Top 10 Dog Apps
The most constant and loyal of companions, our dogs play a starring role in our lives.
It’s perfectly reasonable for plugged-in puppy parents to demand smart phone technology to keep their dogs happy and healthy. With the pet industry raking in billions of dollars each year, social media is listening! From pet tricks and dog parks to first aid & adoptions, Slice is proud to present the pick of the apps litter.
1. Dog Show
(available for $1.99 on iTunes; compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad)
Searching for the perfect breed to suit your lifestyle? Dog Show takes you into the winner’s circle to find the dog for you. With over 200 breed summaries - including ‘designer dogs’ like the Cockapoo, Goldendoodle & Puggle - there’s a dog for everyone. Choose a breed and instantly, the research is all there: its characteristics, history & origin. Does it shed a lot? Good with kids? You can even plug in your own criteria and the app will fetch your best match.
2. Pet First Aid: For Your Dog, Cat, Puppy or Kitten
(available for $3.99 on iTunes; compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad)
Medical scares can befall our four-legged friends anywhere at any time. Be prepared! Download the Pet First Aid app and have a wealth of pet-centric health information at your fingertips. Emergency situations & common ailments are listed in a comprehensive database stored on your phone – no internet connection necessary. Even in the most remote of locales, first aid know-how will be easily within reach when it matters most.
3. Doggies Welcome – Dog Parks and Dog Friendly Places
(available for $1.99 on iTunes; compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad)
The app with the cutest cartoon thumbnail, Doggies Welcome is a no-frills dog park finder. With the aid of GPS, parks & pet-friendly venues (Dog spas! Pup boutiques!) will magically pop up on the app’s map. Tap on the doggie icon flagging your chosen venue and the address and phone number will be your reward.
4. TrainYourDog
(available for $5.99 on iTunes; compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad)
If you’re put off by the expense of this app, you’ll be barking up the wrong tree. Train Your Dog – the app – IS the popular Train Your Dog DVD. The very same. The best-selling DVD that costs $19.99 on Amazon is available for a fraction of that price as an app. View over 90 minutes of gentle training & non-aggressive methods featuring 20 different breeds anywhere, anytime.
5. Paw Card: Pet Tracker for Your Dog and Cat
(available for free on iTunes; compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad)
Maintaining health records for your pet is now a breeze. Store your pet’s vaccination records, microchip number, medications and more in Paw Card. Have your best friend’s health information available wherever you may be. Paw Card can be emailed to your dog walker or vet to keep everyone in the loop.
6. Dogbook
(available for free on iTunes; compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad)
Us humans love Facebook, so why should our furry friends be missing out on all the fun? Check out Dogbook, the doggie den of social networking created for on-the-go pups. Operating in conjunction with Facebook, Dogbook allows your canine to “friend” other pets, make status updates and track down the nearest dog park. Keep a doggie diary and help locate lost pets. For once dogs are allowed!
7. Dog Tricks & Bark Machine
(available for $0.99 on iTunes; compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad)
Training should be an enjoyable adventure and this app’s sense of humour makes learning a treat. Teach simple and complex tricks, games and obedience to dogs of all ages. Got a star pupil? Reward him by unleashing the Bark Machine, a cornucopia of dog-enticing noises – think door knocks, woofs, squeaky toys and fire engines. Guaranteed to elicit sounds of joy from your own bark machine!
8. iPet Finder
(available for $0.99 on iTunes; compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad)
Few gestures are kinder than giving a homeless canine a new lease on life. iPet Finder can help make your doggie adoption a reality. Using GPS technology, iPet Finder clicks into your location & brings local dogs seeking a home right to your phone. Read their heart-tugging stories and contact shelters easily with just a swipe of your finger. It’s not the most fancy of apps, but it does a commendable job.
9. DogBeMine
(available for $0.99 on iTunes; compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad)
DogBeMine’s thumbnail sports an arty, over-saturated shot of two Boston Terriers. Is it all style over substance? For less than a Loonie, this app packs plenty of useful content. From extensive breed profiles and puppy raising tips to behaviour issues and obedience training, this app is money well spent. The downside? This app, originally from Europe, is new to the North American market. As a result, its local content for vets, pet-friendly hotels and breeders is currently a bit thin.
10. Dogs
(available for $0.99 on iTunes; compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad)
Think you can recognize even the most rare of dogs? Prove that you are dog’s best friend with this tricky visual recognition game. Take the multiple choice quiz to identify over 200 breeds. It’s not as easy as you think! Once you locate a dog that piques your interest, touch the screen and reveal its story. It’s educational, entertaining and a great time waster!
Jackie Middleton
Please check out Jackie’s blog at http://www.losethatgirl.com/