The Dog Whisperer Sucks by Jon Miller

We know that our customers and their dogs need more than just help with pet waste removal.  In addition to looking for the best pooper scooper out there they're also often on the hunt for the best food, the best veterinarian care, the best dog sitting, walking, boarding services, etc.  Well, when our customers in Springfield, Millburn, Short Hills, Maplewood, South Orange or Union, NJ ask for a suggestion for a trainer or a walker we love to point them to Jon Miller at The Comfy Canine.  Jon knows his stuff.  So much so that he was willing to take on the great Cesar Millan!  Here's what Jon has to say about The Dog Whisperer:

There is a recent segment from The Dog Whisperer that I'm sure you've seen.  It involved a frustrated dog owner and a dog with a problem.  Cesar came in with his camera crew, spoke to the owner and then then said, "Let's get to work."

By the end of the segment, the frustrated dog owner saw an amazing, almost magical transformation that brought such praise as, "I believe in the power of The Dog Whisperer."  So do countless Americans who see these transformations week after week, dog after dog.  This man, who in a recent magazine interview compared himself to Gandhi, has elevated his persona to the point that just reading the title of this article would bring anger, disdain and ridiculous accusations of jealousy of his success.

When one looks deeper, one sees that it is precisely these magical transformations that are at the heart of why Cesar Millan is a fraud.  It is easy answers that he is selling and when it comes to modifying behavior, fast results get short term solutions.  So what are these methods? He'll say that dogs are pack animals with a hierarchy and the human has to be the top of that hierarchy.  If you can establish that, you've got the problem solved. Any problem.

Say the dog's problem is barking and going crazy at the television like a dog in a recent segment.
Cesar immediately "tells" the dog using his powers that he is the boss. A simple touch on the nose gave her the message. "I am the boss and you are the follower."

What one has to ask are two questions.

1. What happened while the camera was off?

2. What are the long term results of what he did?

As for the first question:  On the initial meeting with this dog, they put the television on and they sat down. The dog walked into the room, Cesar touched her nose, the dog backed up.  Cesar tells the owners that from the first moment they met he established dominance.  

It is impossible for a simple touch to relay anything to a dog the moment you meet her.  When modifying problem behavior nothing, absolutely nothing will be accomplished the day you meet the dog.  There is no way to know exactly what he did while the camera was off, but to get such a dramatic reaction from a touch on the nose it must have involved intense manhandling and powerful displays of dominance to achieve what he calls "calm/submissive."

Question #2. What are the long term results of this?
Fast results bring short term solutions.  What happens when one does this to a dog? What is the dog's reaction to absolute domination and helplessness? Eventually she will be calm. She will shut down. She is completely at the human's will. OK, roll camera!

When a dog is in the "shut down" mode she is learning nothing. She is not being taught not to take a specific action, she is being taught to take NO action.  She understands that if she takes an action, she will be punished by this man. Therefore, whatever behavior the dog is exhibiting will no longer show. This is the "success" that he has achieved.  This dog is afraid and as long as she is afraid she is taking no action whatsoever.  She shuts down.  This leads to a frustrating existence for a dog that only needs to be taught that what she is doing is wrong.

So what are the answers to these extreme problems?  All of these problems can be avoided before they even come up by socializing the dog at a very early age. Taking the dog to the dog park once a week does NOT count. Saying "hi" to the neighbor's dog once or twice a day also does not count, and having a second dog that your puppy grows up with also does not count. These things help, but are not nearly enough.

The rule of thumb is your dog should be exposed to one hundred different things (dogs, people, new places) in the first one hundred days.  Unfortunately, a lot of people did not get this information in time to properly socialize or (like myself) choose to adopt adult dogs. It's when these dogs are not properly socialized that these extreme problems arise. 

In the last thirty years, dog training and behavior modification has advanced like no other time. There has been tremendous advances and dogs that would have otherwise have been put down are living wonderful lives with families. Volumes have been written on the subject and some excellent examples are listed below. 

Cesar's methods go back a very, very long time. I remember as a child my grandfather would hit his dog with a rolled up newspaper on the nose. If he misbehaved, he would merely have to roll up the paper and the dog would cower. This never stopped him from jumping on strangers, barking incessantly, destructive chewing or anything when outside the threat of the newspaper swat to the nose. 

When a dog has an extreme behavior it is because that behavior was allowed to happen. She believes that what she is doing is the the correct way to behave. It took a long time for her to learn this and it will take a long time to incrementally unlearn it.

