By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

It’s that time of year again, finally warmer nicer weather and everyone is coming out of their hibernation with their pets!  So I ask, do you think about what pet products you need for the spring that will help get your pet while out on a hike or in your local dog friendly park?  You may think of heartworm, flea and tick preventative but what about training aids and products that could help your pet in a bad situation?

Our list for some of the must have products begin with something so simple, but is a must!  The 2 in 1, flea and tick comb made by The Company of Animals – this simple product can help save your pet from pesky ticks as it has a tick remover built in and the comb part is a great way to comb your pets fur to see if he or she has any fleas.

If you are like me, you don’t want to use topical treatments to deal with flea and ticks.   It’s a life style choice, do you have time to check your pet and how you feel about topicals. But after owning 2 dogs in tick infested Long Island – and never using any topical preventatives, (or monthly pill to get rid of fleas), I have never had a problem – why I have used products just like this flea comb to thoroughly check my pets – especially after they have been outside.  This 2 in 1 comb also has a little hole already in it to pop it on your key chain.  And it’s small enough that you can easily put it in your pocket or treat bag holder like the ones from SnapDog Designs. A must if you are training with your dog, or even just for a walk in the woods – it perfectly fits most phones, keys and of course treats for your dog too.

If your looking for some training aids, and have been thinking about training your dog with clicker training – you must get Clix Multi-Clicker.  This clicker you can even change the volume of the click – how cool is that.

It’s great as my Max who is almost 13 doesn’t have the best hearing anymore – but he can definitely hear this clicker on #2 volume level. If you are new to clicker training, hiring a professional dog trainer to show you the ropes will help you and your dog tremendously.  Someone local who specializes in clicker training is Mira Lebstein of Click-n-Train Your Dog.

What about if you are out walking your dog and and there is a loose dog approaching – a product that could help in this situation, (aside from your loud booming voice while standing your ground – telling the other dog to ‘go home’ or ‘get out of here!’), is the Pet Corrector also by In the Company of Animals.  It is a pressurized hand held aerosol type of product that emits a loud hissing sound to stop unwanted behavior.  It is not so loud that it will hurt your dogs ears, but it will definitely get their attention – or just may be the tool you need when an unwanted loose dog is approaching. It can easily fit in your pocket or training bag.

While out and about, you should also always have poop bags to pick up after your pet.  These days there is really no excuse for not picking up and with so many bio-degradeable products it’s an easy way to be conscious of the environment too.  My favorite is Earth Rated Poop Bags, it clips onto your leash, and even has a holder on the back of the dispenser to put the filled bag on until you get to a proper trash receptable, so you don’t have to hold the bag!  You can find these bags at nearly every pet supply store.

Another great idea is to have a portable pet fist aid kit with you, or at the very least in your car for your pet.  Scrapes, cuts and insect bites can and will happen to your pup, so being able to address it immediately is important.

And while you may not think of this, you should apply pet safte sunscreen before heading outdoors.  Especially to pets that have a thin fur coat and light colored pets.  Applying it to the top of their snouts, ears and head helps with sunburn.  My Max is mostly white so if I know he is going to be out for a while in the sun, I put sunscreen on him.  The same goes for all natural pet friendly bug spray – this will help a lot if you have a dog that is prone to being a mosquito or black fly magnet.  One product I like is Buzz Guard by Earth Heart, it works well keeping pests away from Max!  And it is safe and all natural so you can feel confident about using it.

It’s better to be prepared and have great products with you while out with your pup, whether it’s on a long hike or just around the block.  You will have peace of mind knowing you can just enjoy the walk – but that you are prepared to enjoy the season too.

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Traveling with your pet?

As pets are more and more accepted in hotels, stores and even dining at some restaurants, outdoors of course – we are more likely to bring them along for our travel plans, they are family after all.   Whether is it is a day trip or week-long vacation preparing is key to have a great time with your pet.

