Dog Grooming Hints

How to finally eliminate your dogs annoying behaviorsand why you may actually be teaching him these behaviorswithout even realizing it!

Obedience training is a good thing–but learning to sit, stay and come wont EVER solve your dogs behavior problems.
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One may look at myself and find it hard to believe that I am a lover of all animals. To most, I appear to be a typical cat lady. However, I do love and cherish all animals, and believe that certain pets are appropriate for certain people.

If an individual is trying to choose between bringing a dog or a cat into their household, there is much more to this decision than simply deciding which species is more appealing to the eye. Though both cats and dogs make wonderful companions, they both have very different needs, and are able to provide different things to their owners.

Let’s begin with the animals needs. Dogs need much more care and attention than cats do. A dog owner is responsible for feeding, walking, socializing, grooming as well as bathroom breaks. It is important that feeding times and amounts are consistent for the animal’s health and weight. Walking is essential for a dog to maintain health, as well as burn off energy. Failure to walk a dog or provide them with accurate exercise could result in suppressed energy that could be negatively displayed in other ways around the house (i.e. aggression and destructive behaviors). Socializing is another important thing when it comes to our canine friends. Properly socializing a dog will prevent them from becoming overly protective of their owner(s) and being potentially hostile towards strangers. Depending on the breed of dog, grooming can be a quick, or a lengthy chore. Baths are essential, as well as grooming fur. Regular fur trimmings could also be necessary depending on the type of breed. A dog’s owner is also responsibly for taking their dog outside to go to the bathroom. Potty training can be a lengthy and difficult process, and requires a good deal of time and patience.

When it comes to the needs of a cat, the list tends to be a bit shorter. Cats need to be fed, have their litter changed, attention/exercise as well as grooming care. Just as with dogs, regulated feeding times and amounts are important to proper health. Potty-training a cat is relatively easy since cats have a natural tendency to use the litter box on their own. Exercising your cat can be as simple as having another cat companion that your cat enjoys playing with, or having adequate toys available. Cats bathe themselves, so generally the only grooming required involves a good brush.

As far as what each animal can provide to their owners, I believe first and foremost that unconditional love is a given. When treated well, cats and dogs both love their owners. They provide affection, consistency and companionship. Dog’s can be the jogging partner you have always wanted. Cats can be the couch-cuddling companions you adore while reading a favorite book.

In general, when faced with someone that is having a hard time choosing a cat or a dog, I ask them to look at their lifestyle. Someone who is very busy and is rarely home would not make a good dog owner. Remember that dog’s need more care than cats including regular bathroom breaks. Cats are more self-sufficient, therefore, deal better with only a few hours of attention and care a day. Regardless of which animal you feel will suit you best, I guarantee that choosing one of these wonderful life-companions will be a decision you will never regret.

When choosing a pet the most important consideration is always children. Then one must think of where they live, the time they can spend with the dog, the possibility of allergies, and grooming. Of course, cost also plays a factor in choosing a dog – food, toys, veterinary bills, etc. All of these must be considered. Three breeds of dogs come to mind when children are involved: bloodhounds, poodles, and Maltese. Of course, the best breed is always a mixed-breed adopted from the local shelter.

Bloodhounds are the largest of the three purebred mentioned. They are great with children. Because of the job they have been bred to do, they are practically aggression-free. If a bloodhound ever growls or shows their teeth around children, there are two possible reasons. First check to see if the children are behaving around the dog. The even-keeled bloodhound does have it’s limitations, as does any animal – even the human kind. If the children are being responsible and respectful, there is probably a medical reason. The dog could be sick or in extreme pain. I have worked around animals for over twenty years and the only time I ever heard a bloodhound growl was when I moved a female about to give birth. Bloodhounds do well in small spaces. Although physical exercise is important to all breeds, bloodhounds prefer mental stimulation to physical stimulation. A quick ten minute daily walk is usually enough exercise. Keeping it’s mind stimulated is another matter completely. A great way to keep a bloodhound’s mind active is to have the children play hide and seek with it. This will even work in a small apartment, if the children are willing to be the ones doing all the hiding. Hiding the bloodhound’s toys is another way to keep it’s mind working; they love to search and find things.

