Dog Grooming

Averaging heights over 30″ and weighing up to 170 pounds, Great Danes are among the largest dog breeds. Luckily these gentle giants have amiable dispositions and require little grooming.

Grooming a Great Dane, as with all dog breeds, is best started young. When a puppy get the Dane used to having their feet held and nails clipped. Handle their ears and brush their fur. Start tooth brushing early. Make bath time a game. All of these activities should be considered fun. They should be accompanied by lots of praise and treats! Start the puppy out thinking that grooming is a positive experience. Grooming can, and should, be a bonding activity between owner and dog.

Coat –

Bathing – The thought of wresting a 160 pound unhappy Great Dane into a bathtub can be terrifying! Luckily with their short, single layer, coats Great Danes do not require many baths. Indeed, bathing too frequently may strip your dog’s coat of essential oils. Great Dane’s are prone to dry skin and the oils are necessary to keep their skin moist. If a bath is necessary use a biodegradable shampoo designed specifically for dogs. You may also choose to wipe down your Dane with a washcloth and some of the shampoo. Be careful to use a clean cloth to remove any residual shampoo when done. The frequency of baths is debatable but not more than once a month and often only twice a year seem to suffice.

Brushing – A Great Dane should be brushed at least weekly to remove any dead fur and to distribute the oils. A curry brush is usually recommended. Regular brushing will cut down on the need for baths.

Head –

Slobber – Some Dane’s are droolers and it is a wise idea to keep a drool towel with you to wipe up any excess. This will help keep your dog’s face clean and prevent them for sharing the drool with unsuspecting passersby.

Ears – Ears should be checked, and cleaned, once a week. Use a product designed for cleaning a dog’s ears. You may also make your own solution with apple cider vinegar and water. Squirt the solution into the ear and then rub and massage the ear for a few minutes. This will allow the solution to work its way into the canal. Then with a cotton ball, or damp soft cloth, gently clean the inside of their ears. Be careful not to go far into the canal.

Eyes – Clean around the eyes with a damp cloth if any mucus is present. A small amount of mucus is normal and not anything to worry about. If you notice an excess of mucus or if appears

While many people feel that removing dew claws from newly born puppies is cruel, the trouble they can cause if left on is much more painful for the dog than most people think. I have bred Show dogs for over 40 years, and always have my puppies Dewclaws removed by my Veterinarian at three days of age. At most the puppy will give a little whimper, and within a minute is back safely with “mum”.

Many breeds are bred for a reason, Gun-dogs to Point or Retrieve, usually in rough scrub land. Some Terrier Breeds are bred for flushing game out of their lair in the ground, as are some of the Hound Breeds. If these dogs have not had their Dewclaws removed, the can rip them to the point where the are only just hanging on by a tiny bit of flesh.

Think how painful it is if you accidentally remove a hang nail and it touches the quick of the nail. Agonizing, isn’t it? Well multiply that pain by ten, and be aware that the poor dog may have to suffer for as long as it takes to reach a Veterinarian. The Dog then has to undergo an Anesthetic, followed by surgical removal of the offending appendage, it has to be stitched, necessitating a further trip to the Veterinarian to have the Stitches removed. Painful for the dog, painful for the owners Bank Balance. After all this has been done, if the owner wishes to continue hunting, there are three more chances for a similar accident to occur. Bearing this in mind, surely it is easier to remove the Dewclaws at birth.

On another point, having run a Dog Grooming Salon for ten years, I could not even begin to count the number of dogs that have come in with their nails more like talons than nails. Seeing this would make my heart sink, because, while it is relatively easy to shorten the nails, what many people do not realize is, that when Dewclaws are neglected, the grow in a circular pattern, eventually piercing the flesh on the dog’s leg, and that causes the dog so much pain while it is extracted from the flesh so it can be cut back. During the many years of evolution, dewclaws have basically become redundant, and I can see no point in leaving them on a dog, considering the accidents that can , an often does, happen to them.

Grooming your dog is very important to his hygiene. Grooming your dog involves bathing, combing, drying, and cutting the coat. Proper drying is an important to make sure the coat looks its best. Even with a good haircut, the coat can still look messy if not properly dried.

There are a couple different ways that are used to dry the dogs coat. The most popular way for at home grooming is the towel dry. The towel dry is very easy to achieve. This is also the most practical way to dry at home. To towel dry just use a towel to briskly dry the dogs coat. This method is used with short haired dogs.

