Archive for the ‘dogs’ Category

Comments Off
27 Jan 15

Dog Training Seminar & Mastermi ...

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

January is ‘National Train Your Dog Month’ and in recognition of that, American Pet Professionals, formerly (Long Island Pet Professionals), is hosting a brand new seminar and mastermind event for Dog Training Professionals – the first of it’s kind on Long Island, NY.

The Dog Training Seminar and Mastermind event is taking place on Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 12:30pm- 5pm at the UpSky Hotel (formerly the Sheraton) in Hauppauge, N.Y. which is also a pet friendly hotel.

The event will be perfect for seasoned dog trainers, those thinking of adding dog-training services to their businesses or becoming a dog trainer to attend.  It will also be great networking for other pet professionals who are looking to meet and align with dog trainers.

For the first part of the afternoon, RSVP’d attendees can check in from 12:30pm to 1pm and then from 1pm – 3pm there will be expert professional dog trainers who have are successful in the dog-training industry speaking about:

  • Bringing your Dog Training Business to the Next Level
  • Professionalism and the dog training industry (how you can improve and help the industry as a whole)!
  • Working together not against each other. :)
  • How to get and keep more business.

Speakers including: Andrea Arden of Andrea Arden Dog Training who is a successful professional dog trainer, author and TV dog expert; and Frank Bonomo of Best Friends Dog Training who has been in the professional dog-training world for years. Frank has also mentored many dog training apprentices who now have their own successful businesses.  You may have seen Andrea on the Today Show recentely, regularly on Animal Planet and more!

A big thanks to The Company of Animals for being contributors to this event.  Their dog training products are all about strengthening communication and bond between man and dog.  Their tools make training approachable and are great for trainers and pet parents.  Visit their website to learn more!


While dog trainers regularly attend our networking events, many of our dog trainers have asked for an event dedicated to just their part of the pet industry. Since dog training is also one of my passions – it is exciting to see this event come together.  The caliber of our professional speakers and roundtable experts will help everyone who comes to this event be better in their chosen profession of dog training.  One of the goals of the event is to unite many dog trainers who may have just thought of each other as competition – we all know that working together for one common cause is better, and we all want better trained dogs and better trained pet parents! ~ Nancy Hassel.

Dog training professionals and those aspiring to start in this field will learn how connect and work together with other dog trainers, to expand their businesses to the next level and become a stronger community after this event.  Just like in the dog park, we want our dogs to get along as do we want our dog trainers to learn from each other!

A networking break at 3pm to 3:30pm with food and refreshments will take place and the rest of the afternoon will be dedicated to roundtable/mastermind sessions, networking and any remaining Q&A. Registration or check in for this event is from 12:30pm – 1pm, you must be RSVP ahead of time (or extra $10 at the door and cash only at the door.)

To RSVP for this event click here!


Comments Off
20 Jan 15

The fur is flying! ...

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

The blur of fur flies past you, dogs racing over jumps, crashing onto the box and catching a tennis ball and flying back down over the jumps as the next dog hurdles past for his turn. Cheering from the crowd and handlers, dogs barking and squealing with excitement can be deafening, but the noise drowns away as you watch flyball in amazement.

The relay race for dogs, known as flyball will amaze the on looker, average dog owner and seasoned dog professional alike.  My question has always been, how do they get the dogs to fly past each other, over that last or first hurdle depending on which direction they are going?  They can easly skip the hurdles, but they don’t.  Flyball, like agility takes training and a lot of practice.  But if you have ever witnessed it in person you can see how much the dogs absolutely love it, and any breed, mixed breed, little dog, big dog – it doesn’t matter.

Recently, Family Pet Shows Greater Philadelphia Pet Expo hosted their first Flyball tournament during their pet expo.  The tournament was run by Team Hard Drive and during the weekend event they had 27 teams compete from all over the tri-state area.

Andy and Kris Patzer, the husband and wife co-captians for Team Hard Drive Flyball did a great job with the tournament and plan to be back at the expo next year!  I wanted to know more about the sport and interviewed Kris, in addition there is a video of the event below too!

LIPP: What do Novice dog owners who want to get into flyball do?  Is there a national association, do they look for local clubs, etc.?

