PHOTO CONTEST: Share the Love with Valentine's Dog Pics!

Bouquets of roses, boxes of chocolates, overpriced Hallmark cards, professions of undying love and ... ridiculous and cute photos of your dog?

ONE winner will receive one FREE service taken off their next invoice, if an existing customer. OR one FREE initial cleanup (a value of up to $80) when signing on for one month of poop scooping service as a new customer.

Enter the Valentine's Dog Contest before 11:59 PM on Wednesday, February 13:

• Reply to this email with a photo of your dog and any Valentine's theme you like.  Whatever strikes your fancy and relates to love kitsch!

• Include the names of all dogs included in the photo.

This will be Big Business'sVERY FIRST MERIT-BASED photo contest.  We will judge your photo by its creativity and quality.  The winner will be announced on Valentine's Day via our Facebook page!  All entered pup pics are subject to inclusion on our website's Pet Gallery and social media pages.

Have fun sharing the doggie love!

Dog Digging Habits: Causes and Preventative Measures (Hiring a Pooper Scooper Can Help!)

As dog parents, we all know that there are few nightmares worse than having your beloved dog get loose or run away. Having a securely fenced-in back yard can certainly be a strong step in the right direction toward preventing such a catastrophe. But remember that you also need to keep your dog from digging under that fence! This is a common problem that we see frequently when visiting customers’ yards for their regular poop scooping. We always snap a picture and alert the household immediately if some rascal is digging away in the yard. And we always wish we could do more to help like, say, write a blog on the subject!

How can you know if your dog is ever going to be prone to digging? Many breeds are automatically predisposed to this behavior because the evolution of their breed probably called for digging as part of their job. They are born to dig! Such “hard core” digger breeds include dogs in the Terrier Group ( Bedlington Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer), the Hound Group (Beagle, Dachshund) and Sporting Group (Wirehaired Pointing Griffon). Other dogs are more “fair weather fans” of digging and are a little less aggressive with their escape attempts! These dogs include those in the Working Group (Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute) and Herding Group (Australian Shepherd, Border Collies.) . While this is not an exhaustive list, it’s certainly a start to understanding your digging dog and which breeds will be more likely to dig. Learn more at Petcha!

So you already know there’s a problem and now you need a solution. If you have the time, patience, yard space and wherewithal (if you plan on hiring a professional to assist) to train your dog to curb his digging habit, rest assured that it IS possible. Wag! says that “even the most determined digger will respond given time and patience.” The trick is to remove the stimuli that is driving him or her to dig (boredom, lack of mental stimulation, heat) and encourage digging in a specified “dig zone.” This dig zone can be filled with sand, dirt or whatever your dog likes to get into and it can be fenced off if you prefer. Teach your dog, with treats, toys and puzzle feeders, that this location is where they should go to do their digging! Be sure to give them plenty of encouragement and rewards. It will make your dog happier and safer while giving you peace of mind that he or she will not be digging around the fence that could lead to him getting lost!

Of course, this type of training may not be for every human or for every dog. You may not have the time to train or your yard might not be large enough to contain a dedicated “dig zone.” Or your dog might be particularly stubborn in this habit. What’s the answer then? Reenforce the fence! If your dog is going to keep digging there, so be it, but at least you can prevent them from popping out on the other side. Buried fencing materials for dig defense are available at most major home improvement retailers. Chicken wire is also an excellent option for shoring up your fence.

Whatever you choose to do, consider Big Business Scoopers or your local dog poop pick up and removal company, as another line of defense in your quest to keep your dog safe and contained despite all the digging. If we see any holes getting out of hand, we contact you immediately, with a picture, so that you can be sure to block continued and further attempts in that area. Together, we can keep your digging dog safe from harm!

Snow Policy Explanation ... Let It Snow!

Happy 2019 to you all!  Here's to another year of poop-free yards!  We'd like to kick off the new year by reviewing our snow policy. 

