Abstract: A pet accessory pendant is provided. The pet accessory pendant houses components for a pet accessory, such as a bark control device, a containment fence receiver, a remote trainer, a pet locator, and the like. The pet accessory pendant is mountable to animal collars of various sizes, lengths, widths, and thicknesses. Specifically, the pet accessory pendant is attachable to an animal collar such that the pet accessory pendant comfortably hangs in a pendant fashion and minimizes pressure points on the animal. Additionally, the pet accessory pendant is readily attachable to and detachable from the collar without removing the animal collar from the animal, thereby reducing the need to adjust the fitment of the pet accessory pendant for each use. Thus, the pet accessory pendant allows a single animal collar to be easily converted between a general-purpose animal collar and an animal collar with attached pet accessory.

Abstract: A heated pet pad having a substantially oval shape and including a heating element to produce heat within the pet pad, a reflective layer mounted adjacent to the heating element to reflect heat toward the animal, and a support layer to contain the heating element and the reflective layer within the pet pad, the support layer including a plurality of support members extending from a first surface thereof to simulate a mattress spring, and a plurality of feet members extending from an opposite surface of the support layer to raise the pet pad off the external ground surface to inhibit heat loss.

Abstract: Described is a system for locating a partial break in a wire loop antenna. More specifically, the system generates two test signals, each test signal having a signal pattern distinguishable from the other. The system transmits the test signals by way of the antenna such that each test signal radiates from the antenna. The system receives the radiating test signals and generates a signal indicator for each test signal, each signal indicator reflecting properties of its respective test signal. Each signal indicator is analyzed with respect to the other to determine the location of the partial break. Because the test signals have distinguishable signal patterns, the analysis of the signal indicators is simplified and, in certain circumstances, made possible.

Abstract: Disclosed is a watering device for animals and a method of producing the same, including a base unit defining a bowl portion, a housing portion disposed in the base unit and including an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid communication with the bowl portion, a dispensing unit proximate the outlet port to dispense water from the housing portion to the bowl portion via the outlet port such that water flows around the bowl portion to the housing portion via the inlet port, and a filtering unit interposed between the outlet port and the inlet port to filter the water flowing from the bowl portion to the housing portion via the inlet port.

Abstract: A submersible, universal water fountain system for an animal watering vessel. The system includes a port for discharging water into the vessel, a housing which has an inlet through which water is drawn from the vessel, and a pump for drawing water through the inlet and forcing the water from the housing through the port back into the vessel. The port discharges water in a pattern to diminish overspray outside the vessel and create a stream-like flow path of water movement in the vessel to enhance the water drinking experience of an animal.

Abstract: Systems and methods of tracking an animal including a first device worn by an animal to acquire global positioning system (GPS) data corresponding to a location of the animal, and a second device carried by a user to receive the GPS data from the first device and to acquire GPS data corresponding to a location of the second device. The second device can include a compass element to provide a compass reading corresponding to an orientation of the second device, and a controller to calculate location and direction information of the first device relative to the second device, and a display unit to display a graphical representation indicating the location and direction of the first device relative to the second device.

Abstract: A lick deterrent strip for deterring an animal from licking a wound is provided. The lick deterrent strip is securable to the animal or a bandage such that the lick deterrent strip is positioned over the wound or near the area of the wound. As used herein, a “wound” refers to an injured area on an animal, including, but not limited to, abscesses, cuts, hot spots, incisions, punctures, sores, and stitches. When secured to the animal, the lick deterrent strip provides an exposed surface with electrically energized contacts arranged on the exposed surface. When a conductive portion of the animal, such as the animal's mouth, is placed in electrical communication with the contacts, the lick deterrent strip provides an electrical stimulus to the animal, which deters the animal from accessing or licking the wound.

Abstract: Described is a consumption monitoring device for monitoring the amount of consumables consumed by an animal during a monitoring period. More specifically, the consumption monitoring device measures the weight of the consumables, which are contained within a receptacle, and detects any change in the weight, such as when additional consumables are placed within the receptacle or when the animal consumes all or some of the consumables. The device calculates various values based on these changes in weight, at least one of which indicates the amount of consumables consumed by the animal. The device displays this calculated value such that the user is informed of the amount of consumables consumed by the animal within the monitoring period. This information assists the user in maintaining the animal on a desired feeding program.

Abstract: A gesture-based animal trainer is provided. The gesture-based animal trainer is configured to be used by a person that provides gesture commands to an animal. As used herein, the term “gesture commands” refers to gestures that are each associated with a respective animal training command, wherein a gesture is defined as a selected group of movements performed by a person. The gesture-based animal trainer detects whether the person performs a gesture command and provides a stimulus to the animal in accordance with the gesture command. Upon the animal associating the respective stimulus with the gesture command, the gesture-based animal trainer allows the animal to receive the gesture command regardless of whether the person is within the animal's line of sight.

Abstract: An animal confinement system including at least one transmitter, a loop antenna associated with each transmitter, a loop monitor associated with each loop antenna, a remote communication device and a communication device. The transmitter sends a signal to the loop antenna. The loop monitor senses at least one attribute of the signal. The communication device is communicatively connected with the loop monitor. The communication device communicates at least one attribute to the remote communication device.

