Hey Reader , Tony here! 👋🏼

Yesterday, one of my technicians got bit by a dog.

If you’ve been in this industry long enough, you know this is one of the scariest situations we can face as scoopers — and it becomes even heavier once you’re responsible for employees, not just yourself.

He texted me three words I never want to see:
​“I got bit.”

There was blood on his hand. I immediately called him to make sure he was okay and to understand exactly what happened.

The client’s mom — who was responsible for keeping the dogs inside — mentioned that one of the dogs might come out, but assured him the dog was friendly. That dog did come out. My technician squatted down to greet it, and the dog immediately bit his hand and became aggressive. He struggled to safely exit the yard.

At that point, my priority was clear:

• Make sure my technician was safe
• Document everything
• Protect him, and protect the business

We documented the incident in our job form, took photos, and sent them directly to the client. When I called the client, she was horrified and extremely emotional — understandably so. It was an uncomfortable conversation, but I had to be very clear:

We have zero tolerance for dog bites.

Our hands are our livelihood. If we’re injured, we can’t work. And if we can’t work, we can’t provide for our families.

This yard also wasn’t a good fit for us. Seven dogs, weekly cleanups taking over an hour, and now a serious safety incident. For the safety of my team and the health of the business, I made the decision to end service with that client.

That’s never an easy call — but leadership sometimes means making uncomfortable decisions.

---

What to Do If a Dog Bite Happens (or Even a Scratch)

If you’re a pooper scooper — especially if you have employees — you need a clear plan.

1. Sanitize immediately​
If it’s a scratch or minor bite, clean and disinfect it right away.

2. Carry a first aid kit in every vehicle​
This is non-negotiable once you’re running crews.

3. Document EVERYTHING​
Photos of the injury, notes in your CRM or job form, and written communication with the client.

4. Seek medical care when necessary​
If there’s a puncture wound or significant injury, go to urgent care immediately. Dog bites can cause serious infections and transmit dangerous diseases.

5. Homeowner’s insurance matters​
If the incident happened on the client’s property, their homeowner’s insurance should be responsible for medical bills.

6. Know when workers’ comp applies​
If a technician is injured badly or can’t work, you may need to file a workers’ compensation claim. This is why proper coverage matters.

7. Remember: most dogs aren’t “bad”​
These situations are often accidents or the result of negligence. Dogs are protecting their home. That doesn’t make the risk acceptable — but it does help frame the situation calmly and professionally.

8. Be there for your technician​
Dog bites are traumatic. Check in on them. Support them. Encourage rest, icing, proper bandaging, and follow-up care.

---

This incident reinforced something I already believe deeply:
​Safety always comes before revenue.

No client, no yard, and no check is worth putting yourself or your team in danger.

If you’re building a real business — especially one with employees — you need policies, documentation, and the backbone to enforce them.

Take care of your people. Everything else comes second.

​

Tony - Poop Scoops For Noobs

P.S. Have you registered for Jobber Summit yet? You don't need to be a Jobber user to attend. Hear from incredible keynote speakers, connect with your peers, and learn how to take your business to the next level—all online, at your choice of time, and completely free. Register here.​

📰 How I Can Help You 🤝

👉 Ask Me Anything​

👉 Serious About Success Bundle

👉 $19,997 of Money-Making Value for FREE​

👉 Book a Business Breakthrough Call​

👉 Professional Equipment and Supplies Guide for Pooper Scoopers​

👉 Custom Video For Your Business​

👉 140+ Before/After & Bag Display Photos for Social Media​

👉 Contract and Terms of Service Template​

👉 Employment Agreement Template for Pooper Scooper Businesses​

​

---

My favorite tools to run my business 👇

Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Jobber What I used to grow to $250K+ annually as a pooper scooper. Start a free trial of Jobber via my link and receive an exclusive discount AND my bonus Jobber Cheat Sheet For Pooper Scoopers! I'll jump on a coaching call with you to help you get set up when you sign up for a Paid Plan! ​ *This section was sponsored

Titan Syndicate Built for solo scoopers and small pet waste teams who want to scale smarter — not harder. Save hours each week with automated lead capture, client retention, and review systems that run while you work. Use coupon scoops10 for 10% Off Titan Syndicate ​Sign up for Titan.​

Review Harvest The fastest way I added over 100 reviews in just one week. Review Harvest automates your review requests and follow-ups so you get more 5-star reviews without the awkward asks. More reviews = more trust + more sales. Try for free.​

​
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

​