Check Out the Super Pet Expo in VA featuring The Ultimate Leash ~ #SuperPetExpo

Calling all Pet Loves of the DC/VA/MD Metro Area!

I’m super excited to announce that the Super Pet Expo is coming to Chantilly, VA this upcoming weekend, March 15th through March 17th! Sponsored by Evo pet food, this event is perfect for local animal lovers who want to experience premiere shopping extravaganza and beyond amazing animal entertainment. Best part? The Super Pet Expo is not only great family fun, but you can bring along your furry family members as well.

Hosted at the Dulles Expo Center, the event will feature over 150 pet-related vendors! You’ll also be able to shop and see really unique entertainment, but there will also be adoptable pets, a special area for kid activities. Plus if you brought your dog, be sure to check out the puppy play ground where your pets can socialize. Better yet, parking is free!

One event I’m super excited about during the Super Pet Expo is the appearance by the tough guys over at Rescue Ink! If you aren’t familiar with them, Rescue Ink is a dog rescue group as featured on the self-titled National Geographic show. What makes them different? This rescue group is made up of tattooed, motorcycle-riding guys who have united to fight animal cruelty, educate abusers and help resolve situations other rescue groups are often unable to handle themselves.

Additionally I’m excited about Pet Pictures with Paws and Claws Photography! My dogs are just like family and I’ve always wanted to get professional pictures taken of them. Professional photographer Megan Baden will be at the Super Pet Expo snapping your pet’s awesome personality. What a perfect memento!

The show hours vary from day to day. Admission is $13 for adults, and $8 for children ages four to 12. Children ages 3 and under are admitted for FREE! You can purchase tickets from the Super Pet Expo website to avoid long lines. Leashed pets are welcome to join in the fun. However, retractable leashes are not allowed.

Interview with Bill Lynch, President, The Ultimate Leash

I recently had the privilege to interview Mr. Bill Lynch, the President of the Ultimate Leash! His company will be vending at the Super Pet Expo this weekend. If you attend, be sure to stop by his booth and say hi!

How did you come about the idea of the Ultimate Leash and the other collars your company offers?

The Ultimate Leash is the same leash I used while I was a K-9 Handler and trainer with the NY NJ Port Authority Police Department. I did some tweaking so that it would be adaptable for everyday dog owners. I developed the Martingale collars so that my private training customers would have an easy time putting it on their dog instead of the traditional chain collar.

What would you say is the main mission of your company?

The mission of our company (which is family owned by my wife Debbie and I) is to provide the best product at a reasonable price to dog owners. Our Grandson Bobby is now becoming a big part of the business and is very accomplished with helping people with their dog problems. Along with a quality product we strive to provide customer service that is not available anywhere else. For instance, should a dog outgrow their collar we will have the customers send it back for it to be enlarged at no cost except for shipping.

I noticed that your products are recommended by Police K-9 units. How did your company become involved with the law enforcement field?

As I said before I am a retired Police K-9 Officer and have been using the Ultimate leash for 30 years. Currently I am a field judge for Police K-9 Trials and supply numerous Police K-9 units with this leash. It is a proven product and has been tested by the experts.

Is there a specific set of products you recommend for the every day pet owner who is struggling with the dog learning to walk properly on a leash?

For dogs that do not understand how to walk (Heel) properly we recommend the Ultimate Leash and a Martingale collar. To properly train a dog to heel the dog must be kept on a short leash. This provides the best control for the owner. The owner must become the leader which can only be accomplished when they have the dog on a short leash. The Ultimate Leash adjusts to a 2 foot leash which is perfect for this. (If needed the leash can also be adjusted to a 3′ or 6′ leash.) We also use the Martingale collar which offers reinforcement for the dog to understand that life can be a little uncomfortable if it pulls. Our website has video demonstrations for the leash and collar: www.theultimateleash.com One person who wrote a comment about the Martingale Collar said “it was like have “Power Steering” on his dog”. The Martingale is very humane and is becoming extremely popular with dog trainers around the country. Our wholesale business has tripled since last year. Trainers are inquiring about the Martingale Collars at least once a week and especially after pet expos.

What is your favorite part about vending at events such as the Super Pet Expo?

One of the best things about being at Pet Expos and especially at the Super Pet Expos is that people can bring their dogs to the show. Many times people have problems with their dog and we can easily help them with a simple solution with our products. We show them how the products work on their dog and let them make a decision on whether the want to make a purchase or not. We are very interactive with everyone who comes into our Booth. We are low pressure in our approach to helping customers. We recommend to anyone who we speak with to look at what is available at the show and then make their decision. Most people come back to make a purchase. Eric and Liz do a great job in promoting the Super Pet Expo and anyone who attends the show will see a great variety of entertainment and products.

Now, let’s talk pets! I’m a huge dog lover, and currently our family pet is a loving little beagle named Mojo. Could you tell us a little about your family pets?

We have a Golden/Lab who’s name is Bear. Bear is 10 years old and is on the cover of my book “Woof”. Unfortunately, Bear has cancer and is not curable. He is doing well and still plays fetch longer than I can. In other words, my arm gets tired before he does. Eventually my wife Debbie and I will have to apply exactly what I recommend in my book to do with a sick dog. We also have 2 grand dogs. A Chihuahua and a Puggle. They are great dogs and have been trained by our grand kids.

Any current plans to expand your product line or are you working on any new pet-related products?

We are always looking into ways to develop new products. I am always asking for different samples from my suppliers and I like to tinker with them in hopes of coming up with something new. A few years ago I came up with a Water Bottle Holder. The idea has taken off and now I get the pieces custom made for them. A month ago I developed a “2 Dog Brace” which is used to walk 2 dogs. It has a handle and 2 separate adjustable extensions that attach to the dogs. They are selling very well.

Last year you released the book “WOOF!” Any plans to publish again in the future?

“Woof” took me 10 years to write. It was not a constant project though. I wrote it through the voice of 15 dogs. Recently it was nominated for “Excellence” in the category of “Dog Training and Behavior” by the DWAA (Dog Writers Assoc. of America). I have a couple ideas for future books. One would be a children’s book on various jobs that service dogs have. Another idea is to write a book about my Police K-9 career. My Patrol/Narcotic dogs K-9 Jasper and K-9 Buddy have an interesting story to tell. They have since passed but I have all my notes and details of every job we went on over a 15 years career.

Check out the fun commercial below!

While I was financially compensating for this posting, all opinions are my own.