What can you do to improve the health of your dog, its coat, and its skin that is cheap and effective? Grooming that’s what! The small investment of time and money involved for grooming can yield numerous benefits for your dog’s health!

Is your dog’s coat looking dull, tatty and matted? Is your dog’s sad looking coat causing you to worry about his/her overall health? Sometimes the simple things can often provide very effective benefits, and in the case of the health of your dog, grooming is one of these simple measures that can yield big results.

Dog health and grooming go hand in hand as the act of grooming has numerous benefits that can help prevent many dog health problems before they arise. Like humans, regular grooming and attention to changes in the skin, eyes, and teeth can help maintain health and prolong the life of your pet, as many indications of possible health problems are noticed and addressed before they progress to something more sinister.

Health Benefits of Grooming

• Grooming removes dead hair leaving only the healthy hair behind, which immediately looks better. It also lets air circulate through the coat better reducing any odor, keeps the dog cooler, and looks cleaner. It is also a good idea to bath your dog regularly with a quality dog shampoo to further improve the benefits of general grooming.
• Grooming stimulates blood flow, which in turn improves blood supply to the hair follicles working wonders for the health of the overall coat.
• Grooming also stimulates the lymphatic system, thus having a positive affect on the dog’s overall health in the same way that a massage does for humans.

Residual Benefits of Grooming Aside from the more obvious physical health benefits of grooming there are other benefits such as: -

• Bonding with your Dog – While grooming your dog you are helping to create a bond between you and your pet because of the physical touching and interaction. This also has a positive effect on the dog’s emotional state as it feels more comfortable and safe in your hands. Dogs always love the attention they get during grooming.
• Knowing your pet – While grooming your dog you get to know your pet better and know what he/she likes or dislikes, and its favorite and least favorite places to be touched or brushed. Knowing your pet will help you to notice any changes that may indicate a health problem, for instance if your dog suddenly flinches when touched in an area where it usually loves to be touched would alert you to investigate the cause of the tenderness.
• Spot Possible Health Dangers – While grooming your dog you can check the skin for possible skin rashes and problems like hair loss or lumps. Also check for signs that your dog has been scratching a certain area of the skin which would indicate some sort of irritation such as worms, fleas, mites or ticks. Ticks in particular can be deadly if left undetected and a thorough visual check of the dog?s skin should be a regular part of your dog health and grooming strategy. It is a good idea to check the eyes for any signs of sight or health problems while grooming your dog. Also check the pads and nails of the paws for problems that may require attention along with the teeth for signs of decay or gum problems.

Possible Bonus Benefit for you

If you find that you enjoy grooming and become quite competent, you may consider starting your own dog grooming service to make a few extra dollars or perhaps turn it into a full time business. Dog grooming services are in high demand and can be very profitable. There is nothing better than making a living doing something that you enjoy.

What You Need to Start?

It is important to get the right grooming tools and information on grooming techniques. The internet has is a wealth of information about grooming along with numerous sites that sell a range of grooming tools. Other sources are local pet supply stores or alternatively most towns and cities have a local dog association where dog lovers can meet and exchange ideas. Public libraries may also have books on dog grooming.

The benefits to your dog?s health by regular grooming far outweigh the small outlay of money for the grooming tools, and time spent grooming. Your dog’s coat will look shiny and healthy and the health of your dog’s skin will also be improved. Spend a little time on your pet and he/she will love you for it.

Colin L Wolfenden is webmaster for http://www.my-resource.com and http://www.impressiveebooks.com.

Ear Cleaning: Cleaning the ears of your Shih Tzu is a simple chore. With the Shih Tzu being a long-haired breed, problems can arise if ears nor cleaned regularly. The hair in the ears of a Shih Tzu will grow long, knot up, mat and eventually interfere with proper functioning of the Shih Tzu?s ear canal. Infection of your Shih Tzu?s ears can result.

You will need a bottle or can of ear powder easily obtained through pet supply manufacturers. Squirt the powder directly into the ears of your Shih Tzu. The hair will become dry and brittle and is easily plucked out with your fingers. Pluck the hair out of your Shih Tzu?s ears with a quick, firm motion until the ears of your Shih Tzu look clean. You can also use a hemostat to pluck the hair out of your Shih Tzu?s ears.