• Websites like Fido Friendly Magazine (www.fidofriendly.com) and Bring Fido, (www.bringfido.com – which also has an app for your phone), do offer information on pet friendly resorts and areas. Another useful app is Dog Park Finder for both Android and iPhones.
• Keep in mind that while your pet might do well in a quick car trip to the park – a long distance trip will require many potty break stops, let them stretch their legs, and be sure to have your pet properly secured in a travel crate or pet seatbelt fitted to them.  Bring their own food, treats and fresh cold water, you may not be able to find the same brand pet food while in a different location.  Your pet may also get car sick, so be sure to have all natural cleaning supplies with you.
• If you want to vacation with your pet and do doggie as well as human activities, Canine Camp Getaway offers vacations two times a year.  Run by Janice Costa a Long Island native has become very popular, you can find out more here www.CanineCampGetaway.com.
• Own an American Pit Bull Terrier or Bully breed?  Research, research, research! Research if the area you are driving through or going to has any breed specific legislation (BSL).  While some laws are being over turned across the country to no longer have BSL you definitely need to make sure you know the laws as your driving – you wouldn’t want to break down in an area that outlaws Pit Bulls.
• Need to board your pet while going away?  Many places on LI can board your cat, dogs, parrots, bunnies, etc. – but you want to research the person and company first.  If you have a bird, check out the Long Island Parrot Society’s website (www.liparrotsociety.org) as they have pet sitters available.  For a dog, cat or small animal you can go to www.LongIslandPetProfessionals.com and there are many pet sitters listed in the member directory who offer in home boarding – In Home Pet Services in Merrick, Babylon and Bellerose all offer boarding.  Make sure anyone you leave your pet with is bonded, insured and has a stellar reputation.  Do your research!
• On your road trip, bring one extra of everything for each pet.  An extra leash, collar with proper ID tags, current photo of your pet, food, water, medications, first aid kits, towels, blanket beds, etc.  You may think that is excessive – but what if you breakdown and are stranded for a night or two? All that pre-planning and extra packing will come in handy!
• Map out 24-hour emergency veterinarian hospitals along your route and at your destination.  Better to be safe than sorry and at your destination – know where the local animal shelter is just in case your pet gets lost.

By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Doggie Day Trip – Cold Spring Harbor, NY

If you are one that likes to hike with your dog and do a challenging trail – you have to head to Cold Spring Harbor, NY on the North Shore of Long Island and go to the Cold Spring Harbor State Park.  One of the few State parks on Long Island, (Montauk, Belmont Lake State Park), that are dog friendly.  The entrance to the trail is on Harbor road right past the village, you will pull into a gravel parking lot on the east side of Harbor Road and across the street from the boat ramp.  Recently I went with fellow Long Island Pet Professional Member Ellen Ganci of SnapDogDesigns a good friend of mine and her dog Dobby –  who you will see is the star of this doggie day trip.  A short drive from Huntington, you will find the quaint village of Cold Spring Harbor, NY.  I remember going their as a kid, never to hike but to go into their shops and have lunch – it always seemed so far away as a kid.  I did not know about this trail until the fall and have already hiked it a few times – the best part is that you can bring your pup with you, leashed of course.

This is not a hike for the faint of heart, however there were kids on the trail as well as very fit seniors hiking, as long as you and your dog are walking regularly on decent distance walks, you can do it.  The best part is you can decided how long or short you want to go. This trail is part of the greenbelt trail system on LI and you can go all the way to Plainview following this particular part of the trail.  We did about 4.5 miles round trip with Dobby and that was the perfect distance for a day trip hike with a dog.  The elevation according to my MapMyWalk app on my phone was 228 feet high – and that was multiple hills up and down!

Dobby on the way up the first part of the hike, yes, lots of steps and watch where you’re going!

Almost to the top of the very first climb. As you can see beautiful views!

If you do go for the hike, be sure to have water with your for yourself and your dog, a doggie first aid kit couldn’t hurt as their are many steps to climb over, roots,and rocks on many parks of the trails.  You should wear good sneakers for this (or hiking boots).  Watch your dog and take breaks if you need to for yourself and your pup.  If it is too warm out – it might be too much for your dog who could get easily overheated.  An morning or early evening hike, (before it gets too dark to see), may be a suitable time for this.  We went around 9am and it took under 2 hours to do the hike.

Dobby taking a sip of water!

Can you see Dobby is smiling in every picture?

Another pup we met along the way!

Here is a map of the hike we did.

Dobby was on leash the entire time, we had him pose for a few pictures ahead of us so you could see the trails.

Mini me? Little Chihuahua we met along the way, adorable!

