POOCH
Edition 14 / 2015
NEWS
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Why does my dog get dry
itchy skin during winter?
During the winter months our dogs generally spend more time
indoors, lying around and enjoying the warmth. With our gas heating
keeping us toasty warm, the gas can dry moisture in the air, leaving
our skin and our dog’s skin feeling dry and itchy. As humans we
simply lather on more and more lotion to combat our dry skin, eat
food containing essential oils and take supplements. Lathering lotion
on our dogs wouldn’t be ideal, but there are a couple of simple ways
to help prevent dry itchy skin this winter.
Most dog foods contain only a
small percentage, if any, of essential
omega oils so it’s important to add
these to yours dogs daily diet. Fish
oil, Salmon oil and Coconut oils are
readily available in both liquid and
capsule form, and very easy to add to
your dog’s food. Just start by adding
a little amount of oil to his food to
introduce the different taste, and
then work up to the suggested daily
dosage.
• Do not let your dog off the leash during snowstorms, they can lose their scent and become lost.
• Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s feet, legs and stomach when he comes in from the snow. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other
potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws and coat.
TIPS
Cold Weather
What can I do for my dog to help prevent dry itchy skin this winter?
Regular hydrobath (every 2-4 weeks) with The Pooch Mobile will
ensure your dog’s coat is clean and brushed to provide maximum
warmth and help stimulate new hair growth. The Pooch Mobile
has an excellent organic moisturizing shampoo designed for dogs
with dry skin - Pine Tar shampoo which contains Pine Tar, Palm
Tree oil, Coconut oil, Neem oil and Vitamin oil, providing maximum
moisturizing benefits for your dog’s skin and coat.
It is vital to the overall well-being of your dog
to feed him a well-balanced diet. Our lives are
busy and most of us simply do not have time
to prepare home cooked meals for our dogs;
however, there are quality dog foods available.
You can also add fruit, vegetables and berries
to your dog’s diet – do your research
and see what your dog likes.
• Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth.
• Never leave your dog along in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and
causing him to freeze.
• Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter months.
• Make sure your dog has a warm place to sleep – off the floor and away
from all drafts.
*courtesy of ASPCA
Winter Exercise Tips for Your Dog
Yes, it’s cold outside, and the number of daylight hours are short, but your dog does not
hibernate, and it’s important that he gets daily exercise. Vital for a dog’s physical and mental
wellness, exercise is also a crucial part of the relationship between you and your dog.
Here are a few tips that you can do with your pooch.
• Play a game with your dog – a game of hide and seek is always fun.
• Challenge your dog’s nose – hide treats and see how many he finds.
• Sign your dog up for a class – indoor doggie day care is great for exercise and
socialization.
Don’t be a wimp, get outdoors! Most dogs love being outdoors and it doesn’t matter to them
if it’s a little cold. Take them for their usual walk and make sure they have plenty of water. Just
because it’s a cold day, doesn’t mean they don’t need the same amount of water.
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IN THIS
EDITION
Choosing the Right Veterinarian
2
Vaccinations2
Should I let my dog put weight
on during winter?
3
Why Your Dog Kicks His
Hind Leg When You Rub His Belly
3
In Case of Emergency – Wallet Card 4
Pooch Mobile Aromacare 4
Franchising Success for
Pooch Pampering
4
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Choosing the Right Veterinarian
Just as
we would
research when
selecting a
family doctor,
we should
also do our
research when
selecting a veterinarian for our pets. The worst time to look for
a veterinarian is when you really need one—in an emergency,
so always best to plan ahead.
an accredited practice or board-certified vet, you still have
options. It’s usually not too difficult to locate trusted friends,
family members, co-workers or neighbors who have pets and a
long-standing relationship with a vet that they can recommend.
Check for accreditation. The American Animal Hospital
So, what questions should you ask during your tour?
Schedule a tour. Ask the veterinary clinic for a tour of their
facility before you take your pet there for a first appointment.
Make sure the facility is clean and organized and the staff are
caring and competent. Ask for a list of the clinics fees, as this
will also need to be taken into consideration.
Association (AAHA) is the only organization that accredits
veterinary practices in the United States. Accreditation is not
mandatory for veterinary practices and only 12-15 percent of
veterinary clinics in North American are accredited.
• Is the practice a single doctor or a multi-doctor facility?
Veterinary hospitals that are AAHA accredited have voluntarily
met the AAHA’s approximately 900 standards of care and
undergo regular, comprehensive evaluations by veterinary
professionals.
• Are diagnostics done in-house?
Look for board certification. American Board of Veterinary
Practitioners (ABVP) offers certification recognized by the
American Veterinary Medical Association in 11 recognized
specialties.
• Is someone present all night with pets if they require
boarding?
Get Referrals. Personal referrals are always a great place to
start your search. Ask for the veterinary clinics name and their
veterinarian’s name. If you live in an area that does not have
• If it’s a multi-doctor facility, how many veterinarians are in
the practice? What are their specialties?
• Are emergency services available 24/7?
• How is boarding handled?
Seek a second opinion. Just as you would for yourself, you can
get a second or third opinion. Ask questions if you do not
understand a plan for your pets care and do any research you
feel is necessary.
VACCINATIONS
Vaccinations can protect your dog against serious infectious illnesses, but they
aren’t one size fits all. Your veterinarian will help you select the vaccines your dog
needs based on age, health status, lifestyle and other risk factors. Even though
he may not need vaccines that often, your dog should have a veterinary checkup
every six months.
