Dog Grooming Hints

Dog Clippers

Andis 23165 Ruby Cord/Cordless Clipper/Trimmer

• Great for ears, nose, whiskers, and toplining
• Uses detachable stainless steel blades (sold separately)
• Contoured to perfectly fit your hand
• Ni-MH battery holds charge for 1 hour
• Weighs just 6 ounces

Andis 23165 Ruby Cord/Cordless Clipper/Trimmer

Article by Daniel Vickers

Hot spots are known as superficial pyoderma and pyotraumatic dermatitis and are common skin infection in dogs. These appear as circular red patches which do not have hair, are swollen, give out smelly pus, are inflamed and are painfully itchy. The itchiness causes the dog to lick, bite or scratch the area resulting in increasing the hot spot area. The spot tends to form within hours and grows rapidly to cover a large area within a very short time.

Type of dogs which are more susceptibleDogs which have heavy coats, prone to allergies, flea infestations, infection in the ear and irritated anal sacs are more susceptible to hot spot problems. Additionally, dogs with grooming troubles like mats or hair tangles are also prone to getting hot spots.

In humid climates dogs can develop hot spots while shedding undercoats and some dead hair gets trapped close to skin. Some dogs with behavioral problems may injure themselves by biting an area and inflicting infection causing affected areas.

CausesThese can be caused by any reaction which results in histamine release or release of other inflammation mediators. Scratches, small wounds, insect stings, small scrapes and similar other problems result in inflammatory mediator release thus causing development of these hot spots.

LocationsBefore looking at treatment let us first look at common locations. Although they can appear in most parts on the body, few common locations are feet, legs and other sections which are accessible to licking or biting. The infection could also appear in other part of the body such as neck, ear and chest.

Dog Hot Spot TreatmentTreatment can include the following:1. Trim the fur in and around the area, you can use electric clippers for this purpose.2. After the area is clean, wash it properly using antiseptic like any betadine based one or diluted hydrogen peroxide for cleaning pus as well as dry it.3. You can also use products such as pain relief spray with topical anesthetic such as Betagen spray after consulting your vet to reduce discomfort in the area.4. For severe reactions, benadryl tablets & hydrocortisone spray may also be prescribed by your vet or you can opt for a natural dog vitamin.5. Do not use creams as they retain moisture but the hot spot area is to be dried so that it can heal.

How to prevent hot spotsMore than information on dog hot spot treatments, it is important to know how this problem can be prevented in the first place. Prevention would depend on whether the trouble is caused by grooming problems or allergies.

If the spots are caused by matted hair or due to dead hair that is trapped then proper grooming is the best way to prevent this problem. Always groom hair before bathing the dog so that there are no mats or tangles in the hair. In case of an allergy due to plant pollens, lawn chemicals or household dust then use air purifiers, proper vacuuming and antihistamines like Atarax to stop hot spots. If you’d rather use a natural solution, NuVet Dog Vitamins offer a natural supplement designed to help with common dog aliments.

Howard to Bulls a real possibility or just speculation?
Dog Clippers
… to be the Lakers' alpha-dog, as well as follow in the footsteps of the franchise's legendary centers like the recently retired Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and George Mikan. The other Staples Center tenants, the Clippers, …
Wahl 8881 Switchblade Clipper with #10 Detachable Blade

Click here to get up 13% OFF: www.amazon.com Wahl 8881 Switchblade Clipper with #10 Detachable Blade The Wahl 8881 Switchblade Clipper kit includes: Clipper,
Dog Clippers Video Rating: 0 / 5

Dog Grooming Clippers

Wahl 9284 Pet-pro Combo Kit 17 Piece Pet Grooming Kit - Deluxe Series, Chrome/white

• Self-sharpening, high-carbon steel blades are precision ground to stay sharp longer
• 17 piece grooming kit includes clipper, blade guard, battery operated trimmer, blade guard and more
• Powerdrive cutting system easily cuts the thickest hair with 30% more power
• Lightweight and easy to use
• Includes a super easy, step-by-step "how to" DVD
• 1 year limited warranty
• 17 piece grooming kit includes clipper, blade guard, battery operated trimmer, blade guard, storage case, oil, cleaning brush, scissors, medium comb, mirror, 6 guide combs, instructional dvd

Wahl 9284 Pet-pro Combo Kit 17 Piece Pet Grooming Kit - Deluxe Series, Chrome/white

Dog Grooming Clippers question by zoow98: repairing broken dog clippers?
i broke a pair of (wahl arco se) dog grooming clipers, what happend is the blade of the clippers keeps coming of they still work if you hold it on but i need to groom my dor and i cant keep having them come of. and does anyone know ware to buy cheap grooming suplies

Dog Grooming Clippers best answer:

Answer by Crazy Dave
Wal-mart. Make sure to get WHAL brand clippers if they have them. They usually hold longer and cut better. I have owned a few different brands and they have been the best.