If you have a long haired dog, or show dog other methods should be considered. The next method used is the cage dry. This takes slightly more time, and equipment. To cage dry the dog is place in a cage with a cage fan. This fan or drier is clipped onto the cage, and blows into the cage to dry the coat. When doing this a towel needs to be placed in the bottom of the cage. If your dog is too big for a cage a table can be used instead. The only problem may be keeping the dog on the table. A leash to keep the dog on the table may be needed. Keeping an eye on the dog to make sure they still dont try to get off the table and get hurt is also a good idea.

Another method that is most often used at a grooming center is the fluff dry method. This method is used for long haired dogs. This method takes time and patience. Show dogs are very popular breeds to have this drying method used. Most often the hair is not only dried, but straightened as well.

To fluff dry a high speed floor dryer is used. The dryer is pointed at small sections at a time. The purpose of the small sections is so that each area can be thoroughly dried and straightened. The warm air dries the hair as the groomer, whoever it may be, uses a brush to brush the hair upward. This upward stroke with the brush will fluff and straighten the coat. Once one section is completely dried and straightened the dryer is moved to the next section, and the same process is repeated. This method takes time to learn the special technique.

The breed of dog you have will have a big effect on which dry method you can use. If you have a dog that needs the fluff dry method a dog groomer is usually the best bet, as not all these methods can be used at home and still have a good looking coat.

The Irish Water Spaniel is classified as a retriever by the American Kennel Club. He dates back many, many years. Similar type dogs appear on Roman artefacts. Ancestors may include Portuguese water dogs and other breeds from the Iberian region. Two strains developed in Ireland: the Southern County and Northern County Water Spaniel. While these two types each had their own distinct characteristics, today’s Irish Water Spaniel most closely resembles the Southern type. He has a very soft mouth and a keen nose. Although he was popular in the USA in the 1800s for duck hunting, he has lost favour to the short-coated Labrador Retriever which is much easier to care for. The Irish Water Spaniel is now considered a rare breed.

Some sources believe that the Irish Water Spaniel may have Poodle or Irish Setter in his background. He certainly looks a lot like a brown standard Poodle. Irish Water Spaniels were exhibited at the first Westminster Kennel Club Show in America in 1877 and were first introduced to Australia in 1891.

His most impressive feature is his distinctive curly coat. The crisp textured curled coat, plus the dense, thick undercoat which acts as insulation, is vital to protect the working dog from a harsh environment and elemental extremes. The curls are a rich, dark liver colour. Both sexes sport a goatee beard and the males’ coat is slightly heavier. A topknot of long, loose ringlets hangs down over the face providing protection to the eyes. A striking contrast to the curly body hair is a face, tail and V-shaped patch on the throat which have very smooth, short hair. The hair below the hocks is also smooth and short. The feet and toes are well covered in hair both over the feet and between the toes.

This type of coat requires regular time-consuming combing with a wide-toothed comb. Oil in the coat which helps repel water also attracts dust and the result can be a matted coat. Clipping will make the job of grooming your dog a lot easier and much simpler. The hair around the ears, eyes and toenails should be checked and trimmed as needed. Irish Water Spaniels tend to be good choices for those who suffer from allergies as they shed very little.

Irish Water Spaniels are one of the largest spaniels, standing between 21 and 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing from 45 to 65 pounds depending on age and sex. The general impression is one of an upstanding sporting dog of singular intelligence and robust stamina, conveying

If caring for your dog has become difficult because of weakness, here are some suggestions for strengthening your physical resources:

1. When it comes time for your dog to visit the veterinarian, investigate mobile veterinarians who will come to your house to see your pet. Mobile veterinarians are especially helpful if you have large dogs or several pets.

The mobile veterinarian can check on all of the pets at one time and give each one his annual vaccinations in one visit. Check the Yellow Pages of your telephone directory under Veterinarians for listings.

2. If you must have your dog groomed, contact a groomer who operates a mobile facility and, like mobile veterinarians, will come to your home to conduct the necessary grooming.

3. If you need help giving your dog medicine, fluids, or shots, ask your veterinarian if he or she knows of anyone who will make home visits. If not, contact local pet-sitters to find ones who will assist you. Many pet-sitters are trained to perform these functions for the sick pet for owners who cannot perform them for themselves or for owners when they are away.

4. When feeding and watering your dog, use large bowls so that you don’t have to refill them as often.

5. Ask a friend or neighbor to divide your dog’s food into smaller containers so that you can lift what you need more easily.

6. To play with your dog, use flashlights or lazer pointers. Dogs love chasing the light, and you won’t have to make a move.

7. If you have difficulty performing basic functions for yourself, investigate the use of a service or assistance dog. Assistance dogs are trained to help people with physical limitations perform their everyday functions. Assistance dogs are accepted in public places just as guide dogs and hearing dogs are.

