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DOG OWNERS: Love your dog -- hate poop?
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THE INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF DOG WASTE REMOVAL SERVICES

Scoopers & Friends Discussion Board Archives

Messages archived from the Scoopers & Friends Discussion Board, going back to May of 1998. The discussion board board is an online forum about the business of pet-waste removal. Browse the messages, CLICK HERE TO SEARCH by keyword, or click here to participate in current discussions.

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 19-Aug-98 15:57:13

Advertising Costs ... I'm noticing a wide range of responses to people's advertising methods. I'm curious--what are you all spending on advertising a month? A year?

What form of marketing is working best for you?
Flyers around neighborhoods
Flyers at vets and shops
Asking for referrals
Ads in local papers
Door-to-door (talking to people)
Other--What?_____________

What response are you getting?
For example, how many customers off a monthly ad? How many off a weekly ad? How many flyers did you deliver and how many customers (not just interested calls) did you get? Etc.

For those of you who are wildly successful, what do you think is working so well for you? How long did it take you to get 10, 20, 50 customers?

Thanks for sharing. Have a stinky day!

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 20-Aug-98 07:52:34

Re: Advertising Costs ... Hi Linda - I have a company called Have Doggie,We'll Doo in Chicago and do all kinds of advertising. The first year I did just flyers at homes and business's. The second year I did a direct mailing of 15,000 pieces. I do radio spots that are 10 seconds. You will soon hear my radio spot on my web-site. I do benefits for animal shelters, posters at business's, flyers, my biggest response now of course are referrals. It has taken me eight years to get a customer list of 650 but I am in the process of an expansion and plan on tripling my business by the end of 1999. As times goes on you find out what works and what does'nt. The most important thing is to be consistent in what ever you do. So if you put ads in papers do that every week for months not just a few weeks. If you put flyers out do it in one spot and then go back to that same spot six weeks later and do it again and then again in another six weeks. I have hired a company that places flyers for me. Example, I have a person that will start this Saturday and he will place 6000 flyers next week, in six weeks he will place 6000 flyers in the same place and then again in six weeks. BE CONSISTENT. It takes time. Also be creative in the type of flyer you put out. If it is just a colored flyer with writting most likely it will get thrown away. We are in the process of putting together packages for other scoopers as we have really found peices that work. Our National Association of Pooper Scoopers ( NAPPS) will be up and running soon. YOU CAN BE CREATIVE AND USE things that are already available and not have to spend huge amounts of money. I am lucky as most of my freinds are incrediably creative and I also have an ad agency. If you hire an agency though, be prepared to spend huge amounts of money. I had a series of eight posters and postcards done that in the end costed me well over $50,000, but I have made that over and over again from there marketing peices. You can check some of them out at www.petneeds.net looking under PET WASTE REMOVAL in the directory list.
For those peices we had to hire a photographer, ad copy person and creative consultant and of course the printing cost which was huge because they were four color. Soon though you will be able to purchase peices of the same quality and take them to your local insty print and just have your name and logo printed on them. I wish you much luck in your endeaver and remember DON'T GIVE UP it is hard though not as hard as when I started as there are now more places around and people are starting to realize that we are here to stay and not a fly by night business.

Many Thanks - Diane Rossi

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 20-Aug-98 10:24:33

Re: Advertising Costs ... Hi Linda,
Most of my business seems to have come mainly from word of mouth and leaving my business cards at the Vets and Pet places. I only had 2 responses from advertising in the newspaper. I haven't been door to door yet, but I plan to try it in a few days. I do more than just scooping in my business because it hasn't caught on yet here, so I have been busy moslty with treatments of sick animals and some pet sitting too. But usually if I do a pet sitting job, they decide they want me to scoop weekly too. I have been pretty busy. I am just finishing a Pet sitting job where I was cleaning up after horses, cats and dogs. Plus giving all kinds of medicine. So it works pretty well when I combine my services. I have been keeping my ad in the paper which runs about $17.50 a week. So thats really all the expense I put out on a weekly basis but I use my computer to make flyers and I paid about $35.00 for 1000 business cards that are two colored raised wording and with 3 pictures of animals. People really seem to like a well made business card. But that is it, really! Good luck and let us know how you do. Deborah

