Dog Grooming

The Hypo-Allergenic Dog Myth!

If you are looking to buy or adopt a dog but have a dog allergy, please be aware despite popular uneducated belief, there is no such thing as a hypoallergnic dog.

The dog allergy is triggered by dander. Dander is made up of dead skin, saliva, and urine. Guess what – all dogs have all 3 of those things. Hence, no hypo-allergenic dog.

Fortunately, some dogs have dander that isn’t strewn around as easily as others. For example, a poodle doesn’t shed it’s hair like the majority of dogs. Poodles have fur like human hair – it grows. Yes, it falls out, as does mine, but the poodle doesn’t shed it’s coat yearly or biyearly (or constantly like one of my pups!). Plus, poodles are often groomed. All of this grooming plus not shedding gives their dander little opportunity to get all over your house and trigger your allergy. If this dog wasn’t groomed properly or if you had very severe allergies, you would definitely have an allergic reaction to this supposedly “hypoallergenic” dog.

Even hairless dogs have hair, skin, saliva, and urine. These dogs can trigger even more allergies because the hair is too fine to trap any of the dander.

I have a very mild allergy to dogs and I also have 6 dogs. Some of them do aggravate my allergies more than the others – especially as puppies. I was moderately allergic to one of my dogs when he was a puppy – I would even break out into hives where my more sensitive skin (inner arm, neck, face, etc) touched his fur. Now that he’s an adult dog, he doesn’t trigger my allergies at all.

My point, basically, is that if you are severly allergic to dogs, you may need to consider another pet. You won’t be happy when you are constantly having a severe allergy attack and you’ll be even more upset when you have to find your beloved pet a new home. Please don’t adopt or buy a dog unless you know it won’t trigger your allergies (some people may be able to find a breed or particular dog that doesn’t trigger so many allergies) or unless you know you can live the next 10-20 years suffering with your allergic reaction to the dog, even if it worsens.

There are millions of dogs that need great homes, yes. But, adopting a dog and later needing to find it another home because it’s triggering your allergies is contributing to the problem of homeless pets. Please do your research before adopting or buying any dog. If you have allergies, you may need to find another pet that will better suit your needs. Getting a dog just because you want one is not only selfish but it’s also very unfair to the dog.

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

I have lot of friends who has taken dogs to accompany them and share life with. But taking a dog may not be that easy for you have to prepare yourself for a ten to fifteen-year commitment. Your dog can help you relax and give you the happiness you may want. And like any other relationship, it is a mutual. If he gives you the happiness you want, you are to provide also his basic needs. Like humans, dogs needs food, shelter and the nurturing to keep him healthy and happy.

Feeding. Feeding your dog does not mean letting him eat the left overs of meal. You have to provide nutritious food for your companion like how you prepare food for your love ones., and also food supplements to fill the nutrient needs that maybe lacking in his diet. There are dog foods that not only gives the nutritional needs but also gives serves as supplements to counter disease like canine malassimilation and also helps develop good teeth and gums. In choosing the food for your pet, you must choose the one that he really loves.

Visiting the Vet. Feeding might be insufficient if there are signs of parasite infections of your beloved pet. To know if your dog needs deworming, it is best to consult a veterinarian to determine the parasite that infects the dog. This will allow proper prescription and diagnosis. Deworming is not only a one-time procedure but suggested mostly to be done on a regular basis. Aside from parasite infections, dog arthritis and other common dog problems, visiting the vet would allow you to monitor his over-all health.

Physical maintenance and grooming. How your dog looks like would reflect the way you take good care of him. Proper grooming of your dog is important so you may not find him smelly and dirty as you hug him. Physical maintenance and grooming does not mean you have to dress him up but rather as part of his health routine and appearance.

Bath Items. You not only choose shampoo to clean him but also to maintain the color of his fur. There are variety of shampoos to choose from depending on your dog needs.

