Welcome to Bull Dog Bag Company!

2009-01-31T12:40:00.001-06:00

Bull Dog Bag Company is Involved with the Community!

We recently were invited to the home of one of our very first customers for a wonderful party and gathering of people who also own Bull Dog Bags! The party was hosted by Cherize H. of Plano and she invited about 10 people she met over the past year after discovering that they, too, had Bull Dog Bags. Thanks Cherize, and we look forward to next year when the crowd will be even bigger!

Recently, Bull Dog Bag Company has had the privilege and honor to be asked to be involved in a couple of worthwhile events. Of note has been the opportunity to donate raffle items to aid fundraising efforts for the upcoming Nodrog Gordon Setter Club of Michigan, Inc.'s (http://www.nodrog.org/) annual fundraising efforts, and for "Bull-o-ween", an annual event held by Lone Star Bulldog Rescue(http://www.dfwbulldogrescue.org/), a bulldog rescue organization based in Dallas, Tx.

BDBC has also donated items to the local SPCA Second Chance rescue center in Plano, TX. By continuing to be actively involved in the community in which many of it's customers live and work, Bull Dog Bag Company continues to be a caring business member of society.

We're Shooting a Video and We Want YOU!

2008-09-08T18:10:00.004-05:00

We're shooting a video for our new website and we want you to be involved. If you've purchased a Bull Dog Bag or if you are a dog owner who wants to become "famous", see below:
Shooting video for Bull Dog Bags. Need an owner/ model AND dog for the shoot.
Requirements for “owner/ model”:
· Female or Male
· Between the ages of 18-45
· Athletic-looking (Trim build)
· Must provide own clothing for shoot: white, non-imprinted shirt (fitted tee for females, nice tee or polo shirt for males), khaki or black shorts (no shorter than 4 inches above knee for females, no cargo shorts for males), athletic shoes.
· Males: No facial hair; clean-cut hair required; no visible piercings or tattoos.
· Females: Hair should be pulled back from face; no visible piercings or tattoos.
· Must be willing to sign talent release form
· Must be willing and able to travel to shoot location- Plano, TX
· Must be available for ½ day afternoon shoot
· MUST OWN DOG
Requirements for “dog”:
· Must be well-behaved; not adverse to strangers, other dogs or small children.
· Must be able to walk on a leash, not pulling, without a “choke” collar.
· Must be willing to chase and retrieve a ball.
· Must be at least 30 pounds.
· If long-haired, must be well-groomed.
· Must take basic commands from owner: sit, down, stay, heel, come, etc.
· Must respond well/ listen to owner/ model
Compensation: Treats for dog (used in product shoot), t-shirt, photos of you and dog from shoot.
Please send one photo of you AND your dog (may be two separate photos) to bdbc@bulldogbagcompany.com. Also include your afternoon availability (12pm-6pm) for the late October/early November 2008.

Prozac for...Poodles?

2008-07-10T20:41:00.002-05:00

Came across a very interesting (and lengthy) article by James Vlahos, writing for NYTimes.com. His article, appropriately entitled "Pill-Popping Pets - Dogs, Cats, and Mood-Altering Drugs" contemplates the rising use of prescription, behavior-modifying drugs being administered by loving, caring, thoughtful pet owners. In the piece, Mr. Vlahos gives a few reasons some of the pet owners interviewed gave for medicating their pets. I'll let you read the article, but I also wanted to add my two-cents about why I think some domesticated animals are acting more like humans rather than...animals.
I think part of the reason is because many pet owners treat their animals like people. They feed them human food, they let them sleep in the same bed with them, they take them with them when they go shopping or out to eat, they talk to them like they are children. Animals "learn" by interacting with people. After awhile, the animal begins to associate certain things with certain outcomes. Pets, dogs in particular, will then begin to exhibit the traits it has picked up from its owner, sometimes showing sadness, uneasiness, depression, hyper-activity, etc etc.
Another reason why some pets are acting more human is because the world's climate is changing. This directly affects animals, domesticated or not. Animals are quick to pick up on changes in the environment and domesticated animals in particular will begin to "act out" in human ways as a response, again depression, nervousness, increased anxiety, etc etc.
In this day and age of "pills for everything" (and their multitude of side-effects, that often are worse than the actual symptoms), we have been taught that popping a pill will make everything better. If it works for us, why not for our pets, we ask. I guess the thing will be to not hold our pets responsible when they do things like attack people when they "haven't had their meds".

Should Your Dog Receive an Allowance?

