Dog Grooming Hints

by heraldpost

By bringing a dog into your domestic household, you are responsible to take care of its needs. Other than feeding it, its cleanliness and health are essential to its well-being and also not pose as a hazard to your home. As more owners are treating their pets as part of the family, dog grooming supplies are abounding in the market to cater to needs to pamper these animals. Before jumping headlong into the ocean of products, perhaps a step back is required to ascertain what you actually require to stock up for basic grooming needs.

Read up on what supplies are recommended to maintain a healthy dog based on type of breed. Normally a brush or comb is sufficient to remove knots and keep your pet’s coat shiny and tangle-free. A suitable pair of shampoo and conditioner to suit your dog’s skin and fur type is next on the list. If your animal is prone to fleas and ticks, medicated versions may be more suitable as advised by your local vet. Additional types of pest prevention and control are also available in the form of sprays and powders. To keep your dog’s hair in order and out of its eyes, a pair of sharp scissors is ideal for trimming sessions. Electric razors or shears make good alternatives in case your dog’s thick and heavy coat is too much work for the scissors.

Ears are an area worthy of attention as onset infection makes an unhappy and smelly pooch. Clean your dog’s ears as part of its bath routine. Ear wipes, drops and medicated powders thus make great additions to dog grooming supplies. Other than odors resulting from infected ears, bad breath is also a norm. Give its teeth a good brushing with a toothbrush of suitable bristles, and toothpaste. As your dog’s teeth get a good cleaning, you also enjoy some play time with him.

To maintain a healthy dog with a breath to match, more holistic approaches are catching on. Since an animal’s diet plays a major role in ensuring a long and disease-free life, natural foods are touted as better alternatives. Free from artificial additives, such foods have their origins in plants, animals or minerals. Going a step further, organic foods have evolved from being hype to reality. As pet owners treat themselves to these foods, they feel their pets deserve the same.

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Even lazy people need a companion. Are their dogs for the more lethargic owners out there? Not all dogs are hyper and energetic. Some dogs are perfect couch potatoes.

Most people think of small dogs as lazy dogs. In fact, large dogs can be just as languid. Even with some energetic dogs, you can simply provide a large enough area and toys and the dog will occupy themselves for hours. All you provide is comforting arms when they are ready to relax.

Mutts and Seniors

Check your local animal shelter for your perfect lounging companion. Mutts are great dogs and sometimes are put into a shelter for not being energetic enough. Ask about the dogs’ behavior and you may find exactly what you are looking for. Geriatric or seniors in the dog world are also great options. They have moved past the play stage and want nothing more than to lay back and relax.

Small Breeds

Smaller breeds like Chihuahuas, Bulldogs, and Pugs are great lazy breeds. They love nothing more than to sit around or be carried. Both bulldogs and pugs have facial features that make it hard for them to breathe, so exercise is not their favorite thing. Sleep and more lounging will equal the perfect day for these breeds.

Larger Breeds

The list is quite long, but some of the more popular breeds include Borzi, Irish Wolfhound, St. Bernard, Great Dane, Mastiff, and Greyhound. Larger breeds will require a little more effort on the owner’s part. They will need a larger lounging area and some tend to slobber quite profusely. Still, they hate vigorous activity as much as their owner. Greyhounds may seem like an active dog; however, once they retire, they simply wish to rest and relax. After years of running, who can blame them?

Other Options

There are options if you still have your heart set on a more active dog. You can hire a dog walker, own multiple dogs, and schedule regular grooming. A dog walker will take you dog for exercise and play time. With multiple dogs, the dogs simply play with each other. By the time they notice you they will only want to sit with you on the couch and rest. With regular grooming, your dog has the chance to get out for a little while. Some groomers even provide a day of play along with the grooming.

In the end, try to find a dog more like you. The closer the personalities match, the closer the bond between you and your dog. Keep your dog healthy as well. Despite how lazy they might be, make sure they have some basic exercise and a good diet. By keeping these things in mind, you will have a wonderful relationship with your pet.

