Dog Grooming Hints

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

Related Posts:

• Great Dane grooming – Part 1
• Dog Grooming – How to Get Your Dog to Totally Love Baths, Clippings, & Brushings
• Pets: The choice between a cat or a dog
• Tips on mini pincher grooming
• Caring for Dogs That are Hypoallergenic for Humans

Shuka-Latonka is her given name. I call her Suzie. She is a three-legged white Arctic wolf. Suzie came to me at the age of 10, and has had quite a life. I am the third human that she has owned. She is intelligent, elegant, and beautiful. She is quite a lady.

Before Suzie came to live with our family, I truly believed that wolves should not be domesticated. Now however, I feel differently on the matter. She is my constant companion. Every morning she eagerly awaits our departure for work. Yes, she goes to work with me. As we pull into the Animal Hospital parking lot she gives a howl of anticipation. I am a dog groomer and this is how we found each other. Suzie had been one of my clients for a few years. When her original owner had passed away at a young age and quite unexpectedly. The owners mother took ownership of Suzie, but was having trouble taking care of her due to her own health issues. Knowing the bond that Suzie and I have, her owner asked if I would take her. At first I was uneasy with the idea, being that I had two dogs already and children. We set up a trial week-end to get a feel for the compatibility of the situation. By the end of the week-end my mind was made up. She stays. Suzie has a loving touch with children. And not just my own. She truly is a gentle soul. The friendship we share is unlike any other. She feels what I feel, and works hard to try to help. We have now lived together for nearly two years. I try not to think of the day when she will no longer be with me.

Owning a wolf is not for everyone. It is important to know and understand the language and behaviors of wolves. To respect their abilities and capabilities. It is important to a wolf to have an alpha to answer to, to work for. It is unfortunate that people will obtain one just because they think it’s cool, or neat, and then they discover they cannot handle them. As with any animal, do the research on the specific needs, behaviors and dispositions before making them a member of your family. It is key that the lifestyles match, and the knowledge of care is present. Understand the wolf before you let one adopt you!

Related Posts:

• 15 Helpful Dog Allergy Prevention Tips and Dog Allergy Friendly Breeds
• Great Dane grooming
• Do you know how to make your dog happy from your care?
• Tips for introducing another dog into your family
• Are small dogs safer pets around children?