What Cesar does works on a short term basis but does not get at the source of the problem. What needs to be understood is that problems are minimized, not solved.  Sometimes they are minimized to the point of extinction but they will still always be there. To claim that the dog who snarled at Cesar and bit his cameraman will be able to be "cured" is unrealistic. The minimization process is a slow one. Each dog has her own pace and even though results cannot be seen immediately, when they do come, they are as dramatic as anything this magician has done and go far deeper in correcting serious problems.

Suggested reading:
The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson

Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor

The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller

Big Business Scoopers is very grateful to Jon Miller for allowing us to post this essay on his behalf.  If you want to learn more about his training and walking services please visit his website: http://www.jon.grandstanddesign.com/.

Interview: Melanie Pellegrino of Bichon Frise Rescue of NNJ

One of the greatest perks of running a Pooper Scooper business is that our customers consist of all dog lovers ... the best kind of person in our opinion!  And we love to get to know our customers when we can.  It isn't surprising that a good many of them have dog-related businesses of their own or contribute to animal welfare charities and organizations.  Melanie Pellegrino is one such customer.  In fact, she is the Director of a 501(C)3 Non-Profit Charity called Bichon Frise Rescue of Northern NJ that rescues and re-homes Bichons.  Of course we had to find out more to share with you:

BBS: When and how did you first fall in love with Bichons?

MP: I have always had dogs my entire life (mostly standard poodles and once a shitzu) growing up and while I still lived with my parents. When I got married, Sam, my husband was allergic to dogs so for the first six years we had no dogs. I researched hypo allergenic dogs and found the Bichon to be one of the best breeds for people with allergies. That was over 14 years ago when my Bailey came into our lives (he is now 14 and still doing great). Bichons are smart, loving, affectionate, loyal and very, very attached to their families. They love to be with people and other dogs. They do best in a  home where someone is with them most of the time. They do not do well if left all alone every day while everyone is out working. 

BBS: How do Bichons who need a home come into your care?  Do you work with nearby shelters to spread the word about your Rescue?

MP: The breeder that I purchased my “Bailey” from (and my other 2 dogs Cody and Dex) was the president of the Bichon Frise Club of Northern New Jersey. She sent out an email to all her owners trying to find a home for an 8 year old Bichon who’s owner had passed away. I took Maxie in and adopted him. (He was my first rescued dog). About a year later she put out another appeal to see if someone would be interested in taking over their club’s rescue program which is “the Bichon Frise Rescue of Northern New Jersey.”  As I am an animal lover and animal advocate… I decided to take on the job. The rescue is a 501(c)3 non profit organization that runs solely on donations. I am not paid by the rescue and all my work is done free of charge on a voluntary basis. Most of the dogs that I find homes for either stay in their current home till I can find them a new one, or I find someone that can foster them in their home till I find a permanent home for them. In emergency cases, I do take in a dog or 2 to my home till I can find them their perfect furever home.

BBS: What is the perfect home situation for an adoptable Bichon?  Or otherwise put, what should people know about Bichons in order to determine if they are a good fit? 

MP: Bichons are smart, loving, affectionate, loyal and very, very attached to their families. They love to be with people and other dogs. Most are very good with kids and other animals. They do best in a home where someone is with them most of the time. They do not do well if left all alone every day while everyone is out working. They can be difficult to house train (especially the males) and require a lot of work with them in the beginning when puppies. Also, if they are not neutered early (before puberty at 6 months) they may start to leg lift and mark territory. Bichon owners must be willing to be vigilant with training… and even in some cases, have their male dogs wear a “Belly Band” (amle diaper) when they are gone for longer periods of time or overnight. They are also a big dog personality in a little dog body. So they are not typical "yappy little dogs" and are very confident and happy. They also have double coats… which require professional grooming at least every 6 weeks (I have mine groomed every 3) which can cost $60-$70 per grooming. They need to be brushed or combed out a few times a week or they get matted. So this is not the type of dog that can just “jump in the pool” or be washed in the tub… Grooming needs are high for this breed. 

BBS: Walk us through the process of adopting one of your rescued Bichons - point A to Z.

MP: My dogs are posted on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BichonFriseRescueOfNNJ.  

As well as 6 or 7 other adoption sites online. One of them being Petfinder https://www.petfinder.com//pet-search?shelter_id=NJ23.

Once someone responds to our sites or Facebook page they are asked to fill out an application at our website which is http://www.bichonrescuenj.com.

