POOCH NEWS Edition 13 / 2015 1.866.933.5111 www.ThePoochMobile.com Is Your Dog’s Coat Shedding? You love your dog, but you don’t love the shedding! It’s that time of year again and although shedding is a natural process, all that loose hair can drive you crazy. Shedding begins as the weather warms up and can last from between three weeks to two months. During this time additional attention will need to be paid to your dog’s coat. This may include having a more frequent grooming service and additional brushing or trimming. You may find yourself spending a little extra on grooming during these spring/summer months, but to get rid of all that shedding and matting, it’s worth it! Your dog will look and feel better and you won’t have to spend as much time cleaning up all that loose hair that manages to get in every corner of your home. Depending on the breed, various tools and techniques will need to be used. You can purchase grooming tools such as slicker brushes, combs and de-matting/thinning tools from your Pooch Mobile Operator for you to groom in between services. Speak with your local operator today. What is a Hot Spot? A hot spot is a skin condition that occurs on a dog. It affects an area that has become infected or inflamed. Symptoms that a hotspot has occurred could be hair loss, continually licking and itching. Common causes of hot spots are allergies such as fleas, mites, insect bites, grass and food. A hot spot is usually quite deep in the dog’s skin and can also have an odor. Popular dogs that are prone to hot spots are; Newfoundland’s, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Bernese Mountain dogs. Signs of a hot spot could be: • Reddening of the area • Moist • Painful when touched IN THIS • Swollen • Warm EDITION To prevent a hot spot, regularly groom your dog, dry thoroughly after bathing or First Aid for Dogs 2 swimming, keep up to date with flea and tick treatments and treat any skin sores immediately. To treat a hotspot, you should shave or clip the fur around the infection Dealing With Loose, to dry it out. Hair loss is typical when this infection occurs but matted fur is common Aggressive Dogs 2 on top of the hot spot as well. Cool the area with cold water and cleanse it with a What Kind of Leash is gentle skin cleanser or antiseptic. Best forYour Dog? 2 You can try a home remedy using a black tea bag; this may help heal and dry out Is My Dog a Senior? 3 the wound. Soak the tea bag in hot water then remove it and allow it to cool. Apply the tea bag directly onto the hotspot for about five minutes. Repeat this treatment The Benefits of Owning a Dog 3 several times daily until the spot is dry and healed. Changing the Name of Your New Dog 3 Always consult your veterinarian if symptoms persist, they may prescribe an Become a Pooch Mobile antibiotic or spray. Franchisee and Change Your Life 4 1-866-933-5111 www.facebook.com/thepoochmobiledogwashusa www.ThePoochMobile.com + FIRST AID FOR DOGS +
If your dog is badly hurt in your home or while out and about with you, it’s important to know how to administer first aid until you can reach a vet. A first aid kit tailored to your dog’s needs can truly be a lifesaver. If you take your dog on frequent outings, it’s a good idea to keep a second first aid kit handy in your car. A first aid kit for a dog contains many of the same items it would for you. You can purchase a pet first aid kit from many pet stores which generally also include a booklet of information. If your dog is injured, approach him calmly and carefully. Don’t assume that he won’t snap or bite you – injured pets often react negatively at first to any attempt to touch them. Be sure to restrain them while you handle them. Talk soothingly and move slowly so he can see that you mean him no harm. One of the most common ailments for dogs is bee stings and ant bites. This is an easy fix in most cases. If your dog is stung while sniffing around, restrain him and remove the stinger either with tweezers or by scraping it out (moving parallel to the skin surface). The discomfort of bee stings and ant bites can be alleviated in most cases by simply cooling the area with ice and cold water. If they do start to swell then be sure to visit your vet. Dealing With Loose, Aggressive Dogs
Running into another dog while on a walk with your own can be quite caused him pain, he should avoid you in the future. This is an extreme a problem. What do you do if a loose dog comes over to you and measure and should only be used if there is danger of harm to your your dog? The situation can be quite intimidating, especially if you dog or yourself. have a small dog and the one coming toward you is much larger or aggressive. Ultra sonic alarm You can buy ultra-sonic alarms that can be heard by dogs, but not There are times when you need to deal with dogs who have owners people. This hopefully will cause the aggressive dog to get distracted that are either not responsible, or are not around. since the sound is not be pleasant to him. However, the alarm should Dog with owner cause no permanent harm. If you come across an aggressive dog off its lead but with its owner, Carry a stick then it might be worth having a quick word with the owner to suggest A walking stick can help your daily walk to be more pleasant and can that he keep his dog on a lead when other dogs are around. also be a deterrent. You can wave the stick at a dog as it starts to Aggressive dogs become aggressive. This can often deter an attack, and might stop the situation from developing further. If you are likely to come across aggressive dogs on your walk, then there are three things that you can carry with you to deter an attack. Call Animal Control Pepper spray Whatever tactic you decide to take, you should call Animal Control as soon as possible. The aggressive dog might be lost and hungry or it You can get dog safe pepper spray. This should cause the dog might attack someone who is not as prepared. Reporting a loose dog discomfort and stop any initial attack. It also can act as a deterrent might help it and save someone the heartache of losing a loved pet. from future attacks. If a dog recognizes you as someone who has What kind of leash is best for your dog? Dog leashes are available in many colors and designs, from charming to chic, and are available in various sizes. As with collars, the size of the leash is very important. Make sure the leash is the proper size for your dog and for his collar. A thin, lightweight leash designed for a little dog may not be strong enough to control a rambunctious large dog. Large dog breeds require a strong leash around 1” x 6 ft. The clip on the end of a small leash might break from the pressure of the metal ring on a large dog’s collar, which would allow your dog to run off. If you walk your dog at night, be safe and consider a reflective leash. When walking multiple dogs, choosing a double or triple leash attachment might give you greater control and make walking safer and more enjoyable with your pack. A Gentle Leader, which is placed over the nose may be a option if your dog pulls, as it can help take pressure off your dogs neck. The Pooch Mobile loves referrals and on-line reviews. If you are delighted with the service you receive from your local Pooch Mobile operator please tell EVERYONE. If you are not satisfied, call us and we will fix it. We thank you for your continued support and business.