Be sure to purchase ear canker powder as it has the additional benefit of helping to control canker and ear mites in your Shih Tzu. Swab your Shih Tzu?s ears gently with a cotton swab dipped in mineral oil or rubbing alcohol.

Nail trimming: Keeping your Shih Tzu?s nail trimmed is important. Without regular trimming, your Shih Tzu?s nails may grow so long that they actually throw the Shih Tzu off his natural balance and act as a source of irritation. Neglecting to trim your Shih Tzu?s nails also detracts from the look of an otherwise well-groomed Shih Tzu.

Nail trimmers and techniques: Guillotine type nail trimmers are the best to use on your Shih Tzu. Hold the trimmers vertically. Grasp the foot of the Shih Tzu firmly, hold the leg up towards you, carefully trim each nail of your Shih Tzu. It may sometimes be unnecessary to trim the nails on the hind feet of your Shih Tzu as they seem to grow much slower than the fore feet. If dewclaws are present on your Shih Tzu, trim the dewclaws as well. The shorter you keep your Shih Tzu?s nail, the better, and frequent trimming will help tighten the feet and improve the dog?s balance. Be careful about the ?quick.? The ?quick? is a vein that can be easily observed in most white and light-colored Shih Tzu when the toenails are ?white.? The ?quick? is more difficult to identify in toenails of darker colored Shih Tzu. More often that not, these are black rather than white in the darker colored Shih Tzu.

Nail bleeding: If the nails of your Shih Tzu bleed after trimming, or if you trim them to close to the ?quick,? there is no need for alarm. Always have on hand one of the antiseptic coagulants which you can purchase through any pet supply manufacturer for your Shih Tzu. These substances will stop quickly any bleeding. Using a cotton swab dab a little of the powder on the bleeding toenail of your Shih Tzu and hold it with a little pressure for a few seconds. The bleeding should stop quickly.

The best time to trim the nails or clean the ears is before you bath your Shih Tzu so that all traces of blood or powder will be washed away. However, the nails of your Shih Tzu will be softer right after bathing.

Nail grinding: A finishing touch in trimming nails is the use of a nail grinder for your Shih Tzu. A nail grinder will polish off the rough edges of the Shih Tzu?s nails. The Oster Corporation makes a nail grinder favored by many professional groomers and handlers. Caution is advised when using a nail grinder on your Shih Tzu?s nails. If the Shih Tzu bends his head during the process, some part of the fringes could get caught in the grinding wheel causing the Shih Tzu considerable pain.

If your Shih Tzu objects strenuously to nail grinding, it is advisable to not force the issue since grinding is mostly for a cosmetic effect.

Connie Limon is a shih tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Now that your dog has mastered all of the necessary commands to be well behaved, it’s time to have some real fun! It’s easier to teach your dog tricks once he’s learned how to respect you and you’ve earned his trust. Those necessary commands help him to do that.

Try these tricks to entertain both of you!

1. Fetch. It’s no fun to play ball with a person or an animal that won’t give the ball back. Teaching your dog how to fetch will make you both wish playtime would never end.

If your dog is a retriever, you’re ahead of the game. Your dog is hard-wired to want to fetch. But other breeds catch on quickly, too. You just have to be more patient and consistent. Train with your dog just a few minutes a day to be the most effective.

To teach your dog to fetch, you need a retrieving training tool called a dumbbell. You can buy it at the pet store. It will be a wooden or plastic tube with flanges on both ends to keep it from falling out of your dog’s mouth. Be sure to buy one that your dog can pick up easily and one that will allow him to close his mouth around the middle, not the flared edges.

You start training a dog to fetch by teaching him to open his mouth. Say Take it and offer him a food treat. Once he starts opening his mouth in expectation when he hears you say, Take it, slip the dumbbell inside his mouth. Leave the dumbbell there for a second, then praise him and give him a treat. Try this about four times, and then stop. Do this part of the training for a few days until your dog gets used to having the dumbbell in his mouth.