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Choosing a dog is far more difficult in today’s world than it was in the past. Dogs in history served a purpose, they worked for their owners and in return they were fed, sheltered and taken care of. Very rarely were they kept solely for companionship. Some dogs are great no matter where or how they are kept and others need high-levels of exercise, training and even a job’ in order to be well-adjusted.

Things to consider (in this order)

1) Your lifestyle-Time, energy, financial resources

2) Age group. Puppy, adult, senior

3) Height/Weight

4) Grooming needs

5) Breed

6) Special needs-Medication, special bathing requirements etc.

7) Individual Appearance

The first thing to do when searching for a new companion is to sit down and objectively evaluate your lifestyle. How much time can you put into a dog for grooming, exercise, play and training? Decide why you think you want a new dog and then start looking for breeds that match your time allotment, personality and living situation.

Age is important when deciding to add a companion to your life. Puppies and seniors are going to require more time and money than a young adult dog. House-training and medication can be costly in both energy and cash so make sure you have the resources available for the age group you are interested in. Special needs are not always tied into age. Many breeds of dog need special care because of their risk of health issues. Pugs for instance need special bathing/drying care and English Bulldogs need tons of medical assistance.

Size and grooming amounts are consumers of time and money as well. Large dogs eat more, eliminate more and typically need large amounts of exercise/play time. Long-haired dogs need daily brushing and can require having the area beneath their tail trimmed short or shaved to prevent cling-ons. The same goes for dogs with double coats such as the spitz breeds. Their undercoat causes them to over-heat easily and needs a special rake’ to remove the matting under hair.

Breed is a very essential consideration because the breed dictates all of the above items. However in order to find a breed that is suitable you have to decide just how much you want to invest into proper care. Once you’ve got it narrowed down to a small sampling of different breeds or a breed group that you are interested in it’s time to hit the books or the Internet and find out as much about those breeds as you can. Research should be done before picking your new dog in order to provide you with a platform to start from. A good breeder will do their best to match personalities and many will also tell you if their breed isn’t right for you.

Once you’ve taken an honest look at your lifestyle and what breeds will mesh with you and your home it’s time to take a look at their physical characteristics. Only after everything else has been sifted through should a dog’s appearance come into the big picture. Getting a dog because it’s cute’ or funny’ is a bad idea that frequently results in the animal being dumped because it just wasn’t working out. Love at first sight can be a great thing however, it soon wears off if you aren’t prepared for the work involved. Don’t make that mistake if you want the best chance of a long, successful partnership with your canine friend.

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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.

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Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been enjoying the great
outdoors a little too much? Here are some simple tips for helping
your dog put her best paw forward.

It all begins with the brushing:

- Brush your dog regularly. Daily is best. Be sure to also
brush against hair growth direction to check for fleas and
ticks.

- The right tools. For short-haired dogs, most groomers
recommend stainless-steel combs because they slide through
coats very easily.

For medium to long haired dogs start with a slicker brush and
then follow with a stainless steel comb.

In hot months consider investing in a flea comb to make sure
your dog has not become a flea hotel.

To make your dog’s coat really shine, finish with a soft
bristle brush.

- If your dog hates being brushed it sometimes helps to brush
after play time. Start by brushing in the hair growth
direction. When you are finished, reward your dog with a
treat. Each day brush your dog a little longer. And if you
are lucky, your dog may even begin to like being brushed.

Now for the bath:

- Brush your dog from head to toe making sure all mats are gone.
For small dogs a sink works great. For medium to large dogs,
a tub or shower works best. Use only warm water and a good
shampoo made for dogs. People shampoo is too harsh and can
irritate your dog’s skin. Most groomers recommend working
from the back end forward, lathering the head last.

- Rinse, rinse, and rinse again to make sure you have removed
all shampoo.

- Short-haired dogs dry quickly and only need to be dried off
with a towel. If your dog has long hair, you may need to
brush him while he’s drying to avoid tangles.

The Grand Finale:

- Finish by giving your dog a treat.

- Then celebrate! You and your dog survived the bath, and you
have a clean dog.
About the author:

Margaret Svete, best-selling author, television and radio personality, and dog rescuer helps dog owners discover easy dog care tips. Subscribe to the premiere dog care ezine, The Dog Enquirer, at http://www.allaboutdogcare.com

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