Doggy Do’ & Doggy Don’t

Posted on May 2, 2013 by admin

Ohh you thought this was for the dog’s? Nope, this ones for you!!

Spring is finally here with all of its wonderful warm weather; and you know what that means? Time to take your dog to the local dog park! But first, there’s some info that you need to know and general rules that should be followed when attending a dog park with your playful pooch.

Do:

  • Keep ID tags on your dog at all times.
  • Watch your dog at all times for defecation and/or unwanted roughhousing.
  • Bring bags to pick up after your dog and if necessary other dogs as well.
  • Keep your dog’s favorite treats and toys at home as to not start any jealousy fights between dogs.
  • Bring water for your dog if none is readily available in the dog park.
  • Have your dog fully vaccinated and be older than 4 months before bringing them to the dog park.
  • Bring a canine first aid kit with you, your vet’s phone number, and the number of the closest emergency clinic.
  • Keep your dog on a leash until you reach the off leash area and continue to carry the leash at all times.
  • Spay/Neuter your dog.

Don’t:

  • Bring small children to the dog park as they can be easily knocked down or injured by running dogs. If child at any age does attend, they must be supervised at all times.
  • Bring a dog that has aggression issues towards other animals or people.
  • Bring a dog that barks persistently.
  • Allow your dog to stand and bark at dogs entering through the park gate. Call your dog away and allow the other dogs to enter with ease.
  • Bring any kind of glass container as they may break and injure dogs with its shards.
  • Bring a female dog that is in season (“in heat”).
  • Leave your dog unattended in the park at any time!

Also, please, always be observant of your dog and other dogs in the park as well. Are the other dogs Hyper, Rambunctious, or Clumsy? Then it may be best for your first timer pup to stay away from the group, especially if your dog is a smaller breed. Are the other dogs Shy, Reserved, or Fearful? This group generally should be avoided as they might react in fear and aggression if cornered by your dog, especially if your dog is of a larger breed. Are the other dogs Bossy, Dominate, or Overly Aggressive? Observe their behaviors closely and avoid these dogs as well; and always inform other owners, politely, if their dog is being too aggressive with yours.

 

 

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Every Dog Will Have His Day

Posted on April 23, 2013 by admin

Sometimes bad things happen to good people. And then sometimes bad things happen to good pets. Shadow, a 6 year old mastiff mix was abandoned at Willow Pet Hotel after their owner was arrested April 1st.

His owner, Brittany Ozarowski of Medford, Long Island; tricked others into thinking she had cancer and used the money raised for her chemotherapy treatment on a heroin addiction instead. She solicited money from strangers through placing donation jars in businesses, she harangued charity organizations, and even her own family was tricked into donating to her ‘cause’. The scam went on for two years until the kind hearted charities became suspicious when Ozarowski continuously refused rides to the doctor and didn’t lose her hair from radiation treatment. She has been charged with grand larceny and her court date is pending.

Though through this unfortunate circumstance, Shadow was certainly raised as a gentle giant. Despite starting to get into his older years, he is still energetic and completely lovable. He also likes to relax and quietly lounge around, which makes him an ideal pet. The second you see Shadow’s sweet, brown eyes you’ll immediately love him!

Now that his owner is in the Dog House, for the past 22 days that he’s been with Willow Pet Hotel, Shadow has been treated nothing less than family. Though Willow Pet Hotel isn’t an adopting agency, they have been searching everywhere to find a new, loving home for him. They even went so far as appearing on News 12 Long Island’s Dog Day Fridays in order to spread awareness about this poor pooch.

If you are interested in adopting Shadow, please contact

Willow Pet Hotel at 1-800-713-0283

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Is Your Cat a Four-Legged GPS?

Posted on April 1, 2013 by admin

Earlier this year, America fell in love with Holly, a Florida cat who lived a real-life version of the movie Homeward Bound. The 4-year-old tortoiseshell cat was separated from her owners while vacationing in an RV park near Daytona Beach. After a few days of searching for the missing feline, making posters, and canvassing the area, her owners were forced to give up and return home to their West Palm Beach home nearly 400 miles away. Holly’s owners, devastated, nonetheless assumed this would be the end of the story, until almost six weeks later when they received a call from a vet that Holly (who had a microchip implant) had been found—about a mile from the family’s home!