Abstract: A pet accessory pendant is provided. The pet accessory pendant houses components for a pet accessory, such as a bark control device, a containment fence receiver, a remote trainer, a pet locator, and the like. The pet accessory pendant is mountable to animal collars of various sizes, lengths, widths, and thicknesses. Specifically, the pet accessory pendant is attachable to an animal collar such that the pet accessory pendant comfortably hangs in a pendant fashion and minimizes pressure points on the animal. Additionally, the pet accessory pendant is readily attachable to and detachable from the collar without removing the animal collar from the animal, thereby reducing the need to adjust the fitment of the pet accessory pendant for each use. Thus, the pet accessory pendant allows a single animal collar to be easily converted between a general-purpose animal collar and an animal collar with attached pet accessory.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of supplying liquid consumable substances to animals using a dispenser device, including storing a volume of viscous fluid in a storage chamber of the dispensing device, capturing a roller ball in a flanged opening at an open end of the dispensing device such that a first surface of the roller ball communicates with the storage chamber, communicating at least a portion of the stored volume to the first surface such that a quantity of the stored volume adheres to the first surface, and exposing a second surface of the roller ball to an animal's tongue such that when the animal licks the second surface, the roller ball rotates with respect to the flanged opening to deliver at least a portion of the adhered quantity to the animal as a reward for a desired exhibited behavior of the animal.

Abstract: An animal training system including a programming apparatus and an animal training collar. The animal training collar is communicatively couplable to the programming apparatus. The animal training collar includes at least one stimulation probe and a programmable device operatively connected to the at least one stimulation probe to activate the at least one stimulation probe. The at least one stimulation probe also transferring data at least one of to and from the programming apparatus.

Abstract: Described is a vibration stimulus delivery device for delivering a vibration stimulus to an animal and for maximizing the robustness and intensity of the vibration stimulus. The vibration stimulus delivery device is carried by the animal and includes a housing and a vibration probe. The vibration probe is positioned in direct contact with the skin of the animal and generates a vibration, which, when delivered to the animal, is the vibration stimulus. The vibration probe is coupled to the housing such that the coupling minimizes the inherent vibration dampening effect caused by the weight and mass of the housing. The result is a vibration stimulus delivery device that delivers a more robust and intense vibration stimulus to the animal.

Abstract: Described is an animal containment system for containing an animal within a boundary, for maximizing the animal's usable area within the boundary, for not discouraging the animal from returning to within the boundary in the event the animal moves beyond the boundary, and for doing so without utilizing an independent polarity indicator. The animal containment system determines whether the animal is within the boundary or beyond the boundary by considering the polarity of an activation signal the animal containment system transmits from the boundary and receives at the location of the animal. The animal containment system determines the polarity of the activation signal by modulating the signal such that the modulation indicates the polarity of the activation signal. The animal containment system achieves the above-discussed features by delivering a stimulus to the animal only when it traverses the boundary from within the boundary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection, treatment or collection of a quantity of solid animal excrement from a surface, particularly a grassy surface. The method includes the steps of autonomously or semi-autonomously detecting the presence of the excrement on the surface, moving a collection/treatment device into position over the detected excrement, and, thereupon, subjecting the detected excrement to one or more of deodorization, disinfection, enhancement of deterioration, dispersal and/or collection of the detected excrement. The apparatus of the present invention operates without the immediate or continued intervention of a human. Preferably, the device is robotic in nature, is readily portable, and preferably includes a rechargeable power source.

Abstract: A variable voltage electronic pet training apparatus. The variable voltage electronic pet training apparatus controls the intensity of the stimulation by the controlling the voltage level present at the primary side of the transformer while maintaining a fixed signal to the correction pulse switch. A trigger signal contains information about the desired stimulus intensity level. A controller interprets the trigger signal and produces a voltage control signal associated with the desired energy level. Application of the voltage control signal to a power converter keeps the voltage level applied to an energy storage capacitor sufficient to produce the desired stimulation intensity.

Abstract: An animal training apparatus including an electrical conductor embedded within a flexible member, and a housing having a through-opening for receiving the electrical conductor therethrough. The flexible member is molded around the electrical conductor and the antenna, while the electrical conductor is positioned such that it extends into the housing through the through-opening. As a result of the molding process, the flexible member shields the housing through-opening, discouraging substances such as water from accessing the interior of the housing via the through-opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection, treatment or collection of a quantity of solid animal excrement from a surface, particularly a grassy surface. The method includes the steps of autonomously or semi-autonomously detecting the presence of the excrement on the surface, moving a collection/treatment device into position over the detected excrement, and, thereupon, subjecting the detected excrement to one or more of deodorization, disinfection, enhancement of deterioration, dispersal and/or collection of the detected excrement. The apparatus of the present invention operates without the immediate or continued intervention of a human. Preferably, the device us robotic in nature, is readily portable, and preferably includes a rechargeable power source.