I review all applications to find the best fit for the dog in question. Those that are approved are contacted and asked to send us Home Check videos via email or text showing all the rooms in their home, their back and front yards and any fencing in the yard. I also call the applicant’s previous or current vet for reference on how they have taken care of their previous pets. From there I narrow down to the perfect family or person for that particular dog. They then sign an adoption contract on the same day that they meet the dog (as long as the meeting goes well.) They give us an adoption donation and then take the dog home with them. During the first few weeks and months we ask them to check in with us the first few days… then each week for at leasts a month to assure the dog is adjusting well and to get updates on the dog. If there is ever a case where the situation does not work out, our contracts state that they MUST return the dog to ONLY ME! They are not permitted to dump the dog in a shelter or have the dog euthanized without our consent (even for medical issues). 

BBS: In addition to directing the Rescue, you are a Bichon mom!  Tell us a little about your crew and how you keep yourself from adopting all of them! :-)

MP: Well my crew currently consists of 4 of my own and 4 that ended up becoming mine (we call those foster failures). Dogs that I couldn’t place anywhere due to medical issues or behavioral issues that I felt I would be best suited to handle. They are all happy and I have worked to get rid of their issues with training and medical care. My original 4 are Bailey, Cody, Dex and Maxie. The permanent fosters are Mambo, Charlie, Sugar and Shallbe. Most of these are senior dogs.  With the exception of Charlie they are all between the ages of 10-14. I know that I can’t adopt them all (although my husband would love to take them all in… more about that later on.) So I am very strict about any foster I take in personally myself… must be adopted out before I can take in another one here. 

BBS: What are your future plans or wildest dreams for what you’d like the Rescue to accomplish?

MP: My husband and I are currently looking for ranch/farm property in western or north western NJ (Sussex, Warren, Morris or Northern Hunterdon County) so that we can open a RESCUE RANCH… I never want to have to turn away another dog due to space restrictions or have to scramble to find a foster for a dog in emergency situations. I want to be able to not only rescue small breed dogs but also horses and other farm animals. This is our dream and we are avidly searching now as we speak. We hope to find something in the next year or less if possible. 

As stated we are a 501(C)3 Rescue and rely on donations to save the dogs we do. Many of these dogs require extensive medical care, dentals, neuter or spay, updating of vaccines, check ups and other vet procedures. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to our rescue the info is below:

You can make a donation via credit or debit card securely at our PayPal Link:  

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=VFVJTB2N3Z4G6

You can also send a check to: 

    Bichon Frise Rescue of Northern NJ

    PO Box 136

    East Hanover, NJ 07936

If you shop at Amazon you can also make a difference by going thru their charity site:

Smile.Amazon.com which is the same Amazon with the Same prices and merchandise, however all sales will have 1/2 of a percent donated back to us. You MUST make sure you designate Bichon Frise Rescue of Northern New Jersey, Inc  as your Charity of Choice.

Here is the link:  https://smile.amazon.com/ref=smi_ext_fbp_lds_smi

Interview: Erin Moffatt of Poop Heart

People frequently take stock and ask themselves, "What's missing in my life?"  For Erin Moffatt the answer to that question was, one day: humorous, inoffensive and pretty art for her bathroom.  Unable to find anything on the market that quite suited her needs, Erin decided to take the matter into her own creative hands.  And thus was born Poop Heart.  All images featured on Poop Heart products, which range from greeting cards to baby clothes, are designed and hand drawn by Erin then created using mixed media.  The result is, in our opinion, spot on!  

And yes, there is a pooping dog available!  IN FACT: Erin has been super duper pooper scooper awesome enough to GIVE AWAY not only an 8x10 signed dog pooping print but also a set of 10 Poop Heart greeting cards: five elephants and five unicorns.  Dog print and greeting cards shown in pictures below.  And details for entering the giveaway included at the end of this post.

Naturally, in addition to running this giveaway, we needed to get to know a little bit more about this unique project (especially after we found out that Erin donates a percentage of proceeds to a very worthy charity...)

BBS: So you create poop-themed art that is amusing and surprisingly aesthetically pleasing.  Quite the niche!  What inspired you to start doing this?

EM: It all started when I was looking for some funny art for my bathroom but I couldn't find anything I liked. I wanted something that would make you smile but still be pretty to look at and Poop Heart was born. I make each image by hand using recycled paper and then digitize it to create pooptastic products!

BBS: 1 in 3 people don’t have access to a toilet.  That is one of several incredible and awful facts that we learned from you regarding safe water and sanitation around the world.  Please tell us more about how you became involved with CAWST and what they’re doing to improve our world.

