Dog Grooming Hints

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

Ear cleaning is one of the most overlooked aspects of dog grooming, therefore its no surprise that many dogs will develop ear infections over the course of their lives. Some breeds are particularly prone to this, such as the cocker spaniel or any of the breeds that have long hanging ears. One of the main reasons for this is that there is poor air flow under the ear flap, causing moisture and bacteria to cultivate. Conversely, dogs with small ears can be prone to swimmer’s ear, when water all to easily flows into the ear canal. It is very important to pay attention to the ears as part of the regular grooming process.

In order to clean the ears, have the following items on hand.

1. A sturdy table with a bathmat or other rubber matting placed on top.

2. Cotton balls- Q-tips or cotton swabs will NOT do.

3. Ear cleaning solution from a pet store or groomers.

4. A soft cloth such as a microfibre cloth

5. Some organic dog treats.

Steady the dog

Place your dog on a sturdy table with a bathmat on it that won’t slip. This is an important step as you do not want to groom your dog on the floor and risk strain and injury to your back. When a dog is groomed on the floor, it has all the power to move away from you and this can also cause injury to the dog, if it tries to move away while you are swabbing out the ear you could accidently slip and injure the eardrum so always put the dog on a table where he is less likely to struggle. If your dog is big and can’t be lifted, you can place his paws on the table and lift his back end up. He should move his legs forward as you hoist him up. Or you can enlist the help of a friend. If he is unable to be lifted then your only option may be the floor. Put his leash on and attach it to a fixed object. Put your dog up against a wall and pull up a chair to his other side. This should hold him steady so you can work on him.

Assess the ear condition

Gently open the ear flap and assess what you see. Smell the inside of the ear. Does it smell yeasty or sour? Is it oozing yellow green or brown matter? Is the ear inflamed? If so this could indicate an ear infection. If there is a black tar like substance, that can indicate ear mites. If you discover anything amiss, consult a vet before proceeding with the cleaning. If the ear looks dirty without an offensive smell then this is a healthy ear and is ready to be cleaned by you.

Hair in the Ear Canal

While cleaning your dog’s ears you may notice that he has a lot

Cleaning your dog’s ears is not the most pleasant part of dog grooming. But, it is necessary to the overall health and well being of your dog. If you are lucky enough to have a cooperative dog this really isn’t so bad. If your dog isn’t cooperative, well you’ll have to figure out how to make him cooperate.

Treats are always a good way to distract your dog’s attention. When I brush my Golden retriever, I spread peanut butter on my hand. She will lick my hand long after the peanut butter is gone. But, while she is enjoying her snack, I can give her a thorough brushing.

Dogs like my Westie, prick-eared dogs, don’t need to have their ears cleaned as regularly as floppy-eared dogs. If Bugsy has been digging and sticking his head in the hole as he excavates, I wipe his ears off with a wet washcloth. I do his face, beard, and feet as well. After a bath is another time that I give some attention to his ears. I rub them with cotton balls moistened with mineral oil. His ears are much easier to take care of then his sister’s.

If you have a floppy-eared dog such as a Golden retriever, ear cleaning should be done more regularly. Emma isn’t a big fan of having her ears cleaned but she will sit still and let me clean them. I think it actually feels good to her and when they are clean they feel better.

After bathing your dog, you should moisten a cotton ball with mineral oil and gently clean only the outside of your dog’s ears. Never, let me repeat that, never ever put a cotton swab in your dog’s ear. The dog could shake or move and end up with a Q-tip stuck in their ear. It could damage your dog’s hearing.

A thorough cleaning is necessary only if your dog’s ears smell or they shake their head a lot. There are many products specifically for cleaning a dog’s ears. I don’t want to recommend one. The person who should do that is your vet. They know your dog and what ear issues he has.

When I see Emma shaking her head a lot, I know that it’s time for a good cleaning. As I said she’s very cooperative which makes it so much easier. I need both hands so the peanut butter trick isn’t possible. I use a product recommended by my vet, gauze pads, cotton balls, and a damp washcloth. The first thing I do is wipe the outside of her ears with the damp washcloth or cotton balls moistened with mineral oil. Then I put the cleaner just inside her ear and squeeze a small amount right in to her ear. I have to be quick because she doesn’t like this part. This is when I need two hands.

As I squeeze the cleaner with one hand I have the other one ready to clamp her ear shut. This is her favorite part. I massage her ear so the cleaner will do its work. I probably do it much longer than needed but she is in doggy heaven. I then hold the ear with one hand while I use a gauze pad to get in there and get the gunk out. It is nasty looking. I use two or three gauze pads depending on how many come out gunky. When one comes out gunk-less, I wash the outside of her ear, the skin on her ear flaps, and the fur around her ear. Then I tell her she is just the best girl ever and I love her sooooo much. And now she gets a treat.