Kris: “North American Flyball Association is the organization that we race under. They have a web site www.flyball.org that has information about the sport and also a tab FLYBALL LOCATOR that lists flyball clubs all over the counrty so that someone can find a club near them.”


LIPP: About how long does it take to train a new dog for flyball?
Kris: “At least one year but usually closer to 2 years. Every dog is different.”

LIPP: I love that flyball seems to have every breed, mixed breed and size that compete.  What is the most amazing transformation of a dog (perhaps a shelter dog that was shut down – that is now a flyball champ) you have seen since they are now doing flyball?

Kris: “There are so many success stories of how flyball  have helped dogs with social/behavioral issues. Our team members the Zeamers contacted a shelter out in western PA about a border collie mix. They were told that the dog they saw on Pet Finder  was short on time so they rushed out, drove several hours and got her. They named her Gracie. I remember her first time at practice. Gracie was skinney very fearful and hid behind everything she could find. She didn’t know how to play. Gracie didn’t even know what a ball was. 9 years has passed since then. Gracie has been an amazing flyball dog. She has been handled by junior flyball handlers, helped train many novice flyabll handlers and dogs alike. She is out going, friendly, great with other dogs, a pleasure to be around.
Gracie at almost 40,000 points is a Flyball Grand Champion. Gracie is a champion in so many ways. Flyball has helped her achieve it.”


LIPP: How long have you been involved with flyball, competiting, training?
Kris: “I started flyball about 12 years ago with my very large Labradoodle Mick. A few months later I got my husband Andy involved after some protest.  Now we are both hooked and have a super bunch of people on our team Hard Drive.”


LIPP: What is the best thing you love about flyball?
Kris: “Building relationships with our dogs and the great flyball community. We have met so many nice people near and far away.  We’ve  had lots of great times, so many laughs.  We’ve made some really great friends and the bonds with our dogs have grown much stronger.  My husband and I have a hobby we can enjoy together.”


Comments Off
12 Dec 14

Ugly Christmas Sweater PAWty – ...

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

In honor of National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, Harbor Pet is hosting Long Island’s very first Ugly Christmas Sweater party for dogs (and their owners)!

This funny and festive event encourages pet owners to bring their dogs in their own ugly Christmas sweaters.  Prizes will be awarded for the ugliest sweater, most creative, best owner and dog ugly sweater combo and more!

In addition to the ugly sweaters prancing around, there is a pet food collection for North Fork Animal Welfare league.  Participants can purchase a pet food donation at Harbor Pet and a 10% discount will be given for pet food purchases made for the food drive.  Each pup wearing an ugly holiday sweater will receive a special treat from Life if Grruff and refreshments for humans and dogs alike for added holiday cheer!

A photographer will be on hand to capture pet parents and their pups in all their ugly Christmas sweater glory.  For more information on how you can participate contact Harbor Pets at (631) 477-1518.

Think your dog has the ugliest sweater?

Comments Off
23 Oct 14

Howl-o-ween Pet Parades on LI! ...

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com ~ All Photo’s taken by Nancy E. Hassel/LIPetPlace.com

Ahhh Howl-o-ween…where the adogable dogs and animals get dressed in their spookiest costumes to get their pumpkins filled with dog treats and win prizes for the best dressed costumes.  This weekend might as well be Halloween proper for pets as it is probably one of the busiest Pet Events weekend I have ever seen here!

For those of you who missed our Pet Events Newsletter this week, GASP, here is the run down of events.  Oh and please don’t dress up your dog if he or she doesn’t like it!

Howl-O-Ween Adoption Event
Saturday, October 25, 2010
10:00:00 AM – 4:00:00 AM
Brookhaven Animal Shelter
300 Horseblock Road
Brookhaven, NY 11719

Large adoption event at the shelter from 10am-4pm. There will be Music, Games, Arts and Crafts, Face Painting, Balloon Animals, and of course our Free adoptable animals! Come down and join us at 300 Horseblock Road, Brookhaven NY 11719. For more information call (631) 286-4940 Or email Ashely at aboyd@brookhaven.org.