EM: The lack of toilets and sanitation is such a huge global concern however no one seems to know about it. It is unfathomable to think that HALF of the world's population live without clean water and basic sanitation. Poop Heart is changing that by bringing awareness to this using humour; one pooping animal at a time. I was looking to support a charity that was involved in water AND toilets and *tada* CAWST; Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology was the perfect fit. Poop Heart is proud to donate 10% of all proceeds to CAWST. 

CAWST works with organisations around the world and provides them with the skills, knowledge and training to empower local communities to build and maintain sustainable water and sanitation systems. By working with the existing local organisations, this is how CAWST has been able to reach 13.1 million people in 82 countries since 2001. And they are currently ranked #3 in the top 25 charities in Canada!    

BBS: In making PoopHeart what have been your greatest challenges along the way (in the creative process, explaining it to people, etc.)?

EM: The biggest challenge was myself! I almost didn't create this company because I was worried about what other people would think. Then I decided screw it I'm doing it anyways. I'm a mechanical engineer who loves math and spreadsheets so making pooping art was out of my comfort zone to say the least. When I was first sourcing vendors to manufacture my products I had a lot of confused looks. One owner told me: "You're an engineer and this is what you are doing? What a waste of your degree.". Poop Heart will not appeal to everyone but there is a wonderfully quirky set of people in the world who appreciate humour in unexpected ways and that's my target. Plus any parent who has changed a diaper. :)   

BBS: Are you in any brick and mortar locations or have any plans to be?  Any plans to take the world by a shit storm with an appearance on Shark Tank or other program?

I just finished a successful Kickstarter campaign and I'm using the funds to order inventory so that I can start selling online at poopheart.com. I am also looking at featuring my products in stores and coffee shops so I'm open to partnerships. Starbucks I have some awesome mugs you would love. Call me!

Mark Burnett is launching a new entrepreneur show and my company was of interest but they decided to use only American businesses for the first season. No hard feelings but if you change your mind... Call me!

The best part about Poop Heart is the options are limitless. I will continue to design more pooping animals and add products. I currently sell baby onesies and kids clothing but they can't have all the fun so stay tuned for adult clothing coming soon!   

BBS: When you aren’t creating PoopHeart artwork what can you be found doing in your spare time?

EM: Besides math and spreadsheets, I am a mountain girl! I love anything involving the mountains from biking and hiking to skiing during Canada's long long winters. 

BBS: And now for a funny story.  We love ending interviews by hearing the funniest thing that has happened to you in the process of creating and working with this business.  When dealing with poop … there’s always bound to be something!  Please share.

EM: My favourite story is from a friend of mine who bought the pooping unicorn print for her 5 year old daughter's room. One day she came home from work and her daughter proudly showed her a new drawing she made... a cow pooping hearts! For the record I haven't made a pooping cow yet so that was all her artistic creation! Poop Heart is already infiltrating the minds of the next generation... which means more people passionate about poop and hopefully resulting in everyone across the globe having access clean water and sanitation! 

We are so grateful to Erin for sharing her story with us!  We know a person or two for whom a Poop Heart piece would be a perfect and unique gift.  And we bet you do too ;-)  Please visit www.poopheart.com to see the full line of Erin's products.  You can also like Poop Heart on Facebook.  And if you are interested in supporting CAWST in its mission to create a world where people have the opportunity to succeed because their basic water and sanitation needs have been met you can take action by visiting their site here.

To be eligible to WIN the dog print and the greeting cards please go to Big Business Scoopers' Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bigbusinessscoopers/.  The giveaway will be pinned at the top of the page while it is running.  Simply like that post by 9PM EST on Thursday, September 15, 2016 to enter!  U.S. residents only.  Good luck!

Why Hire Us?: Dog Poop Destroys Your Lawn

Your lawn needs nitrogen to be healthy.  Dog waste is rich in nitrogen.  Yes, both your dog's pee and poop is very rich in something ... nitrogen.  Which your lawn needs.  Well done, pooches!  And thank you for the generous gifts of nitrogen-filled poop that you daily bestow upon the lawn!  Because it must be good for the lawn, then, right?  Right??  Not so fast!

The observant dog owner may notice that dog waste actually produces dead or burn spots all over the lawn.  That is because dog waste is just a little TOO rich in nitrogen.  All plants need this building block in order to thrive but according to GreenerGreenGrass Organic Lawn Care Blog "too much nitrogen can cause a 'burning' effect, killing the grass."  So no, Sir Jowlfrey Farquat, you are doing no one any great favor.  Sorry.

