Dog Grooming Hints

As owner and master of your dog, it is your responsibility to keep it in good health. An appropriate diet, habitual exercise and grooming, and regular check-ups at the veterinarian will go a long way towards keeping your dog in top health. It’s also vital for you to become familiar with your dog’s habits, such as eating, drinking, and sleeping. Sometimes a disparity in those habits can be a sign that he or she isn’t feeling well.

It is very important to know the signs of good health on a dog, as well as the signs of bad health. Healthy skin, for instance, should be flexible and smooth. Scabs, growths or flakiness are bad signs and should be checked. When it comes to the coat, dandruff and bald spots are things to look out for. The coat should be glossy and supple. A dog’s eyes should be shiny and bright at all times. If they have excess mucus or cloudiness, that could be trouble. The whites of the eyes should also not be yellowish. The ears should not have excess wax or redness. And the nose is supposed to be cool and moist. If it gets hot or the dog begins to discharge yellowish or foul smelling substances, it should be taken to see a vet immediately.

Nutrition and feeding your dog can be a complicated subject and many of us are not completely aware what is best for our pets. Modern dogs prefer flavored feeds. Keeping this in mind, professional pet nutritionists are producing good-tasting food that comes in diverse forms and variety. The also tends to be equally good. Dogs are essentially carnivores and their teeth are designed to rip food apart into chunks, and not to pulverize it. Their stomachs are made to absorb those chunks. For most dogs, a vegetable diet will be insufficient. Once in a while, almost every dog needs meat or the associated proteins to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Animals also require energy, which in turn gives them heat. They also use energy to power movement, for muscle growth and repair and to keep them going in their activities. Thus, they need to be given foods that supply energy. This encompasses an acceptable combination of carbohydrates, fats and proteins (similar to healthy human diet) and adequate intake of micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. In fact, many manufacturers now make dog vitamins that are designed to supply all the necessary supplements that active pups need.

Many people may not realize it, but grooming your dog is another important part of ownership. By grooming your dog you are performing a couple of essential functions. The first, of course, is to keep him or her looking and smelling good. This is good for the health and welfare of any dog, just like proper grooming is important for people. And the second is by grooming him every day you are letting him or her know tenderly that you are the person in charge and he or she must respect and submit to you.

Grooming is a process, but it is not too difficult and can be enjoyed both by the owner and the furry canine. People that own long coated breeds need to make sure they set aside enough time to do a complete job. For example, the show trim poodle requires a few weeks of very hard work. Even many short coated breeds should be groomed on a daily basis to preserve the dog’s skin and coat in good quality condition. Fortunately, you don’t have to be an expert to groom your own dog. All you need is some basic grooming information and the right tools basically a hair brush and nail clippers

Tips on Great Pyrenees Grooming

The Great Pyrenees is a beautiful and majestic dog. Known as the “Gentle Giant,” these large breed dogs are favored by both farmers looking for a dog to defend their livestock, as well as families looking for a guardian dog that is gentle with children.

Grooming a Great Pyrenees however, can be a difficult endeavor. The Great Pyrenees is a great cold weather dog, with it’s thick long fur, but can also live well in warmer conditions as well. Given the fact that these dogs do have such thick and long fur however, they do require consistent grooming to keep them in good health.

Grooming for a Great Pyrenees should cover it’s entire body. From inside their ears down to their toenails, the Great Pyrenees requires grooming that encompasses their entire body. Fortunately, even though they are such a large dog, proper grooming requires no more than 30 minutes or so a week, with longer grooming processes about once a month or so.

Tips for Grooming a Great Pyrenees’ Coat

At first glance, many people think that maintaining the coat of a Great Pyrenees would be a difficult job. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The Pyrenees has a coat which is naturally tangle resistant, and is considered to be “self-cleaning” in the sense that their fur has a unique, natural ability to shed dirt on it’s own.

