Site Map |
Search This Site |
Contact Site Owner
DOG OWNERS: Love your dog -- hate poop?
Help is here at last!
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.
Archive
Page 1 |
Page 2
|
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
32 |
33 |
34 |
35 |
36 |
37 |
38 |
39 |
40 |
41 |
42 |
43 |
44 |
45 |
46 |
47 |
48 |
49 |
50 |
51 |
52 |
53 |
54 |
55 |
56 |
57 |
58 |
59 |
60 |
61 |
62 |
63 |
64 |
65 |
66 |
67 |
68 |
69 |
70 |
71 |
72 |
73 |
74 |
75 |
76 |
77 |
78 |
79 |
80 |
81 |
82 |
83 |
84 |
85 |
86 |
87 |
88 |
89 |
90 |
91 |
92 |
93 |
94 |
95 |
96 |
97 |
98 |
99 |
100 |
101 |
102 |
103 |
104 |
105 |
106
Page Eighty-Six
Pooch Pal
frozen poop
Wed Dec 26 15:40:16 2001
Okay all you experienced northern scoopers. How do you get the frozen poop off your tools between jobs? Or do you just figure if it's frozen on there, it's unlikley to fall off and possibly contaminate someone else's yard?
Thanks for all suggestions. Hope everyone had a great day yesterday, and Yucko Deb, hope you made it through the day without a crisis. Get healthy soon!
Judy
-------------------------
Pooch Pal
Whine
Thu Dec 27 21:13:34 2001
Ok Gene, I can tell right now, I'm not gonna like winter scooping. (Today I did a 360 in my car on a very icy road).
How the heck do you find all those turds? I used the shuffle and kick method but that was with only an inch or so. What do you do when it's many inches deep?
I will say that I do love being outside, especially on crisp sunny days. Am investing in various protective clothing to keep myself comfortable. Sierra Trading Post
had some very low priced gear--usually overstocks, discontinued or seconds, and the price is right.
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/
Judy
--------------------------------------
PoopScoopKing.com
Re: Whine
Fri Dec 28 10:08:11 2001
Hi Judy, I don't have any answers for you except to say, it gets worse as the snow gets deeper. Just have all your advertisng ready when we get out first real thaw. Last year we got a thaw in early February.
PoopScoopKing.com
-----------------------------
Pete
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/
Fri Dec 28 07:53:07 2001
This is a great site.
--------------------------------
minesweepers
poop off tools
Thu Dec 27 11:47:21 2001
barbeque brush!!!!!
---------------------------
Doggie Maid
Brush
Thu Dec 27 13:12:23 2001
How in the world to do get all the crap out of those tight metal brushes? Shari
--------------------------------
minesweepers
poop-brush
Thu Dec 27 18:46:21 2001
first i spray off all the heavy stuff with the parvocide then clean the rest off with the brush.after i'm done scraping the shovel spray the shovel and the brush.DO NOT SCRAPE SHOVEL BEFORE SPRAYING IT TO GET THE HEAVY STUFF OFF(unless you want to buy a new brush every day)
-------------------------------
DoggieMaid
Scrapers, brushes,shovels, rakes
Thu Dec 27 23:55:07 2001
Oh, I see. I will never look at a grill scraper the same again!! This business and board has me smiling a lot these days! I went out on a big job today--almost everything was frozen solid, so very little scraping. My large putty knife works very well, but your brush idea could help on the tines of this new rake/shovel I've been testing. The Easy Scoop II worked wonderfully in the snow. It is incredibly lightweight and the excess snow sifted right through the tines. The telescoping handle is neat! I used it along with the dustpan and it did not rip up the bag too much. Had to switch to my True temper metal shovel on the old, smashed, stuck stuff, but I can really see myself using this quite a bit with warmer weather. This contraption might very well bring the shovel vs. rake people together! The best of both worlds!! I also found something like those plastic shovels with the wooden handles that a lot of you were talking about. They are called DUNE SPOONS by Emsco group in Grand, PA. Menards for $4.98--the only thing is that the entire shovel is only about 2 ft. long, so I bought sanded dowels the same diameter(98 cents),cut them about 1.5 ft. longer, removed the cheap staples from the DUNE SPOON, and added the handle and scoop to my new length. TA-DA! Now they are Shari's Poop Spoons! Made in Des Moines, Iowa!! Works great too! And I love the wild Day-glo colors they come in! I have pink, orange, and green! I think I am really in to this poop deal,what do you think!? :) Shari
---------------------------------
minesweepers
shovels and rakes
Fri Dec 28 12:27:49 2001
this debate over the perfect tool is really funny.It's almost like a bunch of kids arguing over who has a better bike.personally i'm a fan of my corona telescopic trowel(home depot $9.99)ten months of faithful service never used anything else except an adjustable fan rake for a big clean up.this shovel will probably last me the next two to three years
--------------------------
Anonymous
Re: Scrapers, brushes,shovels, rakes
Fri Dec 28 09:31:35 2001
what the brand name or do they have a website for the Easy Scoop II
--------------------------------------
DoggieMaid
Easy Scoop II
Fri Dec 28 15:42:43 2001
Easy Scoop is the brand name. I found mine in the Pet section at Menards. The original Easy Scoop has a 40" hardwood handle and the Easy Scoop II has a retractable lightweight aluminum handle. I will have to try Minesweepers Home Depot trowel too--you can tell I like to test out things. Did another huge job exclusively with my trusty, heavy True Temper shovel and trusty Rubbermaid dustpan--had to change the bag 9 times! I think I am actually getting used to that little shovel for working with old stuff. Then when I switch to my Dune Spoon or Easy Scoop, I feel like I am on vacation! Sort of like being in highschool track and wearing those stupid ankle weights and then taking them off and feeling like you could fly! Shari
----------------------------
Red
Re: Easy Scoop II
Fri Dec 28 20:20:07 2001
I've tested MS's Home Depot Trowel and I gotta say it's the best thing I've found so far (aside from my trusty but breakable shovels). The trowel is a good bit to heavy for my tastes but nothings perfect...yet.