Core Vaccines
Core vaccines are those recommended for nearly every dog. Core vaccines for
dogs are Canine Distemper, Canine Adenovirus-2, Parvovirus, Bordetella and
Rabies. The first three are usually combined in a single injection given to puppies
starting at 6-8 weeks of age and boostered every 3-4 weeks until at least sixteen weeks of age. Thereafter, the combination vaccine
is repeated every 1-3 years. Rabies vaccine is given first at 12 weeks of age and boostered one year later. After that, the Rabies
vaccine is repeated every three years.
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.
2
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Should I let my dog put weight on during winter?
Many people put weight on during the colder months because we
tend to eat more when it’s cold, and that extra weight helps keep our
bodies warm. Therefore, it’s not unreasonable to assume that it’s a
good idea to put some extra weight on our dogs during winter. But
with the obesity epidemic among our pets today, is it really a good
idea to add that extra weight?
The short answer is: NO! As stated above, an overwhelming number
of dogs are overweight as is, and simply do not need any weight
added. In fact, it’s probably better to take some off! But even if
your pup is a little on the thin side or at a healthy weight, there’s no
reason to put on weight for the sole purpose of keeping warm during
winter. When it’s cold outside, the activity level of our pets usually
drops anyway. It’s cold outside, and many of us shorten our walks or
even skip certain days altogether. This is already going to slow down your pet’s metabolism and cause weight gain. Therefore, there’s no
reason to increase your pet’s food intake or try to fatten him up more.
Weight gain comes with far more risks than benefits. A healthy dog with a healthy body weight and coat should be able to keep warm in
colder weather without any additional weight gain. When the body is healthy and working as it should, it will actually be more efficient at
maintaining body temperature than an overweight dog. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight will keep the rest of his body healthy.
So what other options are there? Well, when inside it’s always a good idea
to give your pup some extra blankets and make sure he’s got a comfortable
and warm place to sleep and relax. If possible, let your dog(s) stay inside
during the coldest months. There are also a lot of jackets out there for dogs.
Whatever you choose, make sure to exercise caution when keeping your pet
warm to reduce the risk of overheating. Keep feeding your pup his regular
food, try to give him as much exercise as usual, and make sure he’s got
plenty of goodies to keep him warm without the extra body fat.
Why Your Dog Kicks His Hind
Leg When You Rub His Belly
If you have a dog that loves
belly rubs, as many of us do,
then you’ve no doubt found “the
sweet spot” that gets his leg
kicking. This usually happens
when you scratch him in his
saddle region – the belly, sides,
and parts of the dog’s back. The
exact spot varies depending
on the dog. Some dogs have
several spots that get their legs moving.
This silly behaviour has us wondering, why do dogs kick their
legs when you scratch their belly?
Dogs shake or kick their legs when you scratch them because
of something known as the scratch reflex. It’s a completely
involuntary reaction, which explains why your dog may look as
puzzled as you do when it starts to happen. When you scratch
or tickle your dog’s belly, it irritates him, much the same way that
the wind or a flea might. It activates nerves under his skin that
are connected to his spinal cord and relays a message to his leg
muscles to kick in an attempt to get rid of the irritant. Of course,
you’re the one both providing the “itch” and “scratching” it, so
it’s a completely pointless act.
Turns out, by causing the kick, you’re actually kind of irritating
your dog. So, if making your dog feel blissful and happy is what
you’re going for, just move to another spot that doesn’t cause
the kick.
The scratch reflex isn’t just a funny party trick for your dog,
either. In fact, veterinarians can use the spot to identify nerve
damage or neurological problems. The belly rub kick can be
compared to the knee-jerk that humans do when the doctor taps
just below your knee with a hammer, or how cats automatically
raise their bottoms when you scratch the base of their tail.
Still, a lot of dogs really love having their bellies rubbed, so if
your dog is one of them – keep it up!
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3
In Case of Emergency –
WALLET CARD
What would happen to your pets if you were involved in an accident
and were unable to get home to them?
It’s a terrible thought, but reality is that accidents can happen to us at
any time and we should always be prepared.
Please cut out this In Case of Emergency Card, complete the details
and place in your wallet.
In Case of Emergency
My pets are home alone. If I become ill or injured,
please contact the people below to care for them.
Name:__________________________________________________
Contact #:______________________________________________
Name:__________________________________________________
Contact #:______________________________________________
Pooch Mobile Aromacare – Lavender or Rosemary
Love The Pooch Mobile dog wash Lavender and Rosemary? Now available for our customers to
purchase in a convenient 8oz spray bottle. Great for those “between” washes or when your dog gets
into something smelly.
Pick up a bottle of Pooch Mobile Aromacare Lavender or Rosemary from your local operator today or
email: [email protected].
Franchising Success for Pooch Pampering
Life is for living, and enjoying every single
moment is important. So when it comes to
work, it makes sense to do something you are
passionate about, a career that inspires you and
has you leaping out of bed, eager to begin your
day.
And if you are a dog lover that career is with
The Pooch Mobile Dog Wash.
What started as a business washing and grooming dogs from home,
has turned into an award-winning international franchise system,
with operators throughout Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, New
Caledonia, United Kingdom and the United states.
Mobile dog washing is a fast growing sector in the pet care industry,
so if you are looking for a career change, want to become your own
boss and love dogs, you can now enjoy doing something you truly
love.
Your Local Pooch Mobile Operator
As a Pooch Mobile dog wash franchisee you join a team of dog loving
people who make a difference in the lives of dogs and their families.
Interested in learning more about becoming a Pooch Mobile
Franchisee? Want to attend a Pooch Mobile Discovery Day and join
a Pooch Mobile operator on road to get a feel for the business? Call
Annie at The Pooch Mobile Home Office 702-558-4699 or visit www.
ThePoochMobile.com.
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