Dog Grooming Hints

Dog Grooming

Grooming Your Own Dog

Article by Ray Harris

If you don’t like having other people to groom your dog, it’s a job that you can do yourself. Grooming your own dog will help to keep your dog healthy, but it’s also good for their coat, and will help to keep your home clean. It’s also a great way for dog owners to bond with their dog, and the dog feels like he’s getting love and attention. Grooming your own dog isn’t a hard job, and you might find that you actually enjoy it.

Skin and Coat Care

There are some signs to look for when trying to determine if your dog has healthy skin and fur. Signs of unhealthy fur inlcude dry brittle hair, irregular thinning, dryness, greasy or scaly. The fur may also not shine and it’s appearance unattractive.

One good way to judge the health of your dog’s skin is by smelling it. There should be no smell if your dog’s skin and fur is healthy. If the hair is dirty, it will smell of whatever might be in it, like dust, for example. Unhealthy skin and fur will have a oily odor. The reason for this is skin bacteria that break down the natural oils of the skin will cause this odor. While this skin bacteria is normal, if there’s too much bacteria or the wrong kind of bacteria will cause the skin to be unhealty. There are some shampoos available that can prevent the wong type of bacteria. Your vet can recommend the right shampoo for your dog.

Grooming Your Own Dog – Ear Care

While grooming your own dog, take extra care around their ears, since this is a sensitive area. Some soaps, allergies, bacteria, pollen, fleas and ticks can all cause ear problems. An infection or inflammation of parts of the ears called Otitis is the main source of ear problems. There are several different types of Otitis, and some will affect the outside portion of the ear, and others will attack the insides of the ears.

Since Otitis can cause the ears to feel hot to the touch due to inflamation, this is a good indicator that something is wrong. Other signs include a build-up of ear wax and ear odor. This is also very uncomfortable for your dog as well, so the dog might be a little touchy around the ears if there is a problem. If you suspect you dog has an ear problem, avoid grooming in this area and check with your vet immediately. The longer the infection goes on, the more serious it can become.

You should keep the hair around the ears trimmed, expecially if there is a buildup of crust or dangerous bacteria. Keeping this hair trimmed can prevent the hair from trapping the problem bacteria, and this also makes it more open for the application of medication.

Overall Grooming of Your Own Dog

Grooming your own dog gives you the opportunity to pay attention to your dog’s coar and ears. There’s much more to learn about grooming your own dog, and if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, you should hire a professional. Your dog’s health is important, and grooming is an important part of overall dog care.

To learn more about best dog care practices, visit http://www.bestdogcarepro.com.

dog grooming question by Julia A: How much does dog grooming cost?
I am considering getting a bichon frise. I understand that they need to be professionally groomed once a month and that they need small touch-up trimmings between then around the eyes, nose, mouth, etc. I want to know how much it costs to get a small dog groomed at Petsmart, and do they do a good job there?

dog grooming best answer:

Answer by Me P
O my gosh! We have a bichon frise and they are amazing!! I don’t know how much it costs…I’m not the one who pays for it, but they are so worth it whatever it is! I’m sorry I don’t have the answer to your question, but I do know, you should get one! I wouldn’t go to Petsmart to get it groomed, I would go to a family owned business or something. Also make sure to brush them regularly, especially on their head, you may have to pay extra after a while. Good luck!

Dyson Groom Tool first look review with dogs

Dyson has launched the new Groom tool so we connected it up to a DC-07 Vac and brought in the dogs to give it a first look review. Get the full report at www.which.co.uk
dog grooming Video Rating: 5 / 5

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by Barboni

If you have ever looked at people with their pet’s hair clipped into a peculiar style and thought that it was a bit extreme, prepare to be amazed. There is a growing market for the truly spoilt pet that may surprise even the keenest dog fanatic.

People taking their dogs to be groomed can now get far more than a simple wash and clip. In true pampered pooch style they can then have their hair washed and styled using dog gel and hair spray and then dyed in a rainbow array of doggie hair dye.

A trend for creative grooming’ which started in the US is starting to reach the UK where dogs (especially poodles) have their hair cut and dyed to look like other animals. There is a craze for lionizing’ dogs (ie shaving off their hair and leaving them with a mane) but also competitions where dogs are styled to look like peacocks, camels, pandas, dolphins and even mermaids!

To supplement your dog’s new hairdo, online pet supplies stores stock a surprisingly large range of hair clips, tiaras, wigs and even hair extensions in a wide range of colours. Dogs can have also add to their look by having their claws not only trimmed but also painted with a special range of dog nail pawlish’.

To finish the look off, some dogs then have pretend’ diamante earrings pasted on to their ears and a puff of dog perfume to ensure that their pet always smells its best.

If the idea of stick on earrings seems too cheap, a number of online stores stock a range of clip on dog earrings in a range of styles. Taken one step further unfortunately some outlets offer dog ear piercing with tales of one owner asking for only one ear to be pierced as their dog was a boy! At the far extreme there are also dog piercing parlours that pierce nipples, bellies and noses as well as offering dog tattoos (of course if this seems a bit extreme you can always take the temporary tattoos for pets route!).