Even so, your Pyrenees’ coat will require some help from you, in order to keep it looking it’s best. Weekly brushing with a wire card brush will help to remove loose hair and debris from the dog, and help keep their coat smooth. During shedding season, you may want to brush with a special brush designed to move the undercoat, however it is important to keep in mind that you do not want to brush too often, because this can cause hair breakage for the dog.

As with any dog, you don’t want to bathe your Pyrenees too much, because this removes beneficial and natural oils from the dogs coat. When you do bathe your Pyrenees, use a gentle shampoo, such as baby shampoo, to help prevent the removal of these oils. You should bathe your dog no more than once a month, and make sure to properly dry and brush him after their bath.

It is interesting to note, that Pyrenees often do end up with mats of fur behind their ears. This usually comes from people petting them on their heads and behind their ears. The oils from our skin get transferred onto the dogs fur, and causes it to mat. To prevent this from occurring, simply sprinkle a little

While acquiring a pet dog is easy, taking proper care of them requires some effort. Feeding and exercising the dog are aspects that most dog owners take good care of. However, one aspect that is no less crucial to the appearance and health of a dog is its grooming. Grooming keeps a dog fresh and in a happy mood.

There are some essential dog grooming tips and procedures that you must keep in mind if you own a dog.

Bathing your dog – we all know the importance of bathing dogs. Since it is important to bathe your dog quite frequently, the first essential dog grooming tip suggests making the experience an enjoyable one. Whereas some dogs have fun while bathing, most abhor water. So, you need to take adequate precautions to ensure that your dog does not hurt himself in an attempt to get away from the bath or while being fidgety in the bath. Keep an old towel on the floor of the bathtub to ensure that he does not slip and hurt himself if he has a tendency to get agitated in the bath.

Brushing your dog : A very essential dog grooming tip is to brush the coat of your dog on a daily basis. Do not be under the impression that your dog does not need to be brushed if he has short hair. Brushing the coat not only keeps it shiny and clean by removing dirt and other foreign matter but also helps prevents ticks and infections. However, ensure that you use a good quality dog grooming brush for the purpose.

Clipping the nails : While the nails of dogs are naturally filed to a certain extent when they walk on the road or pavement, even then it is an essential dog grooming tip to keep a watch on their nails. Clipping the nails of your dog once every month is sufficient to keep it in good condition. Use good quality pet nail clippers and trim the nails taking care not to cut back too far or you could end up causing injury, which is a potent source of infection. If you are not certain of the extent to which you should cut the nail, stick to cutting it at the point the nail begins to curl and you cannot go wrong. If you are not comfortable doing this, take the help of a professional instead of making a botched up effort.

Caring for the teeth : Dental health is very important in case of dogs too. While you may be providing regular dental care to your pet during the visits to the vet, it is also advisable to carry out this procedure on a smaller scale at home too. You can use either pet toothbrush or an old one that you may have discarded. An essential pet grooming tip in his respect is to use special pet toothpaste as dogs do not like the taste of the regular toothpastes and may try to avoid having their teeth brushed.

Pampering your dog with clothes : Many dogs like to preen in their doggie clothes so, treat them to cute sweaters or hats. However, an essential dog grooming tip in this respect is to do up your dog in clothing and accessories only if he enjoys it. If you force it upon him they may bite them off or become annoyed and snappy.

Remember that dog grooming is an essential part of your pets life. Though he may not like every grooming procedure, you must strive to make it as enjoyable as possible for him. Also know where to draw the line when it comes to dog grooming. In your zeal to groom your dog do not ignore his discomfort. There are professional dog grooming services available that could be of immense value in case you find grooming your dog on your own a troublesome task.

Cleanliness and proper grooming can be very important to the continued good health of our beloved pets. But bathing our puppy or adult dog can often prove to be a challenge. There are many questions, myths and opinions floating around when discussing the best care for different dog types and temperaments. Check out these dog bathing tips to get some great ideas so youll be prepared for your next dog bath and grooming session.

