We Care Your pooch clean, flea free and smelling great... or it’s FREE! Edition 29 | 2014 dog r u o y f o s o t o h p t a e r g e How to tak Those lovable furry creatures who make our lives so full of fun and fur. How do you take a picture of your pet that looks great and captures them at their best? After reading these tips and tricks, you’ll go from pet snapshots to pet masterpieces. Posing Tips Getting your dog to pose can be hard. The best tip we have here is to use bribery! Bribe your dog with their favourite food or toy. It also helps if your dog knows basic commands like sit and stay. Never punish or raise your voice at your dog while you’re trying to get them to pose for you, because that will guarantee that they shut down and look miserable. Make your dog smile Take them for a run or walk before the photo shoot, you will then capture them naturally panting which gives the impression of a smile! Get on the same level as your dog Perspective is very important when taking a good photo. Get down on your dog’s level especially for close ups. Standing up is okay when shooting at a distance, and can be done creatively. Plan action shots If you want good pictures of your dog in action, grab a fast lens and make sure you have good light. If you want your dog going over a certain jump or running to catch a toy, an assistant is a good idea. Catch them doing what they do naturally Sometimes you just have to grab your camera and shoot what’s happening right then and there. The camera can catch the funniest expressions. If your dog keeps looking at you, you can try to look away until they go back to their own business. Groom your pet before the photo session Usually you want your dog looking their best for a photo, especially a portrait. Trim or pull back hair from your dog’s eyes. If necessary, you can use a little bit of hairspray or gel to keep fur in place. Better yet, keep your dog groomed on a regular basis so that they’re always ready for pictures. Aussie Pooch Mobile can help you with your dog’s grooming needs. Go outside Dogs often look more impressive, happier, and livelier when they are outside. Do you know a field, forest or beach where your dog can romp? If your dog is not reliable off leash, you can put a long leash on them so that you can manage a good distance to get the shots you want. You can edit the leash out of photo later, if necessary. Nothing compares to natural sunlight in bringing out the best in your dogs’ expressions, colours and coat textures. The most important advice Always have fun! If you’re having a good time, your dog will too, and your pictures will capture that enjoyment. So now that you’re equipped with some tips for getting great photos of your dogs, go out and practice! Please share your favourite photos with us at www.facebook.com/ AussiePoochMobileDogWash. Facetime for dogs? Facetime for dogs? Well not exactly, but a new innovation means that the same technology that is used by immigration departments and the FBI to recognise and match human faces can now be used on dogs. Facial recognition for dogs has arrived. Finding Rover is a revolutionary free app that can be downloaded onto any Apple or Android phone. You then snap a photo of your dog’s face and this is automatically uploaded to a central database. If your dog goes missing ‘Finding Rover’ automatically contacts a large network of dog organisations and members. If someone finds your dog they simply download the app (remember it’s free) and the photo of the dog you found is uploaded and the contact details for the owner come back automatically. Download this great app now! Travelling with your dog With the temperature rising and holidays on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to take a family trip, and that often means taking your dog with you. If you do choose to travel with your dog it’s important to be aware of how it can affect him as while excitement will usually be top of the list, some dogs may feel stressed and frightened. Aussie Pooch Cookies! Aussie Pooch Mobile has only the best in mind when caring for your dog. This is why we have developed our unique and tasty ‘Aussie Pooch Cookies’ that are a 100% healthy, natural treat for your dog. Ideal for those times when a treat can be given as a snack or a reward and to help with his teeth. Ask your Aussie Pooch Mobile operator for a pack today. Follow the tips below to help ensure a pooch perfect trip. • Get your dog used to being in your car prior to the trip. This will determine if he has problems with motion sickness or exhibits excessive excitability that may require treatment. • Give your pet an extra workout. Taking your pet for an extra long walk or having a longer playtime can help tire your pet out before travelling. • Keep your dog on his normal feeding schedule as much as possible. • Don’t feed your dog prior to leaving • Pack a lead and make sure your dog is wearing a properly fitted collar and ID