Even if you’ve got the most easy-care dog in the world, she’ll still need some attention to be paid to her appearance every once in a while – so it’s worth spending a bit of time learning the best techniques for easy, stress-free grooming.
WHY SHOULD I BOTHER GROOMING MY DOG?
Not so long ago, the average American’s approach to canine grooming was somewhat cavalier. Dogs were seen as something that lived in the yard (usually in a dusty, hard-floored kennel), ate whatever was put in their bowls, and existed as a sometime-playmate for the household’s children.
Today, we tend to care for our dogs a lot more, and view them more as members of the household than the Thing in the Yard.
Ever since this rise in the estimation of our beloved pooches became widespread, grooming has been increasingly recognized as an important facet of your dog’s regular health-care. It ensures that any skin-care problems are minimized (because grooming distributes the natural skin-oils evenly throughout the coat), and assists you in monitoring your dog’s overall condition – if you groom on a regular basis, you can’t help but notice the presence of any unusual lumps or bumps.
This preventative action has saved many a canine life. Our dogs can’t tell us where it hurts, but taking just a little bit of time every so often to check them over ourselves can save a lot of grief in the long run.
The trick is getting your dog to tolerate (and even enjoy!) the process …
THE FIRST STEP IN THE GROOMING PROCESS
Something that many owners lack experience in is how to wash their dogs. Dry-grooming (brushing and ‘buffing’ the coat) seems to present little problem for most people; the rot tends to set in when water is introduced to the mix.
Most dogs have a strong dislike of being bathed, and in many cases will become utterly panic-stricken when the tub comes out.
This article is going to deal with the basics of how to wash your dog in a way that’ll keep both of you relaxed and happy.
PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR GROOMING
First of all, the absolute most important thing you can do is to accustom your dog to the grooming process. Now, starting this in puppyhood is the ideal way to handle the situation, but of course not all of us have this luxury; if you’ve got an adult dog, you’ll probably need to move a little slower, but you should still start getting her used to being touched and handled all over as soon as you can.
As your puppy or dog gets used to the sensation of being rubbed and handled, she’ll slowly come to enjoy it. Dogs are social creatures by instinct, and physical affection and contact is a big part of their lives – it shouldn’t take long before she begins to trust you, and allows herself to get some pleasure out of your touch.
All you have to do is start rubbing her slowly all over. Fondle her ears, touch her cheeks and neck, rub her back and belly, pick up her paws and – if she’ll let you – give each one a gentle squeeze (treating and praising her whenever she lets you do this, since paw touching is generally a pretty big deal for most dogs). If she has a tail, rub it between your fingers; get her to roll over on her back so you can rub and stroke her belly and hocks.
This might not seem like such a big deal, but it’s actually a really important part of the grooming process: the more your dog enjoys it, the less stressful the whole event will be for both of you, and so the more often you’re likely to groom her – which increases the health benefits for her.
HOW TO WASH YOUR DOG
Bathing always comes before dry-grooming, since it makes brushing and trimming a lot easier as well as a lot more effective (there’s not much point in brushing a tangled, dirty coat!)
You will need some basic tools: a tub, a non-slip mat, a plastic jug, some warm water, a small sponge, and some canine shampoo (not human shampoo: the pH is all wrong for dogs, and will give her dry and flaky skin.)
Stand her in the tub, on the non-slip mat. If she’s a large or unruly dog, you may want to wash her outside to minimize mess – either that, or you can restrain her by tying one end of a light nylon leash to her collar, and the other end to the faucet.
Pour jugs of warm water all over her until she’s good and wet. This breaks down the grease in her fur, and ensures a thorough shampooing.
Mix a little shampoo with another jug of warm water, and rub it thoroughly into your dog’s fur. Start off with her back and rub it into a good lather (but don’t be too harsh!)
Now you can move on to her head and face. Be very careful here – dogs’ eyes are sensitive too, and if you get any water in her ears, she’ll probably get an ear infection. (You can plug her ears with a small twist of cotton wool to help stop this from happening, if you like.)
Remember to clean under her tail before you wash her off – dip the sponge into the shampoo mixture to do this properly.
Now it’s time to rinse: using the jug and some clean, warm, shampoo-free water, carefully tip it all over her and use your fingers to help disperse the lather from her coat. Rinse her off thoroughly at least twice, since any residue that remains will irritate her skin.
