Pet Products Review - The William Wegman Collection Dog Bed - Exclusively at Hilton Hotels

Every receive a package in the mail, a big luxury gift that you simply adore, and is perfect for your home and lifestyle.  Well, I received exactly this kind of gift from Hilton Hotels. 

You may remember a few weeks ago I wrote a blog post about the new pet friendly policies at Hilton Hotels.  I was impressed at the fact this team of busy executives really understood the importance we pet lovers place on the comfort of our pets while we travel.  Well they asked if I would test out their new and exclusive dog bed that is used in the hotels.  Well, I certainly can not call this a sample, it was a gift, and one that is thoroughly enjoyed.  What a bed!  Its gorgeous!

But what can you say, the bed and the entire pet collection was designed for Hilton Hotels by famed photographer William Wegman.  The William Wegman Collection uses Crypton Fabrics features a pattern of the cutest little doggies.  My photos do not do it justice.  Crypton fabric is super easy-to-clean and permanently resist spills, stains, moisture and odors. Bed fabrics Turquoise and Walnut and you can choose from three pillow sizes (small, medium and large). Each cover is removable and machine washable (line dry only).  Hilton Hotels sent me the Walnut color, and I have to tell you, I feel like a professional decorator selected the bed because it matches perfectly with my walnut bedroom furniture and blue Tibetan area rug.  

As for comfort, Champ climbs into the bed every night enthusiastically for a content night's sleep.  And during the day, the bad is taken over by Stinky my cat, who loves the luxurious William Wegman Dog Bed for hours.

Go to www.hiltontohome.com to see the entire collection for pets and home.  At $140 per bed, not only is it supremely stylish, its very reasonably prices.

If you have a product you think will pass the Secret Shopper Test, send an email to SecretShopperBlog@gmail.com

Pet Products Review - Orvis Space Saving Corner Dog Bed

Did you know that dogs sleep as much as 14 hours a day! This means that they sleep more than half of their life.  Some dogs even sleep more than others, especially large breed dogs like the Mastiff, St. Bernard and Newfoundland may sleep up to 19 hours everyday.  So when considering a dog bed, remember, this is one of the most important purchases for your dog.

For my dog Champ, I noticed that the dog bed I bought him a few months ago on a large web retailer, just wasn't being used. I would see him actually sleep next to the bed on the floor, and often curled in a quiet corner.  I wasn't too happy with the thin padding of the last bed and decided to shop around. Now living in New York City, space is at a premium.  We're always looking for products that incorporate style, comfort, and high quality.  Lucky for us Orvis had just the bed.  The Orvis Corner Dog Bed was specifically designed to tuck into corners away from traffic.  When I opened the box, I was pleasantly surprised by the superior quality and construction.  The bed has an overstuffed mattress and very sturdy bolster sides.  The fabric is a durable microsuede that zips off for easy cleaning.  The bed really is luxurious and at a price starting at $129, very economical. And knowing that every bed Orvis sells has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, I was happy making the purchase on www.Orvis.com.

Champ does love his bed.  Now it did take a week or so for him to feel comfortable sleeping there, but this is normal.  Its so funny to see him climb into his bed which is on the floor next to my bed.  You can tell he's very content. 

My only recommendation if you are considering this bed, buy it one size larger than what the website recommends for your dog.  For example, I bought the medium size bed for dogs weighing between 30 and 50 pounds.  Although 35 lb Champ fits in the bed nicely, I know there is not a whole lot of room for him to stretch.  A larger size may accommodate stretching and more casual lounging.

If you've got a product that you feel will pass the Secret Shopper Test, send an email to SecretShopperBlog@gmail.com

There's almost 400 Pounds of dog in my house right now!  

This would be OK if I had two Neapolitan Mastiffs that were sleeping like rugs.

BUT, I have a 1000 sq. ft. California Cottage and, one German Shepherd under the age of 10 months, 1 Border Collie just over a year, a Hound Mix, an AussieX, a Chow/PitX and a 6mo Pittie, plus one very old, slow moving Schnauzer.

Keeping play tame, furniture standing, and knees from being blown out is NOT OPTIONAL!   ...BUT it is simple.

When a new dog is thrown into the mix they get a quick lesson on home-manners. The rules are as simple.  There are 3 obedience phrases and 2 consequences.  I NEVER yell any of these.  I never threaten (everything has a consequence).  I am always right.

Commands:

Yellow Warning Light: "__dog's name__, Cool-it."

Red Light: "Too-bad."

Green Light: "Thank You."

Consequences:  

Errors earn a dog a 10-15 second time-out in a crate, bathroom, or tied to leash.

Compliance earns the dogs Praise & Freedom, maybe a toy tossed to them, perhaps a cookie.

THE RULES:

1. Bump into Kelley, get an automatic time-out:  "Too-bad."
2. Bump into grandma (schnauzer), get an automatic time-out:  "Too-bad."
3. Bump into furniture, get an automatic time-out:  "Too-bad."
4. Get TOO LOUD, get a warning.
5. Head the warning, and become quiet, get a green light to keep playing.
6. Ignore warning, get a time-out:  "Too-bad."
7. Play with anything but a dog toy, get an automatic time-out:  "Too-bad."
8. Go in the no-dog-zone, get an automatic time-out:  "Too-bad."

BONUS:  "PLAY BREAK"