Now, start putting the dumbbell in your dog’s mouth and command, Hold it. Gently hold his mouth around the dumbbell for a few seconds. Then say, Give, and let him spit the dumbbell out. Be sure to praise him and give him a treat. Do this exercise for a few days until your pet will hold the dumbbell in his mouth.

Next, hold the dumbbell in front of your dog’s mouth and command, Take it. Pull his head toward the dumbbell if you have to. Be sure to praise and give him a treat, even if he just moves his head toward the dumbbell. Practice this until he’s used to taking the dumbbell in his mouth. All you have to do now is increase the distance slowly. Continue working on Hold it, and Give. It might be a good refresher course for Come, too. Before too long, your dog will put it all together!

2. Speak. This is usually a simple trick for your dog to learn if he’s vocal already. The trick is to entice him to do it on command and from distances.

First, choose a hand signal – some trainers make a twisting motion with a closed fist; others open and shut their hand using their fingers and thumb. Using your hand signal, command your dog to speak. When he barks, reward him and praise him. If your dog doesn’t bark automatically, continue to give the command until he gets frustrated and barks, then quickly reward him. Keep practicing and he’ll soon understand.

3. Shake hands or Gimme five. This is perhaps the easiest trick to teach your dog. Give your dog the Sit command. While you gently hold his paw with one hand, say Gimme five and hand him a treat with your other hand. You shouldn’t have to do this more than a few times for your dog to get the hang of it.

4. Give me a kiss. This is another easy one. Most dogs will kiss you whether you want them to or not! All you have to do is get them to do it on your terms. Command your dog, Give me a kiss, and then put your cheek in front of his mouth. When he licks your cheek, praise him and give him a treat.

5. Roll over. Start by giving your dog the Down command. Kneel beside him and gently roll him over on his side and command, Roll over. Keep rolling him until he’s upright again, and then give him praise and a treat.

A couple of caveats about this trick:

- Don’t keep trying it if it’s obvious your pet doesn’t like being on his back. Some dogs have stronger backs than others, and if you are successful in teaching your dog to roll over, it’s probably a trick you want to retire when he’s middle aged. Most elderly dogs have back and hip pain, and there’s no point in making your pet suffer.

- Be sure to only perform this trick on grass or carpet. Asking your dog to roll over continuously on a hard surface could hurt him.

6. Play dead. This trick produces gales from laughter from school-age boys, so if you have one of those, you might want to get him involved with training the dog on this one. A good time to practice this trick is you’re your dog has just exercised and is ready to rest. There’s a prerequisite, too – your dog must know the Down command.

Give your dog the Down command and notice what side he’s leaning on. Gently push him on over as you command, Bang. As he rolls over, praise him and rub his tummy. Repeat until you don’t have to use pressure to force him to roll to his side. Use the Stay command to stay dead. Add the hand signal, a pointing forefinger, as you command the Bang.

Most Important Is that you have fun with your dog. A happy dog will always be the dog that responds to your every command. Have a fun day with your dog!

Marilyn Burnham

Author: ‘Dog Owners Boot Camp’
The How To Guide, Dog Training Secrets Professional Dog Trainers Don’t Want You To Know!
For More Information On Dog Training

Marilyn Burnham was the owner operator of 4 successful dog grooming stores in British Columbia, Canada for more than a decade. To spend more time with her children Marilyn made the decision to sell her business in the mid 90′s. Get a copy of her book: ?Dog Owners Boot Camp? The How To Guide, Dog Training Secrets Professional Dog Trainers Don?t Want You To Know!

Dog Grooming & Routine Care

All dogs need regular grooming. It improves the appearance of short coated dogs, and is essential for those with long coats. It also does much to stop unwanted hair on the furniture and carpets. Start as soon as you get your dog or puppy. If you get dogs used to grooming from an early age they will accept it as a normal routine and become to enjoy it.

For the shorter haired dogs a fairly firm clothes brush will be sufficient, but if you need one that’s a bit stiffer your local pet store should have a wide choice of brushes. Regular brushing will remove the loose hair and give a shine to the dogs coat. For long haired breeds a strong steel comb as well as a brush is essential. So many owners think they are grooming their dogs when they are actually only running a brush over the surface of the tangled coat. A daily grooming should prevent the formation of matts and tangles, even in spaniels and poodles.