Finally if you are worried that your dog might suffer from dog breath after eating their (surely designer, organic) dog food then there are several ranges of dog breath mints especially for them. Get them home and you can rest assured that your dog will no longer make do with an ordinary average dog bed- leather and gold all the way!

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Most people believe that when buying a short haired dog they are getting a pet with little maintenance when the reality is that a short haired breed of dog such as the beagle sheds a lot sometimes year round depending on the climate where you and your beagle make your home. So if you do not want your friends and family to think you have a new designer sofa made from fur then you need to follow a consistent routine of brushing and other required grooming tasks.

The Beagle needs to be bathed only every three to four months; however the ears need to be cleaned weekly, this is especially important in a drop-eared type of dog such as the Beagle. The reason for this is that because of the weight of the ear and the fact that the flap covers the whole ear, very little air gets into the ear canal resulting in an ear that is persistently moist; ideal conditions for an ear infection. Your beagle’s ears can be cleaned by using commercially available dog ear cleaner and several clean cotton balls, place a few drops of ear cleaner on the cotton ball and gently wipe out the ear paying special attention to the crevices. Never insert anything into the ear canal itself or pour ear cleaner directly into the ear. Follow with a clean dry cotton ball until you no longer see dirt on it.

Your beagle’s nails should be checked monthly to see if they need clipping. Dogs that spend enough time walking on hard surfaces such as asphalt or concrete need less regular nail trims if at all. If you are not comfortable clipping your beagles nails yourself it is easy enough to drop by a grooming salon or have them done when you are at the vet’s office.

The most time-intensive part of grooming your beagle is going to be brushing. Regular brushing will cut down on the amount of shedding your dog does and it also plays a vital role in keeping your beagle in tip-top condition with a healthy, shiny coat. Keep to a regular brushing schedule with your pet, twice weekly is ideal but once a week is certainly sufficient. You will need a rubber tipped brush such as a Zoom Groom to properly brush your beagle’s coat.Starting at the top of your dog’s head and using short firm strokes brush your beagles coat in the direction of the hair growth. Continue brushing in this manner until there is no more dead and flyaway hair coming off. If this is the first time using a rubber tipped brush on your dog you will be amazed at how much hair you pick up. Enough to make another beagle!

As you can see having a short haired dog does not lessen your responsibilities in the grooming department but without the extra expense of regular haircuts that longer haired dog’s owners incur it is certainly less expensive and very manageable.

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Importance of Regular Home Dog Ear Care

Routine home dog ear care is very important to the health of your dog. Performed between your regular checkups with the veterinarian, it will help keep your dogs ears healthy and pain free. If you see signs of trouble you may be able to head them off before they require an extra visit to the vet. Excessive wax, foul odor, redness, constant scratching, excessive matting of hair in the external ear, rubbing the ears against other objects, head shaking, and disorientation can all be signs of ear problems.

Inspect Your Dogs Ears Regularly By Using Your Eyes & Your Nose!

By performing a home dog ear care inspection; you will be able to detect problems early. Use both your eyes and your nose. If you need help seeing inside your dogs ears you may want to invest in a pet scope. A tool very similar to the kind your doctor uses to check your ears. Check for redness, excessive wax build up or any other foreign matter.

Sniffing your dogs ears is another way to detect problems early. Normally a dogs ears shouldnt smell foul in any way. If you see a dark waxy discharge this may be a sign of ear mites. On the other hand, if you see a pus-like discharge along with a foul smell this may be a sign of a bacterial infection. Allergies are also known to cause some dogs to have smelly ears. If youre new to this and are unsure have the vet check your dogs ears. Right after the vet gives your dog a clean bill of health make sure you inspect your dogs ears. This way you will learn how your pets ears should normally look and smell.

Is Your Breed of Dog More Susceptible To Dog Ear Care Problems?

Due to the warm, damp, and dark environment, as well as poor air circulation, your dogs ear canal can be the prefect breeding ground for mites, yeast or bacterial infection. This is why, for certain breeds, home dog ear care is even more important. Some pets may require routine applications of dog ear care products to keep their ears free of mites, yeast or bacterial infections.

Some dogs ears stand straight up which allows for more air to flow into the ear canal. Dogs with floppy ears, like spaniels and bloodhounds, are very prone to ear infections because very little air flows into their ear canals. There are also breeds, like the Lhasa, that have a heavy growth of hair inside their ears. This hair must be routinely removed as a prevention against chronic ear problems.

If Excess Ear Hair Is A Dog Ear Care Problem Learn How To Remove It

If you suspect that excess ear hair is a problem, you may need to pluck the hair that grows inside your dogs ears. This is a routine dog ear care task that can be performed at home and is much easier then it sounds. You will want to apply dog ear powder to the inside of both ears. Make sure that the hair is completely covered, especially at the base. Once the powder has dried start plucking a few hairs at a time with your fingers or a tweezers. Plucking just a few hairs at a time will be less irritating for the dog.