How often should you bath your dog?

How often your pet will need a dog bath will depend on the breed and what type of activities the dog is involved in. Its best to bathe your dog only when your dog is really dirty. Just use your nose that tell tale doggy smell will let you know its time for a bath.

If a dog is bathed too often the skin will be stripped of its natural, protective oils. This will result in dry itchy skin, which will cause your dog to scratch, further irritating the already sensitive skin. If you need to bathe your dog more frequently make sure to use a pet shampoo that will also moisturize your dogs skin. You may also want to follow up with an after bath pet coat conditioner specifically formulated for dry skin.

Wheres the best place to bath your dog?

In warm weather you can bathe your dog outside. Pick a place that will not turn to mud when it gets wet. Its a good idea a have a washtub large enough for your dog to stand up in and fill it with a few inches of water. Water straight from a garden hose may start off warm, but usually gets cold very fast. If your dog starts to resist and shiver, as the water gets colder, you may want to consider another option.

Many pet owners have overcome this problem by purchasing a raised dog bath. This convenient, back-saving dog bath is often used with a water temperature mixer valve assembly that completely solves this problem. With the proper equipment set up youll be able to save your back and control the water temperature of your dogs bath. Some temperature mixer valve assemblies hook up to your existing washing machine water supply. At bath time just connect an ordinary garden hose to the valve assembly and run it outside to the bathing area. This convenient type of back-saving dog bath can even be used for bathing your dog inside.

If you choose to bathe your dog inside, regulating the water temperature shouldnt be a problem. But deciding where to bathe your dog might be. Small dogs and puppies can usually be bathed easily in a sink or a washtub. For bigger dogs you will need something bigger like a bathtub or a large shower stall. And of course, the bigger your dog is the bigger the potential hassles.

Are you tired of chasing and wrestling with your dog at bath time?

Many dog owners solve this problem by purchasing a raised dog bath. An ergonomically designed dog grooming bathing tub elevates your dog to a level thats comfortable for you and keeps your dog securely contained, taking the hassle out of washing your dog. Youll get the job done in half the time, save your back and stay dryer. The raised dog bath that is available in most pet shops and online stores will also save your dog stress at bath time. No more slipping and sliding. Your dog will really feel secure standing on the padded non-slip surface. This type of raised dog bath has been recommended by Dog World Magazine in their “Notable Products for the New Millennium”.

Does your dog tend to get away from you during a bath?

Bathing your dog is a challenging, but essential, part of dog grooming. Its funny how your dog will cleverly evade you when you try to get him into a dog bath, but will be just as determined to get past you when you dont want him to jump into the water at the beach.

If youre washing your dog in a room with a door make sure to close it so that your dog will not see an escape route or get very far if he prematurely gets out of the bath. This way youll have an easier time getting him back in the tub to finish the job. It can be a challenge bathing a dog thats wiggling around but the challenge gets a little tougher when your dog is an escape artist. If your dog takes any opportunity to get away from you at bath time you may want to consider restraining your dog.

Restraints are used during bath time to avoid injury to you as well as your pet. Some pet bathing tubs come with restraints included. With these your dog will be safely and securely restrained and you will be able to give your dog a quick and hassle-free bath.

Is your dog slipping and sliding in the bath?

Slipping and sliding can be the most stressful part of bath time for a dog. Put a rubber mat down on the bottom surface of the tub to prevent your dog from sliding and getting hurt. A sure-footed dog will be less resistant and much more at ease during bath time.

Things to have on hand at bath time:

Raised Dog Bath – This is a fantastic idea for a dog bath. Its ergonomically designed for both you and your dogs comfort. Your local pet groomer is likely to have just such a bathing station set up in their shop. If youre thinking about buying a tub or basin to bathe your dog in, ask them if you can check out their tub set up. If you have the room or more than one dog, you may find it worthwhile.