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 20-Aug-98 18:28:50

Re: Advertising Costs ... Howdy,
I must admit to still being in the "infancy" stages. I now have 7 scooping clients, but it seems that the word of mouth thing is really the best. Three of my seven have recommended me to others, and I am in the process of actually "signing them up now." And it's not just from "expecting" that they might recommend me, I come right out and ask them to!!!

One of my least likely clients (I drove up to this disheveled house) has turned out to be one of my best clients. He's a bartender, and he loves my card and loves sharing it!!

I also do pet sitting and dog training and marketing them together works well in visiting with vets and groomers. But you need to actually go in and sit down and TALK to someone. They are much more apt to recommend you once they KNOW you. Also, being relentlessly persistent helps. That relentless persistence I believe is what got my spot on the TV News. While it didn't generate that many customers, per se, it was a nice entre' to vets and groomers who either saw me on TV or I could say, I'm so-and-so; you may have recently seen me featured on XYZ News!

I'm also looking into a web site on CitySearch here in Austin. Folks that are looking for services use it quite a bit, and I think that might go over well, and it's not much more than having a weekly ad in the classifieds that's but a couple of lines. I'll let you know how that goes after it's up for a bit.

Good luck!
Debbie

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 22-Aug-98 02:58:37

Re: Advertising Costs ... Hello Linda!
The only responses I've gotten from my $1,600 in target area newspaper advertising are calls from companies wanting to sale me advertising in their publications. Well, atleast I know someone is reading the ads! As you may have read before, my apartment manager sales attempts have not been too successful either.
As Thomas Edison said when asked how it felt to fail 10,000 times before inventing the light bulb: "I didn't fail 10,000 times, I simply discovered 10,000 ways to not make a light bulb." Well I'm going to keep plug away and see what I can discover.
Best wishes!
RED

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 20-Aug-98 06:55:13

Scooping on gravel/stone ... Howdy,

I have a client that's arranged for a one-time clean-up. To make a longggggg story short, there is one area of her yard (about 20 by 50) that is fenced off as a "dog run" and it has a stone base (stones about an inch or so). Any suggestions for the best way to scoop? In the past in similar situations neither a rake or a shovel seemed to work well and I'm open to any ideas! Thanks a bunch...Debbie

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 20-Aug-98 18:12:09

Re: Scooping on gravel/stone ... A stiff push broom?

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 21-Aug-98 05:13:45

Re: Scooping on gravel/stone ... Sounds like a tough one, Debbie. I think I'd do the best I could, using a shovel with a small blade. Preferences differ, but I like the TrueTemper brand "Real Tools for Kids" shovel for all around work.
Since it's a one-time job, it might be worth it to take a rake and a broom to the job, too. If there has been a lot of accumulation it could be very tedious to try to get all the dog waste without taking most of the rocks with it.
I would also request that the customer make a water hose available, so you could flush the area with lots of water.

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 23-Aug-98 23:58:28

Re: Scooping on gravel/stone ... Debbie,

I had the same problem with a new customer last week and she actually had the answer! At first I tried a rake and shovel but I ended up picking up more stone than poop. If you don't mind using your hands get some plastic gloves (hospital supply) and get cracking. It worked for me and that's how I clean her area every week. Let me know how it works for you.

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 16-Sep-98 14:20:16

Re: Re: Scooping on gravel/stone ... i think i may have the answer for picking up poop
off gravel. I will send you a sample of the
Pet Scoop portable pooper scooper to try. It will scoop the poop directly into a 5"X5"x12' disposable plastic bag. let me know if you want to try my Pet Scoop and bags at no cost to you.
I only ask that after you use it you complete and return my survey form.
Please email your phone number and addressif you want to participate

Sincerely,

Richard J. Gross
Pet Star
participate.

