Dog Grooming

There is a difference between the smell of a dog and a “smelly” dog. Here we will examine the smelly dog syndrome and a few reasons(and cures)for this odorous effect.

All animals have distinctive odors. Animals lovers recognize those particular smells. Horse people love the smell of horses; as do dog people, know the smell of dogs.

Have you ever been sitting in your living room and wafting through the air comes a smell? “What the heck?” And there at our feet is Fido looking up at you, wagging his tail, so innocent. Right!

It may not be his fault. But what is causing this smell?

Digestive problems: A dogs digestive system works differently from humans and when given human food may react in a gaseous manner, here are a few foods that cause gas.

-Dairy products may cause gas in dogs, milk in particular: Lactose, or milk sugars do not set well with our canine pals.

-Bread products: The yeast can expand in the stomach and cause digestive distress.

-Table scraps: Feeding your dog table scraps can lead to digestive problems. Cooked meats, potatoes and gravy all sound good, smell good, but may not be a great idea as dog food. Too much fat and seasonings could distress your dog.

Problem: Glands on your dog. All dogs have anal glands that can be drained if there is an odor. Your dog groomer should be doing this as part of the monthly grooming routine. But you can do it too. It is a gland that is located close to the anus of your dog. Ask your groomer or your veterinarian to show you where it is located. After you know where this gland is then, its a simple matter to drain it.

Method: Using a paper towel (or two!) gently squeeze this gland, a cloudy substance will ooze out and you simply wipe it away with your trusty paper toweling! Repeat this until no more comes out. Gently clean the area with a soft cloth and dry, no more anal gland odors!

Ear problems: Your dogs ears may need attention. Sometimes odor comes from your dogs ears if they have been wet or there is moisture trapped inide them. This is especially true in long eared dogs such as Cocker Spaniels, and Bassett Hounds, however it can happen to all dogs.

This ear cleaning can and should be done by a dog groomer, however you can clean your dogs ears quite easily.

Method: Again using paper towels or a soft cloth, put a small amount on hydrogen peroxide on the towel over your fingertip. Gently fold back the dogs ear and then place that finger tip over

The cheerful Bichon Frise (pronounced Beejon Freezay and meaning curly lapdog) has to be one of the cutest dogs this side of Crufts. His plaintive expression, white puffball appearance and dark eyes would melt the hardest of cat-lovers’ hearts.

BUT, for every benefit there is a downside. They are not a “no maintenance” dog. Because it is a non-shedding breed, and the coat continually grows, clipping every six to eight weeks is necessary as well as brushing and combing (preferably daily) and bathing every second week. That is the downside.

The upside is that you get a devoted, affectionate companion, equally suited to all ages, who just wants to be with his family either going for walks, learning new tricks or just playing couch potatoes. Bishons have a wonderful attitude to life; they love everybody, and generally tolerate other pets well if introduced carefully. Some are territorial and/or occasionally jealous. Some get so excited, they do the Bichon Buzz’, running frantically round and about for a few moments.

They are considered non-allergenic but best to have contact with one first before purchasing because once you own a Bichon, you will be heart-broken (as he will be) if you have to let him go.

Bichons are generally tough, living for 14-16 years with occasional animals living up to 19 years or so. They have a merry outlook on life and a superb temperament. They are really inside dogs so they can be one of the family. Because of their abundant double coat, they can become distressed in the heat. They are generally very healthy with little of the luxating patellas and eye problems seen in so many other breeds. Some may also suffer from allergies.

Some Bichons exhibit staining of the coat around the eyes which does not inconvenience the dog but does detract from its appearance. The eyes of some dogs run and the coat surrounding the eye will become stained. Because of the whiteness of the coat, this staining may be more noticeable than in some other breeds.

Like most breeds, there is some conjecture about its origins. It has existed for over 700 years and seems to have come originally from the Mediterranean region. Certainly they appeared on Tenerife by the 14th century. It is believed to have Barbet (Water Spaniel) ancestors and to have been introduced into France from Italy by the French King during the Renaissance. Until the French Revolution (when the dogs were exterminated along with the aristocracy), all the French Kings owned these adorable puffballs.

The first step in grooming your dog is to brush often. If it is a long haired dog daily brushing is recommended. There are several kinds of brushes on the market. A soft bristled brush is good. Brushing your dog on a regular basis keeps mattes from forming,especially around the ears and back legs and on some breads the mouth, and brings out the natural oils to keep the dog’s coat healthy.