If there has been only a very light dusting of snow, we and our team of Scoopers can find what we are looking for and go about business as usual. But even when the grass is still visible in heavier dustings it becomes difficult to find deposits since they are lower than grass height. So if it snows much more than a very light dusting, we may need to skip that week's scheduled scooping as we cannot, alas, pick up what we cannot see.

When snow is already on the ground, though, we absolutely forge ahead as usual to get your yard all cleaned up.  The only exception to this is when freezing rain has created slick and dangerous conditions.  But most often, the issue usually ends up being the timing of the snowfall and how close it happens before your scheduled service.

If you decide to clean up during a week that is missed due to snow, please let us know and we will credit your account for that week.  Otherwise, we do charge your usual amount as there is a double job to do when your Scooper returns and it's usually under "frightful" conditions.

We hope this helps clear things up before the dead of winter hits!
Cheers,
Tina LaBeaume

POOlution: The Environmental Problem of Dog Waste

A single dog poop can contain millions of germs, parasites and bacteria that are harmful to human and dog health alike.  The Environmental Protection Agency places dog waste in the same category as herbicides, insecticides, oil, grease and other toxic chemicals.  And with the number of dogs living in America on the rise, with 89.7 million recorded in 2017, the amount of this toxic waste in our environment is also on the rise.  Dog poop that is left on the ground can be carried up in stormwater and make its way into our untreated waterways.  This poses a great risk to organisms that depend on those ecosystems as well as people who use them for recreational purposes.  In order to protect New Jersey's five water regions and has twenty watershed management areas (WMAs), and our environment as a whole, we must be more conscious about how we handle and dispose of our dogs' waste.

The first thing you can do to help minimize the negative impacts of dog waste on our environment is simply to make sure that it is picked up on a regular basis.  Ideally, dog waste should be picked up as soon as it hits the ground and this is especially true when you are walking your dog in your community.  But every practical dog owner knows that this just isn't feasible when it comes to dogs using a private outdoor space like a yard or dog run on a regular basis.  In this situation the best frequency of pickup really depends on the size of the space, number of dogs and humans using it and its proximity to waterways.  But the safest bet, as a general rule, is to pick up collected dog waste once every week.  This is what we recommend for most of our clients.

When we go to a yard for a cleaning we use 13 gallon trash bags to line a bin into which we deposit each pile of poop that we find using a hoe-like periscopic tool.  At an average stop we collect one bag and then place that bag into a second bag before placing it into the trash or hauling it away (either way, its destination is the landfill.)  During first time cleanups, like the one pictured below, and at yards that are used by three or more dogs it is more common to use 2 or more bags.  With an average of 25-30 stops per route, collecting at least 2 bags per stop, Big Business Scoopers alone uses 50-60 plastic trash bags per route.  Our Scoopers manage 17 routes per week over several New Jersey counties, bringing this total to at least 850 plastic bags used per week.  Of course, plastic is currently the optimal way to contain this toxic waste quickly and effectively, in order to prevent the spread of illness, but we do understand the implications of our business using so much of it.  Sometimes, it feels like we are canceling out the good we do of removing dog waste by also depositing so much plastic into our environment.  Talk about a conundrum!

We pride ourselves on helping create a world in which dogs (and their humans) can live together even more harmoniously by enjoying safer and healthier outdoor spaces.  Thinking responsibly about how we are impacting our communities and environments by how we handle dog poop pick up and removal is an integral part of constantly striving toward that goal.  And to that end, we are, in this 15th year of business, beginning to look into options for disposing of dog waste in a more sustainable and eco-friendly way.  It will likely be a many years journey of discovery along which we are sure to make mistakes and learn some stinky lessons.  But we feel that it is imperative that we always attempt to do our small part.

The options are many and varied for offering our customers greener options.  We can swap 13 gallon plastic bags for ASTM 6400 certified large compostable bags like those offered by EcoSafe or BioBag, which will break down after reaching the landfill thus reducing plastics waste.  There is a product called Doggie Drain that seamlessly hooks up to a building's outdoor sewer line, allowing our Scoopers to flush (with a hose) dog waste directly into the sewer system.  Some trail blazers in the pet waste removal industry, like Green Scoop in Ohio,  are partnering with local water treatment plants or companies that have the capability to convert dog poop into natural gas and electricity.  Then there are DIY dog poop composter products like the Doggie Doolie which could be good options for dog owners with a lot of property and an open mind about composting right at home!  And there are certainly others that we have not yet come across.  We hope to share what we learn here on the blog as well as on social media so please feel free to follow along on this journey and share your thoughts and comments. 