“King or Queen of the Palace” Adoption Event & Costume Contest!
Saturday, October 25 (rain date October 26th)
11am-4pm
Pet Palace
500 Montauk Highway
Moriches, NY

Pet Palace in Moriches is celebrating their Grand Opening this Saturday with their 1st Annual King or Queen of the Palace Doggie Halloween Contest and Adoption Event!  Adoptable dogs on site, vendor opportunities available and FREE to attend with your best dressed or most creative pet in their HOWL-o-ween costume!  Click here for more info or call Kathy at 631-395-7328!

Suffolk Barkfest 2014
Saturday, October 25, 2014
12:00- 3:00 pm
Holiday Inn Express Stonybrook
3131 Nesconset Hwy
Setauket, NY 11720

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine invites you to Barkfest 2014. A Pet Costume Contest for Long Island. On Saturday October 25th at 12 noon bring your pup in their best Halloween costume and join with other best dressed creatures!  Party 105 will be broadcasting live.  Free event!  For more info contact Susana Rojas at 516-246-9740 or by email at barkfest2014@gmail.com.

Friends of Valley Stream Dogs 3rd Annual Howl-o-ween Party
Saturday October 25, 2014
12-4pm
Valley Stream Dog Park
Verona Place
Valley Stream, NY 11580

Help Support The Friends Of Valley Stream Dogs! Join us at the dog park for our annual Howl-O-Ween Party. Come see local vendors and rescue groups, participate in our doggy costume competition, and enjoy raffles and fun. All are welcome (you don’t need to be a member for this event). Costume contest will be at 1pm, entry $10 (free to members of Friends of Valley Stream Dogs). Party is free, Costume contest $10 to non-FOVSD members. Raffle drawing will start at around 2pm.  For more info contact Denise Accardi-Barnard at vsdogrun@gmail.com or call (516) 350-8737.

Howl-o-ween Smushed Costume Faced Party!
Saturday, October 25, 2014
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Petco
227 Forest Avenue
Glen Cove, NY

In Home Pet Services, Inc., is hosting their annual Smushed Face Spooktacular Meetup at Petco in Glen Cove, on Saturday, October 25, 2014, 1pm – 3pm.  Attendees can bring their smushed faced pups in their spookiest, most creative Halloween costumes! The smushed face pups can enjoy romping around in the meet up area, refreshments for humans and four-legged pals alike! This is a FREE event, but a professional pet photographer will be on hand to get pooches scariest howl-o-ween pictures – and all proceeds from the photos will go to S.N.O.R.T. For more info contact Heather at heather@inhomepetservices.com.

Little Lucy’s Pet Parade
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014
Starting at 1pm
91 Jobs Lane
Southampton, NY 11968

Little Lucy’s Annual Halloween Pet Parade taking place this Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 1pm.  All to benefit the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation! LL will have Entertainment by Mr. Beau Hulse, Costume award Prizes by Little Lucy’s, Great Merchant Raffle Prizes, Adorable Adoptable Dogs from the SH Shelter & much more! For more information call (631) 287-2352 or email littlelucys@optonline.net.

Live Love Bark 2014 Howl-o-Ween Dog Costume Party
Saturday, October 25, 2014
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Toomey’s Tavern on the Crik
251 So. Ketcham Ave
Amityville, NY 11701

We will be hosting our annual Howl-o-ween fundraiser on Saturday, October 25th (rain date, Sunday, October 26th) from 3 to 7 pm.  All dogs must be on-leash at all times. There will be tons of raffles and merchandise to purchase too! Raffles will be drawn at 6:30. The dog costume contest will be held at 4:30. There’s a $10 entry fee per dog. 3 winners will be selected by a special panel of judges! (to be announced!)  For more info contact Venessa Rotondi at 631-742-4491 or emaillivelovebarkdogrescue@gmail.com or click here.


Happy Howl-O-Ween Party & Open House
Sunday, October 26, 2014
12:00pm – 4:00pm
Kent Animal Shelter
2259 River Road
Calverton, NY 11933

Tricks and treats for kids and pets, raffle baskets, and scenic river family pet photos are planned for a Happy Howl-O-Ween Party & Open House at the Kent Animal Shelter on Sunday, October 26, 12-4PM (raindate November 1). Come meet Kents pro trainer and see our beautifully renovated kennels and grounds!  For more info call (631) 727-5731 or email Linda at linda@kentanimalshelter.com.