The next step is to brush your dog’s teeth at least once a week. Good dental practices keeps your dog’s teeth from forming tartar, which will eventually turn into bacteria and cause health problems. Your local pet store will have brushes and toothpaste for dogs. Brushing a dog’s teeth is just like brushing your teeth. Apply the toothpaste on the brush. With your thumb hold up the side of the mouth and insert the tooth brush. Gently move the brush in a circular motion. Brush top and bottom. Repeat on the other side. Then do the front teeth. The dog’s natural reaction to this is to constantly move their mouth, but keep on brushing. The toothbrushes are long enough to be able to keep brushing if you have trouble holding up the sides of their mouth. In between brushing there is a product on the market that can be added to their drinking water.

Next you will want to clean out their ears. Purchase an ear wash from your vet or local pet store. Squirt the wash in their ear. Take your hands and rub the outside of the ear. You will hear a swishing noise. This will move the wash around the inside of the ear and loosen the dirt that has accumulated in the ear. Then take a cotton balls and gently wipe out the dirt in the ear. The dog may shake its head. When this occurs hold down the ear,otherwise you will get wet.

Next you will want to clip their nails. Use whatever nail clipper you will be comfortable with using. Before clipping cut away any hair around the nail. Hold the foot and spread the toes. The correct way to clip nails is to clip a little above where the nail curves. Do not go below that curve. Even clipping the tips of the nail is good until a professional can do it for you. The dogs feet will feel more comfortable if the nails are trimmed down.

About once a month bath your dog. Before bathing brush the coat and remove any mattes by cutting them out with scissors. To avoid accidentally cutting your dog’s skin, hold the matte in between your index finger and the next finger and cut below your fingers. Then use a comb to untangle any matting that is still left.

Belgian Sheepdog (“Groenendael” or “Chien de Berger Belge”) formally recognized in Belgium in 1891, and developed from a wide assortment of sheepdogs. Also, considered as working dog to herd cattle and sheep. During World War I, Belgian Sheepdogs worked on the battlefields, serving as message carriers, ambulance dogs, and pulling machine guns. This breed of dog has four varieties, which was cataloged by Adolph Reul, professor of animal breeding (1891): The Groenendalel with sold long black coat, the Laekenois, a wire-coat or rough in fawn, red or brown, the Malinois, a short coated in fawn, red or brown and the Tervuren, a long coated fawn or dark red dog. These types of dogs resemble the German Shepherd dog, except the Belgian dogs are square, not rectangular, when viewed from the side.

The Groenendael was the first type of sheepdog to arrive in the United States. In 1924, the first Belgian Sheepdog Club of America was formed and soon joined the American Kennel Club. The American Kennel Club recognized by 1959, the Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, and Belgian Tervuren. In the United States, approximately 1,500 Belgian Sheepherd puppies are registered each year. Belgian Sheepdogs are obedient and loyal. The dog makes good family pet, and good with children. Their intelligence, and alertness, makes them a good police or guard dog, but will not attack unless warranted. Also, known to be good dog, performing search and rescue missions, and assist in therapy. Enjoys urban and country environment, and especially space to roam, including a fenced yard. Preferably exercising for two hours a day, which includes training session. The Belgian Sheepdog is adaptable to extreme temperature or climate. The breed can be socialized to interact with other dogs, and can expect to live twelve – fourteen years. Requires daily combing, brushing (extremely dense undercoat) or grooming at least four times a week, clipping hair between the toes and outer ears, and bathing only when necessary. The dog tends to shed biannually, however may require additional vacuuming under furniture, countertops, or upholstery. The Laekenoise dog sheds the least amount, compared to other Belgian Sheepdogs. Preferably training Belgian Sheepdog puppies will prevent or develop sharp temperament. The breed weighs up to 62 pounds and average height for male 24 – 26 inches and female 22 – 24 inches.

Belgian Sheepdogs generally are healthy breed and have no major health concerns. However,

The phrase “dog grooming” conjures up an image of expensive salons for pets. Its true that your pet does not need fancy haircuts, expensive baths or oil treatments. But shunning away the idea of dog grooming is akin to handling your pet with shortsightedness. Your pets appearance is a mirror to its overall health and wellbeing. Lack of grooming may lead to major health problems. Dog groomers ensure that your dog not only looks good but feels good as well.