8. If you are planning to get a dog, find one with an activity level that is less than yours. Dogs do a great job forcing their owners to get exercise and fresh air each day, but an overly active dog can be a handful when your energy hits bottom. Before adopting or purchasing a dog, investigate the breed characteristics and think twice about bringing home one of the more active breeds.

9. A dog, even a small one, may be able to pull the leash out of your hand or even pull you to the ground if you suffer from weakness. Walking your dog in ice or snow may be completely out of the question. As an alternative, use a radio collar as a virtual leash when your dog needs to go outside to potty In time and with practice, you may not have to activate the radio collar because your dog will know the spatial boundaries you have set.

You may have heard it few times before: An ounce of prevention, a pound of cure, and it’s so true. Free your dog of disease by feeding him right and keeping him well groomed and away from potentially harmful substances. Simple care and affection for your dog could save an expensive trip to the vet.

1. No to processed food! No to table scraps!

The best food for your dog is actually raw meat. Processed food, loaded with preservatives, has none of the antioxidants that would maintain your dog health and resistant to illness. And that was the plan, right?

Raw meat is good for your dogs, because they’re carnivores or meat eaters. They need lots of protein. If you feel queasy about your dog eating raw meat, cooked meat is also good but try to avoid giving table scraps. Leftovers are normally fat-laden, which will only encourage obesity in your dog. Which leads us to…

2. Don’t let your dog eat too much

As with you and me, dog obesity can lead to all sorts of health complications, such as heart ailments and, more frequently, indigestion. Also, if your dog is obese, check symptoms for Cushing’s syndrome, an endocrinal disease that is rare in humans but easily found to older dogs. Symptoms for Cushing’s syndrome include diabetes and appetite increase and depression and lethargy.

3. Chocolate and other no-no’s

There is a chemical stimulant in chocolate (also found in coffee) that remains in the dogs’ bloodstream and causes epileptic seizures, internal bleeding and heart attacks. Seriously. So even if they appear to like the taste, keep them away.

Other lethal poisons include beer, antifreeze and pennies (dogs are known to see a penny and pick it up – with their teeth). Not as harmful substances, but harmful just the same are grapes, onions, garlic, raisins.

4. Bath time!

Dogs should be bathed regularly, though people tend to have different ideas on how regular regularly should be. Every weekend should do the trick, and please use dog shampoo – our own shampoo has a different chemical mix and may cause hair loss and allergic reactions. Whether short or long, brush his mane to keep your dog looking all polished and spiffy. It also helps drive out remaining fleas and serves as a relaxing massage.

Avoid giving your dog the run of the neighborhood. Unless you live on the cleanest block in the world, your dog could come home with all these rabies, mites, STDs, ticks, fleas.

5. Make their beds (or make sure keep the area clean)

If you sleep in a filthy spot on the floor, wouldn’t you be prone to sickness and disease, too? Even if your dog doesn’t have his own bed or rug, give him clean sleeping quarters. Of course, although dogs tend to pick out certain favorite spots to sleep in, they’re still many different favorite spots, which means just clean your entire house. And you’ll be free of sickness and disease yourself.

Grooming your Yorkshire Terrier

The little Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most popular breeds in homes today. It is cheerful and very sociable with lots of affection to give. They have a great love for cuddling and have plenty of spirit to keep you entertained.

Yorkies must be given confidence early for the grooming needs. Start them as soon as possible or you will have problems with their confidence in what is being done. My training for dog grooming was at a Yorkie breeder’s establishment. They were pampered for show and breeding, but with so many she was unable to keep them all socialized properly. Many would shy away from the tasks at hand due to their worry at the events.

A well socialize pet will take on everything with confidence and assured curiosity. They are fragile looking, but will always have an eager disposition if loved and cared for properly.

Their coat is silky and long, but they are not hard to care for. They should be brushed daily with a fine metal comb to keep those fine hairs from matting. Puppies should be kept on a puppy clip for ease of care and older dogs should have areas trimmed for hygiene.

Use a good set of clippers made for dog grooming, the hairs can get caught in the blades if not a proper set. A dog’s hairs are different than human hairs, and a Yorkie’s is very fine. Use a #10 blade to trim between the pads of the paw, around the anus and stomach. A #5F blade for around the body on a puppy clip, begin at the base of the tail and work up to the head with a downward motion.

Use a sharp set of scissors to trim around the feet and the bottom of the dog to keep the hair from dragging the ground. Gently hold the tip of the tail away from the body and trim evenly from tip to rear for a nice lay of the hair.