5th Annual PJ Village Spooktacular & Annual Fetch Pet Parade!
Sunday, October 26, 2014
2pm
Fetch Pet Boutique
301 East Main Street
Port Jefferson, NY 11777

The Parade is sponsored by Fetch Doggy Boutique it will begin promptly at 2 pm in front of Fetch. Judy from The Puparazzi will be there to take photos for $12.00 per picture; they will start at noon and will go till 2:00pm. Pictures will be done on a first come, first serve basis. Prizes for best costumes! Fun for all! Bring your pet in their best howl-o-ween costume!  The festival will have other events sponsored by the PJ Chamber of Commerce – so you can enjoy the whole day with your spooky pup! For more info call Brittney Pearce at 631-331-0965 or email info@fetchdoggies.com

Dog Days at Old Westbury Gardens & Costume contest!
Saturday & Sunday, October 25 & 26, 2014
10 – 5pm on Sat., 1 – 4pm on Sunday.
Old Westbury Gardens
71 Old Westbury Rd
Westbury, NY 11590

Dog Days at the Gardens is back this weekend. Bring your dog for an invigorating walk and healthy exercise at Old Westbury Gardens. Dogs must be leashed.
Saturday and Sunday, October 25 and 26, 10am-5pm.  On Sunday of Dog Days, enjoy our Fall Dog Festival! The festival features exhibits by animal welfare organizations, vendors, and rescue groups. Sunday, October 26, displays and activities 1-4pm, costume contest and parade at 3pm. Also on Sunday LI-Dog will be doing a pack walk during the event, click here for more info about that.  For more information about Dog Days or if you want to be a Vendor on Sunday – contact Paul Hunchak atphunchak@oldwestburygardens.org.



Comments Off
24 Sep 14

Total Pet Expo Top Picks ...

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Fun Pet Product finds in Chicago at Total Pet Expo!

This past weekend LIPetPlace.com traveled to Chicago for the trade show Total Pet Expo to find new, innovative, fun and unique pet products to bring to you.  It may seem like a simple thing to do, but in this 60 million dollar a year industry, I like to see what booth pulls me in!  Here are some of our top picks:

How fun is this double ended dog toy, The Bomber by Zues?  Made of durable natual rubber, it bounces, it floats, you can throw it, kick it for your pup – in two sizes, and while any dog can play with this – it’s perfect for the larger breeds.

Love these cat housing systems by Crijo Pets, they go beyond scratching posts, provide fun cat walks and so much enrichment for your kitty.  Perfect for you cat at home, animal shelter or sanctuary. All the products are made in the USA. Scratching pads are easy to replace and the systems are easy to clean!

Got a messy mutt?  This new feeding system is made from BPA and PVC free FDA food quality silicone in which two stainless steal bowls easily fit into.  The silicone is easy to clean, provides a non-slip surface, can be used indoors or outdoors and comes in many different colors.  Messy Mutts makes this product in large and a small size for dogs and is coming out with cat sizes soon.

The IndestrucaBALL made from mango wood with chips inside so it is interesting to your pet.  Perfect for some of the breeds that rip apart or break other toys easily – this tough toy comes in two sizes and is from Aussie Naturals.

Want to make your own chicken or jerky treats at home? Uncle Ulrick’s just debuted this home kit where you can make the treats in your oven in 3 hours vs. many hours in a traditional dehydrator.  But if doing it at home isn’t your thing, you can pick up a bag of their own line of Chicken, Beef or sweet potato strips all made from USA sourced human quality ingredients.

Love Planet Dog products, if you are thinking of the Holidays – stock up on these finds for great stocking stuffers or house warming gifts to bring to your friend or families house for their dogs during the holidays.

If you’re taking your dog for a walk like this adorable guy Oakley, you need to have a the new DoggieDooAll attached to your leash! The double ended poop bag hold has just what ever poop picker upper needs, sanatizing hand wipes right in the middle of the holder.  No more will you have that yucky, unclean feelig after cleaning up from your pet.  Great for wiping your pups drool and paws too.

Photo credit: DoggieDooAll product show from website.

To see more products and PICTURES from the show, click here!