Ear cleaning. Most dogs does not want to have their ears cleaned, while others may just content themselves waiting you to do the cleaning:. Ear cleaning is necessary in dog’s grooming to prevent causes of ear infections. Dogs with heavy floppy ears have the most problems with ear infections. Same with some breeds that have lots of hair in and around the ear canal. Dogs that spend lots of time in the water also are prone to developing ear infections. Ear cleaning may be a messy job so you have to prepare yourself .Epiotic ear cleaner may do the job easier and can be purchased on line.

Teeth and gums maintenance. Does it smell awful when your dog breathes in your face? Maybe that’s something you should not ignore. Dental care of your dog does not only ensure fresh and clean breath but also keeps him away from bacterial infections.

Nurturing and care. The moment you decided to have a dog, it means you have committed yourself to be his guardian for the rest of his life. Maintaining a good canine-human relationship is vital. Give him some of your time, play, talk and cherish every moment you have with him.

Dogs are considered man’s best friend. Having a dog is not your usual chore but an experience of a lifetime you’ll be happy with.

Dog grooming is an important task that is needed for more than one reason. Good grooming covers things such as bathes, brushing the fur and brushing the teeth. Good grooming helps the prevention of parasites such as flees and ticks on a dogs skin. Depending on the length of the fur will depend on how often you will need to groom your dog. The longer the fur the more washing and brushing it will require. The shorter the fur the less it will require maybe once a week.

What You Do In Dog Grooming

When you groom a dog you are taking care of their whole outer body, cleaning it and making it look better. You can easily groom your dog at home by bathing your dog, clipping their hair and nails and cleaning their eyes, ears and teeth. If you don’t have the room at home to do these things you can go to a professional grooming service and have it done.

Hair Trimming

When you trim a dog’s hair you may need to leash the dog. You will need to brush the hair both before and after trimming it as the brushing removes dead hair and stimulates the growth of new hair. Gently combing the matted hair is important in dog grooming, as matted hair resistant to brushing should be cut off with scissors. To trim a dog’s hair you will need a pair of good dog clippers which can be purchased at the vets or pet shops. The longer the hair though the more trimming it will require especially in the hot seasons.

Bathing

Before you trim your dog’s hair you will need to give them a good bath to remove the debris inside the fur then dry the fur completely before starting the trimming process. During summered you can wash your dog outside with a hose but during the colder months a bathtub is a better option with warm water.

Nail Clipping

It is best to start clipping your dog when they are puppies so that they get accustomed to the process. You need to take extreme care when clipping a dog’s nail especially to avoid the quick from being cut. If you do cut the quick then press on the bleeding area until the wound stops bleeding.

Cleaning Eyes, Ears and Teeth

Don’t forget that the eyes, ears and teeth are an essential part of grooming your dog as well. The dogs ears need to be checked for parasites, dirt and scratches etc. Depending on the dog will depend on what eye care it will require. Some dogs have hair that grow around the eye which needs trimming occasionally other dogs will have weeping eyes that will need to be washed out on a daily basis to avoid infection. The groomer can remove any dirt or foreign matter from the eyes, or from around its corners, with a soft clean cloth. Dogs teeth can be clean by giving your dog bones once a week or using specially designed tooth paste and tooth brush for dogs as well as giving then good dog biscuits.

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.

Miniature Pinschers normally have short hair so they do not need to be groomed as often as other dog breeds. The one problem that people usually have with Miniature Pinschers are that they shed quite a bit. You end up with short but corse hairs all over the place and most Miniature Pinschers are black, so you have short black corse hair everywhere! It can become pretty overwhelming after a while if you do not know how to properly groom them. The best way to keep this potential mess at bay is to give your miniature Pinscher a bath with a desheeding shampoo. YOu need to make sure that you work it well into the hair and skin so that the undercoat is penetrated and you are able to get the most hair that will be faling out out before rinsing. This is one of the best ways to to keep them groomed because they are less likely to need major grooming as time goes by. The other item that I would suggest for you to get is a grooming glove. The combs are good to, but are usually for dog breeds with longer and thinner hair. The glove allows you to pet the dog or animal and get the excess fur instead of having to keep them still and rake a comb through their fur. Plus, the brisalls on the gloves are usually short and they will not cause harm to the skin as would a long bristalled comb. These 2 things are probably the best 2 items you can get for a Miniature Pinscher to keep them groomed. They don’t really need much more than that!