After the hike we went into Cold Spring Harbor Village, and while some of the stores were closed there is plenty of window shopping to do with your pup, you can grab a quick bite to eat and sit outside in the village or walk down to the shore.  See some interesting facts about Cold Spring Harbor below the photos!

BOL! Couldn’t resist! That sign was in front of one of the boutiques in the village.

Cold Spring Harbor is about a 1 hour drvie from New York City and a 5 minute drive from down town Huntington Village, NY. Once a whaling village there is also a whaling museum and also home to the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery.  It’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped back in time while wandering the village and you may also see some guinea hens walking town around too!  If you do go on a doggie day trip with your pup to CSH, post your comments below and let us know!

From the NYS Parks website:
“The park is comprised of 40 acres of hilly terrain that offer scenic vistas of the Cold Spring Harbor. It features a mixed hardwood forest with notable large oak specimens that measure three feet in diameter, as well as thickets of wild mountain laurel. The area is ideal for observing spring and fall migrations of a variety of songbirds, and is home to great horned owls and red-tailed hawks. The park serves as the northern trailhead of the Nassau Suffolk Greenbelt Trail that extends to Bethpage State Park and eventually the south shore of Nassau County.”

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com (All photo’s are property of LIPetPlace.com and taken by me!)

Wildlife on Long Island – it’s here, and not to hard to find, if you stop and pay attention.  I often post photo’s of wildlife on my Facebook page and much of the reaction is – where do you go to take that picture?  Is that on Long Island?  I never see anything like that.  We get caught up in our every day hustle and bustle of life, but if you are not stopping to look and appreciate the wildlife around you, you are seriously missing out.

Here are some pictures from the past 6-months or so in various locations around Long Island:

This red fox was on the boardwalk at the beach – but you may have noticed there seem to be Fox’s running around everywhere on the South Shore of LI in the last year or so.

Snowy Owl – not native to Long Island, but we had them all over the south shore beaches this winter – what a treat to see in person.

White Tailed Deer – Love seeing deer on LI – say what you want but they are to be treasured!

White Breasted-Nuthatch – common in your own backyard – but this guy was at a wildlife sanctuary on the East End.

This rabbit was actually pretty big for what I normally see – guessing he has plenty of food supply around.

Long Tailed Duck in flight over Sag Harbor waters.

Seal swimming in the waters off of Westhampton Beach.

Ok so this guy I photographed last spring!

Cardinal – one of about 30 nearby at wildlife sanctuary on the east end of LI.

This turtle was spying on me while I was taking pictures…

Red-tailed Hawk circling over Gardiners Park in Bay Shore – another good reason to keep your dogs leashed!

Ok, I know this is gross, but it is nature or wildlife on LI.  We came across this checkered Garter Snake last spring around this time of year, while out walking our dogs, my friend jumped a few feet in the air when we saw it! At first I thought it was a snake with front legs, (it was early in the morning people!), then I realized it was eating that toad…poor little guy was blinking and trying to get away.  And that was a decent size snake for LI – usually you see the little Garter snakes – but this was a first for me, the snake and him eating right in the middle of the trail. Yuck and cool at the same time.  (Still feel bad for the toad, but that is nature).

This is just a sampling of pictures of the wildlife around you here on Long Island – I dare you to get out there and slow down, and look around!  You might even spot some bald eagles too!

By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Last week was one of the pet industry’s biggest, if not the biggest pet industry trade show, Global Pet Expo held in sunny Orlando, Florida – celebrating their 10th year.   With nearly 3,000 vendor booths, yes 3,000, about 6,000 attendees and FOUR miles of trade show floor to walk – yes it was ‘Too Big To Miss’ as their slogan says.  However, being in the pet industry you tend to see a lot of similar products and I love to see pet products that stand out, and that are new and different.  And while this article could be probably 10 pages long if I posted everything that I really liked, here are some top picks that stood out to me.  From the, ‘duh why didn’t I think of that’ products to the huge amount of new technology pet products, one even invented by a 14 year old girl (love it – you go Brooke – young female entrepreneur!)

Let me know what you think and if you see anything you too like below:

High tech:

The first high tech pet product that stood out to me was Voyce, kind of like a Fitbit for dogs.  At first glance you may think, why does my dogs heart rate, respiratory rate, activity, rest, distance and calories burned need to be monitored.  You can upload all this information to your computre or smart phone, and after speaking with one of their reps, the aha moment came.  What if your dog was sick or having medical issues, you can then bring the information to your vet to show the days your dog wasn’t feeling well and they can look at the info.  It goes beyond that and I emplore you do your research – but seems like a very cool product, and I think great for senior dogs too.