Parasites

Remember while grooming your dog to look for parasites such as fleas and lice which may have been picked up by your dog. To see how to deal with these, please visit our pet website which is shown below.

You may also find grass seeds in the coat, and especially between the toes. These, if not removed, may penetrate the skin causing painful abscesses. A daily examination of the coat will also give you the opportunity to check for skin irritations that may need attention.

Foot Care.

The feet should be examined daily, especially the hairy types of dog such as spaniels, for the presence of thorns. It is better to keep the hair between the toes and under the pads trimmed short, and to wash the feet after exercise in muddy weather. The accumulation of grit and hard packed mud under the pads may contribute to the formation of cysts or boils on the feet. Keeping your dogs feet clean is a must.

Author – John Moore – Family man and animal lover. Please use my link http://www.pet-dog-cat.com.

Before I discuss the tricks used to remove matts on your dog I must emphasize a few things If your dog is badly matted or the matts are close to the skin I strongly recommend you take your dog to a professional to have him groomed. I also recommend a professional if your dog is elderly or can not tolerate being brushed.

Having said that let’s talk matts. There are certain areas of your dog that I would not recommend de-matting. Some dog groomers refer to them as the sensitive areas. They are located between the back legs, under the armpits, on the belly, and under the tail. These areas I would recommend that you clip with a #10 or #15 blade. One of the most common areas for a dog to matt is around and behind the ear. This happens because this is the most popular petting spot. The area behind the ear has very thin skin and can be very hazardous to de-matt. If gentle brushing does not remove the matt you can cut the length of the matt in half and try again to brush it out. To make sure you do not cut your dogs ear try holding the matt with your finger tips at the skin and then cut the matt in half. Now try gentle brushing. If this still does not remove the matt it may be time to use clippers.

Matts can occur anywhere on your dog. One way to remove them is to take a pair of scissors and put the blade between the skin and the matt. With the sharp side away from the skin you can either use a sawing motion to cut through the matt or you can simply cut it in several places parallel to the direction of hair growth. Try again to brush the matt out.
There are several de-matting combs on the market. All of these work well but you should be careful when using them. Take the de-matting comb and comb it under the matted area. When it catches a matt, use a sawing motion to cut through the matt. Try to limit the pulling motion because most dogs do not like it.

If your dogs tail has matts you can use either method above to remove them. Before cutting the tail try to gently brush it out. If the matts are too extensive, either cut through the matts parallel to the direction of hair growth and then attempt to brush them out or shorten the entire length of the tail. Simply hold the tip of your dogs tail and shorten the entire length by cutting parallel with the tail. If the matts are hanging from the tail in different places you should be cutting them in half with this method. When you have removed all the matts from the tail and after you have bathed and dried him you can go back and even up any long hair.

If you are uncertain about shaving the sensitive areas, the pads of the feet or shaving matts from around the ears, some grooming shops will shave just these areas for a small fee.

During any dog grooming session you should praise your dog but especially while brushing them. Most dogs do not like to be brushed and they need the added reinforcement when they are tolerating it.

Katherine Durr has been a professional dog groomer for over 17 years and is the author of How to Groom your Mutt. Visit her website at Doggie Dews

About two years ago a good friend of mine, Colleen, got a Golden Retriever puppy. It had been many years since she had a dog. Colleen named the puppy Lottie. From the day Lottie stepped paws into the house she knew she would have a good home. Lottie was a very smart puppy and learned to fetch almost immediately. She also learned other things, most importantly: she had complete run of the house. No area in Colleens house was off limits to Lottie. I think if there was any interest in the top of the refrigerator for Lottie she probably would be up there resting, trying to figure out how to get the refrigerator door open.

When you went to visit Colleen you had to brace yourself. Lottie would get excited and would jump all over you. She would then run on the furniture from one couch to a chair then to the table, back to the couch. Everyone referred to her as wild thing. Not only was Lottie’s tail a danger to small objects but her entire body became a weapon. Lottie would run into you, step on your feet, and in general just run amok.

Watching Colleen walk Lottie on her leash was a very comical scene. Actually it was Lottie who walked Colleen on her leash. Colleen weighs about 100 pounds and Lottie weighs about 75 pounds. Needless to say the extra pounds do nothing to help Colleen.