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 21-Aug-98 17:02:47

tools of the trade ... I'm new at this and would like to know what you guys are using as: 1. scoopers?
2. cleanup water sprayers (1 1/2 gallon?, 4 gal. back pack?, customers lawn hose?)
3. containers for waste removal, 5 gal paint cans?, something bigger?
4. I don't have a truck, just my familly van, will I wind up with a stinky van?

Thanks
Stuart

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 22-Aug-98 23:52:33

Re: tools of the trade ... Hi Stuart,
Im getting ready to start my business soon hopefully. Still trying to get my ducks in a row.
If you haven't gottin Matthews book and read it, it has everything you need to know about the tools of trade. it is a very through book in that area and answers every question to a tee.
as for the smell in your van i would suggest getting a container that seals tightly from rubbermaid. you can wash it at the end of the day and sterolize it with parvocide daily to prevent disease spread.
Let me know how things work out.
Best of luck to you.
Rick

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 07-Sep-98 02:40:27

Re: Re: tools of the trade ... Rick Every body is talking about Mathews
book, where can I get a hold of this book?

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 07-Sep-98 12:12:55

Re: Re: Re: tools of the trade ... Hi Frank,

Thanks for asking! :)

I've e-mailed you some information about the book "The Professional Pooper-Scooper". I've also included ordering information.
Sometimes I forget that not everybody who reads the message board finds it from the Professional Pooper-Scooper Service Information site on the web. The URL for that site is http://www.pooper-scooper.com There you'll find more information about the book, how I got into the dog waste removal service business in the first place, some Frequently Asked Questions, and more. There's also the International Directory of Dog Waste Removal Services, with over 100 listings of professional pooper-scooper services in the U. S., Canada, and Australia.
I hope you find the information interesting and helpful! And please continue to participate in the Scoopers & Friends message board. People here are great about sharing tips, experiences and encouragement!

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 23-Aug-98 22:27:51

Re: tools of the trade ... I use a Rubbermaid brand Lobby Dust Pan lined with a 13-gallon "Tall Kitchen" size Glad(tm) bag, and a small bladed shovel (I prefer TrueTemper "Real Tools for Kids" shovel).
To clean the tools after each yard, I use a 1 gallon sprayer I keep in the truck. For the occassional jobs where we need to wash down the customer's deck, patio, etc, we request that the client leave a hose available for our use.
Containers for waste removal: I don't understand about 5-gallon paint cans. I double-bag the waste from the yards and then keep the bags either: in the truck pending a trip to the landfill, or in trash cans, or in a dumpster provided by the waste-hauling company who provides us with disposal services.
If you keep the dog waste in your van overnight or longer, your van will definitely stink. It's naturally better to have vehicles you use separately for dog waste business and for personal or family transportation. But if you must make do with one vehicle, be sure to double-bag the waste. The suggestion to use a tightly covered Rubbermaid container is a good idea, too. Lay down cardboard or something to protect the van from getting anything on it from the tools, and remove all these materials from the van as soon as possible.
Then try to get a cheap car, truck or van for use exclusively for business as soon as you can afford it. :)

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 26-Aug-98 11:57:25

Re: tools of the trade ... If you aren't in the Central Ohio area, buy Matthew's book.

If you are in that area, I don't need the competition!

Good luck.

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 03-Sep-98 14:03:44

Re: tools of the trade ... Please check our web site (http://petscoop.com) and if you would like a FREE patented portable pooper scooper with 10 bags for test marketing purposes. email your request, include your mailing address and phone nnumber to RJG144@aol.com and i will ship it immediately for your use.

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 22-Aug-98 08:46:15

Magnetic Signs ... Howdy!

