An improved lunging tool utilized to train animals, such as horses. The lunging tool includes a stiffening component inserted into an internal pocket of the body. The lunging tool is configured to attach to a harness or halter on one end and a lunging line or rope on the other end to enable a trainer to lead the animal by both pushing and pulling on the animal. The length of the stiffening component of the improved lunging tool prevents entanglement with the animal's legs if the trainer drops the improved lunging tool.

Disclosed an animal training system including an animal training apparatus worn on an animal to deliver stimulation to the animal, and a remote controller possessed by a user to control the animal training apparatus. The animal training apparatus includes a wireless communication module to receive a signal from the remote controller, a stimulation generator/stimulator module to deliver stimulation to the animal, and a microprocessor to enable the stimulation generator/stimulator module to deliver the stimulation to the animal based on the signal received by the wireless communication module. The remote controller includes a user input means to receive input of an execution instruction for instructing the animal training apparatus to deliver the stimulation according to at least one stimulation mode, a wireless communication module to transmit the signal to the animal training apparatus, and a microprocessor to control the wireless communication module based on the execution instruction. Here, the at least one stimulation mode includes an auto-increasing boost stimulation mode in which the stimulation boosted by a predetermined level than a previous level is delivered to the animal.

A pet toy is configured for use with a pet treat having a body with a gap therein that communicates with a central opening in the pet treat. The pet toy includes a body having an exterior surface and a core portion that is radially asymmetric and a slot formed in the body about the core portion. The slot has the core portion as a base and includes a sidewall having a second surface feature configured to cooperate with a first surface feature of the pet treat to promote retention of the pet treat in the slot. In some embodiments, one of the first and second surface features is a boss and the other is a recess. In some embodiments, the first and second surface features are engaged by rotating the pet treat within the slot with respect to the body of the pet toy.

Various methods and apparatuses for correcting an animal to heel. Generally, the present disclosure teaches an animal training apparatus for correcting an animal to heel. The animal training apparatus includes a collar adapted to operably engaged with an animal, a stimulus unit operably engaged with the collar, and a control unit operably engaged with the collar and operatively connected with the stimulus unit, wherein the control unit is adapted to operably engage with a leash cord. The animal training apparatus also includes a tension measuring device of the control unit operably engaged with the collar and adapted for measuring tension in the leash cord and producing an electrical signal when the tension exceeds a predetermined tension threshold; wherein the control unit is selectively programmable to generate at least one correction stimulus to the animal when the animal exceeds the predetermined tension threshold set in the control unit.

Various embodiments provide an apparatuses and methods for protecting surfaces (e.g., furniture) from animal contact. The surface protection apparatus may comprise a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid members extending from a base portion. The protrusions may comprise a plurality of conical members extending from the base portion or may comprise a plurality of panels extending from the base portion. A plurality of apparatuses may be secured relative to one another to provide an enlarged surface area such that large surfaces (e.g., counters) may be covered by the surface protector to prevent pets from lying on the large surfaces.

Various embodiments provide an apparatuses and methods for protecting surfaces (e.g., furniture) from animal contact. The surface protection apparatus may comprise a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid members extending from a base portion. The protrusions may comprise a plurality of conical members extending from the base portion or may comprise a plurality of panels extending from the base portion. A plurality of apparatuses may be secured relative to one another to provide an enlarged surface area such that large surfaces (e.g., counters) may be covered by the surface protector to prevent pets from lying on the large surfaces.

A collar-mounted location sensor and stimulation unit includes a body. A generally planar stimulation unit and differential impedance-based fur detector in combination protect the animal from harmful stimulation. At least one sensory stimulator is configured to provide at least one of auditory, kinesthetic, and visual stimulation responsive to an output of a location sensor. One or more of a voltage, current, oscillation frequency, extent of modulation, or other output characteristic of the stimulation unit output is varied responsive to the detected fur differential impedance to protect and benefit both the body and mind of the animal.

A microporous animal chew comprising a rawhide sheet having a thickness in the range of 0.1 millimeters to 3.0 millimeters and a plurality of micropores extending through said rawhide sheet at least partially filled with chitosan. The rawhide sheet provides a digestible yet chewable and durable animal chew.

Systems and methods for facilitating communication with animals. Interacting with a display that presents touchable buttons in manners that are suitable for animals, animals can be trained to use touch gestures to produce speech. Various embodiments add to convenience and ease for designated animal users, offer guidance and flexibility for human users who train or communicate with the animal users, and provide a rich potential for customization and improvements.

A treadmill may include two separate left and right belts rotating around two sets of rollers, four legs having an adjustable height via air suspension to customize an inclination of the treadmill, a thermoelectric assembly, a fragrance assembly having a rotating fragrance cartridge to emit various smells toward a user of the treadmill, a display on which exercise programs are played, and an attachment module having a dispensing tray on which treats are dispensed. A handle of the treadmill may have a sensor to sense a height and front-rear position, and a belt divider provided between the left and right belts may have position or proximity sensors to sense a left-right position. An inclination of the treadmill may be automatically adjusted according to positions detected by the sensors, and the fragrance assembly, attachment module, and inclination may be automatically operated in accordance with an exercise program played on the display.