tag as he will need to be walked at each pit stop you make. • Take his identification, medication and a current photo in case you are separated. • Never ever leave your dog alone in a car. Extreme temperatures (even if a window is left partially open) can be fatal in just a matter of minutes. • Always take your dog’s regular food and water on the trip. While you may like to snack along the way, junk and snack food isn’t healthy for dogs. • If you are travelling by plane, you can make special arrangements for your dog to also be transported – remember to make arrangements with the airline well in advance. g! Happy travellin Find A Dog Minder If you’re going away and need your dog taken care of then Find A Dog Minder.com.au is what you’re looking for. We’re a network that connects travelling dog owners with dog minders, anywhere in Australia. It’s a great cage-free alternative to boarding kennels where your dog is looked after in a real home. Shampoo Control Is your dog’s coat shedding? Allergies and skin problems are one of the highest reasons Australian dog owners take their dog to the vet. The main problems when it comes to the dog’s skin issues are common allergens such as pollen, dust mites and mould. You love your dog, but you don’t love the shedding. Although shedding is a natural process, all that loose hair can drive you crazy. To reduce this, it is recommended that owners should regularly have their dogs washed with organic and natural products. Using shampoo’s that are not natural can irritate a dog, mainly to their eyes, ears and skin. Aussie Pooch Mobile only uses natural shampoos and conditioners to ensure your dogs are well cared for. 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. Depending on the breed various tools and techniques will need to be used. This may include having a more frequent service, additional brushing, trimming or arranging to clip some dogs where the hair has become matted. It costs a little extra but gets rid of all that shedding and matting and 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. You can also purchase grooming tools from your Aussie Pooch Operator for you to groom in between services. Speak with your local operator today. Aussie Pooch Mobile loves on-line reviews. If you are delighted with the service you receive from your local Aussie Pooch Mobile operators, please tell EVERYONE. Simply visit us on either Yellow Pages or Facebook websites and place a review. If you are not satisfied, give us a call and we will fix it! We thank you for your continued support and business. Show us your pooch and you could WIN!!! Photography Competition* For your chance to win our monthly fabulous prizes, simply tell us what you love about Aussie Pooch Mobile and email your best pooch photo to newsletters@aussiepm.com.au Your photo could earn you a Pooch Hamper filled with goodies for your dog worth $50! Check out our Facebook page regularly for monthly entries. * By emailing your photo to us, you agree to having your photo uploaded to our facebook page. Winners drawn at random. www.facebook.com/AussiePoochMobile What our Dogs Say about Us Did you know that your breed of dog can mimic your own personality? The vast breeds of dog from working dogs to house dogs like us are all different in their nature, personality and character. Here are a few examples of what your dog’s breed could say about you. WORKING DOGS: German Shepherds These dogs can be shy at first but warm once they get to know you. Owners of this breed would do anything for their friends and are extremely loyal companions. They are fiercely protective of those whom they love. Rottweilers This breed is often described as intense. They command a certain amount of respect and are also considered to be courageous. People who own this breed are devoted to their friends and loved ones. If someone rubs them the wrong way they react quickly and often won’t back down. WIN a cruise for two Australian Shepherds These dogs are active and enjoy being outside and owners of this breed enjoy playing frisbee at the beach, love to go camping and going to the park. The outdoors is what they are all about. HOUSE DOGS: Poodles, Chihuahuas and Toy Breeds Owners of these dogs take pride in their appearance. They keep very orderly homes and are very neat. They enjoy evenings with a bottle of wine and love a night out to party only occasionally. Pugs This breed is often viewed as the ‘class clowns’ of the canine world. They will do anything for a good belly rub. Owners of these little guys are cheerful and enjoy frequent massages and have a zest of living life to the fullest. To enter this competition simply tell all your dog loving friends and family to mention your name when contacting us to enquire about a franchise. If they go on to purchase a franchise before August 2015, you will go into the draw to win a cruise for two to the value of $4000. You can even refer yourself, buy a franchise