2008-06-24T12:22:00.004-05:00

Came across this really cool article about an outdoor shopping mall in Newport Beach, CA, that allows dogs and their owners to browse, shop and eat, without complaint. You can read the entire article here ("Mall Lets Dogs Shop Too")

That got me to thinking: if more and more stores, hotels and restaurants are opening up and catering to dogs and their owners in this way, is it a good idea for dog owners to give their dogs allowances? I know it may sound too far-fetched and extravagant, but when you think about it, wouldn't it make sense for some dog owners to set aside a certain amount of money weekly or monthly for their dogs, thus better controlling how much they spend on their dogs?

Just food for thought.

Marine's Cruelty to Puppy is Evidence of Deeper Issue

2008-06-16T11:13:00.007-05:00

Just read a story on CNN.com about a Marine who was punished for killing a puppy, ("Puppy-throwing Marine Removed from Corps"). I know this is probably an old story, but I felt it was important to bring it back up again, because often times news has no expiration period.
I think the cruelty this person showed to this helpless animal is just evidence of something deeper going on with him. I think the Marine should have received the punishment he received, but I think at the same time, an assessment of his mental faculties and possibly what being exposed to the war in Iraq has done to him should be done. Could it be that he has become so numb to violence and evil that he is now capable of doing anything, no matter how disgusting? What does that say about him when he comes back home? Though he may lose his job in the Marines, he still has to live his life among the rest of us.

"Staycations" for Fido, too!

2008-05-12T14:24:00.004-05:00

The following in an excerpt from a press release from Bull Dog Bag Company:

Dallas, TX. A recent poll discovered that an increasing number of people are foregoing the full-blown vacation route this year and choosing to do more "staycationing", taking smaller, local trips closer to home. With higher gas prices and an uneasy economy, more and more people are searching for fun, quick AND less expensive vacation options in their local area.

"We just couldn't afford to go anywhere this year", says Tamela Green of Westlake. "Driving would have cost us at least $300 or more by itself."

An unintended biproduct of this stay-closer-to-home-this-summer mindset has been that fewer dog owners who would normally board their dogs while on vacation are choosing to do so this year. Instead, they are simply opting to take their dogs with them on trips to places like local parks, nature preserves, hiking trails, the beach and camping.

"I had been planning to go to Colorado with my brother and a good friend of ours for well over a year", says Mike Brently of Addison, who was interviewed for this piece as he was purchasing a Bull Dog Bag. "But as the gas prices just kept going up higher and higher, setting records, like, every day, we had to start rethinking things. We hadn't bought our plane tickets yet, and decided we would take that money and just rent a car and drive to San Marcos or somewhere not too far from Dallas, but far enough away to feel like we were getting away from home for a while.

"I was going to put Jake (his Black Lab) in the kennel", he continued, "but after we had this change in plans, I was like, 'Well, I might as well take him with me.' He deserves a break, too, and plus it's not like I'm going so far away that putting him in a kennel would make sense. We're still going to be camping, so he can just ride down with us. My brother is planning on taking his dog as well. This tote (the Bull Dog Bag) will come in real handy."

Taking any trip with your dog can be fun, as long as you make the proper preparations. One thing to keep in mind is that some hotels DO allow dogs, but not all breeds, so do some research on any hotel you plan on staying in. And parks require that dogs remain on a leash at all times. You should also consider pet insurance to cover any mishap that may occur with your dog.

Dogs will require the same things as when they are at home: food, snacks, a leash, poop bags, and plenty of fresh water. In addition, vets recommend that dog owners also bring things like an in-car travel restraint, any medication, first-aid kit, nail clippers and scissors, and some sort of mat for the dog to lie on if you are doing things like camping or if the surfaces the dog will be on for an extended period of time becomes too hot. Most of these things can be easily carried in a Bull Dog Bag, a tote designed for dog owners that allow them to carry things for their dog in one complete package. Bull Dog Bags can be found in pet retailers Odyssey Pets in North Dallas, and K-9 University in Garland.

So, if you are considering doing a staycation this year or if your plans still include the vacation of your dreams, make sure man's best friend is included.

What's so great about Bull Dog Bags?