Some Miniature Pinschers have major issues with heir skin. Some have really bad dandruff while others may have what they call mange, which is caused by tiny mites on and under the skin. If your Miniature Pinscher have Dandruff, there are Shampoos out there especially made to fight dandruff, some say that oatmeal shampoo is one of the best you can give them and would be used in the place of your normal dog shampoo. After a few washings you should notice a reduction in the amount of dandruff that you see. If you suspect that your Miniature Pinscher has mange, you should go to the vet and have them examined. The vet should be able to tell you whether they do or not. If they do, you can get treatments that you put on the skin to kill the mites that cause the mange. The amount of time it takes to cure depends or the severity of the situation, but should not take long!

There maybe other problems that may cause your miniature Pinscher to smell even after freshly grooming and although it may be mange, you should have any other problems that you see looked at by your local vet. They would be able to tell you every thing that you need to know and may be able to work you through the process to fix the problem!

Why Grooming your Dog is Important

Wondered why your neighbor’s spaniel looked so radiant? With a glowing coat and perfect teeth you might think how does he do it? The chances are, that your friend has been grooming his dog by himself but most probably with professional help. Dogs are high on maintenance if you really want the best out of them. Miss out on those regular baths and see the fur become dull. Forget to feed your dog the right diet and see the dog turn sulky, irritable and sickly looking. Do you need to visit the dentist? But of course, and so does your dog. Dogs eat all sorts of meat, bones and well almost anything that you feed them. So, like humans their teeth suffer considerable wear and tear. At times an odd bone may cause damage to their teeth and so a visit to the nearby Vet becomes necessary. The vet will not only look at your dog’s teeth but also conduct a regular check up which would include required inoculation shots. For dogs to remain healthy requires regular exercise. You may not have the time to do it and thus it may well become necessary for you to employ Dog Grooming Services. If you search the internet or your newspapers classified section you will find a number of such companies that offer services to look after your dog. These range from giving your dog a medicinal bath, to providing for a walker’ to clipping nails to providing doggie accoutrements. They even provide you with the right advice as to what sort of food to give your dog, the right sort of vitamins and of course the doggie paraphernalia that you may require from a leash to a kennel. Dog Salons offer even a higher range of services for their well-to-do canine clients. A perfect shampoo and a perfect hair do to go with your dress are some of the common offerings. Grooming your dog is not restricted to just cosmetic makeovers. Well groomed dogs also know their manners. How to trot alongside, sit when ordered, fetch when told to do so and a host of other doggie manners are some of the aspects of a well groomed dog. Teaching these on your own is usually not possible because of the time, patience and professional knowledge required. It is best to employ a dog trainer for this task. Most Dog Grooming Agencies have a trainer also on their payroll or can recommend one to you. So as a proud owner of a prospective well groomed dog, consult the professionals you will never regret the results.

Rubba Dub Dub a dog in a tub

Keeping my dogs clean is not my favorite chore, but as they are all three indoor dogs, regular baths for each of them is a must. Knowing this was always going to be the case, one of the first things I requested when we built our house ten years ago was a utility sink in the garage. For years I hunched, sore shoulders and back over a bath tub to wash the dogs, or when desperate, even brought them in the shower with me. Bathing the dogs in the utility sink in the garage, though still a pain in the neck, is much more bearable for all of us.

I’ve bathed hundreds of dogs over the years, be it my own, my friends and families, or shelter dogs. Though I wouldn’t classify myself as a professional dog groomer, I have learned a few tricks over the years.