Holly was skinny, he nails were dull and her paws were bleeding; but, after a little TLC from the family who found her and the veterinary team who contacted her family, she was as good as new. But experts still aren’t sure how she and other cats like her navigate long, treacherous journeys home! Still, there have been many reports of cats that have been raised domesticated and indoors finding their way home after getting lost hundreds of miles away in foreign locations. Scientists have many different theories: they might rely on sights and smell to determine direction, or they might be able to sense magnetic fields like other animals, such as wolves. And cats like Holly might simply be smarter and scrappier than their furry peers. The truth is, there is a lot that animal behaviorists still don’t understand about out quixotic housecat friends, but incidents such as this are good reminders of how complex and resourceful our pets can be!

If you have a cat or dog, whether they are indoor or outdoor pets, it is probably best not to rely on them to find their own way home if they ever end up 400 miles away! Microchips, such as the one Holly’s owners got for her, can be painlessly implanted under the skin and then read by vets and other professionals in the event that your pet ever goes missing. And if you would like to vacation without worrying whether your cat or dog will wander off, why not send them off on a vacation of their own? The Willow Pet Hotel will pamper your pets while you’re away! Visit them online at www.willowpethotel.com.

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Is Doggie Daycare Right for You?

Posted on September 10, 2012 by admin

Leaving behind our furry friends every morning can be heart breaking, especially when dogs are left in an empty house while we’re busy working the long hours it takes to buy them their beloved Milk Bones! So it is no surprise that over the last decade or so, doggie daycare facilities have become increasingly popular among pet parents everywhere. The Willow Pet Hotel in Deer Park is one such facility that will provide your dog with all the pampering and play he’s missing when home alone all day. But, how do you know if it’s the right choice for your pooch?

1. Is your dog’s behavior bad to the bone?

Some dogs are perfectly content to lay in your favorite recliner all day while you’re working. However, single pet households with social dogs may find that being along 10-12 hours at a time can lead to some serious behavioral issues. If you come home to a dog that has had “accidents” throughout the day, or chewed through yet another pair of your gym sneakers, he might be a good candidate for Doggie Daycare.

2. Check out the digs.

When choosing a facility, it is important to think like a dog. If you were Fido, would you want to spend the day there? Are the facilities well maintained and safe looking? Is there space for dogs to play indoors and outdoors? Are dogs separated into appropriate playgroups? A good doggie daycare will provide lots of space for dogs, have somewhere for dogs to go outside for playtime and to relieve themselves and will separate dogs into playgroups based on their personalities. Ask if rest time is given as well. Extended play without rest could lead to volatile behavior.

3. Meet the Team.

Just like you wouldn’t leave a baby with someone you hadn’t met, it’s important to meet the people who will be responsible for your dog all day. Meet with trainers and other staff before you choose a daycare. Look for a staff that is experienced and well trained as well as caring and affectionate. Make sure they are willing and able to make accommodations for your dog’s specific needs, such as dietary restrictions. If you are not sure if your pup is a group play dog, bring him/her to Willow Pet Hotel for a temperament test and maybe a half day try out to see how he/she does.

4. Be Realistic

Once you have chosen a wonderful daycare facility for your pooch, it can still be hard to let go. However, if you have done your homework, trust that the staff really does have your pet’s best interests at heart, Doggie Daycare can be a wonderful experience for both you and your pet. Doggie Daycare is a much different environment than the living room sofa, and it is important to remember that after a day of romping with other animals, you dog might be particularly exhausted or even have a few bumps and bruises. However, as long as he or she seems content, it is nothing to worry about. In fact, your pet would probably much rather a day of exuberant play than being cooped up at home alone.

For pet parents in the Deer Park area, the Willow Pet Hotel offers all of the amenities above and it is a great choice for most dogs. Cindy, our head trainer is a Certified Master Dog Trainer and Behaviorist with over 25 years experience. She knows exactly how to design your pet’s day to keep him/her happy, healthy and stimulated when you can’t be there. If you think Doggie Daycare might be the right option for you and your furry friend, visit the Willow Pet Hotel online at www.willowpethotel.com or give the friendly staff a call at 1-800-713-0283.

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Willow Pet Hotel Named Best of Long Island 2012

Posted on January 11, 2012 by admin

Willow Pet Hotel named Best of Long Island 2012
Winner in Two Major Categories


Deer Park, NEW YORK: Willow Pet Hotel, one of Long Island’s oldest and most respected dog and cat boarding establishments, has been named Best of Long Island 2012, landing a winning position in both the Pets and Pet Grooming categories.

To qualify for The Best of Long Island, a business or establishment must be nominated, and then voting against the top 15-18 nominees for the qualifying category takes place over two and a half months.

The Willow Pet Hotel is owned and operated by the Rosenzweig family since 1969. It is a premier facility with modern amenities, featuring individual dog run suites which are divided into 2 sections; a 4’ x 5’ ceramic tiled indoor room and a 4’ x 15’ patio deck with a modern kitchen. The 10,000 square foot facility has central air, a separate cattery and exercise area for both dogs and cats and 24 hour monitoring.

