Abstract: A pet hydro washer is described comprising a central housing containing a motor and an air inflow impeller, a fluid delivery system having a clean liquid storage tank, and a water delivery line in fluid communication with the clean liquid storage tank terminating at a nozzle, a fluid recovery system having a liquid recovery tank in fluid communication with the air inflow impeller through a first air conduit, and a suction hose in fluid communication with the liquid recovery tank, the motor configured to generate rotational movement in the air inflow impeller, a processor configured to control delivery of power to the motor, the controlling delivery of power including incrementally changing a level of power delivered to the motor, and at least one attachment head configured to wash an animal's fur through movement of at least one attachment head across the animal's fur while the air inflow impeller is operating.

Abstract: A filtration system for a pet water fountain is provided. The filtration system utilizes a pump placed within or along a watering bowl. The water filtration system also utilizes a multi-stage filtering device. In one aspect, the multi-stage filtering device includes a first filtering stage representing copper zinc alloy particles, and a second filtering stage representing granulated activated carbon particles. Each stage may constitute filtering material that is separated into an array of cells residing along a vertical frame or is separated into stages placed in series within a tubular cartridge. A method for filtering water in a pet fountain is also provided herein.

Abstract: A method is described herein that comprises selecting a training objective, wherein the training objective comprises an objective to teach an animal to perform a behavior in an environment. The method includes testing the animal to determine a profile. The method includes identifying an optimal training product for the animal based on the profile. The method includes identifying an optimal training protocol for the animal based on the profile. The method includes simulating an experience of teaching the animal the behavior in a virtual training environment using the optimal training product and the optimal training protocol, the simulating including one or more applications running on a computing device for providing a virtual training environment, wherein the virtual training environment mimics the environment.

Abstract: A method is described herein that comprises providing through an electronic interface a simulated environment. The method includes representing a product within the simulated environment. The method includes representing use of the product within the simulated environment, wherein the represented product mimics an appearance and an operation of a corresponding physical product. The method includes providing one or more peripheral input devices for manipulating objects represented in the simulated environment, wherein the objects include the represented product. The method includes evaluating the manipulating of the represented product according to at least one criterion.

Abstract: A pet door is provided having a frame unit and a pivotal flap. The pet door includes a sill which is magnetically biased to attach to the lower end of the flap unit so as to maintain the flap unit in its closed position and to resist pressure differential forces applied to the flap unit, but to provide a lower degree of resistance at one or both of lower corners of the flap unit. The sill includes a first latch member extending from the sill which cooperates with a second latch member coupled to the bottom of the flap unit. At least one of the latch members may be frusto-conical in shape.

Abstract: A pet hydro washer is described comprising a central housing containing a motor and an air inflow impeller, a fluid delivery system having a clean liquid storage tank, and a water delivery line in fluid communication with the clean liquid storage tank terminating at a nozzle, a fluid recovery system having a liquid recovery tank in fluid communication with the air inflow impeller through a first air conduit, and a suction hose in fluid communication with the liquid recovery tank, the motor configured to generate rotational movement in the air inflow impeller, a processor configured to control delivery of power to the motor, the controlling delivery of power including incrementally changing a level of power delivered to the motor, and at least one attachment head configured to wash an animal's fur through movement of at least one attachment head across the animal's fur while the air inflow impeller is operating.

Abstract: A filtration system for a pet water fountain is provided. The filtration system utilizes a pump placed within or along a watering bowl. The water filtration system also utilizes a multi-stage filtering device. In one aspect, the multi-stage filtering device includes a first filtering stage representing copper zinc alloy particles, and a second filtering stage representing granulated activated carbon particles. Each stage may constitute filtering material that is separated into an array of cells residing along a vertical frame or is separated into stages placed in series within a tubular cartridge. A method for filtering water in a pet fountain is also provided herein.

Abstract: A method is described herein that comprises providing through an electronic interface a simulated environment. The method includes representing a product within the simulated environment. The method includes representing use of the product within the simulated environment, wherein the represented product mimics an appearance and an operation of a corresponding physical product. The method includes providing one or more peripheral input devices for manipulating objects represented in the simulated environment, wherein the objects include the represented product. The method includes evaluating the manipulating of the represented product according to at least one criterion.