Professional dog groomers suggest basic grooming for eyes, ears, teeth, face, tummy, skin, feet and nails, and coat should be done regularly.

Appropriate eye care entails regular cleansing. Your dogs eyes should be bright, lustrous and clean. You must ensure that there are no signs of redness or excessive discharge. There is likely to be periodic buildup in the dogs eye, which must be wiped out with a clean, damp cloth. However, if the discharge is thick or mucous-like, you must consult a veterinarian.

Ear care is also an important aspect of dog grooming. Moisture and dirt buildup inside the pets ear is a breeding ground for bacteria. You should trim ear hair and wipe with a clean cloth, thereby ensuring that the ear is kept dry. Any buildup of wax in the ear must be treated immediately, lest an infection sets in. The veterinarian would typically employ a solution to dissolve the ear wax and then cleanse it using a cloth or Q-tip.

Dental hygiene is equally important for your dog as it is for you. Plaque and tartar buildup causes gum disease. It is a common misconception that a balanced diet can prevent gum diseases or other teeth related problems. Cleaning the teeth and gums is highly essential for proper dental care. Dog groomers clean a pets teeth and gums in order to prevent unnecessary plaque buildup.

Dog groomers stress on brushing a dogs coat on a weekly basis. A thick and matted coat encourages bacterial infection and other diseases of the skin, and hence it is all more necessary to keep your dogs coat clean. Stroking with a soft brush gets rid of dead hair, dander and dirt.

As every dog groomer would suggest, trim your dogs nails at least once a month. It is a misconception that long hair between the toes would keep your dogs feet warm in winters. Instead it would collect dirt and grime, and may encourage infection. Therefore, keep the hair trimmed at all times.

Since your dog needs to be treated with the best of care, getting the best dog cages and dog crates for you beloved canine pet is essential. Dog kennels are especially needed for a number of purposes whether for travel, quick transportation, home use, outdoor activities, and for safety intentions. You may also want to use a large sized crate for bigger dog breeds, and small-spaced cages for the smaller toy breeds. There are many choices when it comes to choosing the right dog cages for your pet. Most of these crates come in a variety of types, sizes, and features.

If you engage your dog in training activities regularly, having the right carriers is very important. This will allow you to transfer your pet easily from one place to another especially when activities are done outdoors or in public places. The right cage moreover will give you better control over your dog, in the same way that puppy pens are important for training puppies at an early stage. Most pet owners discover that managing the behavior of their pets inside the car is easier if they are placed in individual and comfortable cages. The right cage will also protect your pet during dire circumstances involving collisions or accidents.

However, finding the right types of crate or kennel is no easy feat for the dedicated pet owner. With the wide range of styles and materials available these days, it will be tough to settle on one particular product. The most important thing nonetheless, is to understand the needs of your pet first and foremost. You need to take note of the size of your pet in order to give him enough space even while inside the crate. There are large and medium sizes which are perfect for bigger dog breeds.

You may also want to give your pets a little LTC by purchasing dog grooming tables for them. Your canine companions need to be pampered as well, especially if they are about to join annual competitions and dog shows, such as the Crufts dog show. Here you will be able to witness the finest dog breeds exhibiting their skills, intelligence, and prowess. If you are planning to enter your pet in any of these shows or competitions, you need to equip them not merely with the right skills, but with the ideal equipments as well. Puppy pens, tables, and kennels are among these implements.

The truth is you can get the best quality products at excellent prices. You need to search around for the best price if you dont want to spend your money on next to nothing. Cheap dog cages and crates are always available; however you need to check the craftsmanship of the products as well. Extensively available in small, medium, and large sizes, kennels and grooming tables are very important for the optimum care your pets deserve. Perfect for travel and ideal for training sessions, the right dog cages will assure the comfort of your pet whether at home, in the car, or traveling on the road for long hours.

Memphis Belle is a Shih tzu. She weighs fourteen pounds and stands nine inches high at the shoulder. The longest she has ever tolerated the attentions of a child under the age of ten is fifteen minutes. She does give fair warning, getting up and moving away, growling, and snapping, when she has had enough. But she will bite if an adult does not intervene.

Moby is a Doberman Pinscher. He weighs seventy-five pound and stands twenty-seven inches high at the shoulder. He allows children from newborn through teenager to do whatever they want to do to him, including sticking little fingers into his golden eyes and feeding him play-do “cookies.” He has never snapped, never growled, never sighed dramatically and moved to the other side of the room. He has, on occasion, yelped when an ear was bitten or a toe crushed. His favorite game is “kiss the baby.”