Cut pet care costs with DIY dog grooming
Dog Grooming Clippers
A good place to start is to get grooming – at home, that is. Here are three tips to keep your canine looking good from head to tail without spending an arm and a leg: Investing in a good set of pet clippers can reduce visits to the groomer, …
Preview of the Cocker Spaniel grooming DVD

Julie Hydro demonstrates how to give a pet Cocker Spaniel a haircut using electric clippers. This is a brief segment from my Cocker Spaniel grooming DVD, available at www.zimfamilycockers.com This segment not only shows a great demonstration from a professional dog groomer, but also how I throw a few surprises in to the DVD to keep it entertaining!
Dog Grooming Clippers Video Rating: 3 / 5

by windygig

With proper dog grooming instructions you can learn to groom your own dog whether he or she is long haired, short haired, low maintenance or high maintenance. Once you know the proper techniques and you learn how to handle your dog properly it can be a happy and satisfying experience for both you and your dog.

The first thing you will learn is how to handle your dog so it feels comfortable and actually enjoys being groomed. If you have had your dog from a puppy, hopefully you have made it used to being handled and picked up on a regular basis. This makes life much easier now for grooming. If not it is simply a case of taking your time and lots of patience. Introduce your dog to all of the grooming equipment on its own terms.

The next step to learn is how to properly bathe your dog. Most dogs hate being washed and in my experience it can even put them off going upstairs in your house full stop unless you do it correctly and allow them to be comfortable throughout the bathing process.

Once your dog is clean you can start grooming and the best tool is an electric clippers. It is much safer and easier to use than a pair of scissors and allow you to set the cutting length to give a uniform, professional looking cut.

You should also learn how to properly clip your dog’s nails and clean his or her face including ears, eyes, gums and teeth. If you follow the right dog grooming instructions you will also be able to inspect your dog’s general health and find any early warning signs such as lumps, tics, swelling or respiratory problems.

Every responsible dog owner should have appropriate dog grooming instructions for the benefit of their dog. You can get a comprehensive dog training handbook at http://www.thedogtrainingsite.info covering all aspects of dog ownership, from understanding your dog to problem-solving to complete obedience work. Included in the package is a free dog grooming manual which is user friendly and extremely helpful.

Related Dog Grooming Articles

by Barboni

All pet owners want their pets to look the best. This is only possible when their pets are healthy. The road to your pet’s good health is by providing him with optimum nutrition, routine exercise, regular grooming and adequate veterinary care. Dog grooming supplies are the basic equipments that aid in the day-to-day upkeep of your dog. For regular grooming of your dog you should choose appropriate dog grooming supplies based on his specific needs.

For proper brushing of your dog’s hair, you would require different brushes and combs. The bristle brush is used most commonly. If your dog has medium to long hair, you should use wire pin brushes and slicker brushes. Dog grooming supplies also include slicker brushes, which will help you to remove the tangles and mats. To sort out more severe mats and tangles, rakes and mat breakers could be of great use. To detect fleas and prevent them make sure to use flea combs at regular intervals. During the shedding season, you will require shedding tools for extra hair care of your canine. These shedding tools not only remove excess hair but also help to minimize shedding. If you own a short haired dog, then there is almost no need of cutting his hair. However, if your dog has continuously growing hair then you need to cut his hair either every fortnight or at the end of each month. You could use electric clippers for this purpose. If you are not adequately trained for this, then you should leave this job in the hands of trained professionals who at times use hair cutting scissors.

Dog grooming supplies include trimmers with or without springs for trimming your dog’s nails. You may use trimmers like Claw-style Trimmers, Guillotine Trimmers or Scissor-like Trimmers depending on the length and texture of your dog’s nails. If trimming seems difficult for you or quite painful for your pet, then you can use power rotary tools for filing his nails.