Dog urine does the most damage to lawns because it is often "bestowed" in a very concentrated area (especially by dogs who squat.)  And because of it's liquid form, it dissolves and does its damage very quickly.  Luckily, dog poop is a little less harmful because it takes longer to break down and deposit its nitrogen into your lawn.  But on the other hand, it starves the grass below it of both air and sunlight until it is removed.

Dr. Steve Thompson, DVM, wrote an in depth article about dog-caused lawn burn for Canine Practice.  His focus, though, is on urine as he notes: "Since stools are usually solid, owners have the option of frequent manual removal. With more time for the nitrogen waste to dissolve into the lawn, stools that are frequently removed damage lawns less than urine."  We have witnessed this throughout our years as Professional Pooper Scoopers.  Spots that are browned and dried underneath a pile of poop one week look significantly healthier and recovered the next.  They just needed a breather!

So all you need to do to increase lawn protection against dog-caused nitrogen burns is to go pick up your dog's poop on a regular basis.  In addition to answering emails, cooking dinners, managing family schedules, taking the car for an oil change, planning that wedding, tending the garden ... etc...

Or you contact us to do it for you.  Your lawn will breathe easier and thank you for it!

Giveaway & Interview: Stephen Longo of The Fifth Paw, LLC

It's a fact of doggie life.  Dogs poop.  Everywhere.  Big Business Scoopers can help out when that poop is on your lawn.  But we can't follow you and help you out when you and your best friend go on walks.  Enter The Fifth Paw: "The Hands-Free Dog Poop Carrier That Gives You the Freedom to Love Walking your Dog Again!"  Stephen Longo, CEO and Creator of The Fifth Paw, recognized that the least enjoyable part of a dog walk is carrying and juggling one (if you're lucky) and oftentimes several bags filled with stinky, gross dog poop.  The Fifth Paw is an American made carrier that easily connects onto most standard flat style leashes and works with gravity to allow your poop bags to swing tangle-free while you continue your walk.  

Check out their videos to see how it works.

Not only was Stephen gracious enough to send us a Paw to test out (it is seriously magic!) and chat with us about The Fifth Paw but he is also GIVING ONE AWAY to one lucky winner.  Just visit and like our Facebook Page between Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 3PM EST and Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 3PM EST in order to be eligible to win!

Now let's find out more about The Fifth Paw ...

BBS: When did you first have the idea to create The Fifth Paw and what was the creative process like for you?

SL: The idea to create The Fifth Paw came organically really.  I had recently become the main dog walker of our Great Dane puppy Caesar, who can lay down some real poopage.  It was not long before the burden of what to do with the full bags of poop while out and about became a real issue.  Whether big or small, having to juggle full bags of poop while trying to keep a sure grip on the leash is not only a drag makes for unsafe walks.  I lost count of how many times I was in the middle of swapping hands on the leash and my boy would jerk the leash out of my hand (because he saw something he wanted) while I was juggling the bag of poop to the new hand.  Now add cell phones or winter gloves into the picture, and you can see the real need.

BBS: How does The Fifth Paw stand out from its competition?

SL: The Fifth Paw gives dog parents the freedom to be more in control of the leash, while at the same time keeping their pockets and pouches stink free.  The Fifth Paw can easily hold 4 bags of doody (more than one bag can be placed onto one of The Fifth Paws patented rotating rings)  Due to its ingenious design, it stays clean and tangle free thanks to gravity.  You can also hang a bag dispenser from one of the clips as well a bag of treats or you house keys if out for a walk with no pockets.  I should also mention The Fifth Paw is made right here in the USA.

BBS: This is an especially terrific solution for anyone walking several dogs.  Have you had any feedback from professional dog walkers?

SL: Absolutely.  Professional dog walkers have told us they love how easy & quick it is to clip bags on and off, but the bags stay put while walking.  It makes their jobs much more enjoyable!  Since they routinely walk more than one dog, they totally appreciate not stuffing stinky bags of poo into their pockets or knapsacks!

BBS: Tell us about your Danes, Chloe and Caesar!  

SL: Unfortunately, Chloe passed this Christmas.  We miss her very much.  Chloe lived for walkies! Caesar is still with us but at 12 ½ years old, his walks are much shorter now, although his poops are still legendary.

BBS: Are you working on any future inventions for pet owners or have any problems in mind for which you’d like to provide a solution?

SL: At present we are looking at introducing our own stylish leashes and collars. While The Fifth Paw works with most standard flat style leashes including nylon/leather/hemp/velvet (both 1-ply and thicker 2-ply), we would like to have our own leash, that way there is never any doubt as to whether it works with a persons existing leash. 