I feel like a good mom when I realize that she isn’t shaking her head anymore. I have no idea how her ears get so nasty. She doesn’t go in to water at all. She spends most of her day inside or in the backyard. Maybe it’s a breed characteristic.

Not all dogs need to have their ears cleaned thoroughly. Most dogs do fine with a wipe after a bath or if they have been in water. If your dogs ear’s have an odor that may indicate an infection or ear mites. In this case, you need to seek medical attention first. Some ear wax is good to maintain the health of the tissues.

Think grooming a dog involves washing it in the bathtub? Think you don’t need a groomer?

Dog groomers do far more than just fluff and dry; they address several vital health practices regarding your dog’s eyes, ears, and anal glands. Of course, it’s not impossible to take care of these grooming concerns yourself, but in many instances it’s safer and more practical to let a professional handle these sensitive areas.

Proper ear car requires periodic ear cleanings. Veterinarians and professional dog groomers use an agent that dissolves earwax, or saline solution to clean dogs’ ears. These cleaning agents are usually put into the ear before bathing. It is crucial for the groomer to keep the dog’s ears dry. If water runs into a dog’s ear during the bath, a drying agent containing isopropyl alcohol, acetic acid, or boric acid must be put into the ear. Professional dog groomers recommend using a wash rag instead of Q-tips to help dry out the ears. Using Q-tips increases the chance of injuring the dog’s eardrum. If the cleaning requires reaching places that are out of a wash-rag’s reach you should seek professional help.

Dog groomers usually apply an ointment to the dog’s eyes before bathing in order to protect the cornea. However, the trend is to move away from these practices because some professionals believe the ointment may trap irritants that run into the eyes during the bath. Closing, redness, squinting, and excessive tearing are good indicators of eye problems.

Another part of proper dog grooming that the professionals see to is expressing the anal glands. Have you ever noticed your dog dragging its bottom across the carpet? If you have, you know how important it is to take it to the dog groomer. What it is trying to do is release the fluid that has built up in tiny sacs located under the base of his tail. If he is successful, you will know it by the rank smell. Since the sacs are fragile (and discoloration of the fluid could indicate infection), this part of grooming should be left to a professional or a veterinarian.

Adequate grooming is absolutely necessary to maintain your dog’s health. If it’s something you want to do personally, educate yourself on the finer points. But using a professional dog groomer will be the most beneficial to you in the long run.

Brush your dog often .

Brushing will stimulate oils in your pets skin & keep it moist & healthy. Brushing will prevent matting of your dogs coat. Brushing is a great way to show your dog attention. Brushing eliminates dead hair in the coat that contributes to shedding.

Maintain the length of your dogs nails.

You can walk your dog often to wear down nails. Clip your dogs nails on a regular basis. If they are cut too short they can bleed & sting. Groomers usually charge a little less than veterinarians to cut nails. If you believe your dog will be aggressive about getting their nails cut it is best to take them to the veterinarian.

Bathe your dog regularly.

Buy dog shampoos & conditioners from pet stores. Do not use flea & tick shampoos unless your pet needs them, they can dry out your pets skin. Be sure to rinse your dog thoroughly, leaving soap on skin can cause problems. Bathing a dog with knots & mats will worsen them, be sure to eliminate these before or immediately after the bath.

When drying your dog use low heat. Dogs are sensitive to burning, keep this in mind while adjusting water temperature. Bathing your dog will cut down on chances of infestations of fleas & ticks. Place cotton in your dogs ears before bathing. Often water in the ears can lead to ear infections. By washing away dead hair, regular bathing reduces shedding of your dogs coat.

Keep your dogs ears clean

Do this with dog ear cleaner bought from any pet store. Put a small amount of ear cleaner on a cotton ball and swab outer surface of the inner ear. Keeping your dogs ears clean & dry will reduce chance of ear infections & ear mites. You can also buy ear wipes from any pet store to keep your dogs ears clean.

Dog groomers & veterinarians can also clean your pets ears for you. Many longhaired dogs grow hair in their ears that needs to be pulled to prevent ear infections. This hair can be gently pulled out with hemostats. Most people leave this to their groomer or vet.

About The Author

By Rose Lenk Find more dog and puppy articles, collars and information at her website Dog Collar Direct http://www.DogCollarDirect.com.