Now you’ll need to dry her off: if she’s got short fur, you can use a towel (an old one will do just fine, although big dogs generally need two); for dogs with longer fur, give her a gentle toweling-off first, and then use a hair dryer to get rid of the last dampness. Be certain that it’s set on low heat, and hold it far away from your dog’s fur to prevent burning either the skin or the fur.
KEEP YOURSELF CALM
Remember that most dogs have an inherent dislike of being bathed, which can cause anxiety and even outright panic.
Your dog takes a lot of her emotional cues from you, so make sure you act like a good role model for the occasion. Reassure your dog frequently, keeping your voice well-modulated, low, and even; keep your movements slow and deliberate; praise her lavishly for good behavior, and give her a couple of treats throughout the process to make it more enjoyable for her.
The more she enjoys the process, the easier it’ll be for you!
Showing posts with label Dog Health Topics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dog Health Topics. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Do dogs need fats??
For now, let me tell you about fat... you don't want a fat dog, but your dog wants fat. Those are not conflicting statements.
The Fats Your Dog Needs..
Fats are saturated or polyunsaturated, and your dog needs both in order to form essential fatty acids (EFA's) necessary for good health.
The Functions of Fat In 's Body
Fats are vital for a healthy coat and skin, reproductive efficiency and kidney function.
They also provide energy and aid metabolic processes. But there are good fats and bad fats.
Many commercial dog foods make little distinction between them. You have to know how to read the labels, but dog food manufacturers try to keep you in the dark
The Fats Your Dog Needs..
Fats are saturated or polyunsaturated, and your dog needs both in order to form essential fatty acids (EFA's) necessary for good health.
The Functions of Fat In 's Body
Fats are vital for a healthy coat and skin, reproductive efficiency and kidney function.
They also provide energy and aid metabolic processes. But there are good fats and bad fats.
Many commercial dog foods make little distinction between them. You have to know how to read the labels, but dog food manufacturers try to keep you in the dark
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Dog not eating,---Causes
It’s normal to worry about a dog not eating food. Sometimes, the situation arises simply because the dog dislikes the food. Other times, the situation signals a health issue that needs attention. If you have a dog not eating food, assess the situation.
Make sure the food you offer you pet is fresh. Old, stale food is not appetizing. If you have other pets, verify the dog not eating food is not snacking from other pet bowls or the garbage. Ask neighbors or other family members if they are giving out snacks to your pet. Your dog may simply be full from treats.
Like humans, dogs like variety in their diet. A dog not eating might be bored. Try a different food. This easy solution often leads to immediate positive results. If the dog still does not eat, you’ll need to investigate more.
If you find yourself asking “why is my dog not eating,” start by answering the following questions.
• Are other health issues apparent? Vomiting? Diarrhea?
• How long has the dog gone without food?
• How old is the dog?
• Is the dog drinking?
• What breed of dog do you own?
• What has changed in the dog’s lifestyle?
• What have you been feeding him/her?Symptoms
Many health issues cause a dog to stop eating. They include:
• Bowel obstructions
• Cancer
• Dog pancreatitis
• Heart disease
• Hormonal disorders
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Tooth decay
For more health questions answered and Dog Food Reviews Click here!
Make sure the food you offer you pet is fresh. Old, stale food is not appetizing. If you have other pets, verify the dog not eating food is not snacking from other pet bowls or the garbage. Ask neighbors or other family members if they are giving out snacks to your pet. Your dog may simply be full from treats.
Like humans, dogs like variety in their diet. A dog not eating might be bored. Try a different food. This easy solution often leads to immediate positive results. If the dog still does not eat, you’ll need to investigate more.
If you find yourself asking “why is my dog not eating,” start by answering the following questions.
• Are other health issues apparent? Vomiting? Diarrhea?
• How long has the dog gone without food?
• How old is the dog?
• Is the dog drinking?
• What breed of dog do you own?
• What has changed in the dog’s lifestyle?
• What have you been feeding him/her?Symptoms
Many health issues cause a dog to stop eating. They include:
• Bowel obstructions
• Cancer
• Dog pancreatitis
• Heart disease
• Hormonal disorders
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Tooth decay
For more health questions answered and Dog Food Reviews Click here!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Today's Tip: Which Carbs are Good and which are bad for your dog?
Too Much or Too Few Carbs in your pets dog food?