First, try to make it a positive experience for your dog. Give him a good brushing first to remove any foreign objects from his fur. Use lukewarm water and be sure to keep the water from out of his eyes and talk in soothing tones to him during the bath. If he struggles, tell him No!” firmly but not in a mean tone. It’s best to have everything ready and in easy reach and of course, don’t forget a fluffy towel to dry him off! I use flea and tick shampoo year round because we live in a warmer client. I also keep a conditioner on hand which keeps their fur soft and shiny. It also helps to keep their skin from getting dry. If your dog has chronic skin infections or dry skin, you can buy medicated shampoo from your veterinarian. Only use shampoos and conditioners made for dogs as human shampoos can be too acidic. If your dog really hates a bath, try giving him a treat before and after. Then he’ll associate it with something nice.

Once the bath is over it’s play time. Our dogs love to run around the house and shaking themselves like an agitator in a washing machine. I like to play with them because they are so full of joy and excitement. As soon as they’ve settled and are a bit dryer, I let them outside to do their business if they need to. If it’s a sunny and warm day, they often like to stay out and sun bathe for awhile.

In the warm months I try to wash the dogs every week, but when it’s cold I found that if I keep them brushed we can go a month or so without a bath. Another trick I’ve used over the years is to take a Bounce dryer sheet and wipe their fur down with it. It keeps them smelling like fresh laundry. Don’t forget to wipe down the pads of their feet but stay away from their eyes. Also, if you keep what I’ll call their “nether regions” clipped and clean your dog will stay smelling nice a lot longer. You can also buy wet wipes at pet stores that will help keep your dog’s face clean and wipe off mud or whatever nasty thing they get into when you don’t have the time to bathe them.

If your dog continues to smell it could be associated with an ear, skin or anal infection. Please consult your veterinarian immediately for proper treatment.

Dogs love to roll in any stinky thing they can find from animal droppings, to rubbish, to smelly fish or decaying animal carcasses. The more they stink the better they smell in their opinion. But since they have to coexist with us, I’m afraid we’re all going to have to get used to regular baths, like it or not.

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.

Great care should be taken when bathing you dog; his ears must be protected from the water with large cotton wool balls. If water enters the ear canals he may get an ear infection. The symptoms of an ear infection are a shaking of his head and a constant discharge from his ears.

How often you bath your dog depends on his breed. If long haired breeds are bathed too often their skin and coat will not protect the dog as well as they should. However sometimes it is unavoidable if the dog has messed its self due to illness then it would be necessary for the sake of hygiene.

Ensure that bath products used stipulate that they are suitable for dogs. Human shampoo and soap is not suitable to use on your dog. Human shampoo and soap could irritate the skin of your dog. If you use a new product be sure and read the label.

Dogs love water if you take him out to where there is river or stream let him have a swim in it. Ensure that you are organized with the lease to hand and a towel. When bathing your dog organize yourself before hand and make sure you have everything you need within reach.

As with humans if you use conditioner on your dog at bath time his coat will be easier to comb.

If you dont clean your dogs ears properly you could damage them as they are very delicate. In order to clean your dogs ears properly you need to ;-

Use cotton wool balls in his ears at bath time to prevent water getting in his ears and causing an infection.

Every four weeks clean your dogs ears with a cotton swab, your vet may make a recommendation as to a mild cleansing agent but you could use mineral oil. Take the swab and gently clean both the inner and outer parts of the dogs ear but being careful not to push any wax into the ear, leave a little wax in the ear as this will protect the ear canals.

Clean under the ear flaps and remove any foreign objects that may be stuck in the fur around the ears.

Trim any long hair around his ears as this can cause an infection. The air circulation will be improved by trimming the hair.

Call your vet if necessary if you dog has any wounds, cuts or scratches to his ear flaps that have become infected.

Clipping your dog

Clipping a dog is an art. Skin disease can be caused by dirt accumulation in a dogs coat. Clipping of a dogs coat or nails must be done very carefully so as not to cause any injuries.

Clipping can expose any skin complaint or parasite that your dog may have. Pet Health Parlors are available for the clipping of your dogs coat and nails. If you youre your dog yourself take care not to cut his coat too short in the winter, also you may cause your dog injury which could cause bleeding if you clip his coat and nails too short.

If you do your own clipping sharp good quality clipping instruments are available from most pet shops remember it is not advisable to clip you dog if he is ill.