Are these two dogs typical? Maybe not. But, given my personal history with both big dogs and small dogs, I would rather my children were around large breed dogs than small breed dogs. Why? Large breed dogs, when well-trained and well-socialized, are acutely aware of their size in relationship with others around them and will go out of their way not to hurt, startle, or even bump small children. Small breed dogs, on the other hand, are often over-looked, under-trained, and too-accustomed to being bumped, kicked, and stepped on. They have developed, out of self-preservation, twitchy reflexes.

The truth is, no dog is completely safe around children. Anything with a mouth can bite and some dogs, no matter their sizes, are guaranteed to bite. The keys to trusting any dog around children are socialization and training.

What’s socialization? It’s taking a puppy out of the house as soon as its immune system will tolerate it and exposing it to different people, such as small children, the elderly, the physically challenged, and different situations, such as busy city streets, farm settings, parks, and fairs in a safe, non-threatening manner. Dogs, like children, must be taught to deal with new situations and new experiences. They aren’t born knowing how to react to strangers or different species. They must be taught and anyone who fails to teach a dog how to react to other people and other animals is ultimately responsible for that dog’s actions.

Training is key, as well. All dogs must be trained in basic good manners: house breaking, obedience, and walking on a leash, even if that dog never puts a paw on the ground. A toy poodle who weighs in at six pounds but doesn’t know how to sit on command isn’t cute or precious. It’s out of control.

Ask any dog groomer or vet tech what’s worse: a frightened but well-trained Rottweiler or an untrained, unsocialized, terrified Chihuahua and the answer will always be the Chihuahua. Why? The Rottweiler will respond to its owner’s commands even though it’s frightened. The Chihuahua will lash out and bite everyone within reach, including the owner.

Small or big, no dog should be left alone with a child, no matter how much training or socialization it has recieved. But, when choosing a pet for a child, bigger is better.

An important aspect of dog ownership is regularly bathing your dog. This will help not only to keep your dog clean and odour free but will also help to keep the skin in healthy condition, free from irritation caused by natural toxin release, environmental pollutions and dog saliva which can cause hot spots.

As a former dog groomer, I’m going to guide you through how to have a pleasant experience with little mess and limited strain on your back.

THE PREPARATION

Preparing the Dog

There are two things to consider in preparation; the bath area and the dog. First let’s talk about the dog. The single most important thing you need to do before you even turn on the water is to make sure the dog’s coat is prepared to be wet. You MUST brush the dog first. This is particularly important for long-haired breeds. The coat must be tangle and knot free before it gets wet or the tangles will set and form huge mats that will be very difficult to brush out later. If you have a double-coated breed, its important to brush out that under coat or big clumps will come off in the bath causing drain blockages. Even with a short-haired breed, use a rubber curry comb to rid your dog of as much excess hair as possible.

Now that that is done, its time to protect your dog’s ears. Taking two cotton balls, gently insert them into the ears. This will keep out any water avoiding possible ear infections later on.

Preparing the Area

Now that your dog is ready, let’s choose our area and prepare it. To avoid strain on your back, where you bath the dog is important. If you have a smaller dog the best choice is a laundry sink. It’s elevated and deep so you will avoid spilling excess water on the floor, and it is bigger than a kitchen or bathroom sink.

If you have a large dog, consider taking it to a U-bath facility. These are usually found in a grooming salon where they have an extra elevated bathtub for clients who want to bathe their own dog. If you don’t have one of these in your area then the next best thing is your own bathtub.

Next most important thing is to get a hand held shower attachment, the kind that have a long hose with a shower nozzle on the end. You really aren’t going to give your dog a bath; you are going to give it a shower.

Let’s talk about the shampoo. You need to buy a good quality PET shampoo. A human or baby shampoo is PH balanced for a human- not a dog- and it will cause irritation and dry out the coat. If your dog has dry, oily or other

The first answer is DON’T make your dog a member of the family!

Let him/her be a member of HIS family.

It is important to realize that dogs want to be DOGS, not humans! We tend to anthropomorphize all animals. Think a little bit! If your dog owned you, would you want him to make you go on all fours and bark?

NO! And your dog doesn’t want to be a human. In fact, being a dog dog is better than being a human, with the exception of Rotweilers and Pit Bulls who are usually engendered into being Nazis. They don’t have to be Nazis…you can take one as a pup and make a genial sweet dog of him if you act decently with and about him.