Carb deficiencies can result in possible fertility and whelping problems
Excessive carbohydrates cause obesity.
These are Good Sources of Carbs
Cereals
Rice
Pasta
Potatoes
Oats
Barley
Brown rice
A Bad Carb..
Soy is also a carb provider, but some experts warn that soy binds up other nutrients and makes them unavailable for absorption.
Avoid soy to be safe.
Soy is also often used as a protein source instead of meat because its cheap... however its inadequate as a protein source also.
Really, the easiest way out of this puzzle is to simply use one of the 9 dog foods we recommend (we have no relationship with the companies that make these foods).
May have a long and happy life,extend their life by visiting our main site click here!
Carb deficiencies can result in possible fertility and whelping problems
Excessive carbohydrates cause obesity.
These are Good Sources of Carbs
Cereals
Rice
Pasta
Potatoes
Oats
Barley
Brown rice
A Bad Carb..
Soy is also a carb provider, but some experts warn that soy binds up other nutrients and makes them unavailable for absorption.
Avoid soy to be safe.
Soy is also often used as a protein source instead of meat because its cheap... however its inadequate as a protein source also.
Really, the easiest way out of this puzzle is to simply use one of the 9 dog foods we recommend (we have no relationship with the companies that make these foods).
May have a long and happy life,extend their life by visiting our main site click here!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
How to Regulate Your Dog's Fat Consumption
How to Regulate Your Dog's Fat Consumption
All this and more is available in your copy of Dog Food SECRETS
Fat should not exceed 5% of a dogs their total diet, but that's just a rule of thumb. Exact requirements are based upon age, weight, etc.
Even pregnancy affects the optimum fat ratio.
Here are some general guidelines:
Recommended Daily Allowances For Fats
Puppies (Weighing 12 lb., 33 lb. at maturity)
Adult Dogs (Weighing 33 lb.)
Pregnant Dogs (Weighing 33 lb. w/6 puppies)
Nursing Dogs (Weighing 33 lb. with 6 puppies)
Total Fat
21 g
14 g
29 g
67 g
Example:Recommended Daily Allowances For Fats
If your dog's food guarantees 6% crude fat and he consumes a 1/2-pound portion daily, you must first do the metric conversion for that 1/2-pound portion, which would be approximately 227 grams. The grams of fat conversion would then be .06 x 227 = 14 grams (rounded).
If all of this is confusing, and you want to make sure that your dog is getting the right amount of fats and avoiding dangerous food additives, get a copy of Dog Food Secrets and see the Confidential Dog Food Report in the Gold Pack where I show the only 9 brands we recommend.
It will be a great help..
All this and more is available in your copy of Dog Food SECRETS
Fat should not exceed 5% of a dogs their total diet, but that's just a rule of thumb. Exact requirements are based upon age, weight, etc.
Even pregnancy affects the optimum fat ratio.
Here are some general guidelines:
Recommended Daily Allowances For Fats
Puppies (Weighing 12 lb., 33 lb. at maturity)
Adult Dogs (Weighing 33 lb.)
Pregnant Dogs (Weighing 33 lb. w/6 puppies)
Nursing Dogs (Weighing 33 lb. with 6 puppies)
Total Fat
21 g
14 g
29 g
67 g
Example:Recommended Daily Allowances For Fats
If your dog's food guarantees 6% crude fat and he consumes a 1/2-pound portion daily, you must first do the metric conversion for that 1/2-pound portion, which would be approximately 227 grams. The grams of fat conversion would then be .06 x 227 = 14 grams (rounded).
If all of this is confusing, and you want to make sure that your dog is getting the right amount of fats and avoiding dangerous food additives, get a copy of Dog Food Secrets and see the Confidential Dog Food Report in the Gold Pack where I show the only 9 brands we recommend.
It will be a great help..
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Can Dog's Eat a Potato?
http://www.dogfoodeasy.com
Your dog can have a healthy snack of carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber slices, or zucchini slices. Even a plain baked potato is OK. Be sure, though, not to let your dog eat any raw potatoes or any potato plants it might have access to in your garden.
Your dog can have a healthy snack of carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber slices, or zucchini slices. Even a plain baked potato is OK. Be sure, though, not to let your dog eat any raw potatoes or any potato plants it might have access to in your garden.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Causes of a Dog Cough
http://www.DogFoodEasy.com
Dogs cough for a variety of reasons, some of which can be serious in themselves and others that are signs of an underlying problem. Internal parasites, heartworm disease, distemper, fungus diseases, tuberculosis, allergies, and pollutants such as cigarette smoke can cause Fido to cough.
