Dog Grooming Hints

Whether you have just gotten your first dog or you have owned more than one dog, either way, keeping a dog occupied and happy can be a challenge and a joy. Most people do not think beyond the basics when getting a dog. Food, water, and shelter should be enough right? Not so, there are many conciderations when getting a dog, and keeping them happy.

The most important factor in keeping your dog occupied and happy is the dog’s breed. Each breed has certain characteristics that are inherant to that breed. They are happiest when they are able to freely do what comes natural to them. I have a miniture poodle, poodle are smart and require alot of mental stimulation to be happy. She loves to play fetch and have her toys to play with. She also is happiest in a routine. My mom’s jack russell terrier is a different story. Though she is small, she is happiest with lots of room to run and jump. Jack Russells also love to hunt. My mother’s Jack Russell would not be happy in a home with out constant excersice and play.

In my experience, most dogs love having a space to call their own. In my dogs case, she loves her kennal. It is not a place for punishment, and I never make her go into the kennal. She goes on her own, and in fact, during the day that is where you will find her. It’s her place to get away from my 3 year old or just nap. She has learned how to open and close her kennal at will. It is her haven. All dogs should have a place that is just theirs. Sometimes they just want that space to take a nap or be alone.

Good grooming is also a part of keeping a dog happy. Regular baths and brushing make them feel better. My dog loves her baths. Also, it gives you and your dog special one on one time.

Grooming also keeps them neat and clean, and helps minimize possibility of fleas, ticks, or a skin infection. With a poodle, like I have, regular grooming is a necessity.

Dogs love regular play, some more than others. Pick toys that are durable, and most of all toys that your pet likes. Stuffed animals that squeak are always a hit. The dogs can play with their toys alone or with you. Throwing a ball for you dog can be a great stress reliever for you both! Be sure to choose the right size toy for your dogs size to minimize risk of choking.

Routine exercise such as playing fetch or walking is also a great way to keep your dog happy, healthy, and in shape. Overweight dogs tend to develop many health problems,some of them painful, such as arthritis and hip problems. A dog in pain is not happy. So keeping your dog on a good diet and exercise plan is very important.

It may seem that caring for a dog, and keeping them happy is alot of work. It does require some time, and we all know the hours seem to be full enough. Having a healthy happy dog is a great way to relieve stress and take your mind off your day. Instead of coming home from work stressed and going right to the television set, head outside for a vigourous game of fetch. It is great exercise and lots of fun! Dogs want their owners to be hapy too!

Stop taking your dog to the vet to perform simple grooming maintenance you can easily do at home. The products you’ll need to do these tasks probably won’t even cost you as much as the gas it takes to drive to the vet!

On a weekly basis, I try to target the following: skin, teeth, ears. In addition to these products described below, I brush my dogs’ coats and also use a massage brush with little rubber fingers on its pad. They love it and it seems to relax them much like a massage relaxes me. Sometimes, they’ll just go off and take a nap when we’re done. I can relate to that,too!

I love “Pet Kiss Plaque and Tartar Control.” It comes in various sizes, all affordable. The 8 oz. size runs $8.99, the 16 oz. one is 14.99. It lasts a long time and all you do is squirt one tablespoon in the dog’s water bowl. It’s completely natural, has no alcohol, chemicals or preservatives. It’s also odor-free. It breaks down any tartar or plaque buildup and leaves dogs with fresh-smelling breath.

My next recommendation is “Ear-Clens”. This is a small jar containing 90 thin pads soaked in an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal solution. It runs $5.59. I use one pad for each ear and gently wipe the reachable parts of each ear. It breaks down any waxy build-up and I have found it to be really effective in warding off ear mites. The coating it provides seems to be like an invisible barrier that makes it too slippery for mites,etc. to get a grip on anything.

Finally, I love waterless shampoos. I’ve got two hounds and though you may cringe when I tell you this, in eight years they’ve had only one bath. That was after a run in with a raccoon that they subsequently, shall we say, disposed of in a particularly odorous way. They are short-coated dogs, shed very little, and are intent on self-grooming. That along with the waterless shampoo is all they’ve ever needed . Friends who visit often remark that they’re amazed there is no doggie smell around the dogs or in my home. The product is called “Quickshine Waterless Shampoo” and it leaves coats shiny and fresh smelling. I usually spray it on and then gently brush their coats. For 8 oz. of this product, you can expect to pay $4.99

For just about $25.00 you can treat your dogs to some canine luxury . You’ll take such pride when your grooming is done in knowing you’ve done something great for them that makes them look swell,too!