When bathing, brush before getting them wet. Use a good shampoo and conditioner, the fine hairs will matt if you do not use it. As you are blowing them dry run the comb through the hair for a faster time.

If you are wanting to fancy them up with a bow at the top of the head it is very simple. Comb the hair away from the eyes upward and gather in your fingers. Repeat around the top of the ears, brush ear hair back down to lay properly on the ears. Then swing the comb around the middle of the skull for final gathering. You can use clips or rubber bands to hold it in place then tie a piece of ribbon around the gathering. If you do not use a rubber band to hold the hair, the dog will quickly rid itself of the ribbon by rubbing its face everywhere.

Check their ears weekly for dirt and moisture. Use a q-tip and alcohol to gently swab around the outside and remove dirt. Trim nails as often as needed.

Even though they are a pampered animal mostly kept inside a house. They love to run outside and play. The fine hairs will capture lots of leaves, small sticks and snow in the winter. Brush them out after each play to be sure nothing can cause matting and get stuck next to the skin.

Not so long ago, a yearly bath (usually after a romp with a skunk) and infrequent attacks with scissors and an old hair brush were all our dogs got in the way of grooming. But often our dogs lived outside, roamed far and wide and had a limited life expectancy – and were more or less disposable.

Today our dogs live indoors with us, often on our sofas and beds. Many don’t get a daily walk (or roam) to keep their nails short, and life as long as we can possible keep them going.

What many people don’t realize is that a major part of a dog’s health is maintained and can be monitored by regular grooming. Grooming not only keeps your dog smelling good, but improves the condition of their skin, keeps their nails in trim, helps keep eyes and ears healthy and helps to spot problems, especially parasites and injuries, before they become a major health risk.

-Healthy Nails

I work with a groomer and she has convinced me that nails are THE most important part of grooming, for the dog’s comfort and general health.

Some dogs, especially those who jog or walk with their owners may not need to have their nails trimmed often, but their feet should be checked more frequently for breakage and pad damage. Couch-potatoes, especially if they are (or should be) natural diggers, have nails that grow very long, very quickly and need regular trimming. Keep an ear out for your dog’s nails – if you hear a lot of clicking on hard surfaces, it’s past time to have their nails trimmed.

Over-long nails can catch and tear, which is more painful for your dog than a broken finger nail is for you. Just walking on long nails can be uncomfortable, can cause your dog to slip, and can lead to muscle and joint strain.

If your dog has long hair, the nail and the hair can become matted together, and when your dog has wet feet, the mat will set and can irritate your dog’s skin, especial between the pads. In extreme cases, the nail can actually grow around and start pushing into the pad.

- Healthy Skin

Depending on your dog’s habits and hobbies, he can become dirty very quickly. Dirt not only makes a mess on the furniture and floor, but can also irritate his skin and leave the fur dull and lack-luster. Brushing and/or a wipe down with a damp cloth may be all a short-coated dog needs to have healthy skin, but an Old English Sheepdog many need the brushing AND a bath on a regular basis to keep his skin healthy.

Regular baths can eliminate dirty skin as the cause of doggie odor too. If your dog starts

I have lot of friends who has taken dogs to accompany them and share life with. But taking a dog may not be that easy for you have to prepare yourself for a ten to fifteen-year commitment. Your dog can help you relax and give you the happiness you may want. And like any other relationship, it is a mutual. If he gives you the happiness you want, you are to provide also his basic needs. Like humans, dogs needs food, shelter and the nurturing to keep him healthy and happy.

Feeding. Feeding your dog does not mean letting him eat the left overs of meal. You have to provide nutritious food for your companion like how you prepare food for your love ones., and also food supplements to fill the nutrient needs that maybe lacking in his diet. There are dog foods that not only gives the nutritional needs but also gives serves as supplements to counter disease like canine malassimilation and also helps develop good teeth and gums. In choosing the food for your pet, you must choose the one that he really loves.

Visiting the Vet. Feeding might be insufficient if there are signs of parasite infections of your beloved pet. To know if your dog needs deworming, it is best to consult a veterinarian to determine the parasite that infects the dog. This will allow proper prescription and diagnosis. Deworming is not only a one-time procedure but suggested mostly to be done on a regular basis. Aside from parasite infections, dog arthritis and other common dog problems, visiting the vet would allow you to monitor his over-all health.

Physical maintenance and grooming. How your dog looks like would reflect the way you take good care of him. Proper grooming of your dog is important so you may not find him smelly and dirty as you hug him. Physical maintenance and grooming does not mean you have to dress him up but rather as part of his health routine and appearance.