Coughs are triggered by irritants in the air passages and can be characterized as dry and hacking; moist and bubbly; gagging; wheezy; harsh; or weak. It can be frequent, chronic, or intermittent, and is often self-perpetuating as it dries the throat and leads to further irritation.
Dogs cough for a variety of reasons, some of which can be serious in themselves and others that are signs of an underlying problem. Internal parasites, heartworm disease, distemper, fungus diseases, tuberculosis, allergies, and pollutants such as cigarette smoke can cause Fido to cough.
Coughs are triggered by irritants in the air passages and can be characterized as dry and hacking; moist and bubbly; gagging; wheezy; harsh; or weak. It can be frequent, chronic, or intermittent, and is often self-perpetuating as it dries the throat and leads to further irritation.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Brushing your Dog's Teeth
http://www.DogFoodEasy.com
Brushing dog's teeth should not be a chore for you or your dog. Instead, it should be an enjoyable time for both of you. If you take things slowly at the beginning and give lots of praise, you and your dog will start looking forward to your brushing sessions. But first, we need to gather together what we will need.
See our video on how to bush your dog's teeth - Click here!
Brushing dog's teeth should not be a chore for you or your dog. Instead, it should be an enjoyable time for both of you. If you take things slowly at the beginning and give lots of praise, you and your dog will start looking forward to your brushing sessions. But first, we need to gather together what we will need.
See our video on how to bush your dog's teeth - Click here!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Checking your Dog for Proper Weight
How to Check If Your Dog Is Underweight or Overweight
Doggie weight problem? Here's how to tell:
Are the ribs easily felt with slight fat cover, or difficult to feel under moderate or thick fat cover?
From the side view, is there an abdominal tuck beginning from base of ribs?
Is there thickening at the tail base?
From the overhead view, does she have a marked hourglass shape? (underweight indicator)
Or, from the overhead view, is the back slightly or markedly broadened at the waist? (overweight indicator)
Is your dog slow to rise or move around?
Is she reluctant to exercise, or does she tire easily with activity?
Answer yes to even one of these, and your dog probably has a nutrition problem. See how the info in Dog Food SECRETS helped Mercedes with the weight problems of here dogs. Proper pets dog food is vital to extend your dog's life.
May have a long and happy life,
Doggie weight problem? Here's how to tell:
Are the ribs easily felt with slight fat cover, or difficult to feel under moderate or thick fat cover?
From the side view, is there an abdominal tuck beginning from base of ribs?
Is there thickening at the tail base?
From the overhead view, does she have a marked hourglass shape? (underweight indicator)
Or, from the overhead view, is the back slightly or markedly broadened at the waist? (overweight indicator)
Is your dog slow to rise or move around?
Is she reluctant to exercise, or does she tire easily with activity?
Answer yes to even one of these, and your dog probably has a nutrition problem. See how the info in Dog Food SECRETS helped Mercedes with the weight problems of here dogs. Proper pets dog food is vital to extend your dog's life.
May have a long and happy life,
Friday, January 1, 2010
Commercial Pets Dog food 3 poisons & 5 tips to avoid Dog Cancer
3 Common Poisons Found in Pets Dog Food
It's common practice for dog food manufacturers to put poisons into your dog's food to increase its shelf-life.
You can learn the full story in Dog Food SECRETS Click here for info.
More words you don't want to see
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT )
Ethoxyquin (an EPA-regulated pesticide)
All of these substances are banned from human food, and some promote kidney disease, stomach tumors & more, so why should you be feeding them to your dog?
But manufacturers don't tell you about the health risks, and they hope you don't care enough to even read the label much less investigate the ingredients.
But I do care.
That's why I've ripped the cover off of these ugly dog food secrets and more in my book Pets Dog Food Secrets. Even if you do read labels, there are enough loopholes in dog food regulations to choke a... dog.
5 Tips for Preventing Dog Cancer & What It Means for 's Food
I'm the author of Dog Food Secrets and what my book reveals about the behind-the-scenes shenanigans of the commercial dog food industry will make you sick AND it shows you how to feed properly.
Ever hear of Dr. Shawn Messionnier, D.V.M?