BBS: And last of all … we always like to hear a funny story.  And dogs always provide us with a ton of them!  Anything funny Chloe or Caesar have pulled?  Or anything relating to The Fifth Paw?

SL: Well the funniest thing that ever happened was when I was out walking the pups and Caesar went to take a poop.  I noticed something unusual going on with Caesars rear end.  Well, it turns out Caesar must have swallowed a paper towel whole (someone must have gotten away with counter surfing).  Imagine me try to control 2 Greats Danes while trying to pull a paper towel out of Caesars heiny, while he is determined not to let me.  It was like clown pulling a long handkerchief out of his mouth ;-)  Our neighbors waiting for the school bus had a great laugh that morning.

And that's that: The Fifth Paw!  From our experience with our test Paw we can vouch that this is the real deal.  The Paw is extremely easy to attach to a leash and once it is on it remains very secure.  It's a breeze to attach a poop bag and that poop bag then swings easily with gravity.  There is no chance of it getting tangled up and messy.

Don't forget to ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN one free Fifth Paw to test for yourself by visiting and liking Big Business' Scoopers' Facebook page by 3PM EST on Tuesday, September 6, 2016.  You can also learn more about Stephen Longo and The Fifth Paw by visiting their website, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

Interview: Kevin of Big Business Scoopers

"Oh, and by the way, Kevin is awesome!"  That's how many of our conversations with customers tend to end.  This exclamation is often followed with an anecdote about how much the dog looks forward to Kevin's weekly visits or a time when Kevin went out of his way to make the dog feel loved.  Scooping five days a week, Kevin visits more homes and knows more dogs than other Big Business Scoopers.  So we thought it would be fun to interview him so everyone can get to know him a little bit better :-)

BBS: How did you get started working as a Pooper Scooper with Big Business Scoopers?

KB: I was recently laid off from my job in the pharmaceutical industry. As the primary caregiver for my sick father, I was looking for something  with flexibility. I was introduced to Tom Watson (then owner of Big Business Scoopers) at the time through mutual friends and the rest is history. 

BBS: What do you like most about the job?

KB: I love dogs so getting to see them every week is always a pleasure. I also love being outdoors plus it's pretty good exercise. I also take great pride in the work I do.  

BBS: What are some challenges that you encounter?  Other than the poop, of course!  

KB: With Big Business Scoopers working all year round I'd say working in the elements poses the biggest challenge. Maintaining a high level of service while being exposed to rain, sleet, snow, heat, and cold really make the job challenging at times. 

BBS: You have a dog of your own!  Tell us a little bit about her?  

KB: I have an 8 year old beagle/American foxhound mix named Daisy.  Daisy is a rescue who I got when she was 3 months old. She is a very active dog that I love spending time with. I consider her my child and my world. 

BBS: Aside from picking up poop, what do you consider to be the most important aspect of the job?

KB:  I would say safety of the property whether it be an open gate, damaged fence, and anything that we notice that homeowners may not notice. I like to believe servicing our customers runs deeper than just picking up poop. 

BBS: When you’re not scooping, what can you be found doing?  What are some of your hobbies/activities, etc.?  

KB:  Besides spending time with Daisy I try and keep myself busy. During the spring/summer I play in a baseball league and I compete in various obstacle races including Rugged Maniac, Terrain Race, and Warrior Dash to name a few. I am competitive by nature and I love a challenge. I play fall baseball before switching over to snowboarding and I also play in an ice hockey league during the winter. 

BBS: And now for some laughs!  Tell us your favorite funny scooping moment or your favorite scooping pun (there are so many!)

KB: There have definitely been some funny moments along the way. The funniest I would have to say took place in Essex County 2 summers ago. I always allow extra time to play with dogs I encounter. I was just about finished when I noticed the chocolate lab (don't want to give the dogs name) approaching me with what I thought was a toy because that's what generally happens there. Much to my surprise the dog was bringing me a garter snake as a present to me which isn't a good thing considering I am petrified of snakes. I definitely panicked and made a mad dash for the family jungle gym with the chocolate lab (snake still in mouth) in hot pursuit. I was up there for quite some time until the housekeeper looked out the window and noticed me. She called the dog inside and I explained what had happened. We both had a good long laugh about that one.

BBS: That is hysterical.  We wish we had a picture of that!!  Thanks for taking the time for this, Kevin!  Happy scooping :-P

And anyone reading ... we hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about Kevin as much as we did!  Feel free to leave comments!