Bath Items. You not only choose shampoo to clean him but also to maintain the color of his fur. There are variety of shampoos to choose from depending on your dog needs.

Ear cleaning. Most dogs does not want to have their ears cleaned, while others may just content themselves waiting you to do the cleaning:. Ear cleaning is necessary in dog’s grooming to prevent causes of ear infections. Dogs with heavy floppy ears have the most problems with ear infections. Same with some breeds that have lots of hair in and around the ear canal. Dogs that spend lots of time in the water also are prone to developing ear infections. Ear cleaning may be a messy job so you have to prepare yourself .Epiotic ear cleaner may do the job easier and can be purchased on line.

Teeth and gums maintenance. Does it smell awful when your dog breathes in your face? Maybe that’s something you should not ignore. Dental care of your dog does not only ensure fresh and clean breath but also keeps him away from bacterial infections.

Nurturing and care. The moment you decided to have a dog, it means you have committed yourself to be his guardian for the rest of his life. Maintaining a good canine-human relationship is vital. Give him some of your time, play, talk and cherish every moment you have with him.

Dogs are considered man’s best friend. Having a dog is not your usual chore but an experience of a lifetime you’ll be happy with.

There are a few tricks of the trade that all professional groomers use to give your dog that great look when they leave the shop. These simple little steps help your dog feel more comfortable and look better until the next trip to the groomer. If you are not squeamish it is possible to complete these grooming extras at home so that you can give your pooch that just from the groomers polished look.

Eyes often with dogs there is a tearing or staining effect at the corner of the dogs eyes. This can be a serious medical condition and should be checked by the vet, however there are other dogs, and some breeds, that are just prone to tearing. To remove discoloration on white and light colored dogs add a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to warm water. Using a soft cloth, and being extremely careful to not get too close to the eye itself, apply the dampened cloth to the stained area, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you do this on a regular basis you will minimize the staining. Darker colored dogs will not show tearing and just a soft cloth moistened with plain water is all that is needed to remove debris and dirt that may collect.

Ears long hairs in the ears can collect wax and ultimately dirt. By taking the time to look in the dogs ear and pull out the long hair in the outside of the ear canal you can eliminate the source of the wax build-up. Do this by firmly grasping the hair at the base and pulling outwards. Pet stores sell stripping fingers, which are small, rough sleeves that can be placed on the fingers to provide more grip on the hair. Never use scissors in a dogs ear or push your fingers into the ear canal itself as this can cause permanent damage.

Toenails unclipped toenails are both a safety hazards to dogs and humans. Long claws can damage furniture and carpets even with just walking or jumping. Long toenails can also cause painful welts and even cut skin on humans or other pets.

To properly trim toenails buy a good quality dog nail trimmer either in the guillotine style or a slotted scissor style. The guillotine style is usually much easier to work with for most people. Never use human nail clippers or regular scissors as they will shatter the nail and possibly cause the dog pain or at the very least leave ragged nails that will catch on fabrics and surfaces. Hold the dogs paw still in one hand, and insert the end of the toenail into the hole on the guillotine style trimmer. Be careful to cut below the quick, the pinky looking protrusion seen in light colored nails. The quick contains blood vessels and nerves and is very sensitive, like the cuticle on a human nail. Cut at a 90-degree angle so that the nail will be parallel to the surface of the floor. If the dog has dark nails and you cannot see the quick only remove the very end of the nail and do not cut if the dog begins to show agitation or try to pull the paw away when you apply pressure.

Anal glands probably the least favorite task in grooming a dog, anal gland emptying can be a bit messy and smelly, but certainly helps the comfort of the dog. Dogs that scoot or slide their bottom along the ground or carpet usually have impacted anal glands, not worms as many people believe.

To empty the anal glands you will need rubber gloves, surgical gloves are the best, a soft cloth and warm water. The steps are:

Have someone hold the dog facing away from you. Grasp the tail close the bottom and expose the anus.

Using the cloth and warm water heat up the area by holding the warm, wet cloth against the dogs bottom.

Remove the cloth and place your index finger and thumb against the very outside and bottom edges of the anus, about of the way from the top on either side.

Apply gentle pressure in an upward and inward fashion. You should feel two hard balls or glands under the surface of the skin and close to the anal opening. These are the anal glands.

If they do not release a thick, smelly substance try the warm water compress again and repeat the process.

If the glands do not empty it is important to get your dog to the vets as soon as possible. Impacted glands are very painful for the dog and cause tissue damage if not treated.

Providing these extra steps in your home grooming routine is a great way to have your dog looking like they just came from the professional groomers. If you have any questions or want specific information on grooming consider taking a class or doing some research on dog grooming practices.