Just thought I'd pass along this info! I found a great place for getting magnetic signs for your car made. You can order just text, a pic and some text, or even have your logo and text. They, of course, vary in price, but they are very economical. The site is www.magneticsigns.com

I had nearly instant turn-around from them; meaning that I ordered the signs on day one. I got an email and attachment with a gif of the signs on day two. I emailed them back saying yes, and on day 3 I had the signs as the ship them overnight (no extra charge).

The signs are holding up great and they look VERY professional! Like I said, just thought I'd pass it along!
Debbie

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 24-Aug-98 07:19:23

Re: Magnetic Signs ... I also got my signs from Mark and they look terrific. Their service was excellent and I would highly recommend them to any scoopers out there needing signs. Business must be picking up for him also, because he told me when I was ordering my signs, that there were 5 other poop scooper businesses calling him that week for signs.

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 24-Aug-98 16:29:35

Re: Magnetic Signs ... I to am getting my signs from Mark. The problem is that the equipment that he has now will not work with what I have. He told me he was getting ready to buy $30,000 in new equipment and that it should take care of what I need. Hopefully I'll be able to have them soon.

Frank

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 22-Aug-98 23:06:01

poop & peep smells ... Does anyone have a trick to rid the yard of smells? I have 7 dogs and a lawn and a lot of smell. I water once, sometimes twice a day but I need a trcik for the aroma. Help!! Please email me with any solutions

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 23-Aug-98 21:45:05

Re: poop & peep smells ... Question. Is the smell before or after the Pooper Scooper came?

Dr. Doo Litter

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 23-Aug-98 22:14:52

Re: poop & peep smells ... Wow, seven dogs! I can imagine the smell problem.
Of course, the first thing is to remove the waste frequently, every day would be best, certainly no less than every other day.
As for water, more than just watering the lawn, you may need to use copious amounts of water, at least a few times, to actually flush the yard clean. You should have good drainage from the yard, or the water and waste will just mingle in the low spots, creating in effect a cesspool. And that's gonna be a stinky problem no matter how much you water. If drainage is a problem, a good landscaper should be able to solve that. If water and waste are now pooling in your yard, I would definitely recommend getting the drainage fixed.
I might also try something else, though I'm not sure how well it would work, it's one of those "worth trying" ideas -- I'd sprinkle waste-digesting enzymes on the yard (the stuff they sell to put into doggie septic systems). It might break down the residue of waste that's already in the yard.

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 26-Aug-98 11:53:37

Re: poop & peep smells ... With 7 dogs, I suggest that you remove all solid waste EVERY day. If you don't, enough will get stepped on, mashed down and scattered around that you will always have an odor problem.

Urine may be more difficult. Matthew's suggestions about proper drainage are the way to start. If the soil is compacted (very possible with that much traffic) you may want to consider aeration (poking holes, basically. Call a lawn service).

If you use something to treat the area, be sure that what you use is safe for you and your pets. Be very careful about chemical use. There are some effective enzyme products available. I'm testing a product called Stink Relief from F-Matic that seems to work well and is very safe.

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 23-Aug-98 13:10:53

Up to my eyeballs in dog poop! ... Any suggestions on how I can convince my husband that leaving dog feces in the yard to "run its course" is not a good thing to do. We have a nice size backyard, about an acre, and my husband refuses to clean up after our dog George. Since I am not in the yard much, I don't make an issue of it. However, I went out there today and let just say..."I put my foot down." I know it is not smart to "leave it lie", but I need to convince my logical husband. I am going to the store today to pick up a scooper, since I will probably be stuck with the task. However, I want him to understand why it is necessary. I would appreciate any advice.