Let’s look a t a few dogs I have owned, going back years and years:

PUP…a German shepherd. He was playful and good with children, but had a desire to go in the wild. Eventually he became feral and went to the woods and cohabited with wolves and produced half-wolf half-dog puppies. About once a year he would show up at the farm and re-introduce himself. A happy wild creature.

Blackspot, an English bulldog and his Mother, Whitey.

WHITEY had seven puppies and all were given away to friends excepting Blackspot who stayed fifteen years. WHITEY bit my best friend when he approached her puppies. A natural reaction. WHITEY lived many years and finally succumbed at 18 curled in her dog house. Her son lived another few years, and rushing out to the nearby highway, was killed by a car to the great distress of me and my four brothers.

DON was bought by my Dad as a puppy in a trade. DAD traded a pig for him and he was about six weeks old. He was a purebred Saint Bernard, with papers! By the time he attained full growtth living on our large farm, he weighed 235 pounds. He was wonderful with us kids, and would burrow into th deep snow and we would find him by seeing the little chimney of steam coming up fro his nostrils.

DON had a bad habit…when dogs attacked him, he quickly broke their necks. After a few such encounters, my Father was forced to give him to a construction worker going to Alaska to construct the AlCAN Highway. Soon we got a clipping from an Alaska newspaper. Don had pulled 10,000 pounds on a sled to win the annual competition.

ISAAC..my wife and I nursed an older woman who,dying, asked us to ‘put down’ her fifteen year old Black Lab…With her safely on the way to God, we defied her wishes and kept him until he died at age 21 . That period was the best of our whole life of dogs, as ISAAC was intelligent, loved people, swam, hunted, was a gentlemn, and we wept for weeks at his 21 year old demise.

SAM…SAM was a Newfounland and was given to us by doctor who didn’t have a clue on looking after dogs. SAM was a four-months-old puppy, and very mean and healthy.

We carefully groomed and trained him to be quiet and decent but left his questionable personality toward strangers and other animals stay put under strict circumstances. He spent most of his life to age 18 in the passenge seat of my car, with his head on my lap.

Last October, he romped about the local library greensward, went to sleep on my knee, went home and ate his supper, chased the yellow cat, went to sleep and never woke up.

He is buried just by ISAAC and nearby is the tomb of my daughter’s dog PETA, a mongrel mutt.

They were all DOGS and were let to be DOGS.

AMEN!

If your dog’s nails are making a typical tip-tap noise on your hard wood floor as he walks this may mean he needs a good nail trimming. If you are brushing your dog’s fur and the comb gets entangled in hair mats very likely the dog needs a good hair clipping. If your dog encountered a skunk and you cannot tolerate his horrible smell very likely he will need a good special bath.

If you feel overwhelmed over these procedures your dog may desperately need, take a deep breath and exhale because thankfully there are professional dog groomers out there to give you a helping hand. Whether your dog needs a good flea bath, a nail trim or your Poodle needs a nice “French Poodle style grooming” a groomer will always be there for you.

Choosing a good dog groomer however should invest more time than just taking a peek at your local yellow pages and picking the groomer just half mile away from your home. A dog groomer will be working directly on your dog in a very close and physical matter. And because basically anybody could claim to be a groomer, you want to deal with a dog groomer that has experience in handling dogs carefully and adheres to high hygienic standards.

A good starting point in finding the ideal groomer is asking around friends other dog owners or calling veterinarian practices around. To be even pickier try to contact the National Dog Groomers Association of America and then do a search on the Better Business Bureau website and look for any complaints. It may astounding how many complaints you can find about dog groomers mistreating pets or caring less about hygiene.

Once you find a groomer that you may think is worthy of a visit, drive by and take a peek at the grooming facility. You should look for a well lit area that smells fresh and clean. Doggie smells should be kept at a minimum and pets being groomed should look relaxed since the staff handles them with particular care. Staff should appear in a good mood and no frustration should be showing as they work on the pets. The general atmosphere should look relaxed and not rushed. Rushing is what most likely will cause injuries and mistreatment’s. As you evaluate the facility think to yourself: “Would I feel comfortable bringing my dog in this facility and to be groomed by this staff”? Trust you instincts, if something does not seem right, go to your second choice facility.

Ask the groomer if he/she is licensed or if he/she has some sort of certification from a grooming practice. Many times