Abstract: The invention is a system and method for the reduction of stress and anxiety responses by animals to unfamiliar events or circumstances such as veterinary visits. The method includes progressive scent identification conditioning. An animal associates one or more pleasing fragrances or scents with pleasure and safety and thus a reduced level of stress/anxiety. This association persists for a sufficient period of time so the animal is able to better handle unfamiliar events/circumstances by maintaining a lower level of stress/anxiety. Scent association conditioning is achieved by presentation of a reward such as edible treats of different sizes and effective taste intensities when scent exposure occurs. The time between scent exposure and receipt of a treat is gradually increased during conditioning to reach an optimal or maximum period in which the animal can maintain a low level of stress/anxiety.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a noise making feature that can be selectively activated and deactivated by the pet owner. The noise making feature is in the form of a squeaker incorporated within the pet toy by an internal holding pocket that is integrally molded when the pet toy is manufactured. A control element is used to activate or deactivate the squeaker. The squeaker is positioned for easy access by the pet owner, but the construction of a squeaker assembly holding the squeaker is such that it prevents the animal from contacting the squeaker.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a flexible body with rope support configurations. In one embodiment, the rope configurations include one or more loops that are exposed and one or more knots that are covered by an exterior plush component of the pet toy. In another embodiment, two or more strands of rope material are tied in a series of knots, and an additional strand of rope material may be tied to the other strands in a transverse fashion. Preferably, the exterior plush component includes fabric. One or more of the free ends of the strands of rope material may also protrude beyond the plush component. The fabric material is sewn over the exposed portions of the rope material. Enough fabric material is used such that twisting, extending and retracting the rope material does not transfer force directly to the exterior fabric, thereby preserving the exterior plush component. The knots provide internal bulk to the body of the toy eliminating the need for stuffing.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a noise making instrument. In a preferred embodiment, the noise making instrument is a squeaker incorporated within the pet toy by an internal holding pocket that is integrally molded when the pet toy is manufactured. The internal holding pocket frictionally engages the squeaker. The squeaker is located within the protected internal holding pocket such that it is very difficult for the animal to remove the squeaker. Optionally, a control element may be used to activate or deactivate the squeaker.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a plurality of raised features to enhance a dental cleaning action of the animal toy within the animal's mouth. The raised features are provided in groups or sets of linearly extending and uniformly spaced protrusions. The protrusions preferably cover a majority of the outer surface of the pet toy. The distal tips of the protrusions may be roughened in order to enhance dental cleaning. A squeaker may be incorporated within the pet toy by an internal holding pocket that is integrally molded when the pet toy is manufactured. A control element may be used to activate or deactivate the squeaker.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a plurality of raised features to enhance a dental cleaning action of the animal toy within the animal's mouth. The raised features are provided in groups or sets of linearly extending and uniformly spaced protrusions. The protrusions preferably cover a majority of the outer surface of the pet toy. The distal tips of the protrusions may be roughened in order to enhance dental cleaning. A squeaker may be incorporated within the pet toy by an internal holding pocket that is integrally molded when the pet toy is manufactured. A control element may be used to activate or deactivate the squeaker.

Abstract: A dispenser device is provided for use by an animal to selectively dispense treats from the device. The device includes a body having an interior opening to receive treats, and an opening is formed in the body to allow dispensing of the treats. A base of the device includes a weighted material therein causing the device to reside in a normally upright position. Contact by the animal causes the device to tip, thereby allowing treats to fall through the opening in the body. Changing the amount and type of material used for the weighted material changes the characteristics of how the device moves when contacted by the animal that in turn, changes the rate and amount of treats that are dispensed.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a flexible body with rope support configurations. In one embodiment, the rope configurations include one or more loops that are exposed and one or more knots that are covered by an exterior plush component of the pet toy. In another embodiment, two or more strands of rope material are tied in a series of knots, and an additional strand of rope material may be tied to the other strands in a transverse fashion. Preferably, the exterior plush component includes fabric. One or more of the free ends of the strands of rope material may also protrude beyond the plush component. The fabric material is sewn over the exposed portions of the rope material. Enough fabric material is used such that twisting, extending and retracting the rope material does not transfer force directly to the exterior fabric, thereby preserving the exterior plush component. The knots provide internal bulk to the body of the toy eliminating the need for stuffing.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a noise making instrument. In a preferred embodiment, the noise making instrument is a squeaker incorporated within the pet toy by an internal holding pocket that is integrally molded when the pet toy is manufactured. The internal holding pocket frictionally engages the squeaker. The squeaker is located within the protected internal holding pocket such that it is very difficult for the animal to remove the squeaker. Optionally, a control element may be used to activate or deactivate the squeaker.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a noise making feature that can be selectively activated and deactivated by the pet owner. The noise making feature is in the form of a squeaker incorporated within the pet toy by an internal holding pocket that is integrally molded when the pet toy is manufactured. A control element is used to activate or deactivate the squeaker. The squeaker is positioned for easy access by the pet owner, but the construction of a squeaker assembly holding the squeaker is such that it prevents the animal from contacting the squeaker.