Pooper App is BullS**t but Pooper Scooper Companies Do Exist

Last week we started to see media coverage pour in for a new app called Pooper.  It's tagline was "Your dog's poop in someone else's hands."  The idea was that when your dog pooped in a public place you could log its location and call for a pooper scooper to come and pick it up for you.  Many started dubbing it the Uber for dog poop.  Newsweek, The Washington Post, Fast Company, Mother Nature Network and many more have covered the phenomena of this app (and/or how it turned out to be fake.)

We were skeptical that such a business could ultimately work.  (How could you keep the price low enough to attract users but high enough to attract would-be pooper scoopers?)  But unlike many, we were not very skeptical that such a business existed.  In fact, we were keeping an eye on it and requesting information about their progress.  After all, who knows better than we Professional Pooper Scoopers about how high the demand is for dog waste removal in a country where there are an estimated 70-80 million dogs in residence?

But, of course, Pooper turned out to be an art project aimed at satirizing our app-obsessed culture.  Does your dog poop?  There's an app for that!  Well, it turns out that there isn't.  But the good news is there is a company for it!  As long as your dog is doing his or her business on your property we will happily come and scoop it up for you.  No app needed.

Interview: Justyna Kuczaj of Waggin' Wheels Express

About a month ago I was driving in Livingston on a poop scooping route.  At a red light I saw ahead of me an extraordinarily eye-catching oversized white and black dog.  Only it wasn't a dog ... it was Waggin' Wheels Express!  The number on the dog/vehicle was 1-844-DOG-RIDE.  A ride? A taxi?  A dog taxi!  I thought, "Well this is AWESOME!"  It's awesome for people who love dogs but are so busy they can't shuttle them back and forth to doggie daycare.  Or for people who just need a break or don't want to get their car dirty.  Or for people who would like their dog to travel in the safest AND hippest dog ride ever... Waggin' Wheels Express is an incredible solution to one of dog owners' many problems.  I had to meet Justyna Kuczaj, founder and owner, and find out more about this unique dog service:

BBS: What inspired you to create Waggin’ Wheels Express?

JK: People always say best ideas originate out of a need and this is how Waggin' Wheels Express really started. I've always been a big dog person and while going through my EMBA program while working full time I realized that the only way for me to have a dog of my own would be  if somebody could help me get him to the doggie daycare. My hours were/are definitely not 9-5: I leave for work prior to doggie daycare opening up (most day cares by me are only 7 to 7) and I come back home after 7 pm. So that's how I came up with an idea of somebody taking care of the pick up and drop off to/from doggie daycare for working professionals whose schedule is not really 9-5 (and let's be honest most jobs these days are not 9-5 anymore). 

BBS: What can clients expect when they make a reservation with you?

Our business is definitely unique and there's currently nothing like that out there. There are services in the city which offer transportation for pups but it's in a minivan usually with no crates, etc. What our customers can expect is a super safe vehicle (Mercedes Sprinter) with custom made crates securely installed (i.e. no risk of movement). Crates are equipped with custom made pads which are waterproof, non-toxic and offer superior support during transport. Finally, unlike any other dog transportation companies, our car is operated by holders of commercial driver's license as they are subject to stringent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations such as annual medical exam, drug-free history and no recent history of traffic violations and accidents.

BBS: Your goal is to make your clients’ "pooch’s tail wag every time s/he boards the … van.”  We love that!  Is it pretty safe to say that the dogs you serve are the best part of this business?

JK: Without a doubt we are in business to serve all these pups! We don't even see some of the parents of our customers as we do picks ups/drop offs when they are not home so our customer is truly every single pup on board! We have a great pleasure in chauffeuring all of our guests whether they are small or big. Sometimes customers call us asking if we take pitbulls, etc. which is sad they even have to ask this but we keep on emphasizing that we do not discriminate - we love them all. Our favorite part of the business is that through providing services to these pups we get to help homeless pooches as we match every round trip our customers take with us with a can of dog food. In 2 years we've been now in business we already donated approx. 1,000 cans of dog food to Mt Pleasant Animal Shelter!

BBS: What have been some of the biggest challenges that you've encountered along the journey?  Pun intended.

JK: The biggest challenge is getting the word out there about our services. Many people these days are still not even familiar with a concept of doggie daycares so they are having a really hard time understanding what we do when we say we take the pups from/to their houses to doggie daycares. Many people confuse us with mobile dog groomers. I thought the best way would be to describe the business as doggie taxi but then we get random calls from people in a local area asking us to pick them up (they searched for a taxi) and when I say we only transfer pups they tell me: "you've gotta be kidding me, right" and they hang up :-)

BBS: We love being introduced to dogs :-)  Tell us a little about Taffy and his influence on the business!

