Puppy Scoops ice cream by Puppy Cake. We had two ice cream socials at each location with over 100 dogs each! We added an ice cream pawlor to our lobby, which has been a huge hit. And we offer ice cream treats as an upsell to our daycare and boarding guests. Maple Bacon is the favorite. — Krista Lofquist, Wagging Tails, Wolcott, CT
Products
- Open Farm grain-free food. They are a fantastic company that I trust wholeheartedly. — Dylan Giampaolo, Woof Woof Pet Boutique & Biscuit Bar, New Bedford, MA
- The Bear and The Rat frozen yogurts. These frozen treats come in single-serve cups, perfect for a summer snack. And the new goat’s milk formulas provide healthy probiotics. — Mark Vitt, Mutts & Co., Delaware, OH
- We did a monthlong promotion with Cloud Star biscuits that went well. — Keefer Dickerson, Nashville Pet Products, Nashville, TN
- Wondercide natural flea and tick products. — Doug Gronowski, Natural Pet Food Center, Orland Park, IL
- Whimzees potato-based dental chews (rawhide alternative) are our bestsellers! We position them in a large bulk bin stand provided by the company, right next to our checkout — the ease of access does all the work. — Charlsye Lewis, Metro Animals, Fort Worth, TX
- Our new Earth Animal Zen Pen did great, but our Pet Releaf oil and treats were definitely the bestsellers. — Tammy Vasquez, Bark Life, Seminole, FL
- Health Extension food and treats. — Brett Foreman, euPAWria Holistic Pet Center, Owego, NY
- Super Snouts CBD products. The $9.99 try me size (especially the Chill+Out version) has been blowing off our shelves. All we did was make a simple Facebook post about the product. — Sue Hepner, Cool Dog Gear, Roslyn, PA
- Fluff & Tuff dog toys … especially Manny Lobster! — Kimberly Barnes, New England Dog Biscuit, Salem, MA
- For June it was the new formula from Fromm Highlander Beef because they had a coupon for a free bag. I posted on Facebook and Instagram a picture of the free bag with purchase. We gave away over 125 bags, keeping in mind that it means we sold over 125 12- or 15-pound bags of Fromm. I love when Fromm does deals. It makes it easier for me to bring in people. Everyone should work with the manufacturers or distributors to get deals. — Paula Gorman, Pet Supplies ‘N’ More, Muskego, WI
- Stella & Chewy’s Raw Coated Biscuits. We had a manufacturer-supported promotion of buy two for $10. — Jack Carey, Food for Pets, Manchester, NH
Services
- We recently introduced a “scent of the month” shampoo and cologne upgrade (with the help of TropiClean) for our grooming clients. It’s also available in our popular Pupgrade that offers different al a carte services depending on the season and comes with a gourmet iced treat for the dog to take home after a day at the spa. It’s an easy upsell that makes us extra money with little cost to us. — Sarah Cordes, Knotty Dogs, Chelsea, AL
- We saw a lot of doggie-smelling dogs, and it was easy to upsell our clients on our AromaCare Deodorizing Shampoo from Professional Pet Products! Smells fresh, and really knocks that odor out of their fur! — Marcia Cram, Just Fur Pets, Springfield, VA
- Deshedding with Isle of Dogs Coco Clean shampoo. — Amanda Bowman, Fairy Tails Mobile Grooming, Cherry Hill, NJ
What’s the Brain Squad?
If you’re the owner or top manager of a U.S. pet business serving the public, you’re invited to join the PETS+ Brain Squad. Take one five-minute quiz a month, and you’ll get a free t-shirt, be featured prominently in this magazine, and make your voice heard on key issues affecting the pet industry. Sign up here.