and go into the draw. There is no limit as to how many times you can enter. For further information contact Aussie Pooch Mobile today 1300 369 369, visit our website or speak to one of our franchisees. T&Cs To the value of $4000, conditions apply. Bulldogs Bulldogs are persistent and don’t give up easily. Owners of this breed can be stubborn but they love to laugh and are said to be fun-loving. They are also extremely efficient and methodical in completing a task. Why Dogs Bark When Sleeping Have you ever noticed your dog barking whilst sleeping? Many think the dog is dreaming or in discomfort or even pain. We’re often left thinking “what’s gotten into her?” and just assume something is wrong. The good news is that in most cases, there’s nothing to worry about. This is interesting because the dog’s brain is in some ways similar to humans. We undergo similar stages of electrical activity during sleep. If you watch your furry friend as he drifts into sleep, you will notice a shallow and irregular breathing pattern and later the dog’s eyelids will move quickly as if he was looking at an imaginary image. These movements of the eye rapidly occur during the REM (rapid eye movement) phase, which is when dreaming takes place. Muscle twitching and vocalisations such as whimpering are often also seen during this time. Many worry that the pooch is having a bad dream and you may be tempted to wake him up. This is not a good idea because in the same way us humans become startled if our sleep is interrupted, so do dogs, and it could potentially lead to a defensive reaction from your pooch. It’s important to note that if whimpering occurs whilst sleeping that’s OK, however if he is awake, your dog may be trying to grab your attention or that whimpering before sleeping or when awake may be triggered by some sort of discomfort or pain. Be sure your dog has somewhere comfortable and clean to sleep, so they can get a good night’s sleep. Hotspots A hotspot is a skin condition which 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 hotspots are allergies such as fleas, mites, insect bites, grass and food. A hotspot is usually quite deep in the dog’s skin and can also have an odour. Popular dogs that are prone to hotspots are; Newfoundlands, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Bernese Mountain dogs. Signs of a hotspot could be: • Reddening of the area • Moist • Painful when touched • Swollen • Warm To prevent a hotspot, regularly groom the dog, dry thoroughly after bathing or 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 to dry it out. Hair loss is typical when this infection occurs but matted fur is common on top of the hot spot as well. Cool the area with cold water and cleanse it with a gentle skin cleanser or antiseptic. You can try this home remedy using a black tea bag. This may help heal and dry out 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 several times daily until the spot is dry and healed. Always consult your veterinarian if symptoms persist and they may prescribe an antibiotic or spray for your dog. G P P ExEx a G NY E BUDG GIFT VOUCHERS T N T N L LT T S S Y Pla Pl F Y T F Lo T E hers BUDG A Speak with your Purchase a gift for all Grooming Birthdays EXTRA SERVICES POOCH GIFTS Operator the extra occasions and make Trimmingabout and Clipping Christmas Grooming services your pooch yourCelebrations dogsBirthdays day one to Medicated Washes may remember. 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A ensure that your dog’s special andtosmelling year round. other great ideas. budget. Flea control in your environment pooch is looking good and feeling great all year round. to remember. Ask your local Operator for other great ideas. range of gift vouchers are availabel to suit any budget. The flea is a super survivor, thick skinned in all senses of the word. Walk on one and it will hop away. Immerse it in water and it will come up spluttering. Fingernail crushing is an effective extermination method if you can catch it! There are ways of combatting these creatures. Flea control in the environment Firstly it is important to understand that the adult fleas you see on your pet are the tip of the iceberg, making up only 5% of the problem. The remaining 95% of the problem is in the environment in the form of eggs, larvae and pupae. Treating fleas is an ongoing concern and once you have an infestation it may take some time to eradicate the problem. Unless you tackle the dog’s surroundings, treating the dog for fleas is not going to tackle the whole problem. Vacuuming helps to remove some life stages in the environment and the vibrations caused by the machine may also stimulate fleas to emerge from their pupae and be sucked up by the vacuum cleaner. Your dog’s bedding should be washed regularly, preferably every time your dog has its bath. Put rugs/carpets and bedding in direct sunlight as this helps to kill larvae. You should treat your house and