on these test at the link listed below.

These crates are popular amongst dog sports competitors as they offer durability along with affordability. They also offer some nice safety options like crate couplers and tie down hooks. They are available in single, double and side door designs and feature several color options. If ordered direct from the manufacturer or select distributors there are also options for customizing the air holes on the crate.

To find out more you can visit the manufacturer website at https://rufflandkennels.com/

**It should be noted that Ruff Tough Kennels recently announced that they are changing the name of their crates to Ruff Land Performance Crates. They are the same kennels as before just the name change.**

Impact Crates

Made from high density aluminum with a powder coated finish these crates are durable, lightweight and will help reflect heat away from your dog. They have done in-house testing of their crates and results have been favorable even when stacking 600lbs of weight on top of them.

Impact has several crate styles available including stationary, collapsible, high anxiety and hybrid models. Double and side door options are also available. There are also several color colors to choose from.

To find out more you can visit the manufacturer website at https://www.impactdogcrates.com/

Gunner Crates

Gunner crates are designed with your dog’s safety and protection in mind. They are constructed of double wall rotomold and have earned a 5 star crash test rating from the Center for Pet Safety.

While this crate has been proven for safety, it does not have as many different style options as some of their competitors. However this crate does have some nice standard features such as built in tie down pins, non-slip rubber feet and doors that lock. Another note is when you are looking at sizes you will want to pay attention to the interior dimensions and not just the exterior. Since it is a double wall design the interior dimensions can be quite a bit smaller than the exterior.

To find out more you can visit the manufacturer website at https://gunnerkennels.com/

Custom Crates

If you have a vehicle that regular sized crates don’t work well in, or you just would like more control over the design, there are several custom crate companies that can build a crate to your needs. Two of the companies I have researched and received good feedback on are:

TNC Fabricating https://www.tncfab.com/

Rogue Crates http://roguecustomcrates.com/

In Case of Emergency – On the Road with Your Dog

Getting in an accident; it’s something many do not want to think about. Yet according to the National Highway and Safety Administration there were more than 6 million police reported accidents in 2016 with 34,439 of them being fatal. So what will happen if you are traveling with your dog and are in a serious car crash?

Secure Your Dog

First you want to make sure your dog is safely secured in your vehicle. Crates and harnesses are a way to help protect your dog in case of an accident. There are several crates and harnesses that have now been made specifically to help protect your pet in case of a crash (we will go into more details about these in future posts.) Although many people think they are being kind by letting their dogs ride freely in their vehicle, you could be setting up your dog and your passengers for serious injury in an accident. An unrestrained 20lb dog in a 50 mph car crash will exert approximately 1000lbs of force. Imagine what would happen if that dog hits the windshield or even a passenger in the vehicle! If the dog is ejected from the vehicle there is also a high risk of injury and/or the dog fleeing the scene in a panic.

Create ICE Sheets

Even if your dog is properly secured things can still go wrong. What if you are physically injured and unable to attend to your dog? This is why having In Case of Emergency (ICE) information readily available to emergency service providers is so important.

I now carry ICE sheets for each of dogs in my glove box and have information clearly labeled on their crates as to how to find this information. These sheets have each dog’s basic information, any medications, veterinarian and emergency contact information as well as my information. I also included a picture to help easily identify the dog. Since dog safety is something I am very passionate about, I have included links to 3 different ICE sheets I created at the end of this post. Feel free to print them out to use for your own dog. You can also share them with other dog lovers. I just ask that you credit getting them from www.beyondtheqdogsports.com and do not claim you made them or try to resell them.

Great now I have the sheets but how do I label my crates so emergency service providers can quickly find the information? I took advantage of a free offer from the popular photo site Shutterfly to create fun magnets. Currently I have Ruff Tough kennels so I attached the magnets to my crates with magnetic tape. I have seen numerous dog sports competitors that have the popular Variocages take advantage of the bigger magnets to fit even more information right on the crate. Below are examples of magnets I made for my girls.

A rescue group also developed some great ICE tubes that attach with Velcro right to the crate. Information sheets can be put right inside along with leashes and other pertinent information. The tubes come in three sizes to fit a variety of crates. I have no affiliation with this site but think these tubes could be a good option for some people so have included a link here where you can find out more information and order http://www.crafts4k9rescue.org/7-5-inch-k9-emergency-info-tubes-reflective-blue-text-112138

As dog sport competitors we travel more with our dogs and therefore have a higher risk of an accident. Although I hope no one reading this ever has to be in the situation where this information needs to be used, I hope this helps you be prepared in case it does.

Here are the links to the ICE sheets.