Dog ears are another area which require proper care. If neglected, your dog may even suffer from ear infections. With the aid of dog grooming supplies like ear cleansers and cotton balls, you can effectively clean your dog’s ears. To pluck excess hair you would need hemostats. Do not try this by yourself if you are inexperienced. In case your dog acquires an infection, consult your veterinarian for special dog grooming supplies like ear medications.

Most dog owners bathe their pet once a month. If you are one of them, ensure that you use the right dog grooming supplies for him. Experts recommend the use of soap-free shampoos specific to your dogs’ skin and coat type. You may either choose chemical free natural shampoos or medicated shampoos depending upon your dog’s skin condition. If your dog cries while bathing you can use tear-free shampoos. You could even opt for conditioners to maintain your dog’s smooth and shiny coat. All these dog grooming supplies will help you to make your dog look prim and proper.

More Dog Grooming Articles

If youre like most dog owners, you not only want to look good but you also want your canine companion to look good too. The key to having a dog that looks good is to make sure that he is clean, healthy, and properly groomed. However, professional dog grooming can be quite expensive. In fact, the typical groomer charges a whopping $25 or more to wash, dry and cut the fur of a small Poodle. I don’t know about you but that is a lot of money for such a small dog. Heck, for me to go to the beauty shop costs only $30 for a full service style. So, what can a concerned dog owner do? You can groom your dog yourself and save a ton! In this brief article, I’ll teach you how to successfully groom your precious dog.

First of all, you have to purchase the right supplies. Here are some things youll need:

- The right dog shampoo and conditioner specially formulated for your dog. For instance, if you have a white dog and want to keep his coat shiny and bright then you should purchase shampoo and conditioner specifically for white haired dogs. On the same token, puppies should have tear-free puppy shampoo.

Dog comb and brush (A mason or slicker brush works great for long haired dogs).

- Electric clippers and clipper blades for dogs

- Doggie nail clippers

- Doggie toothpaste

- Doggie treats

- Towels, cotton balls, alcohol or other drying agents to ensure that your dog doesnt get an ear infection.

Second, groom your dog about once a week. If you have a puppy, start grooming him while he is young so that he gets used to the grooming process. During your grooming session, carefully evaluate your dog to ensure that hes healthy. For instance, you should check his ears for signs of infection, evaluate him for lumps, check his limbs, paws, and other body parts.

Third, trim your dogs nails while making sure that they are long enough to touch the ground when he is walking. To trim his nails, you must put him in a comfortable position and then extend each nail while looking for the quick (the part of the nail that gets darker). Be extremely careful not to trim close to the quick. With darker nails, it will be harder to see the quick so make sure that you use adequate light.

Fourth, comb and brush out your dog from the top of your dog’s head all the way to the tail. If you come across any mats, you can gently comb them out. If they are too bad, you may have to shave him or have them removed by a professional. Either way, youll need to comb him thoroughly before washing.

Fifth, you should shampoo him with your favorite doggie shampoo. To do so, put cotton in his ears to make sure that you dont get water or soap inside his ear canal. If you have a long haired dogs or one that is prone to ear infections, you may want to put in a prescribed drying agent which youll put inside his ears to help dry out any left over moisture. Next, youll put your dog in a shallow tub and add warm water. Carefully put on the shampoo and keep the water and shampoo out of his eyes. Youll then gently lather him up, rinse him off and then put on conditioner and repeat the entire process. During rinsing, make sure that no residue remains which will prevent dry, flaky or irritated skin.

Sixth, dry him off with a warm towel or a blow dryer. If you use a blow dryer, use a low heat setting so that you dont burn him. Also, steer clear of his eyes and use your brush and comb while drying him off.

Once hes dry, brush his teeth. To do so, put a bit of doggie toothpaste in his mouth, run your fingers along his gums and then repeat gently with the doggie toothbrush being careful not to brush too vigorously. Work the teeth and the gum lines.

Last but not least, give your dog a yummy treat for surviving his home grooming procedure. This will reward him for his participation and help him look forward to these types of grooming sessions in the future.

In conclusion, you can professionally groom your dog at home. You simply have to be willing to take your time and have the right supplies. Once you do this, youll have the best looking dog on the block and a wad full of cash as well from all the money you saved from doing it yourself.