From the Voyce website: Voyce measures key vital signs and other wellness indicators through wearable technology and proprietary algorithms. Using that information, Voyce provides you with trends and valuable insights, helping you stay proactive about your dog’s overall health, behavior, and wellbeing.

This next high tech device was invented by a 14 year old girl Brook Martin, yes folks a very wise young and inspiring entrepreneur.  She came up with the clever idea when she was just 12!  (Love that!) Brooke told me her Golden Retriver Kayla had some serious separation aniexty and she wanted to figure out a way to help.  So she invented iCPooch, which allows you to video chat with your dog and deliver a treat using a tablet, smartphone, or computer from anywhere.  Available for purchase in May 2014, this was Brooke’s first Global Pet Expo, congratulations Brooke! (Brooke’s dad, Chris Martin President and COO of the company, was there with her and he couldn’t be prouder!)

Functional for your pet:

A product that I thought, hmm why didn’t I think of that was the PawPlunger.  Not high tech, but during the muddy winter months, and constantly cleaning my dogs feet with a towel – which never seem to fully do the job – I am looking forward to trying this product out.  (Of course you want to get your dog used to it, and never force your pet’s paw – just another chance to do a little training to help your dog used to this new routine).

For the cat owners, here is a new kitty litter scooper just launched at Global, the KittyScoop.  The scoop, scoop’s your cats waste from the litter box right into a biodegradable bag that is lined inside the scoop so you have less mess when cleaned the box.  You have the option to not use a bag and just scoop and the back of the product has a door you can open to get rid of the waste.  I think using the bag is a great option.  Seems like a great new product for cat owners and will encourage you to keep your cats litter box clean.

Do you keep chickens?  If so, you need to know about these products that at first glance just looks like chicken clothing.  Ok, stop.  It is chicken clothing, but these chickens are not going to be in the NYC Pet Fashion show any time soon.  The are purely functional, and life saving at the same time.  Created by Crazy K Farm Pet and Poultry Products, the little booties pictured below – are not just cute booties but are used when a chicken has an injury to their foot.  It keeps their foot protected from all that they walk in and helps keep a chance of infection out.  The little jacket with eyes on it?  It is used to ward off birds of prey who are not interested in going after a chicken with those big scary eyes staring back at them – pretty ingenious if you ask me, and who knew?

A company that out of the gate has been donating to a bag of food for every bag purchased is Dog for Dog.  They also won an award at Global and it’s a wonderful concept.

Another new pet food company is Caru, who make natural stews and treats for pets, which was born due to their dog Karu’s really bad food allergies.  All their ingredients are sourced from the USA and made in small batches.  The owners are also medical professionals, they are also passionate about using earth and land-fill friendly packaging and do not use cans for their product.  There are four different flavors to choose from.

Petsafe who recently launched a new line of pet treats all made in the USA also are called Indigo.  There are a few different products, dental treats and I can tell you that my Max loves, loves, loves the smokehouse treats.

Pet Products for the Humans!

Giving your friend a present for their pet?  Now you can wrap it in pet safe wrapping paper.  This product I loved because it is different.  Printed with soy-based, non-toxic ink, it comes in all different prints and patterns.  Made by Pet Party Printz and made here in the USA – this is an adogable way to celebrate your pet or friends and families pets with gifts you bought for them.  We all know dogs love to rip open presents (well every dog I have ever had did!).  It also comes with Rip and Stick technology so there is no tape needed to use to wrap the gift, cool.  More pet retailers should be carrying this product!

Dog is Good has a new line of bags and magnets that are hysterical, and every pet parent or rescue person will totally get a kick out of.  I just love this new product line, make a perfect gift to give your favorite pet parent (hint hint!).  For our rescue groups, they would also make fabulous raffle prizes for your next event.

And if you are in your 40’s and up, and you are holding that printed card out further than you used to, you may need some new readers.  The new line of Dog Bone readers may just be what you are searching for.  Normally this is not something I would gravitate too – but they are pretty cute and come in different designs for both dog and cat lovers and different magnification levels.

To see more pictures from Global Pet Expo, CLICK Here!