Pet Shower or Plastic Pitcher – A Pet Shower is great, but if thats not possible make sure you have a large plastic pitcher for wetting and rinsing your dog.

Drain Screen – Make sure to protect your plumbing from hair clogs with a simple to use drain screen.

Cotton Balls – Can be placed in each ear to prevent water from running into your dog’s ears.

Pet Shampoos – There are many different pet shampoos each formulated to work on problems such as dry itchy skin, inflamed or dry scaling skin, fleas & ticks, doggy odor, skunk odor, abnormal shedding, quick rinsing for dogs that don’t like to take a bath, whiteners for white coats, color intensifiers for dark coats, and coat shine to bring out the natural luster of your dog’s coat. You may want to try a hypoallergenic shampoo/conditioner that will gently clean and conditioner your pet’s coat in one step.

Coat Conditioners – There are many pet coat conditioners that will help manage and or improve the appearance of your dog’s coat like crme rinse, grooming spray, after bath dry skin treatment, and herbal mist conditioner that will soothe, re-moisturize and detangle your pet’s coat.

Pet Drying Towels – If you want to get your dog dry faster check out a specialty pet-drying towel. Some are available that will absorb 10 times its own weight in water!

Eye Protective Gel – Are you concerned about shampoo making its way into your dogs eyes? Just put a little protective eye gel in each eye just before bath time to prevent burning and redness.

Ear Drying Solution – If your dog is prone to ear infections make sure you have some ear-drying solution on hand. Using an ear drying solution will assure that the ear canal is nice and dry after bathing.

Brushes/Combs – There are many different styles and sizes of traditional dog grooming brushes and combs that you can choose from. If your dog has very sensitive or irritated skin you may want to consider a higher quality brush that will not scratch the skin or aggravate existing skin irritations.

Pet Dryer – If your dog has a thick, long or double coat its best to use a pet dryer. Unlike people hair dryers, pet dryers are designed to use less heat and more air volume so they quickly and safely dry a dog without damaging the coat or burning the skin. If you use a “people” blow dryer be very careful since you can easily burn your pet!

Plastic Bucket – Its very convenient to have a waterproof container that will keep your dog grooming supplies close at hand.

Remember to get all your dog grooming supplies ready before hand and let your dog sniff everything.

Why you should brush your dog thoroughly before bathing.

Depending on the type of coat your dog has you may need an assortment of grooming brushes and combs to properly care for your dog’s skin and coat. Before you bathe your dog it’s always a good idea to brush your pet’s coat thoroughly to remove any tangles or matted areas as well as any other foreign debris. Many dog owners know first hand that if they don’t spend time removing old, established tangles and mats before bathing many times they just get worse. If your dog’s coat tangles and mats easily make sure to look for shampoos and conditioners that are formulated to prevent and break up mats.

If your dog has gotten into any sticky or gooey substances like tar or gum never use commercial solvents or industrial cleaners on your dogs coat. Many of these are toxic to your dog. Try dissolving these substances with mineral oil. If youre unable to remove something from your dogs coat carefully snip away the affected area. Its always best to sacrifice some hair or fur since it will grow back rather than risk damage to the skin. Brush your dog thoroughly between baths, daily if you can, to distribute the natural oils and remove tangles, mats and foreign matter.

Choosing the best pet shampoo/coat conditioner for your dog.

Always use a pet shampoo that is specially formulated for the pH of your pet’s skin. Never use people shampoos since our skin pH level is much more acidic than our canine friends and could irritate your dogs skin.

Start bathing your dog at the beginning: Your Dog’s Head.

A popular bathing technique is to start at your dogs head and work your way toward the tail. This is especially the case if its possible that fleas are present. If you know that your dog has fleas you may want to use a flea & tick shampoo. Starting at your dog’s head forces any fleas to gather away from your dogs face, eyes, and ears. It is much easier to dunk the rear of your dog into the tub than your dogs face. As you may imagine, your dog is likely to be much more cooperative by following this simple bathing technique.

