Life with Domino and Elli means juggling high energy zoomies and gentle senior care—all at once. Domino is our lovable, chaotic Dalmatian who never met a tennis ball he didn’t like. Elli is our sweet senior Lab mix who’s diabetic, mostly blind, and full of heart. Between the two of them, we’ve tested our fair share of pet products. These are the things we reach for over and over again to keep both dogs happy, safe, and (relatively) clean. Whether you’re wrangling a wild puppy or caring for an aging pup with special needs, we’ve got you covered.
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everyday gear + accessories:
I used to swap collars every few months out of boredom—not anymore. These Made to ROAM collars have lasted over 2 years on both our dogs and still look amazing. Elli rocks Vermont Weekend and Domino has Oregon Haze.
We’ve used these for years and never had an issue. They’re sturdy, unscented, and the included dispenser is easy to use and clips right onto the leash.
Elli’s had hers for years—and I love that I could add her medical info (blind, diabetic) on the back. Great for gentle pups, but Domino kept snapping his, so not ideal for high-energy dogs.
This secure little clip keeps ID tags in place but makes swapping them easy. Domino’s held up great, and Elli still uses hers. I love the peace of mind and the convenience.
This heavy-duty ID tag is riveted directly to Domino’s collar—no jingling, no falling off, and it still looks great. It’s not quick to swap, but for rough-and-tumble dogs like him, it’s a win.
![IPX8 Waterproof Dog Collar Holder for Airtag [Metal Back Plate] Ultra-Durable Dog & Cat Collars Mount for AirTag, Suitable for All Widths of Collars (1 Pack)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xtLgZrT1L._SL500_.jpg "Daily Dog Essentials: Products We Love for Life with Domino and Elli")
We got this when Domino joined the family—a known runner who needed tracking insurance. It’s held up to 2 years of mud, chaos, and tug-of-war. Durable, waterproof, and worth replacing with the exact same one. I should probably add one to Elli’s collar too.
walks, harnesses, + safety:
I’ve used this leash setup for 2+ years and it’s been a lifesaver. The waist pack has enough room for my phone, treats, and poop bags—and the leash handles both dogs, with or without a stroller. I added extra clips to keep them close when my hands are full.
We’ve used these with three different dogs now—they’re our secret weapon for leash training. If you’ve got a puller, this headcollar makes walks way more manageable without hurting your pup.
When Elli lost her vision, I needed a harness that would keep her safe, allow for a “Blind Dog” patch, and not overheat her in the Vegas sun. This one checks every box—minimal coverage, comfy fit, and a handle for extra support when she needs it. The velcro panel is perfect for patches like “Blind Dog” to help strangers know how to safely approach her.
We got this for Domino when he first joined the family and refused to chill in the car. The included harness worked well while it fit, and we still use the tether today. It clips into a seatbelt OR attaches to a cargo anchor in the trunk, which makes it super flexible and perfect for wrangling a restless co-pilot.
When Domino outgrew his car harness, we needed something sturdy enough for his full-grown chaos—and this one delivers. It’s rugged, breathable, and built for big energy. Plus, he looks like he’s reporting for K9 duty every time we gear him up.
comfy home:
This crate has been a staple in our house for years. We’ve used it for both dogs—currently Domino’s den of choice—and love the double doors for flexibility. It’s sturdy, folds down easily for travel, and holds up to a rowdy Dalmatian with zero complaints.
We started using this fountain when we had one dog and a crew of water-snob cats—and it worked like a charm. Now with two dogs and one picky cat, it’s still going strong. The capacity is solid, it’s quiet enough to forget it’s running, and it’s easy to clean. I’ve also linked the filter refills to make maintenance a breeze.
We use these under the water fountain to keep the floor from turning into a slip ‘n slide. They’re absorbent, washable, and way easier to clean than the silicone ones that grow mystery crust. Comes as a 2-pack, so you can rotate when one gets gross (because it will).
Not glamorous, but absolutely essential. This fits a full bag of dog food, seals tight to keep things fresh, and has wheels so you’re not awkwardly bear-hugging a 30-pound bin across the kitchen. Airtight, BPA-free, and way less annoying than the bag-with-a-clip situation.
We’ve tried the sticky rollers, the tape hacks, the vacuum brush attachments. This is the one that actually works. No refills, no batteries, just a simple back-and-forth motion that pulls fur off couches, rugs, clothes, and your will to live. Reusable, self-cleaning, and oddly satisfying.
I don’t even remember where I got ours, but these things work. They pull out tons of loose fur during bath time or brushing, and they leave short-haired coats soft and shiny.
training + behavior tools:
We got this one for Domino because he’s anxious, protective, and… extremely vocal about both. He mostly wears it during naptime and bedtime so he doesn’t wake the kids. It has sound, vibration, and shock options, but we’ve been able to use the lower settings effectively. The battery lasts forever and it’s been a great way to keep the house a little quieter without constant corrections.
We’ve off-leash trained both of our dogs with e-collars, and I love that this one includes sound, vibration, and shock settings so we can adjust based on the situation. The light feature is especially helpful for nighttime — great for tracking the pups decide the yard is a jungle adventure. Available in both single and dual collar sets so you’re covered whether you’ve got one dog or a dynamic duo.
toys + chews:
Domino’s obsessed with tennis balls… until he’s not. If it’s touched the dog park twice, he’s over it. But at home? He’ll shred one like it’s his life’s work. So we buy them in bulk. These are 2.5”, bouncy, come in a mesh bag, and are cheap enough to toss when they’ve been… well, too loved.
Domino loses his damn mind when this thing comes out. It’s the fastest route to full-body wiggles and off-leash chaos. This foldable version lives in my car for easy park trips. Also linking the original non-foldable version if you prefer max throw over portability. That one lives in Hubs’ truck.
Bought this on a whim during a snowy Colorado Christmas — it entertained Domino, the kids, and my brother’s pack of 4 dogs for hours. Rechargeable, distance-adjustable, and surprisingly durable. Great for days when you need indoor fetch without actually doing anything. If only I could get Domino to drop the ball IN the machine instead of in my lap…
Domino is obsessed with this thing. So much so, we have to hide it or he won’t stop demanding fetch or chewing on it. Crackles when you bend it, durable enough for chaos play, and weirdly addicting. It’s basically the squeaker’s quieter cousin — still loud in spirit.
Domino showed up with one of these and never looked back. We’ve since bought… several. It will eventually die a shredded death, but it holds up better than most plush toys and doesn’t explode into fluff confetti — which is a win when you also have a baby crawling around. Plus, even when it’s no longer cute, you still have a rope toy until that’s shredded too.
This beast of a tug toy holds Domino’s full body weight mid-air and lives to tell the tale. Super tough rubber, comfy to grip, and strong enough for full-throttle chaos. We have to put it in time out sometimes because someone won’t stop bringing it over for round 47. No fluff, no fuss — just a workout in disguise.
Domino’s a big-time chewer when we can’t get outside to burn energy, but we have to be extra picky with treats thanks to Elli’s diabetes. These buffalo horns are long-lasting and—most importantly—don’t mess with Elli’s blood sugar when she decides to wants some too. No weird ingredients, no sticky mess, just pure gnawable goodness.