He wrote The Natural Vet's Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs. He says that 50% of dogs will develop cancer in their advanced years. What does he recommend to prevent your dog from being a statistic?
Providing proper nutrition
Minimizing animal and plant by-products
Avoiding chemical preservatives in your pet's diet
Feeding a homemade diet using quality ingredients, if possible
Feeding organic processed food as a second option.
If you're feeding commercial dog food, it's time to either change to a homemade diet or only use one of the 9 brands we recommend in the Confidential Dog Food Report
To get answers to common Dog Health questions for free click here!
It's common practice for dog food manufacturers to put poisons into your dog's food to increase its shelf-life.
You can learn the full story in Dog Food SECRETS Click here for info.
More words you don't want to see
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT )
Ethoxyquin (an EPA-regulated pesticide)
All of these substances are banned from human food, and some promote kidney disease, stomach tumors & more, so why should you be feeding them to your dog?
But manufacturers don't tell you about the health risks, and they hope you don't care enough to even read the label much less investigate the ingredients.
But I do care.
That's why I've ripped the cover off of these ugly dog food secrets and more in my book Pets Dog Food Secrets. Even if you do read labels, there are enough loopholes in dog food regulations to choke a... dog.
5 Tips for Preventing Dog Cancer & What It Means for 's Food
I'm the author of Dog Food Secrets and what my book reveals about the behind-the-scenes shenanigans of the commercial dog food industry will make you sick AND it shows you how to feed properly.
Ever hear of Dr. Shawn Messionnier, D.V.M?
He wrote The Natural Vet's Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs. He says that 50% of dogs will develop cancer in their advanced years. What does he recommend to prevent your dog from being a statistic?
Providing proper nutrition
Minimizing animal and plant by-products
Avoiding chemical preservatives in your pet's diet
Feeding a homemade diet using quality ingredients, if possible
Feeding organic processed food as a second option.
If you're feeding commercial dog food, it's time to either change to a homemade diet or only use one of the 9 brands we recommend in the Confidential Dog Food Report
To get answers to common Dog Health questions for free click here!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Canine Arthritis Medicine
Before you decide to give your dog canine arthritis medicine you should understand what arthritis is and why medication will ease your dog’s symptoms.
Arthritis in dogs is just like in humans, it is when a joint becomes inflamed. It can be very painful, swell and become hard to move. Dogs can have different types of arthritis also. Before just giving your dog any type of medication you find at the store, you should have your veterinarian check your dog for signs of arthritis.
Canine arthritis medicine will not make the arthritis go away. There are no cures for arthritis. In severe cases, surgery can be an alternative. But, many medications will relive the pain and swelling associated with arthritis. After your veterinarian has diagnosed your dog with canine arthritis it would be best to find out what medicines he thinks would be best for the type of arthritis you dog is suffering with.
There are many different types of pain killers and anti inflammatory medications that are great in helping your dog. With these medicines your dog will be able to play again and even enjoy life more.
The main thing to remember is that you do not want your best friend suffering with pain if he doesn’t have to. He will not be happy and can become worse without the medication. The pain from arthritis will have him lying around and then his joints can become stiffer. He needs to exercise and that is very hard to do, if he is in severe pain.
Luckily, its an ailment that can be treated with treatments such as Arthramine which helps repair the damaged tissue.
Arthritis in dogs is just like in humans, it is when a joint becomes inflamed. It can be very painful, swell and become hard to move. Dogs can have different types of arthritis also. Before just giving your dog any type of medication you find at the store, you should have your veterinarian check your dog for signs of arthritis.
Canine arthritis medicine will not make the arthritis go away. There are no cures for arthritis. In severe cases, surgery can be an alternative. But, many medications will relive the pain and swelling associated with arthritis. After your veterinarian has diagnosed your dog with canine arthritis it would be best to find out what medicines he thinks would be best for the type of arthritis you dog is suffering with.
There are many different types of pain killers and anti inflammatory medications that are great in helping your dog. With these medicines your dog will be able to play again and even enjoy life more.
The main thing to remember is that you do not want your best friend suffering with pain if he doesn’t have to. He will not be happy and can become worse without the medication. The pain from arthritis will have him lying around and then his joints can become stiffer. He needs to exercise and that is very hard to do, if he is in severe pain.
Luckily, its an ailment that can be treated with treatments such as Arthramine which helps repair the damaged tissue.
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