-Red
----------------------------
minesweepers
re;trowel
Fri Dec 28 21:13:42 2001
not having tested anything else(if it ain't broken don't fix it)you really think the trowel is heavy.i thought that on the grand scale of shovels and rakes it was on the lighter side?
-------------------------
Red
Re: re;trowel
Fri Dec 28 22:53:50 2001
Yea, I think it's definitely too heavy - I go for speed scooping - major wrist action - the weight deters this. I also think the shovel (what's a "trowel" anyway?!) head is too narrow. Perfection in my opinion would be the shovels I currently use but with 3 inches more handle and something like an unbendable aluminum shovel head rather than plastic - both are light but the plastic will eventually break. I also would like about a foot and a half of soft grip handle. I currently buy bicycle handlebar grips to put over the handle.
-Red
--------------------------------
Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: bicycle grips
Sat Dec 29 19:41:14 2001
Hi Red,
I also use bicycle grips, too. I use them on my lobby pan cause the handle gets really cold in the winter. Definitely alot warmer on the hands.
Pat
----------------------------
PoopScoopKing.com
Re: frozen poop
Thu Dec 27 06:17:50 2001
Ahhhhhh, welcome to winter Judy, and it hasn't even begun. As Yuckos Debbie was saying, you'll hurt your toe on occasion, but that's how we loosen that which will come loose. In some yards, it's not coming up, and if you try to get it up, you'll take a chunk of grass with it - don't want that. Have you noticed your skin drying out yet?
PoopScoopKing.com
----------------------------------
Pooch Pal
No dry skin...yet
Thu Dec 27 22:38:04 2001
Gene,
So far no dry skin. In general I notice if I don't drink enough water I start to get dry skin and chapped lips. In the cold weather it's harder to remember to drink water and it's always tricky (at least for us women) when scooping to drink enough since you can't always count on a bathroom being available when you need it!
Two suggestions for you--drink 1/2 oz water per pound of body weight per day. If you try to follow a low fat diet, you may not be getting enough fat. Omega 3 fatty acids in salmon and flax seed/flax seed oil can really help with a dry skin problem.
--------------------------
PoopScoopKing.com
Re: No dry skin...yet
Fri Dec 28 10:10:21 2001
I agree with your nutritional suggestions. Even with lots of water though, you're still going to dry out.
------------------------------
Yucko Debbie
the big toe...
Wed Dec 26 23:44:22 2001
sorry hit the return, seems like we get sore toes from kicking it sometimes but works well.'
We need like a blade that pops out on the tip of our shoes...
-----------------------
Doggie Maid--Shari
Frozen--toe blade!
Thu Dec 27 11:26:39 2001
You are great!!! I have been observing this board for several months, learning from you pros, and sometimes dying with laughter!! I love that toe blade thing--I will chuckle all day thinking of that! Shari
------------------------------
Shari--Doggie Maid
Frozen poop
Wed Dec 26 21:13:11 2001
I used a cheapo ice scraper today--it was 15 degrees with a hefty wind chill-- and an old putty knife that works great too--nice and flexible! Then I wipe both off with a paper towel wet with disinfectant--works good! good luck
------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
Doggie Maid--Shari
Shovels, buckets, scoops
Wed Dec 26 21:50:26 2001
Went out today to a new job--it was cold, but the sun was out and with the light duting of snow, it made for an awesome morning in the Midwest. Never thought I could find such beauty in scooping poop! The 2 dogs were great fun, very excited to have me there, and the owner hired me for weekly cleanup, and she is excited to tell her friends! Ah, life is good...:) Anyway, I've been experimenting with a bunch of tools, methods and I will still have to say that when it is cold and the job is big, making for many dustpan fulls, my favorite method is my large scissor type scooper that has a rake side along with a solid side. I carry that True Temper "Real Tools for Kids" shovel that Matt Osborn mentions along with my scooper in one hand and a double lined 5 gallon bucket in the other. I use these 2" Mini Spring clamps to hold the bags in place--you can use spring type clothespins too, but their longer nature sometimes gets in the way of the handle on the bucket. I chip the piles with the metal shovel and easily scoop with my scissor scooper. I can make it around a huge yard with lots of waste without changing the bags or ripping them up at the edges from the scraping motion. There is also less strain on my wrist when carrying the bucket. The 4 pack of clamps can be bought for $1.89 at Menards and I also saw the True Temper shovel there for $5.44. I had an entire bucket full today for one yard--this method only took me 20 minutes at this new job and the clamps worked great in the wind. You gotta try it!