1-866-933-5111 2 www.facebook.com/thepoochmobiledogwashusa www.ThePoochMobile.com Is My Dog a Senior? It seems like just yesterday when you brought your new puppy home and now he has just turned seven, where has the time gone? Reality is, our pups do get older and as dog owners we have to recognize their aging signs and adjust our dog’s needs as they do approach their senior years. As our dogs get older, we notice various changes in their looks and actions. Some dogs move slower, start to show a little grey hair, mainly around the face, and some dogs become hard of hearing. You may also notice they tire more quickly on long hikes or when they are playing and often sleep for longer periods. Therefore, as our dog’s age, they may require more care. Most dogs enter their golden years between seven and ten years of age, with large breeds becoming seniors earlier than small breeds. Here are some recommendations to help your dog age gracefully: • Make sure to keep up with your regular visits with your veterinarian. Your dog should see a vet about twice a year. Remember, the earlier you address any possible issues, the better. • Make sure your dog gets daily exercise. Even as your dog gets older, they need regular exercise to build and maintain strong bones and muscles. • As your dog gets older, their dietary needs change. As always, continue feeding your dog a high quality diet but it’s important to adjust his calorie intake. • Keep your dog stimulated, even if he wants to sleep all day. Your dog may be slowing down both physically and mentally but that’s all the more reason to interact with him. • Most importantly, be patient. Slowing down, dealing with arthritis, uncontrollable bladders and other illnesses are tough on our dogs. Shower your dog with love, even when he makes mistakes and accidents, as this is typical of our senior dogs.
Changing the Name of Your New Dog Adopting a dog often means a name change. The organization you adopted your dog from may not know his given name, or you may not particularly like his name. So how hard is it to change a dog’s name? Actually, it’s easy for your newly adopted dog to learn a new name. Don’t feel that a dog cannot learn a new name, and don’t feel that a dog can’t learn a name completely dissimilar to his previous name. A dog or puppy of any age can learn a brand new name within a few days. Tips: • Decide on any new name you wish for your newly adopted pet. • For the first few days, carry a pocketful of treats. • Every once in a while, and also specifically when you do want your dog’s attention, call out his new name and then immediately smile, praise heartily, and feed a treat. • Even if he doesn’t turn to look at you when you call out his name, repeat the above steps, and soon he will know that hearing that word means great things are coming, and he will respond as if that word is his own!
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Wouldn’t it be good if you were able to ‘try before you buy’ when it comes to taking on a new business venture? Well, with The Pooch Mobile you can! With our Manage to Own opportunity several operators in the last 10 years have purchased their franchise this way. The Manage to Own program is targeted towards people who have drive and aspiration to operate their own business, but don’t necessarily have the full initial capital to get started. Franchise finance packages are tailor made to suit your needs and the best thing is, no experience is required so it doesn’t matter what background you have come from. You are initially placed as a Pooch Mobile Independent Contractor, and are provided with all the training and support you need to succeed. We work with you to help you create and manage your own business plan and if you are dedicated, work hard and build the business, you could be in a position to purchase in 6-12 months. Richard Ellmers Richard Ellmers was one of the first people involved with the Manage to Own program. With no prior experience, Richard began his Pooch Mobile career as a contractor on the Gold Coast of Australia in 1996. After six months he purchased his franchise and went on to become a Master Franchisee from 1997 to 2005. After almost 9 successful years with The Pooch Mobile in Australia, Richard and Annie sold their Australian business to move to the US in 2005 and introduced The Pooch Mobile to America. The Pooch Mobile is looking for franchisees and contractors to join our dedicated team of dog lovers and to help keep up with the growing demand for our dog wash services. *Limited Manage to Own opportunities available Interesting Fun Facts About Our Furry Friends
No, it’s not just to make themselves look adorable. Dogs curl up in a ball when they sleep due to an age-old instinct We Care Dog Cat to keep themselves warm and protect their abdomen and vital organs from predators. Pitter patter. A large breed dog’s resting heart beats between 60 and 100 times per minute, and a small dog Bird Other______breed’s heart beats between 100-140. Comparatively, a resting human heart beats 60-100 times per minute. EMERGENCY #______1-866-933-5111 Your Local Pooch Mobile Operator Like Us! www.ThePoochMobile.com Save Your Pets! Feel free to cut out this emergency card, laminate it and display in the front window of your house; or simply email us your mailing address to [email protected], and we will send one out to you.
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