JK: Taffy is a very special pup! My dad found him at the mechanic garage in Chicago and brought him back with him to our then home in Pennsylvania. Soon after we got him my dad was diagnosed with cancer and passed away within few months. So during these rough few months all of us developed a special bond with Taffy. We would take him everywhere with us, even to Poland for winter holidays where we quickly realized he's not meant for cold Easter European winters. Taffy lives with my mom as I'm unfortunately not home too often due to work related travel. However, anytime I'm home I make up for that time and take him everywhere with me. Taffy used to come with us for pick ups and drop offs; however, because he enjoys barking at every single dog for some reason we stopped taking him with us because some of our customers were scared of him even though he's the most harmless pup you can think of! 

BBS: What are your dreams for the growth of Waggin’ Wheels Express over the next 10 years?

JK: Because of the convenience we bring to working professionals and assistance to homeless pups, I really would like to continue expand the business over next few years. Haven't exactly decided on the expansion strategy though....

BBS: And now for some laughs!  Tell us your favorite funny dog story.

JK: There's so many :-) Dogs are such characters! So many different personalities! I think my favorite to date was when one of the Bernese Mountain dogs we were chauffeuring one day decided he would rather sit behind the wheel than in a crate (despite the fact that our crates can even fit mastiff size dog). He situated himself behind the wheel and would not budge! His owner and 2 of us had to use lots of treats to convince him to take a back seat! It's also funny to see how pups stare at the vehicle (it looks like a dalmatian)...they usually stop and stare and then the moment we play our "Woof Woof" horn (yes we do have a woof woof signal :-) ) they start chasing us thinking it's a big dog! At least they are not confusing us for a mobile groomer!

BBS: Thank you so much!  Good luck always and see you on the road!

So there you have it.  If you have any further questions for Justyna and the crew just head on over to their website: Waggin' Wheels Express.  They are also on Facebook and Instagram.

PooPrints: DNA Testing Matches Dog Poop to Dog Owners

Tired of stepping in dog poop in your community and thinking you'll never find out who was discourteous enough to leave it there?  Well, there's actually a solution for that.  And some communities are already implementing "feces forensics" to catch "poopetrators."  Pooprints is the DNA solution for dog waste that matches un-scooped waste to the canine offender by sending it off to a lab for instant results.

PooPrints works by registering each resident dog in "BioPet Laboratories' patented DNA World Pet Registry by simple cheek swab."  When dog poop is left behind, it can be scooped and sent off to the lab.  Results are returned within two weeks and the community can then decide what steps it wants to take.  Often, residents are fined for the offense.

Who is using PooPrints?  According to their website, they are serving 1500 multifamily communities in all 50 states and Canada.  That's a lot of dog poop DNA!  They work primarily with property management companies and Parks & Recreation Departments whose goal is to reduce damage to common areas, attract more renters, prevent water contamination and more.

With coverage from People, NPR, Huffington Post and more, PooPrints can expect to keep growing!  It wouldn't be outrageous to believe that dog poop DNA testing will become a standard feature offered by multifamily community centers the world over.

But for those who, when stepping in dog poop on their own property, have no one but themselves to blame: have no fear!  You can still hire a professional residential pooper scooper company like us! ;)

Why Pick Up Dog Poop? It is a Toxic Pollutant

There is no such thing as green dog poop (unless it is literally green in which case your dog is experiencing a health issue which we will address in future blogs.)  In 1991 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified dog waste as a  "non-point source of pollution."  Your dog's poop is in the same category as herbicides, insecticides, oil, grease and other toxic chemicals.  So if you've ever said to yourself, "my dog's poop is fertilizing my lawn" ... you might want to think again!  

Picking up your dog's poop isn't only the polite thing to do when he does his business in public.  Dog poop left on your lawn is just as sure to pollute the ground and find its way to your community's water sources.  According to Zero Waste USA, "a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal illness and serious kidney disorders in humans."  Do you want that kind of bacteria lying around and being tracked into your home?

The good news is that hiring a Pooper Scooper company like yours truly is very affordable.  We have the tools, equipment and experience to locate and safely remove all dog poop from your property.  We bag and double bag dog poop before disposing of it.  And we sanitize our tools in between each stop in order to prevent any spreading of harmful bacteria, parasites and disease.  Contact us if you have any questions about the toxicity of your dog's poop!  We love to talk poop ;)