2007-11-16T12:44:00.000-06:00

Bull Dog Bag Company was recently included in the wonderful online blog "Scratchings and Sniffings"
(http://www.scratchingsandsniffings.com/). The author of the piece, "A Doggie Diaper Bag?", Yvonne DiVita, said she liked the idea of Bull Dog Bags, but wanted to know what made them so special.
In response, we sent her the following message. Hope you all enjoy.
***

Hello Yvonne DiVita,

Thank you so much for your wonderful piece on Bull Dog Bags on your blog. It was very well written and you asked some very good questions. I wanted to personally respond to your question about what's so great about Bull Dog Bags.
Let me start off by asking a few questions myself: What's so great about the iPod? It's just a music player. What's so great about Rock & Republic? They're just jeans. What's so great about Jergens? It's just lotion. One of the desires of Bull Dog Bag Company is to build a recognizable brand that people will be asking for by name. We want dog owners to think Bull Dog Bags when it comes to making the task of carrying things like doggie wipes, treats, extra water, toys and poop bags easier. We want to simplify their (dog's) life!

It is true: dog owners can carry the essentials for their pets in any "bag", but when it comes to that one special tote, the one that people will be asking, "Where did you get that from?" (as owners of Bull Dog Bags are constantly asked), we want Bull Dog Bags to be that one. This tote is for people who want to have a product designated just for time with their dog, the one they leave packed with the things they need for their dog and grab on their way out. Owners of Bull Dog Bags are a part of a community of people who are identified as hip and fashionable and share a common desire to make time with their dogs simple and easy.

In addition to being something dog owners will quickly identify as functional (bags come with an adjustable shoulder strap and four zippered compartments and are made from easy to clean material), they will also find Bull Dog Bags to be attractive, appealing to both women and men. The logo is eye-catching and easy to remember and the concept of the bag, as one client told me, "just makes sense".

So, this is why we feel Bull Dog Bags are so great. Thank you for allowing us this opportunity to respond to you and we welcome feedback from you and the readers of your blog as we seek to make our company and our product the best they can be. Again, thank you and have a great day!

C. Trotter
Bull Dog Bag Company
Simplify your (dog's) life!

Pet Travel Tips

2007-03-20T19:41:00.000-05:00

The following information is from Petswelcome.com:

General Travel Tips

Always check with the petswelcome.com database before leaving to make sure the hotel accepts pets. And check either our on-line advertisements or directly with the hotel, to find out any restrictions, fees, etc.

Also check our list of Emergency Veterinary Clinics in the area to which you're headed.

Rabies vaccinations are a must for all travel abroad, and for returning to the United States. Many airlines also require these vaccinations also. Check with your vet for the complete range of vaccinations required, and of course, check with the airline and country to which you're heading.

Unfortunately, if you're not traveling by car, domestic travel in the US is problematic. While some local transportation businesses and authorities may allow pets, Amtrak and Greyhound buses do not. Therefore, your options for traveling with a pet are drastically reduced.

Car trips can be hazardous to your pet. How many times have you seen a small dog sitting on the drivers lap, looking out the window? Or the cat lying on the rear shelf on the car? A sudden stop, or even an accident can send your pet flying.

A loose pet in a car can also escape if someone opens the door, forgetting that your pet is able to jump out before you can grab him or her. They make special harnesses for dogs like seatbelts, and the cat-carrier can always be used to transport your cat safely. Of course, make sure the carrier is also secured to the back seat with a seatbelt.

Many dogs and cats do not travel well in a car. Consider speaking with your vet about tranquilizers. If your pet gets car sick, consider travel-sickness pills. Again, check with your vet for recommendations and dosage.

There have been too many incidents of cats and dogs suffering from heatstroke after being left in a hot car. Leave at least two windows (for cross draft) open slightly to provide fresh air. You might consider one of those solar powered fans that fit in the window. The fan fits snugly in the window, the sun powers the fan, and air is circulate within your vehicle. However, we strongly recommend that you DON'T leave animals in the car in hot climates or during the warmer months, as even a short time in a hot vehicle can be injurious to your pet.

A Pet Can Save Your Life!

2007-03-20T19:27:00.000-05:00

The information below is taken from the Industry Statistics and Trends section of the APPMA website:

Pets Help to Lower Blood Pressure. A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo).

Pets Help to Reduce Stress. Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom).

Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease. Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets).

Pets Help to Lower Health Care Costs. People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets).

Pets Help to Fight Depression. Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security. (Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship).

BDBC Joins Petage.com/Amazing Pet Place

2007-03-11T08:41:00.000-05:00

Bull Dog Bag Company recently joined Petage.com (www.Petage.com), the online web site for Petage Magazine, a trade publication for the multi-billion dollar pet industry.
Bull Dog Bags ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! The Amazing Pet Place (www.Amazingpetplace.com), an online retailer of pet products, has signed on to make Bull Dog Bags available to its worldwide customer base.