Also, for those kennel jobs--I have a kids size plastic snow shovel the fits the opening of the dustpan just right! Works great after you have loosened up the frozen piles or if you just have a large amount in one area.
Lastly, I am testing a new Xmas gift- it is the Easy Scoop II. "Super tough polycarbonate supports even the heaviest load. Extra long reach means no bending over. Easily sifts through grass, snow ,or sand. 36" telescoping handle!" We will see...I love the light weight of it--the handle is cool, and the plastic scoop seems very tough, but slighty flexible. I tried breaking it, but could not. The scoop is slotted at the end like a rake--I will try it with my lined dustpan to see how much it rips up the bags. The scoop is screwed/bolted onto the handle, so even if it does break, I am going to use the fantastic handle design with another shovel head. I found some light weight shovels at Menards-- sort of like the ones RED talks about--except that the handles were way short. Got a couple anyway, because I might remove the scoop and put it on these telescoping handles--I will have the best of both worlds! I will keep you posted on that testing too! The Easy Scoop II is about $13--quality made in Eagan, MN.
Well, this has been fun!! I have a new client again tomorrow. She runs a PAW SPA--Doggie Daycare and wants me to clean her walk area, and maybe hire me on weekly. Wish me luck! Hope you all really "cleaned up" this Christmas!! Be well. Shari
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
DoggieMaid-Shari
ROCKS! Rakes! Shovels!
Wed Dec 26 22:26:55 2001
YOU GUYS ROCK! Wait, you do rocks! I learn so much from you all! Never even thought of that situation coming up. I don't know if I've ever seen anyone in Iowa with gravel in their runs or river rock in the entire yard. Thank God for good ole grass and concrete!!! As far as the Shovel/rake debate...gotta side with mostly shovel but I really like my scissor style scooper with both rake and solid--testing a combo rake/shovel now. Surgical gloves to pick up turds! I am laughing my head off with that visual!! Man, if I had a dog and rocks, I would hire you brave souls to clean for me, just to put a smile on my face. I can just feel that gushy sensation now!! OK, I'll stop!!!! Later! :)
--------------------------
Pete
Re: ROCKS! Rakes! Shovels!
Thu Dec 27 10:12:57 2001
You wrote:
"I really like my scissor style scooper"
OK, but it's just too dern slow for the pro's. I suggest that you get a scoop and rake, learn to use them and clean 5 of more yards per hour. That's where the money is. Don't have enough customers to do that yet? Now is the time to prepare. Opportunity knocks - will you be ready?
"Better than the will to succeed is the will to prepare to succeed."
Pete Hulse, Scoopmeister
-------------------------
Doggiemaid--Shari
Shovels, scoops
Thu Dec 27 11:05:39 2001
Thanks for the encouragement. I have the dustpans, all sorts of shovels, rakes, that I have been using for a few years on my own yard, relatives, friends. The dustpan/shovel method is great once the yard is in control--you are correct in that it is the quickest. But for the big, first time winter jobs, where there is a lot of chipping on old stuff, in which case you usually have to let go of the dustpan handle anyway, the scissor scooper/bucket works great for me. I've had to change my bags 4-5 times with the dustpan method for these big jobs--the 5 gallon bucket is nice for that...no changing and I can sit the bucket down in one general area, loosen all closeby numerous piles first, and then easily scoop them up and empty into the pail--no strain of heavy dustpan...and no turds rolling out. I only have a handful of paying weekly clients right now,but my time is valuable, so I am with you all the way in the shovel/dustpan method. I am finding that even with 2 dogs,once I have the yard in good shape, I can do the cleanup in 5-10 minutes,even with the bucket/scissor scooper method--my travel time here in the Des Moines, Iowa area is great--we have minimal traffic problems, even with a population of over 275,000. 4 yards an hour is fine with me right now--I could easily pick up the pace when the need arises. Again thanks for your advice! Shari
-----------------------------------