I test every product on real dogs. Not spec sheets.
“If I wouldn’t put it on Biscuit, I won’t recommend it to you.” — Lucy Hartwell, CPDT-KA
I’m Lucy Hartwell — a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and the founder of Lucy’s Barkery. I started this site because I was tired of pet product reviews written by people who’d never owned a dog, let alone trained one professionally.
Every harness, GPS tracker, collar, cat tree, and food brand reviewed on this site has been physically tested. I have a 4-year-old Golden Retriever named Biscuit, a rescue Beagle mix called Fig, and two cats — Mochi and Pumpkin — who’ve collectively destroyed three cat trees in the name of science.
Why trust Lucy’s Barkery?
The pet product industry is full of affiliate sites written by people who’ve never touched the products they review. I built Lucy’s Barkery as the antidote to that.
- Every product is physically purchased and tested — no free samples accepted in exchange for positive reviews
- CPDT-KA certification means I understand animal behaviour, not just product specs
- Testing methodology includes real-world use across multiple dogs and cats, not just unboxing
- Affiliate links are disclosed on every page — my income depends on your trust, not your click
- Reviews are updated monthly as new products launch and old ones get discontinued
My credentials
- CPDT-KA — Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (2014)
- IAABC Member — International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
- AKC CGC Evaluator — American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator since 2016
- Former staff behaviourist at Nashville Humane Association (2012–2019) — assessed 2,000+ animals
- Specialist in force-free, science-based training methods — no prong collars, no e-collars, no exceptions
What I review
Lucy’s Barkery covers two complete product categories — dogs and cats — with the same rigour applied to both.
- Dog GPS trackers — real-time accuracy tests, battery life, subscription costs, breed suitability
- Dog harnesses — escape testing, fit across 12 breeds, no-pull effectiveness, durability
- Dog collars, leads, and training accessories — force-free only
- Cat trees and furniture — stability, scratch resistance, assembly difficulty, multi-cat household use
- Cat GPS trackers — weight suitability for cats, accuracy in urban vs rural environments
- Pet food — ingredient quality, AAFCO compliance, real feeding trials across my own animals
Get in touch
Have a product you think I should review? A question about a specific breed or training situation? I read every email.
📧 lucy@lucysbarkery.com
📍 Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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