P O O C H N E W S

Edition 09 / 2013 1.866.933.5111 www.ThePoochMobile.us

How Often Should My Dog Be Washed?

IN THIS EDITION

Pet Insurance 2

Kids N’ Pets 2

Paws for Thought 2

Household Product Not Dog Safe 3

Safety First for Your Dog 3

Saying Goodbye 4

The most common question The Pooch Mobile gets asked is “How often should I get my dog washed”?

Think about your own hair. If you don’t wash it, what happens? It gets oily, attracts dirt and grime and looks dull and unhealthy. On average we wash our own hair every other day to keep it clean and healthy, so wouldn’t it make sense that our dogs coats will also need to washed regularly?

The Pooch Mobile recommends dogs be washed on a regular schedule, every 2 – 4 weeks to ensure the coat is kept in top condition.

There are several factors you should consider when deciding how often to have your dog washed which include:

Does your dog live indoors, and does your dog sleep in your bed?If your dog lives indoors and more importantly, if he sleeps in your bed, then you are probably going to want to have your dog washed regularly – anywhere from once a week to once a month. You probably don’t want your dog dragging in dirt, poop, insects and other grime onto sofas and into beds, so a regular wash will have a fresh smelling dog that you can cuddle without the fear that gross stuff is getting onto furniture and into sheets.

Breed of dogDogs come in all shapes, sizes and breeds – whether your dog is a purebred or a unique mixed breed, the skin and coat will vary. Some dogs have short hair and some dogs have long hair, while others have thick coats and others fine. Small dogs tend to pick up lots of dirt easier. If you have a white dog, you will notice the white will quickly turn a brownish color. If your dog has long hair it will need to be brushed and washed regularly to keep the hair from matting. Regardless of what coat your dog has, it is important to have your dog washed and brushed out on a regular schedule.

Does anyone in your household suffer from allergies due to dust and dog dander?If so, you SHOULD brush and wash your dog at least once a week. According to the American Lung Association, washing your dog once a week will help remove the dander that accumulates on a pet’s fur.

What activities does your dog partake in?Do you take your dog to the dog park? Does your dog play in the sand or dirt? Does your dog roll in the grass or go swimming or hiking? What about sniffing butts, eating poop or drooling?

Well, if you have a normal dog, they probably partake in several of these activities – all of which warrant regular washing every 2 – 4 weeks. Your dog will be cleaner, smell better and most importantly you will be more likely to give a clean dog lots more loving. Nobody likes to cuddle a smelly dog.

Does your dog suffer from itchy skin?Unlike humans who absorb most environmental allergens through nose and mouth, dogs tend to adsorb allergens through the skin. Weekly or Bi-weekly washing can help prevent itchiness as allergens are washed away before they get a chance to penetrate the skin.

The Pooch Mobile uses the very best in dog shampoos which contain natural ingredients including vitamin E oil, coconut oil, rosemary, lavender, neem oil, palm oil, tea tree oil, oatmeal and aloe vera.

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Are you a multiple dog household? The Pooch Mobile offers a multiple dog discount!

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It’s the difficult decision you never want to face. Your dog has been in an accident, or has been diagnosed with an illness. Your vet can help, but can you afford the treatment your dog requires?

In 2011, American pet parents spent $13.41 billion on veterinary care – up nearly 46% from 2006.

Pet insurance is a great option to consider ensuring you can provide your four legged friends the best medical treatment, should they require it.

With pet insurance your dog will be covered for accidents such as...

• Poisoning •Burns• Lacerations •Beestings• Bonefractures •Motorvehicleaccidents

With benefits for…• Prescriptionsmedications •Surgery• Diagnosticprocedures •Hospitalization• Laboratorytests •X-rays

PET INSURANCE: Have you considered pet insurance

for your cat or dog?

Kids ‘n’ PetsThe benefits of children living with pets

Most of us have grown up with pets and can’t image life without them: The cat that slept on our bed; the dog that waited patiently at the gate until we got home from school. And now some of us have kids whose pets do just the same thing.

Children and pets have a special relationship. While the pet is often entertained by having a child around there are also many benefits for the children in having a pet in their home.

• Children develop a respect for animals when they live alongside them and this helps prepare them for later life. The child learns about the responsibilities in caring for another living creature – even if they don’t always follow through with their tasks.

• Children with pets are popular with their peers. The antics of a pet can make good topics of conversation, good school news items and children even learn to read body language from watching their pets.

• Children interact more with other members of the family when there is a pet in the house. More than half of families with young children undertake physical activity as a family at least once a week by walking their dog.

• Pets provide unconditional love. Pets hold a special status in children’s’ lives with 95% of children nominating pets among their ten most important relationships.

• In some homes the child sadly does not get the opportunity to nurture their pet, to tell their secrets to their special furry friend or to get a chance to receive that all important unconditional love. This may be because they do not have a pet of their own or their circumstances make it impossible carry out these activities.

It is generally accepted that if you want to change the behavior of your population it is best to start with educating the children. Let’s keep that relationship between children and pets a special one.

*Article courtesy of Dr. Joanne Righetti

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Many dog owners keep cleaners in their homes that are not safe. Cleaning products with ingredients such as bleach, ammonia, chlorine, glycol ethers or formaldehyde can cause many problems in adults and children, but young children and pets are particularly at risk for things such as cancer, anemia, liver and kidney damage. Many toxic cleaners are also carcinogenic.

Floor Cleaners – these include Pine Sol and Mr. Clean. Even if you manage to get the entire residue off the floor, the vapors linger and are dangerous to your pet. Try a non-toxic, pet safe cleaner instead.