Abstract: A method is described herein that comprises selecting a training objective, wherein the training objective comprises an objective to teach an animal to perform a behavior in an environment. The method includes testing the animal to determine a profile. The method includes identifying an optimal training product for the animal based on the profile. The method includes identifying an optimal training protocol for the animal based on the profile. The method includes simulating an experience of teaching the animal the behavior in a virtual training environment using the optimal training product and the optimal training protocol, the simulating including one or more applications running on a computing device for providing a virtual training environment, wherein the virtual training environment mimics the environment.

Abstract: A novel pet treat is provided. The pet treat defines a multi-dimensional object that is edible. The pet treat has a profile that provides enhanced aerodynamic properties when it is dropped, flicked, thrown or released. A method for dispensing an animal treat is also provided wherein the pet treat is mechanically dispensed by locally actuating a dispenser, or by automated dispensing based on motion of the pet, or a timer, or by remote control with the use of a personal computer or a wireless communications device having appropriate software or firmware downloaded. The pet owner or authorized user may command the dispenser to actuate or dispense a pet treat at any time. Automated motion event and timer based actuations are preferably enabled when the pet is alone or the pet treat dispenser is unattended.

Abstract: Described is an animal containment/repellant system for, among other things, containing an animal within a containment area and simultaneously repelling the animal from a restricted area. More specifically, the animal containment/repellant system includes multiple signal transmitting antennas that simultaneously define multiple cooperating containment areas, restricted areas, or combination of containment and restricted areas.

Abstract: A bark control device for deterring a dog from barking. The bark control device includes a vibration dampening material forming or covering at least a portion of the bark control device housing. The vibration dampening material reduces the transfer of vibrations through the bark control device housing by reducing the vibrations to levels undetectable by a bark sensor, by preventing the production of vibrations having characteristics sufficiently similar to a bark, and/or by inhibiting the propagation of such vibrations through the bark control device housing. The vibration dampening material of the housing reduces the occurrence of corrections to the dog due to vibrations emanating from a source other than a bark by the dog.

Abstract: Described is an animal containment/repellant system for containing and animal within or repelling an animal from a designated area and for optimizing an integral power source of the system. More specifically, the animal containment/repellant system supplements the operating power provided by its internal power source with power derived from solar energy and charges its power source using the derived power. Additionally, the animal containment/repellant system employs a power conservation scheme to minimize the use of its internal power source.

Abstract: Described is an animal containment/repellant system for, among other things, containing an animal within a containment area and simultaneously repelling the animal from a restricted area. More specifically, the animal containment/repellant system includes multiple signal transmitting antennas that simultaneously define multiple cooperating containment areas, restricted areas, or combination of containment and restricted areas.

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: Described is a welded wire mesh-based modular animal containment panel adapted for post-manufacture assembly. More specifically, the modular animal containment panel includes a welded wire mesh panel that provides the durability required by animal containment. However, the frame of the animal containment panel is adapted to receive the welded wire mesh panel such that the welded wire mesh panel is not welded to the frame. As a result, the animal containment panel can be assembled by, for example, a consumer such that the animal containment panel can be shipped prior to assembly. Shipping the animal containment panel in a disassembled state reduces the size of the packaging required for the animal containment panel, thus reducing the cost of shipping and storing the animal containment panel.

Abstract: A unitized receiver-housing bearing planar collar for a pet wherein the bottom end of the receiver housing is integrally formed with the collar, the bottom perimetrical edge of the receiver housing being oriented substantially parallel to the plane of the collar. The collar is overmolded, free of independent connectors or fasteners, on the receiver housing adjacent the bottom end of the receiver housing such that when the collar is affixed to the neck of a pet, for example, there is established and maintained a pre-selected orientation of the receiver housing relative to the pet.

Abstract: A modular fence panel system for constructing at least a portion of a pet kennel. The modular fence panel system of the present invention includes at least first and second modular fence panel members, which include a panel member having first and second vertical sides and upper and lower horizontal sides. Upper and lower frame members are secured to the upper and lower horizontal sides of the panel member. At least one vertical side of the panel member is left exposed. A joining member having an elongated tube member and upper and lower cross members is used to secure the first and second modular fence panel members to each other.

Abstract: A battery module cooperating with an electronic animal control device for activating and deactivating the electronic animal control device. The battery module switch is a user-replaceable power source providing a rotary switching function while maintaining a hermetic seal.