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 23-Aug-98 21:29:13

Re: Up to my eyeballs in dog poop! ... Hi Dee,
I like this question! It goes right to one of the important issues that professional pooper-scoopers should think about: attitudes and perceptions.
I have heard this attitude from others over the years, and I think it's not uncommon. For those of us to whom it is simply obvious that dog waste has to be cleaned up from back yards and dog runs, it's hard to understand that many people feel the way your husband does.
First, I guess I'd have to say that one reason it's important to clean up after dogs is the same as the reason we don't let our garbage "run its course" in our kitchens; the waste accumulates faster than it breaks down. Dog waste stays mostly intact, although somewhat smashed down and slightly spread out, for more than a year. It may not be an obvious pile from 20 feet away, but if you look you'll see that it's actually there for a long, long time.
As long as it's not cleaned up and disposed, it continues to accumulate and your yard is holding more and more dog poop every day. It's simply not going to break down that fast. In yards that have not been cleaned for over a year, I have many times removed *several hundred pounds* of old dog waste when I cleaned it up.
It is also established, though not broadly known, that dog waste in residential yards is a significant contributor to ground water pollution. Dog feces are potentially more dangerous with regard to parasites and pathogens, compared to the waste of herbivores. Water quality alerts and beach closings have sometimes been directly attributed to water runoff containing fecal coliform bacteria from the waste of pet dogs.
Of course, there are the flies. Without cleaning up after a dog in your back yard, your yard certainly is holding a hundred pounds or more of waste that attracts flies and other noxious insects. The flies lay their eggs in it and then move on and are joined by the thousands (millions?) of offspring they have left in the material you so generously made available to them.
In many communities there are laws requiring dog owners to clean up waste from their yards; maybe your city is among them.
If you have neighbors, of course they will be happy to not be living next to a yard filled with poop, too.
And the dog itself will enjoy a cleaner yard! The dog doesn't want to play in its own toilet, so to speak. I know that dogs are happier when they have a clean environment. If a yard is kept clean, dog will tend to poop in the same general area from day to day. If the waste is left to build up over time, the dog will tend to move further and furthur from that area, increasing the part of the yard that gets covered with poop.
Many veterinarians will cite additional important reasons for cleaning up your dog's waste; you might call your vet and find out what she has to say about the issue.
Finally, the mere fact that it is of concern to YOU should be reason enough for your husband to clean it up!

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 24-Aug-98 00:39:29

Re: Re: Up to my eyeballs in dog poop! ... Hi Dee - Leaving waste in your yard ! Yuck
There are many reasons why you should not leave dog feces in your yard.

Canine waste is not only unpleasant to look at but also attacks our senses with offensive odors and attracts flies, but worse, the threat of salmonella, worms and parasites that absolutly can be transmitted to humans that come into contact with the waste.

Do you have children? Children because of their close association with their pets and their lack of concern for good hygeine, children are more often affected by Roundworm and hookworm
Roudworm a common parasite in dogs, can creat an infection in people. Stools which contaminate the soil is then eaten by children unknowingly. The larvae then, stuck in a strange environment, do not follow the normal intestinal infection route.
Instead, they migrate to different tissues like the lungs, liver and eyes causing problems.

Hookworm, another common parasite in dogs, rarely cause intestinal problems in people when swallowed. More often, these parasites are picked up when walking on contaminated ares. The Larval stage of the worm burrows into the skin causing local inflamation and itching.

Encourage children to follow good hygiene;
Keep shoes on when playing in contaminated ares.
keep hands out of the mouth and eyes and to wash
their hands after playing with their pet.
Always have your pet checked out at the vet and have their stools checked on a regular basis for parasites.

Hope this helps.

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 01-Sep-98 00:26:58

Re: Up to my eyeballs in dog poop! ... Unfortunately, almost every storm sewer (rain sewer) system in the country feeds into natural flowing bodies of water, usually creeks, streams, rivers, etc and those then feed into lakes, etc. When it rains, the water is washed off the land and streets and into the storm sewers taking what ever is lose with it, be it dirt, gas and oil that has dripped from cars, and yes dog poop. It is adding to the pollution in our natural bodies of water and is why fecal coliform counts in lake and rivers are often higher after a rain storm.