Tips for walking with your dog in winter

2007-02-22T10:21:00.000-06:00

This winter season has seen some major "highs and lows". Some days feel more like Spring than Winter, with flowers blooming, birds singing and children playing. Your dog wants to get out and enjoy the warm weather too, so now is the time to do some walking with your dog while you still can. Here are a few tips you can use when walking with your dog on warm Winter days:

1) Plan ahead. Make sure you check the weather report for the day. While the weather may be sunny and bright right now, it can quickly change to dark and chilly. Knowing what to expect can make a short walk or even a longer walk with your dog more worry-free.

2) Bring plenty of water to drink for both you and your dog. Walking, even light walking, expends energy, so keep cool and refreshed with fresh, clean water.

3) Wear the proper clothing. Again, because Winter weather can be tricky, you will want to make sure you wear clothing that is light, yet warm. If it's simply too hot to wear a jacket, bring one with you just in case. Also, if your dog is of a short-haired breed, make sure you bring a sweater or jacket for him as well.

4) Bring a cell phone, first-aide kit and flashlight. These are essentials no matter what the weather and you want to be prepared for any type of emergency. Make sure that your cell phone is charged up and that the flashlight has fresh batteries. Having an umbrella is also a good idea. Bull Dog Bags will make carrying things like these much more easy.

5) Let someone know where you're going and when you plan to be back. Things happen and you always want to make sure someone knows where you are or should be.

6) Stretch! Stretch out those Winter muscles, on you and your dog. Loosen up a bit before a walk. You will feel much more comfortable.

Now, you and your dog go and enjoy yourself. Who knows, tomorrow we may be up to our elbows in snow!

What some are saying about Bull Dog Bags....

2007-02-22T10:06:00.000-06:00

"I have 5 dogs and this sounds great!"
- Anne Fisher, Fortune Small Business

"I think this sounds like an interesting idea."
- Karen Axelton, Executive Editor, Entrepreneur Media, Inc. (Entrepreneur Magazine)

"Thank you very much for the bag. It is really cool. God bless you and happy new year."
- Eddie Alcarez, KVRK 89.7, The Christian Rock Station

Get your name on the list! Order your Bull Dog Bag TODAY!

Skaters Like BDBC

2007-02-13T14:39:00.000-06:00

Special thanks to Tristan of RISCU for representing BDBC at a recent skater photoshoot. It seems as though the skating world is about to get wind of Bull Dog Bags, so much love goes out to T.

Although the bags are intended for dog owners, they are finding their way into other segments of the population, like skaters, who seem to really like the Black ones.

All the publicity has really helped, so keep up the good work, Tristan!

February is National Pet Month

2007-02-01T18:33:00.000-06:00

In celebration of National Pet Month, Bull Dog Bag Company will donate $2 from every Bull Dog Bag sold in the month of February to the Humane Society of Greater Dallas, in Dallas, Texas. This money will go towards providing food, shelter and medical attention to abandoned dogs and cats. Help support those without a family by purchasing a Bull Dog Bag today. It could save a life.

Gift Baskets by Otis - Promotion Partner

2007-01-25T22:49:00.000-06:00

Bull Dog Bag Company has partnered with Gift Baskets by Otis to give dog owners more gift giving (and receiving!) ideas. Check out Gift Basket by Otis at www.Giftbasketsbyotis.com.

Dallas Restaurants Going to the Dogs

2007-01-25T11:17:00.000-06:00

The City of Dallas (Texas), by a narrow margin, passed a city ordinance that will allow pet owners to bring their dogs with them to restaurants. Under the new ordinance, dog owners would be allowed to bring their dogs (no other animals) and dine with them on the outdoor patios of restaurants without breaking the law. With Dallas being a generally warm-weather city, there is a large population of dog owners who take their dogs with them pretty much everywhere they go. Some dog owners, when interviews by Fox 4 News about the new ordinance, said that any restaurant that would cater to their needs in this way would get more of their business.
There is still some debate as to the handling of waste and also what would happen when dogs get together in such a confined space. But these are questions most dog owners in favor of the ordinance are willing to work out as they arise. What is known at this time, however, is that the restaurant would be in charge of making sure the patios are cleaned every thirty minutes.
Local pet service oriented businesses have been given a huge opportunity to benefit from this new ordinance. As more pet owners are now free to go to restaurants while their pets are with them, this will mean that groomers, self-service dog washes and pet accessory companies, like Bull Dog Bag Company, will be called on to make sure that dogs are not only looking and smelling good, but that dog owners will be able to carry essentials like doggie wipes, water bottles and dishes, doggie treats, etc., with them conveniently. All this will make for a better dining experience for man's (and woman's) best friend.