You may want to stop a few times to give your dogs ears a good rub. Make sure you give your dog lots of praise and a few dog treats too. Once all the inside hair has been removed, follow up by cleaning and inspecting the ears. If you are unsure about this dog ear care procedure, have your vet or a professional groomer show you how to do it.

Things You Should Know About Cleaning Your Dogs Ears

Some vets recommend that owners routinely flush their dogs ears with warm water at the slightest hint of odor. Other home dog ear care cleaning remedies include mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide, or a combination of equal parts of vinegar and rubbing alcohol. If your dog has open sores it’s best not to use the vinegar and alcohol because it will cause a burning sensation.

If your dog is prone to ear infections you may want to use a pet ear care product that is specifically formulated to clean and dry up excess moisture in the ear canal. A dog ear wash containing Tea Tree Oil, which is also formulated to dry the ear canal is an excellent choice. Tea Tree Oils natural antiseptic, antibacterial and fungicidal properties can help keep your dogs ears problem free.

Its also a good idea to use a pet ear-drying agent after bathing or swimming especially if your dog’s ears retain moisture and don’t dry promptly. There are many good pet ear care products available for routine ear cleaning that will dissolve wax, remove foreign debris and dry the ear canal. There are also home dog care treatments available that will kill pesky ear mites and ear ticks.

A dogs ear canal is L-shaped. It descends vertically and it makes a 90-degree horizontal turn before it reaches the eardrum. Even though your dogs eardrum is better protected than a humans, you should still proceed with caution when cleaning the ear canal. Many vets urge caution when inserting anything into the ear canal, especially cotton-tipped swabs. They can actually push dirt and foreign matter deeper into the ear if not handled properly. You can even lose the cotton tip in the ear canal.

Start cleaning the external part of the ear by swabbing inside the earflaps and all around the gnarled area at the entrance of the ear canal. If you choose to use a cotton-tipped swab you will need a long type since a dogs ear canal is much deeper than ours. If your dog will tolerate it, gently and carefully swab the inside of the ear canal. A much safer method is to fill the ear canal with a pet ear cleaning solution and gently massage the outer ear. After a few minutes allow your dog to shake his head to help clear the ear canal. If youre using a commercial pet ear care product be sure to follow the instructions carefully.

Make Ear Inspections An Important Part Of Your Home Dog Ear Care Routine

Checking your dogs ears only takes a few minutes so make it a part of your dog grooming routine. And when your dogs ears need a cleaning dont put it off. Remember regular cleanings can prevent many common ear problems. If you think a problem may be developing that is beyond the scope of your home dog ear care routine, take your dog to the vet for a check up immediately. An infection, if left untreated, can be very painful for your dog and could even damage your dogs hearing.

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Just like you wouldn’t go to any beautician or barber to get a hair cut, you shouldn’t take your dog to any old groomer either. After all, your dog deserves to be with a groomer who is kind, gentle, empathetic, and respectful of your dogs unique personality and needs. In this article, we’ll teach you the secrets of finding a professional dog groomer and how to make the grooming process easier and less stressful for your four-legged friend. So, let’s get started.

First, you should understand what the grooming process entails. For instance, dog grooming is much more than combing your dogs hair. It also involves trimming your dogs hair, nails, checking for signs of illness, etc. Therefore, it is important that you choose someone that knows with experience and knows what theyre doing.

Second, dont always go with the lower price. Although we all want to get the best services for our money, we shouldn’t limit ourselves to low cost providers. Consider this, although technicians at veterinarian offices tend to cost more, they are specially trained to notice medical difficulties and can act quickly, if needed. That is, during the grooming procedure, veterinarian techs perform wellness checks on your dog and if they notice any abnormalities like a dog ear infection, they will inform you and offer medical treatment options to help him get better. Therefore, the higher upfront cost of a vet technician’s services can be offset as they’ll successfully diagnose medical problems during the grooming procedure that will save you costly veterinarian bills.

Third, if you dont know whom to choose, ask for referrals from friends and family members, a boarding kennel, dog trainer or pet supply store. Another option is to visit the “pet grooming” section of your local phone book and then contact prospects to inquire about their grooming services.

Fourth, visit the prospects grooming facilities in person and make sure that:

The facilities are clean

The staff is compassionate and knowledgeable

They have credentials and proper grooming training

They have no complaints filed against them with the Better Business Bureau

You can personally contact their satisfied customers

They have clean and roomy cages

They require vaccination records before accepting your dog.

Fifth, get clarification of the grooming services that your dog will undergo and the price involved. For instance, will your dog receive a haircut, bath, brushing and combing, nail clipping, ear cleaning, etc? Is this all inclusive in the price or do you have to pay extra for certain services? After the details have been worked out, make an appointment.

Sixth, get your dog used to the grooming procedure at home. This can be done by brushing your dog at home and getting him used to being handled. Not only will this make it easier for the groomer but will also help prevent stress on your dog as hell be used to the grooming process.

In conclusion, choosing the best dog groomer takes time but is well worth the effort. By understanding the dog grooming process, conducting research to find a qualified professional, and preparing your dog beforehand, you’ll ensure that your dog is properly groomed by a professional that you can trust.

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