The Story Behind These Picks
I never set out to become a product reviewer. It happened gradually, starting with frustrated texts to my mom friends about dog products that fell apart and the occasional gem that actually worked. Eventually, someone suggested I start writing these down. Here we are.
My name is Sarah Mitchell. I live in Naperville, Illinois with my husband Dan, our three kids, and two herding dogs who have completely taken over our home. Rosie is our Shetland Sheepdog who believes her primary job is keeping the children in a tight formation. Cooper is an Old English Sheepdog who is basically a small, very hairy person.
Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I taught elementary school for eight years. That experience taught me a lot about chaos management, which turns out to be excellent preparation for life with herding dogs.
My Testing Process
Nothing makes it onto this site without surviving at least a month in our household. I test products during walks, during grooming sessions, during the post-dinner chaos when everyone seems to need something at once. If a product cannot handle that, it does not get recommended.
I also include what did not work and why. Sometimes a product is great for some dogs but not right for herding breeds specifically. Sometimes it is just poorly made. Either way, I think you deserve to know what I tried and rejected before landing on my recommendations.
Budget Matters
Not every recommendation needs to be top-of-the-line. I actively search for affordable alternatives that deliver similar results. Sometimes the budget option is actually better. My favorite slicker brush cost me twelve dollars at a pet supply store and has outlasted three expensive versions.
Contact
Have a product you think I should test? Found something that changed your life with your herding dog? I love hearing from readers. Drop me a line through the contact page.