Aside from boarding, grooming and day-care options for cats and dogs, Willow Pet Hotel also welcomes birds and other domestic animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, and pot-bellied pigs.

Willow Pet Hotel is the only pet boarding facility on Long Island that is registered and inspected by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture, Certificate #21-H-0306), and they are a proud, founding member of The Pet Care Services Association (formerly known as ABKA or American Boarding Kennel Association).

To learn more about the Willow Pet Hotel, please visit them on the web at www.willowpethotel.com or contact Marc Rosenzweig at 1-800-713-0283.

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Nominated for Best of Long Island: Grooming Shops / Long Island Press

Posted on July 15, 2011 by admin

PetPress2011_2012

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Summer Advice for You and Your Pets

Posted on June 28, 2011 by admin

Ah, although we had a very short wet spring, summer in New York is in full effect; temperatures have already reached the high 90’s in parts of the country, and at least the high 80’s on Long Island and it’s only June.

If you are a pet owner (and I assume you are since you are reading this blog), there are some things that you should be aware of.

Pets in Cars

Most pet owners (particularly dog-owners) will agree that there is nothing better than seeing their pet stick his/her face out the window, tongues hanging out while the wind hits their faces. If you are a going on a long road trip, remember to take frequent stops so they can hydrate and relieve themselves. Just because you are making great time to visit grandma in South Carolina and you’re not hungry, doesn’t mean that they aren’t; give everyone’s legs a stretch every few hours.

When traveling to other states, be sure to bring several gallons of bottled tap water from home for your pets; the water in other states may be sensitive to your pet’s digestive system.

IMPORTANT: Never, under any circumstance, leave your pets unattended in the car, ever! Think about the size of your animal and the toaster oven you are baking them in when you leave them unattended. Even with the windows cracked, the heat in the car can raise 25 degrees very quickly, leading to heat exhaustion or more extreme unforgiving consequences. Not for 5 minutes, don’t do it.

Shade

During the grueling hot summer months, your pets should be in air conditioned environment most, if not all of the time… but we understand that is not possible for everyone, especially if there is a block party down the street or your bringing your furry friends with you to the beach, on picnics or to vet visits, etc. If your animals are going to be outside, make sure there is a nice, shaded area for them to cool down; also make sure they always have plenty of water (especially the smaller animals), as well as a way to get back inside or under a cover.

Believe it or not, some animals are lazy and will stay in the sun. If that’s the case, it’s time to step in and be a parent and motivate them or manually move them; heat exhaustion and/or dehydration or even sun burn are large possibilities. Sun burn and skin cancer is typically more likely on those with a white or light coat/fur but all types should be protected. Yes, your pet’s fur is there to look pretty but it’s main purpose is to protect them from cold in the winter and from the sun in the summer; make sure your animals are well groomed the entire year.

For more information, visit us at www.willowpethotel.com

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Fleas, Worms, Ticks…. Oh My!

Posted on May 25, 2011 by admin

Fleas are always a problem. And although they are not as bad in the summer months as they are in the fall or months leading up to the winter, flea protection is extremely important. Several types of flea protection exists; external flea ointment, ingestible heartworm/flea prevention, as well as several variations and options from well-known brand such as Frontline Plus or Advantix.

When developed in the lungs, heartworm is a parasite that looks like spaghetti, effecting dogs, cats, foxes, wolves and several other animals all over the country. The life cycle of heartworm is somewhat complicated, but the important thing is preventing the worm from developing through the use of safe and effective drugs.

Some animals may be allergic to bee/wasp stings but in general, they should cause no more than a passing irritation. Signs of an extreme reaction include, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, hyperactivity followed by fainting or a vast swelling area. If you notice any of these reactions, take your pet to the vet immediately. If there is no allergic reaction, simply remove the stinger with tweezers. If it looks swollen, ice it as you would in any circumstance.

If curious George was sniffing around and got stung on the face or neck, and you begin to notice increased swelling, difficulty breathing, fainting or vomiting, contact the vet immediately!

Finally, like, creepy crawling spiders, ticks are arthropods; more than 800 different types of tick species exist, and some carry deadly bacteria and diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Q fever. Outbreaks of tick-related illnesses follow seasonal patterns (in the US, April to September) as ticks evolve from larvae to adults. They usually hide in low-brush areas so if you see your feline or canine friends playing in suspicious areas, remember to check them later or treat them.

Stay safe!

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