outside area for fleas. This can be done by a professional pest controller or you can purchase treatments and do it yourself. If you are going to purchase a flea bomb then be sure you get one that has a flea growth regulator in it. Locking your dog away from dirt areas and placing lime or an insecticide on the dirt may also help. (Available from your produce) Speak with your local Aussie Pooch Mobile Operator about what flea and tick treatments they recommend and supply to help rid your pets of these pesky pests. Pooch Pampering Success! Life is for living and enjoying every single moment. So when it comes to work it makes sense to do something you are passionate about, a career that inspires you and has you bounding out of bed eager to begin your day and provides you with the income and lifestyle you desire. That is how our Aussie Pooch Mobile operators feel. In 2014 at our annual awards, we celebrated the success of our operators. Here are three of their stories. Jayne Collinson - Gold Coast Qld (Most dogs washed, over 4,500) Emily Slevin – Scarborough WA (National Franchisee of the year) Jayne is fun, energetic, passionate and motivated in life and with the dogs she cares for. A smile never leaves her face. Commencing with Aussie Pooch Mobile in 2005, she has enjoyed washing and caring for 100’s and 1000’s of dogs. This is the sixth year in a row Jayne has taken out the award for most dogs washed. Emily worked in tourism, before looking for something to do that would allow her a more balanced lifestyle. In 2010 Emily joined Aussie Pooch. Along the way Emily has built up and split off a piece of her territory and in 2012 Emily took on a representative to allow her to take some time out to spend with her new baby, Charli. You may ask how? Jayne says, “it’s ensuring that you care for your customers on a regular 1 – 4 weekly basis to meet the needs of their dogs and in how you organise your day. My customers understand that I treat their dog as if it was my own. I tell them, they are all my babies they just live with other people. My business is not just a job, it is part of who I am. Becoming part of The Aussie Pooch Mobile family is the best decision I have ever made.” Says Jayne. Carey Mustow - Nowra NSW (Marketing Award & Franchisee Est under 12 months) Before purchasing a new franchise on the NSW South Coast, Carey owned and operated a smash repair business in Nowra. Carey, commenced in July 2013 and has become one of the fastest growing start-up franchises in Aussie Pooch Mobile history! Carey said “I had always heard the analogy… ‘If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life’, I never believed this could be true, until… I joined Aussie Pooch. Every day just gets better. I love being out and about working with dogs and seeing and being part of the world, instead of being stuck in a workshop and office.” Emily says, “I chose Aussie Pooch as I really related to the companies values and work ethic ‘we care’. I also felt very comfortable and happy with the support and help I received when I started and still receive now well down the track. I love that I have a successful business that gets me hanging out with gorgeous doggies all day, which also gives me the lifestyle balance I want, so I can spend more time with my family”. Jayne, Carey and Emily all agree, “It is such a great feeling to be recognised for your success and to know that you’re running a successful business. The awards give us a great feeling of achievement”. All three of these high achievers are taking the next step in their business success and placing a second trailer on the road and looking for people to help them grow the business further. If you love dogs then we recommend you call Aussie Pooch Mobile to find out how you too can join in our success. Aussie Pooch Mobile has franchise and representative positions across Australia, throughout the UK and in the US for immediate start. To find out more, phone Mark Welham 0411 553 796 or 1300 369 369 or email opportunity@AussiePoochMobile.com.au. You can also visit our website at www.aussiepm.com.au/dog-wash-franchise.html opportunity@aussiepm.com.au Corgi The Corgi is the Queen’s choice of dog. Queen Elizabeth II has owned more than 30 Corgis! Corgi is welsh for Dwarf Dog which is shown off in their appearance with short, stubby legs and a long, thick body. Originating in Wales UK, these smart, outgoing and loyal dogs will only grow to be about 30cm high with a lifespan of about 11-13 years. These dogs are known for herding cattle, ponies and geese and do so by nipping at the heels. Although Corgis are very short, it’s also an advantage to them as it avoids them being kicked while gathering cattle. Instead of running around the livestock like a heeler or collie would, corgis will direct the herd forward and work them from behind in semicircles. Corgis are a fun, energetic and active little dogs. Your local Aussie Pooch Mobile operator is...