Bathroom Cleaners – these include Clorox Bathroom Cleaner and Scrubbing Bubbles. Try a product such as Ecover Bathroom Cleaner instead. Never us a continuous toilet bowl cleaner such as Clorox Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner…pups tend to drink out of the toilet.

All Purpose Cleaners – for use in the kitchen and around the house, the most common toxic all-purpose cleaners that scream “Danger” are Mr. Clean Multi-Purpose Spray and Formula 409.

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Safety First for Your DogOne of the most important “tricks” you can teach your dog is to COME WHEN CALLED.

When teaching this exercise it is critical that your dog is never put in a position to disobey your command. Always follow correct training techniques and always put yourself in a winning position.

Choose a distraction-free area and always train before meal times. When training the COME command use a light but strong leash about 20 feet long. Attach this leash to your dog’s collar, give your dog a release commend (perhaps use the word FREE) and let your dog do whatever he pleases for a short while.

Now, here is the important piece: calmly call your dog by his name followed by the command COME. Do NOT say another word. If he does not come to you after 2 seconds gently pull the leash in until he is close to you and reward him with a tasty food reward or his favorite toy. It is important that he realizes two things:

1. He has no choice but to come when you call him.

2. When he does come to you, he is rewarded. Give your dog plenty of rewards and praise.

Remember training is about consistency and patience.

Six Household Products That are Not Dog SafeDrain Cleaner – you may think that since this product is poured down the drain, it can’t be harmful to your pet. But the toxic drain openers give off dangerous fumes long after you’ve emptied them.

For a non-toxic, pet safe option, try a product such as Earth Friendly Enzymes Drain Opener.

Glass Cleaner – it may seem that toxic glass cleaners are simpler products and are, therefore, safe but they are not. Instead of something like Windex, try a product such as Nature Clean Window and Glass Cleaner.

Laundry Detergent – it’s easy to assume that choosing a laundry detergent isn’t that important because the rinse cycle rinses it away. But there is residue left behind on clothes and pet blankets that

can be harmful to your pet, especially those that chew on their bedding. Avoid detergents with toxic ingredients such as Tide and Cheer and try something like Down East’s Liquid Laundry Detergent. *for further information on toxic household products visit www.doster.com

It is no secret that the Baby Boomers are this country’s most valuable generation. We think and act younger than our years, and that has allowed us to embark on new adventures as we face challenges and opportunities with optimism and determination.

I taught for thirty-four years in a non-public school system, and frankly I was quite ready to bid farewell to the endless lesson plans, quizzes, examinations, staff meetings, and perhaps the most difficult task, that of passing judgment on students by assigning grades from A to F. However, at fifty-seven years young, I was not ready to ride off into the sunset of retirement; but change was imminent.

For us, Baby Boomers, the world shifted some twenty-five years ago. We did not envision the uncertainty of the future of which we are a part today. For many of us retirement is out of the question. We plan to work pass sixty-five. For many of us, reinventing our lives is not by choice. If you are somewhere in this spectrum, (if you are approaching retirement with apprehension), and if you are active and healthy, remember that WE are redefining aging. Five million Baby Boomers have started business in the past ten years. WE are a generation re-imagined! If I had to choose between going back to teach and owning a Pooch Mobile Franchise, Pooch Mobile wins hands down!

In many ways my Pooch Mobile Franchise is more challenging than teaching. Sometimes in the winter months I do leave my home while it is a frigid twenty degrees. In the summer months I may be grooming a pooch under a balmy ninety-five degrees - More challenging, but a lot more fun! Give it a try.

Gladis Duarte The Pooch Mobile Aurora South Since 2007

At some point in your relationship with your dog, you may be faced with one of the toughest decisions of your life for your dog’s best wellbeing – to let him go with dignity.

The word “euthanasia” comes from the Greek, meaning “kind death” and in many cases that’s exactly what it is. Unlike humans you do have the right to make this decision should it be necessary. If your dog could speak he would thank you.

The easiest way to prepare yourself for the possibility, especially if you have a very old or sick dog is to gather the appropriate information now so that you know what to do. Consult your Vet and consider these questions:

What are the circumstances that would make you or your vet consider euthanasia? What does the Vet do at that time? What drugs will be administered? How will the dog feel? Do you want to be present when it is carried out? Would you prefer that it was all done at home and will your vet come to your home?

Finally how do you want to deal with the remains? Cremation, burial, what?So how do you know when the time has come? Emotionally speaking, no matter how prepared you are, the decision itself is not going to be any easier when you are faced with a terminally ill, very sick, or even dying pet. No one can help you make that decision. It’s personal, it’s traumatic, it’s hard and it’s entirely your choice. If the decision is still a struggle even when the Vet tells you there’s no hope, ask yourself a few of these questions:

Is my dog getting anything out of life at all? Is he just existing, enduring, with no quality of life? Is he in pain? – The Vet will tell you. Has he stopped eating and drinking, perhaps even soiling his sleeping area? You’ve lived with this animal all his life. He’s given you complete devotion, love and loyalty. Now it’s your turn to do the right thing by him. Don’t forget – dogs are not emotionally developed animals. Any feelings of guilt and sorrow are all yours. Your pal trusts you – that’s all you have to remember. When all the questions are answered, do the right thing by him.

Kiss him, thank him and say goodbye and remember all the good times you have had together. Sounds hard? It is hard and no matter how many times we go through this, it never gets any easier.

Saying Goodbye to Your Best FriendEuthanasia – the tough questions

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