Chesterfield dog owner sells puppy survival kits

BY KATHERINE CALOS
Media General News Service
Published: September 4, 2008

RICHMOND - If Jeanne Willson had known then what she knows now, she would have had an easier time with young Henry.
He was her first puppy, and he was a handful.
Henry and his buddy, Jess, both mixed-breed Labs, made her wish for a puppy survival kit.
Four years later, she has created one and set up a Web site called Henry’s Backyard (www.henrysbackyard.com) dedicated to “digging up the best products for every stage of your dog’s life.“
“I put together these things that I didn’t have when my dogs were puppies,“ she said at her home in Midlothian.
“These were my first dogs. I learned so much. Most people don’t have that kind of time to research and pick out appropriate toys and products.“
Chewing was a big issue in the Willson household.
“I was buying them toys to keep them entertained, and they were destroying everything, tearing them into pieces,“ she said. She found a company in Maine whose dog toys were so strong that even a lawn mower wouldn’t damage them.
For the kitchen woodwork, taste-deterrent spray became a big help. For training techniques, Willson found a succinct reference booklet from a leader in pet behavioral issues.
A team of advisers and testers helps evaluate products. She weighs their evaluations with her own. “The ones that go into a product I’m going to sell have to be the top ones,“ she said.
The puppy survival kit, which sells for $89, includes a durable chew toy, an organic soft squeaky toy, a travel tin with pup treats, chewing deterrent, training spray, training treats, spa dog shampoo and the training booklet.
Willson plans to develop other kits for other stages in a dog’s life. A midlife-crisis kit might have items for dogs that have gotten a little bored or seem a little fussier about their treats. Senior dogs may have problems with their teeth and need softer treats. A first-aid kit may appeal to people who spend a lot of time outside with their dogs. Another kit may help overweight dogs slim down.
She doesn’t expect to sell the same kits to the same people over and over. Each kit has information on how to get refills from vendors. “I’m not looking to be a major retailer,“ she said.