The R2 Fish School Training Kit

The common goldfish can, in fact, bend it like Beckham, do parlour tricks with hoops, balls and tunnels, limbo and eat from your hand. Forget the three second memory myth, it seems fish are actually fairly receptive to training if taught using the right equipment and techniques.

This fish-training craze follows after a new Guinness World Record was set for ‘The fish with the largest repertoire of tricks’. Yes, three-year-old Albert Einstein, a calico fantail goldfish, performed six different tricks to gain his much sought-after title, after he attended fish school to acquire his new skills.

Let the trials begin for the next fish football World Cup!

Dog beds - car design

1. Doggy Wigs - haven’t they got enough hair?
2. Doggy Sneakers - perfect for those long walks
3. Doggy Sleeping Bag - you know, for when they want to stay over
4. Grrrona Beer Bottle toy - well, why not?
5. Tiffany Necklace - wouldn’t be seen dead in anything else!
6. iCool pet mats – fair enough, dogs can’t sweat
7. Joey Pet Pouch – yes really, carry your dog around in a baby harness
8. Bark Harbour Boat Bed - sail away to the land of dreams; chasing cars, biting postmen…
9. Hollywoof Stretch Limo Pet Bed - for your little star!
10. Velour Sweatsuit - seriously? Why would you?

Crabby Crab Dog Costume

Doggy outfits - clearly hilarious

Some of the funniest dog outfits are Star Wars themed. You only need to look at your excited pooch running around like a little green Yoda to understand the comedy value of such a costume. It’s cruel but true. A dog in fancy dress livens up a room and everybody’s moods. So why not bring a little fun into the house at your next family get-together and turn your dog into Dogzilla, Crabby Crab or Piglet. Or you could just design your own doggy t-shirt either for your dog or as a present to a dog-loving friend! Honestly, your dog will love all the fuss!

Not all fun and games

Of course, if you get your dog too over-excited you’ll need to remind him who’s boss. There are a range of more serious and practical gadgets on the market that help you train your dog or break bad habits he/she might have inherited from elsewhere.

Break the barking habit

A common problem is excessive barking. Some dogs really do like the sound of their own voice and can’t help but yap and woof at every little thing. I know a dog that barks at the radiator on a regular basis – clearly defending the home isn’t an excuse here. A great and pretty basic cure is at hand for this in the form of the Spray Collar. Doing exactly what it says on the tin, this is a collar that contains a microphone that picks up the frequency of a dog’s bark. As soon as your mut mouths off, the spray activates under the dog’s nose. It is odourless and harmless but shocks the dog into being quiet, with the ultimate effect of training them to associate barking with an unpleasant experience, thus dissuading them from doing it again. Simple and very effective.

Electrocution should do it!

There are other products on the market that act similarly to help you train your dog not to run away. Slightly more severe than the spray collar, these pulse collars work by emitting an electronic pulse and beeping sound when your dog has absconded against your command. These are good for helping them listen to your voice commands and ensure you can get their attention when they are further away. You may feel a bit cruel entertaining the thought of mildly electrocuting your dog but these collars are only designed to be used for a short time to correct bad behaviour and they do really work! Go on, electrocute your best furry friend - it’ll really help your relationship in the end!