About three years ago I noticed that my Maltese was limping. She was only one at the time, so I thought it was strange for her to have these problems at such a young age. I took her to the vet and it turns out she had a luxating patella which is a problem with her knee, and apparently is common in small dogs.

The vet gave me some powder to put into her food and in about a month I really started to see results. I was amazed as you normally don’t expect for those things to really work so fast! What the vet gave her was collagen and ever since I have been looking for an application in which to offer collagen in a happytails product.

And so it comes to pass we launch Joint Resolution an all natural herbal elixir that lubricates sore, aching joints through our blend of BioCell Collagen II, herbal extracts, and chondroitin. It’s perfect for dogs suffering from degenerative effects of old age, arthritis or hip dysplasia

Some history on arthritis and joint inflammation:

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis in dogs. Weight bearing joints in hips, elbows and knees are most often affected and the result in often painful inflammation.

Inflammation is the body’s response to tissue injury, irritation or infection. It’s the rush of blood and immune cells to a site of injury for the sake of repair and to signal the need for help. Related symptoms include pain, stiffness, heat tenderness, swelling, fatigue, muscle aches and spasms, and loss of function.

The most common inflammation is joint inflammation and an underlying concern is the impact of inflammation on collagen. This connective tissue helps support blood vessel walls and forms the cartilage, tendons and ligaments. Collagen is diminished with inflammation. A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacological and Therapeutics showed that collagen had reduced pain and lameness in arthritic dogs and improved the overall activity of the dogs. Collagen Type II is the most abundant protein found in joint cartilage that helps promote new cartilage synthesis and reduces oxidative damage to the joints.

The formula contains a generous amount of Hyaluronic Acid which is an important joint and skin nourishing element which promotes healing and skin tissue rejuvenation. HA is essential in reducing joint friction caused by the joint’s degradation of its natural lubrication.

We’ve also included a blend of herbs in Joint Resolution to work synergistically with BioCell Collagen II including boswellia, devils claw and licorice which all work to reduce inflammation and pain while dandelion is a diuretic to eliminate toxins from the body.

Benefits of Joint Resolution

• Promotes healthy active joints*

• Helps improve joint mobility and flexibility*

• Promotes healthy strong connective tissue*

• Easy to administer

• Liquid absorbs faster into the body than tablets or pills

• All natural- herbs are organic or wild crafted

• A side benefit of collagen is that it promotes healthy skin so

  • A dog may grow a more luxurious coats*
  • healing of skin diseases may be faster*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease.

To learn more about Joint Resolution, click here

BioCell Collagen II® is a registered trademark of BioCell Technology and is the only Hydrolyzed Collagen Type II preparation supported by US Patents # 6,025,327 and 6,323,319 that cover the use and manufacturing of this ingredient. Companies or individuals using any Hydrolyzed Collagen Type II preparation within patented claims other than BioCell Collagen II® in their respective product formulations are infringing on BioCell Technology’s intellectual property.

In the past you might have purchased grooming products to sell in your store or use in your grooming area, now, you buy spa items. You might be wondering what’s the difference between grooming & spa, and how can you explain those differences to your customers and justify the higher price point?

Grooming focuses on one aspect of the dog- a temporary external appearance. Spa (which is an acronym for Sanitas Per Aquas- healing through water) recognizes that beauty is much more than skin deep. So really, you’re selling much more than spa products, you’re selling a life style by:

1. Focusing on the inside & outside health of the dog - overall health can’t be achieved by just keeping your dog clean (although it certainly helps), dogs (& humans) must also pay attention to their internal well-being by eating a healthy all natural diet, like that from The Honest Kitchen , taking vitamins, herbal elixirs and herbal supplements.

2. Appealing to all of the senses - spa products stimulate smell, sight, taste and even hearing. Aromatherapy is commonly associated with the spa experience, and while smell is just one of the applications of aromatherapy , it is a powerful one.  Spa products generally contain essential oils, which are much more therapeutic (and expensive) than synthetic fragrances. Sound and music are also important and there are many CDs available specifically designed to help calm dogs like that from Alpha for Pets .

3. Taking care of the dog’s mental well-being - dogs get nervous too (have you seen a dog during fireworks or a thunderstorm?) Products like Sleepytime Tonic can aid in relaxation and is also wonderful to use during travel, before trips to the vet & groomer, before obedience school (so the dog is more attentive) and during thunderstorms.

Another important thing we forget about is exercise. Without lots of exercise most dogs become bored, lethargic and generally unhappy. In fact, Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, said that the most three most important things to give youor dog, in order of importance, are exercise, obedience and affection.

4. Caring about the environment - Spa products are typically more natural, healing, and environmentally friendly. Products that contain botanical and herbal extracts are going to cost more than those that don’t. Beware of shampoos that are pink, purple or other bright colors. These have coloring in them and are not natural!

5. Offering High-Quality formula - Generally those who create spa products go to great length to make sure that the formula is not only efficacious but safe and gentle as well. Harsh products will be irritating to the skin and will not take into consideration the PH balance of a dog’s gentle skin

6. Caring for the Dog’s Emotional Well-Being It’s important that your customers spend quality time with their dogs. Light a candle. pour a glass of wine (for the human, not the dog) and give a doggie massage. Moisturize those paw pads , condition that coat , and chill out while the smell of lavender and chamomile wafts through the room. This will do the dog owners.

7. Providing Excellent Service - Consumers who purchase spa products generally expect some personal service. You have probably noticed that retailers don’t sell Chanel the same way they sell Cover Girl. Cover Girl is a low-cost self- service line which doesn’t require a lot of explanation while Chanel, and other high end products, comes with lots of demonstration, samples and personal service. Some customers appreciate that extra service, and will pay for it.

In a nutshell- ‘SPA’ is much more then a bottle of shampoo. It’s about creating a healthy lifestyle and spreads across many product types- grooming, food, vitamins/supplements, toys and even services like dog training.

Product Ideas

Spa/Grooming
Happytails Canine Spa Line

Towels
Farfetched

Healthy Food
The Honest Kitchen

Treats
Dogswell
Music
Alpha for Pets

Spa Robes
Barking Baby