Let your dog get used to the sound of the running water. If youre using a tub or basin fill it with a few inches of warm water. Then get your dog into the bath. If youre using a raised dog bath just secure your dog into the dog bath. Starting from the head thoroughly wet your dog with warm water. You can use a plastic pitcher or a spray nozzle for this task. If youre using a spray nozzle make sure the spray is not too strong. Never spray water directly onto your dogs face or genitals.

Apply a pet shampoo/coat conditioner. Follow the instructions on the package. Work it in from the head to the tail. Be sure to get all those nooks and crannies; like the rectum, between the toes, behind the ears and under the chin. Be careful not the get shampoo in your dogs eyes. If this is a concern you can protect your dogs eyes by putting some protective eye gel in each eye just before getting your dog into the bath.

Rinse your dog thoroughly with warm water. Shampoo residue can cause skin irritations so make sure you give your dogs coat a thorough rinsing. Towel drying your pets coat in the dog bath will remove some of the excess water before you take your dog out of the tub. Some breeds should never be rubbed, only patted, since their coats easily tangle. Dog owners often prefer to use dedicated pet towels. There are pet drying towels available that will absorb 10 times their weight in water. These are very handy towels to use for a dog bath and can also be used any time your pet gets wet.

Although many dog owners think of bathing their dog as a challenge, with the right approach, supplies, and equipment, you can get through it relatively unscathed. And dont forget to reward your dogs good behavior in the bathing process with treats and plenty of loving kindness.

Copyright 2004, Dog-Supplies-Advisor.com, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

For some of you dog owners, this article will simply be common sense. For other owners, however, this information might just be a real eye-opener. If you really want your dog to be as healthy as possible, than take a few minutes to make sure you’re really doing all you can to ensure your dog’s good health by reading this article.

Of course, proper nutrition is essential to your dog’s health. Making sure your dog has the necessary vaccinations, heart worm tests and preventatives and fecal tests done annually is also imperative for your dog’s very survival. But what about grooming your dog? Isn’t that just something that people who show their dogs or people with long-haired dogs need to be concerned about? Absolutely not! Dog grooming is something that every conscientious dog owner should concerned with.

So what’s the big deal about dog grooming? Let’s take a look and see. First, the obvious: it makes your dog look good and healthy. But it also makes him feel good too. Brushing your dog makes the skin and hair coat healthy by bringing up the natural oils in the skin that nourish and protect your dog’s coat.

Grooming your dog serves other important purposes as well. It keeps the shedding problem down, which is a big concern for the indoor dog. Grooming on a regular basis (which means more than a couple of times a month) will also keep snarls and tangles out of your dog’s coat, which is a big problem on the legs and tails of dog breeds like Golden Retrievers (like mine), spaniels, Pomeranians and scads more.

Regular brushing also gives you a chance to closely examine your dog’s skin for possible problems. Some examples are flea and tick problems, hot spots, rashes, cuts or lumps. Catching some of these problems early may prevent disease or infection or even be the difference between life and death.

When you’re through brushing, don’t forget to check their ears (some breeds require cleaning more often than others) and their toenails (more for inside dogs…my two outside dogs keep their toenails trimmed down just fine all by themselves just running around.) The eyes and teeth are important too, but your vet will examine them on your annual visits.

And what about those who just don’t have the time or desire to make dog grooming a priority? Ever heard of a professional dog groomer? Take the time to find a reputable groomer, or get a recommendation from a trusted dog owning friend. A seasoned dog groomer can give you some great tips for grooming in between visits, and are often a great source for tips on keeping your dog healthy.

Will grooming alone ensure good health for your dog? Of course not. But done regularly in conjunction with good nutrition and proper vet care, grooming your dog sure will give your dog a better chance at a long and healthy life.