The Green Leaf

Your Perfect Match

The Green Leaf Pet Resort & Hotel — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:13:35 +0000

This column by Green Leaf owner Shelly Leibowitz originally appeared in The Messenger-Press.

Welcoming a dog into your home is one of the most rewarding things you can ever do. You’re giving yourself and your loved ones the gift of a loyal, wet-nosed companion for years to come. But you’re also taking on a big responsibility – and you owe it to yourself, and your future pet, to make sure you find the dog that’s the best fit for you. Here are a few tips for making the right decision:

Do your research

It’s very important that your puppy’s temperament suits your lifestyle. Be honest with yourself about how active you are. If relaxing on the couch and watching Netflix sounds like the perfect weekend to you, you won’t be happy with a highly energetic dog. And if you’re more on-the-go, you don’t want a dog that’s content sitting around. Don’t just go by how your friends’ dogs act, do some serious research on prospective breeds– not every puppy of that breed will have the same temperament.

Test your breeder

Once you’ve decided on the right breed, it’s time to find a breeder. Look for one who specializes in the breed you’re interested in. Avoid “puppy mills” (and pet shops, which usually get their animals from puppy mills). A lot of these places indiscriminately mate animals to turn a profit, neglecting their animals and piling them into cramped living conditions that often lead to health and social problems. Ask a breeder lots of questions—how long they’ve been breeding, what the bloodlines and vet records are for the pup you’re interested in, and if you can meet one or both of the pup’s parents.

Get to know the pup

If possible, bring the whole family to meet potential pets. You never want to choose a puppy that gets along really well with you but is aggressive toward your spouse or child. Get the puppy away from the litter to best evaluate their temperament. You want your dog to have an approachable but not overly exuberant demeanor – tail-wagging confidence is good.

Consider adoption

Shelter dogs can be just as loyal and loving as dogs that come from reputable breeders, and many are purebreds. Adoption saves money, and could be saving a dog’s life.

And remember

Once you’ve done the research and invested the time into finding your perfect match, selecting a canine companion should be an enjoyable and rewarding process. Remember that there is no one right breed for everyone, the most important thing is to be committed to finding the dog who will best enrich your life so you can return the favor.

We’d love to see you at our Grand Opening!

The Green Leaf Pet Resort & Hotel — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:23:29 +0000

Save the date: Saturday May 5th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone’s welcome – kids of all ages, and of course the family dog(s)! We’ll have:

Refreshments throughout the day, including catering by Big Ed’s BBQ, hot dogs from an authentic New York-style cart, and bagels and coffee in the morning.
Doggie goodie bags with treats from Dogswell, Blue Buffalo and more.
Cotton candy, a bouncy house and face-painting by Tammy Cedar for the kids.
Agility and trick dog demonstrations by Speedoggie Performance Dog Training.
A performance by Derby and Chase, bat dogs for the Yankees’ minor league team, the Trenton Thunder.
A special demo and talk by a working K9/Police Handler pair.
A talk on dog rehabilitation and acupuncture by Drs. Pamela Levin and Rosalie LoScrudato of the NorthStar Veterinary Emergency Trauma & Specialty Center.
A frisbee demonstration by Sandy Walsh.
A search & rescue demonstration by Stephanie Dunion.
Photos by Chase & Snap Pet Photography.

And more!

We’re located at 23 Burnt Tavern Road in Millstone, NJ – accessible from Routes 9, 33, 79, and close to 195 and the Jackson Premium Outlets.

Got questions? Give us a call at (609) 259-1500 or (732) 845-3787 !

New Agility Class Schedule!

The Green Leaf Pet Resort & Hotel — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:22:06 +0000

Below is the new schedule for our agility classes, taught by world-class trainers Chris Ott-Parker, Jessica Ajoux and Frankie Joiris! To register, or for more information, email speedoggieagility at me dot com.

Show Handling Class – Tonight and Every Wednesday!

The Green Leaf Pet Resort & Hotel — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:22:47 +0000

Our very first show handling class is happening tonight, March 7, from 7:30 to 8:30 at the resort. Laura Kirk, an all-breed handler, will be teaching the class – she’s been showing dogs for 24 years!

The class is $20 per handler, walk-ins welcome. And if you can’t make it tonight, the class is ongoing every Wednesday at 7:30!

A Breath of Fresh Air

The Green Leaf Pet Resort & Hotel — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:01:53 +0000

Ahh, fresh air

When we were designing the Green Leaf Pet Resort & Hotel, the health, safety and comfort of the dogs was our top priority. That’s why, even when the dogs are snoozing in their suites (we don’t call them dog kennels because they’re not kennels – they’re spacious, glass-walled rooms) they’re breathing fresh air.

Our ventilation system constantly replaces indoor air with outdoor air, to reduce the spread of harmful germs.

And don’t worry – no matter what temperature the air is outside, it’s always comfortable inside. Each suite has its own temperature control – so chilly Chihuahuas can heat up and toasty terriers can cool down without disturbing each other. That’s not just luxurious by dog boarding standards, that’s luxurious by any standard – we’ve lived in apartments where we can’t control the temperature!

We’re All-Natural. Sort Of.

The Green Leaf Pet Resort & Hotel — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:11:41 +0000

We don't use bathtubs quite this large

At the Green Leaf Pet Resort & Hotel, we’re all about letting dogs get back to nature – to an extent. As all dog owners know, dogs sometimes have all-natural smells that aren’t so pleasant. That’s where our expert dog groomers (the best in New Jersey, we like to think!) come in.

And while great-smelling dog shampoo and other dog grooming products may not occur in nature, we keep it as natural as possible by using products made from all-natural ingredients – like the ones made by Isle of Dogs.

We had a long checklist of requirements for our dog grooming products, and Isle of Dogs fit them all: pH balanced for dogs; customized for different breeds, ages and lifestyles; no sulfates or parabens; and no synthetic fragrances or dyes.

We also love that the products contain organic and sustainable ingredients, and that they really leave dogs with shinier and healthier-looking coats. Naturally.