Here's to greener dog poop!

Best Tips for Keeping Fido Fit and Happy

Are the neighbors complaining because Fido barks all day while you’re at work?  Does he seem a little too busy when you’re home, delving into forbidden treasures and activities?  Is your pooch getting a little paunchy?  All these issues suggest your dog may need more exercise.  Here is how to provide him with the activity and stimulation he needs. 

Know your dog’s needs

All dogs need some level of exercise, but physical activity requirements vary based on breed, age and other sorts of characteristics.  Since every breed is different, you should become familiar with your dog’s exercise requirements.  For instance, small, sedentary breeds may be perfectly content lounging most of the day with a quiet stroll around the block or a game of indoor fetch stimulating enough to be fit and content.  However, working breeds often require substantial activity with some studies showing very energetic dog breeds thriving with over a 90 minutes of exercise every day.  Do you have a mutt?  This can make things more complicated, but listen to what your dog is telling you to know if he’s getting enough time romping.  If he’s acting up or getting pudgy, you should step things up a notch. 

It’s more than fitness

Without enough exercise, your dog can experience other issues.  According to some experts, without sufficient activity your dog can have increased anxiety, won’t age as well, can become apathetic, and may develop behavioral problems.  Exercise offers an opportunity to bond with your pet, play and work on any training issues as well.  If you struggle with providing a hardy workout, your dog may benefit from a backyard dog run.  If you have enough room for one, some experts point out an outdoor dog run is a terrific option.  It’s less expensive than fencing your entire yard, it’s normally secure so your dog can’t escape. Alternatively, there’s always the neighborhood dog park. A dog park is a great way for your pet to run around and socialize with other canines. A lot of cities even offer enclosed dog parks, which also helps with containment if your dog is a runner. Remember, if you do opt to visit a dog park, follow general safety rules and keep an eye out for aggressiveness in your dog or others dogs, and try to keep your pet away from an animal that appears sick.

Ease into it

Before you jump into a canine fitness regimen, Women’s Health suggests talking with your dog’s veterinarian.  Your pet’s doctor can warn you about any concerns regarding your individual dog’s health.  And remember, just like with people, dogs can get tired or sore from going at a new workout routine too hard.  Ease into your new workout program and watch your dog for signs he’s overdoing it, like stopping more frequently, an unhappy demeanor, or acting more sluggish.  When preparing for your outdoor exercises, also be sure you have the right equipment.  For instance a well-chosen dog leash is comfortable for your pooch and easy for you to use. 

Break up the routine

There are lots of things you can do with your dog that provide great exercise.  If you’re looking to spice things up, K9 Magazine recommends a game of tug-o-war with an old T-shirt, playing Frisbee, or doing some “doga” (dog yoga) with your pooch.  As The Bark explains, doga provides the added benefit of giving your furry family member a good onceover on a regular basis, so you’ll notice any new lumps, bumps or other issues. 

Lazy pups

Sometimes, there are other ways you can address your dog’s fitness.  If your dog’s breed athleticism requirement is normally couch potato level, you may need to simply cut some calories.  This can mean a lighter food, less snacks, or a reduced quantity of the same food.  You can also do simple activities such as hide your dog’s toys in various places around the house.  Just needing to look for favorites in new places is enough to keep a lazy breed busy and burning a few additional calories. 

Healthy and happy

 Keeping your dog fit is more than a physical concern.  Providing enough exercise and stimulation also keeps your pooch from becoming stressed and developing behavioral problems.  Get to know your dog’s requirements and then take steps to get Fido fit!

This guest post was written by Jessica Brody of OurBestFriends.Pet.  Top image via Pixabay.