Poodles are also great dogs for children. They are extremely smart and catch on to conversations very quickly. Poodles come in different sizes, but demand about the same amount of exercise regardless of the size. As with the bloodhound, the poodle’s mind must be stimulated. They are eager to please, so teaching the dog a few tricks is a great way to keep their quick minds occupied. Grooming a poodle is a serious issue. They need to be groomed regularly. This can be done by the owner at home, if the grooming is done on a regular schedule and the owner is careful. If grooming ever gets off schedule and mats appear, a professional groomer should be used. Poodles

There are several different breeds of smaller dogs that are known and noted for being good in a family situation. A question that you want to ask yourself is; “How actively involved will you and your children be able to be with this new dog?” This is important considering smaller breeds are active dogs, and need exercise if they are to be cooped up in the house while the children are at school and the parents are at work. You also need to consider the maintenance level of specific breeds, some need to be groomed more than others, and some shed more as well.

In my research I found the following dog breeds (and there are more than I felt compelled to list) that are good with kids and the basic characteristics for that specific breed:

Boston Terrier; Noted for being good with kids and suitable for most any type of lifestyle, intelligent, and they should only weight, at the most, 25lbs. Boston Terriers have short, fine hair, and are easy to groom.

Jack Russell Terrier; This breed is recommended for the more active lifestyle, intelligent, lively, they do require a lot of attention, can be aggressive if not trained properly, tolerable of children. The Jack’s coat is short and smooth, broken, or rough, easy to groom.

Maltese; This is a good, small protective breed of dogs. Maltese do have long silky hair and are considered “high maintenance” when it comes to grooming. Children must be supervised due to the fragile nature of this breed.

Shih Tzu; This is a good natured, non-aggressive, friendly dog. Due to their long coat they require daily brushing, but a plus is that they are non-shedding. Children should be supervised, this breed is also fragile, but a good choice.

Bichon Frise; Known to be good with kids and other animals, intelligent, easy to train, and lively. Plus this is also a non-shedding breed.

Dachshund; These little “wieners” are good with family members, but have been know to show aggression towards children outside of their “pack”. They make watch dogs, but may have problems learning to use the bathroom outside. They come in short-hair and long-hair varieties, even as a miniature. Grooming should be considered low maintenance and shedding is minimal.

Skye Terrier; A Scottish based breed, that is known to be fearless, good-tempered, and loyal, he is friendly those he knows and cautious with strangers. This breed is also double coated, meaning that it has an undercoat, and

I have found that many rescued dogs are a perfect fit to become a therapy dog.

First things first. The dog needs to have that calm, loving personality and loves to please his master. After you have identified these qualities then the training begins.

1. If the dog has not had obedience training enroll in a good school.

2. After training is finished the dog must pass a Canine Good Citizen Test.

(Most obedience training schools give this test).

Below are the tests the dog must pass to get certified by the AKC.

General Rules: You may talk to your dog throughout all of the tests. You cannot use food treats or collar corrections to make your dog mind you. Your dog must be wearing a slip collar or buckle collar and remain on a leash during all of the exercises. Your dog will automatically be dismissed if it eliminates in the building or demonstrates aggressive behavior toward any dog or person on the premises.

Test 1: ACCEPTING A FRIENDLY STRANGER

This test shows that your dog will allow a stranger to approach you, shake your hand, and exchange pleasantries with you. The evaluator will ignore your dog, walk up to you, and shake your hand. Your dog should remain sitting quietly at your side and must not jump on the evaluator. It is also not permitted to show resentment by growling or barking.

Test 2: SITTING POLITELY FOR PETTING

This test shows that your dog will permit a friendly stranger to touch while it is with you, it’s owner and handler. While your dog is sitting at your side, an evaluator will pet your dog on his head and sides. You make talk to your dog during this exercise. Must not jump on evaluator or show shyness or aggression.

Test 3: APPEARANCE AND GROOMING

This test shows that your dog will permit a stranger to touch while it is with you. The evaluator will pet your dog and rub it’s sides while it is in the sitting position. You can talk to your dog during this test. The evaluator will determine how well groomed your dog is at this time. The evaluator will then brush your dog, look in the ears and gently pick up each front paw.

Test 4: OUT FOR A WALK

This test shows that your dog is under control. Your dog may be on either side of you and be watching you for signals. No pulling on the leash, able to change direction and change pace. You can talk to your dog throughout this test.

Test 5: WALKING THROUGH A CROWD

This test shows that your dog can walk politely