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 24-Aug-98 16:40:40

Another Great advertising Idea!!!! ... Everyone seems to be in the magnetic mode so heres one more. Print a sheet of your own business cards on some sort of premium photo paper. Try to make it have a thin white line around the picture. Cut them out and attach magnets that are made for business cards and trim as necessary. These magnets are available at most office stores like OfficeMax. Be sure to use the photo paper because the ink won't run if it gets wet. Then your business card will be on your customers refrigerator for easy access.


Good Luck All!!!!!!!!!!!!

Frank

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 25-Aug-98 15:14:37

Re: Another Great advertising Idea!!!! ... Couldn't you just glue your business cards to the magnets?

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 26-Aug-98 11:19:06

Re: Re: Another Great advertising Idea!!!! ... The magnets are already made to fit your card. Just peel and stick. I found that if you print on the photo paper the ink won't run. All you do is attach it and trim to fit

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 25-Aug-98 01:08:44

Magnetic Signs : Are Yours Being Stolen? ... My magnetic signs for the business seem to be a hit here in St. Louis.

My workers can't even go into a gas station without their signs being rip off.

One of are local radio stations put out an APB they enjoy and we enjoy the free air time.

Any others fellow Pooper-Scoopers finding this to be a problem?

I had always had my back window of my car lettered, and the front windsheild with the name of the company. I really like this better.

So watch out for people who would like to have your magnetic sign!
Yucko Debbie

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 02-Sep-98 12:06:48

Re: Magnetic Signs : Are Yours Being Stolen? ... Hehe... that's very interesting, Debbie. It's great that you got some radio exposure out of it! I wonder if you could put out a news release and get a mention in the papers, too? :)
On the one hand, it's like some of the stories in the lore of marketing; it could be a good thing in that it can promote word-of-mouth etc.
On the other hand, I would be a little concerned about possible misuse of the signs. I wouldn't want people driving crazy with my sign on the car, for example.
Maybe it's time to switch to permanent lettering?

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 25-Aug-98 13:37:10

RE: Don't get the wrong message ... Hi Everyone - My name is Diane Rossi & I run a canine waste pickup & removal service here in Chicago along with my partner Ivan Bilic.
We have been in business since 1990. When we started like most of you there really was not much money to do any advertising, let alone think of doing a marketing plan over the course of a year. I have had incredable feedback from not only others in the business but from others in other types of business as well. I hope that I can be of help to each and everyone of you.
We all started a business for various reasons but the one reason that we all have in common is to make money to support ourselves and our families.
I think we can all agree on that. I know some of you have had negative responses to my being on this message board, but I hope that in time you will see that I am not very different than you. The only difference might be that I have learned so much in these last 8 years, as to what works and what hasn't. I do plan on sharing some of these things as I see messages pertaining to questions on the board that I feel I can answer & give some advice on. I really hope to help keep all of you motivated and focused and know seeing your messages keeps me focused and motivated. This business is going to just explode as it gets larger all over the country and I sincerely wish all of the best to each and every one of you and know that I am here to help in any way that I can

Have A Great Day

Diane

PS - All differences that were occuring are now cleared up. Thank You Matthew !!

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 25-Aug-98 15:21:03

Re: RE: Don't get the wrong message ... Diane, I look forward to learning from your experiances, you have a proven track record that we newbies can use to our advantage. Thanks

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 25-Aug-98 16:52:38

Re: RE: Don't get the wrong message ... Diane;

I have read this entire board & the replies to ALL the messages......

Anyone who thinks your input isn't valuable and that you don't belong on this board better re-read your replies. I have learned sooo much from you and everyone who is answering these questions.

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 26-Aug-98 06:59:12

Re: RE: Don't get the wrong message ... Hi Diane,
I enjoy reading everyone's input and really have benefitted from it. Please don't stop putting your input in. Matthew, Dr. Doo Litter and yourself are the reason I keep plugging along. You guys are a great inspiration!!! Best of Luck to all.