Abstract: A dispenser device is provided for use by an animal to selectively dispense treats from the device. The device includes a body having an interior opening to receive treats, and an opening is formed in the body to allow dispensing of the treats. A base of the device includes a weighted material therein causing the device to reside in a normally upright position. Contact by the animal causes the device to tip, thereby allowing treats to fall through the opening in the body. Changing the amount and type of material used for the weighted material changes the characteristics of how the device moves when contacted by the animal that in turn, changes the rate and amount of treats that are dispensed.

Abstract: A pet food bowl is provided with an integral protrusion that helps to prevent inadvertent aspiration of food by the animal. Particularly for dogs, some feeding behaviors are characterized by swallowing large amounts of food. The protrusion in the bowl separates the food into a peripheral channel within the bowl, and the dog therefore cannot simultaneously secure large amounts of food into its mouth. The protrusion is centrally oriented and extends from the base of the bowl, thereby causing the food to be uniformly distributed within the channel.

Abstract: An emergency rescue device and system are provided comprising a plurality of reflective emergency rescue strands. The plurality of reflective strands are housed within a canister. An activation element deploys the reflective strands away from the user in a multi-directional pattern. In the case of an avalanche victim, the reflective strands enable immediate visual identification of the general location of the victim. A rescuer may then pull on one of the exposed strands to exactly locate the victim. The reflective strands may be ejected away from the user in a number of ways to include activation of a combustible propellant, an explosive charge, or compressed source of gas integrated within the canister. Alternatively, a plurality of compressed springs within the canister may be used to eject the reflective strands, or the user may manually deploy the strands.

Abstract: An emergency rescue device and system are provided comprising a plurality of reflective emergency rescue strands. The plurality of reflective strands are housed within a canister. An activation element deploys the reflective strands away from the user in a multi-directional pattern. In the case of an avalanche victim, the reflective strands enable immediate visual identification of the general location of the victim. A rescuer may then pull on one of the exposed strands to exactly locate the victim. The reflective strands may be ejected away from the user in a number of ways to include activation of a combustible propellant, an explosive charge, or compressed source of gas integrated within the canister. Alternatively, a plurality of compressed springs within the canister may be used to eject the reflective strands, or the user may manually deploy the strands.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a plurality of raised features to enhance a dental cleaning action of the animal toy within the animal's mouth. The raised features are provided in groups or sets of linearly extending and uniformly spaced protrusions. The protrusions preferably cover a majority of the outer surface of the pet toy. The distal tips of the protrusions may be roughened in order to enhance dental cleaning. A squeaker may be incorporated within the pet toy by an internal holding pocket that is integrally molded when the pet toy is manufactured. A control element may be used to activate or deactivate the squeaker.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a plurality of raised features to enhance a dental cleaning action of the animal toy within the animal's mouth. The raised features are provided in groups or sets of linearly extending and uniformly spaced protrusions. The protrusions preferably cover a majority of the outer surface of the pet toy. The distal tips of the protrusions may be roughened in order to enhance dental cleaning. A squeaker may be incorporated within the pet toy by an internal holding pocket that is integrally molded when the pet toy is manufactured. A control element may be used to activate or deactivate the squeaker.

Abstract: A pet food bowl is provided with an integral protrusion that helps to prevent inadvertent aspiration of food by the animal. Particularly for dogs, some feeding behaviors are characterized by swallowing large amounts of food. The protrusion in the bowl separates the food into a peripheral channel within the bowl, and the dog therefore cannot simultaneously secure large amounts of food into its mouth. The protrusion is centrally oriented and extends from the base of the bowl, thereby causing the food to be uniformly distributed within the channel.

Abstract: A pet toy has an elongated hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis with first and second spaced bulbous sections, each having a side wall of substantially constant cross-section throughout. The first and second sections each include respective first and second openings defining respective first and second diameters. A center section has an inner surface forming a center opening of a third diameter which is less than at least one of the first and second diameters. The center section interconnects the first and second bulbous sections. A plurality of longitudinally spaced annular ribs extend around the periphery of the bulbous sections forming grooves to facilitate an animal gripping the toy with its teeth. At least one of the bulbous ends has an opening with a diameter greater than the diameter of the center section so that a knot of a pull rope extending through the center of the pet toy will pass through the opening in the bulbous section but will not pass through the center section.

Abstract: A floatable pet toy including a hollow deformable body with a buoyant material, such as a closed cell foam, inside of the body. The buoyant material increases the pet toy's buoyancy and resistance to deformation for durability. A rope may be attached to the body. In a second embodiment, the body may be elongated, made from elastomeric material, and substantially filled with a closed cell foam insert. This insert has a rope running longitudinally through its center and through an opening in a second end of the body. In a further embodiment, the body may be made from a flexible material, such as canvas or plastic. In a still further embodiment, the buoyant material may be injected into a sealed hollow deformable body for increased buoyancy and durability.