Lottie went everywhere with Colleen, except to other peoples homes. Not too many people welcomed Lottie into their homes and this frustrated Colleen. Colleen really tried to keep her under control but as soon as Lottie would give Colleen that sad look, Colleen would cave. She was a real push over.

One day Colleen was telling me that Lottie had to have ear cleaner put in her ears twice a day because of an ear infection. Colleen complained that it was very difficult to do. I asked Colleen to put some of the cleaner in Lotties ear so that I could see what difficulty she was having. Colleen reached for the ear cleaner and Lottie immediately looked for an escape route. Once caught, she rolled over and started using her paws to block Colleen’s attempts to get the cleaner into her ear. When this wouldn’t work, Lottie would turn her head away just as Colleen would get close with the ear cleaner. Although I found all this amusing I could see that Colleen was getting frustrated. Getting permission to help, first I made Lottie sit up and had Colleen keep her that way. Lottie really didn’t know what to expect from me since I had never required much from her. I cleaned her ears, told her how smart and brave she was, and sent her on her way. Colleen just looked at me with both confusion and annoyance asking, Why won’t she act like that with me? I told Colleen it was because Lottie knew what she could get away with when dealing with mom, which was just about everything. But Lottie didn’t know how to manipulate me yet.

Now Lottie is a little over two years old. I am happy to report that she has turned into a fairly well behaved dog. Lottie is welcome at my home. Lottie still knows how to work Colleen to get what she wants though. She applies this knowledge when needed.

Just like children, dogs need boundaries. If they are allowed to run amok . . . they will. We do not want our dog to go to the bathroom in our house so we teach him from the first day where he is suppost to go to the bathroom. This simple training technique should be applied to every thing you want to teach him.

1. Start from the first day:

Do not make the mistake of waiting until he is a little older to teach him. Start from day one.

2. Be vigilant:

You have to keep a close eye on him in the beginning. After your dog matures you can relax a bit. Be consistent with discipline. Don’t react one time and not the next. Once you have decided what you will not tolerate, follow through.

3. Get their attention:

I have heard of people taking a soda can and putting pennies in it. They then tape the opening closed and shake it to get their dogs attention. Clapping your hands or any loud noise also works. If you have a very shy dog then I would stick to using your voice.

4. The consequence for unacceptable behavior should be the same each time:

People say that dogs are a good judge of character. That they sense things people sometimes do not. When I was upset at my dog for something, let’s say he got into the trash. I would lecture him while I cleaned it up then I would put him outside for awhile. You can bet Thor knew that I was upset, that he felt my frustration and disappointment. He only wanted to please me so this would make him sad and he would sulk long after the lecture was over.

5. Emphasize and Praise good behavior:

This is so important for your dog. Really go crazy telling him how wonderful he is. Attention and praise are what your dog wants, so, give it to them as much as possible.

Katherine Durr is a professional dog groomer and the author of How to Groom your Mutt. Visit her website at Doggie Dews

What you feed your dog directly influences the dog?s coat. Dry, complete foods have many advantages:

?They are easily stored

?They are quick and simple to feed

?They are clean

?They provide a nutritionally complete diet

?All the hard work of providing a nutritionally complete diet is done for you

Among the several types of dry food on the market today, a dry food with excess protein has been known to make some dogs aggressive or hyperactive. Take the advice of your breeder and vet if you have concerns.

If your dog has worms, the coat will suffer. It is very important to keep your dog wormed according to your vet?s recommendations.

A fit and healthy dog will be recognized by the gleam of his coat. Exercise, walking, free-running and visits to new areas stimulate good health. Each breed of dog varies in their exercise requirement. Regular exercise is essential for keeping a dog in good health and a good coat. Check your dog?s feet regularly. In cold weather, check the pads for packed snow, ice or other debris which can cause problems.

The type of bedding and housing your dog has will have a bearing on the dog?s coat. A dog constantly lying on concrete will wear the hair off. A dog lying in the grass all the time may get bitten by insects and develop skin irritations. Scratching at the bites can destroy a beautiful coat in a short period of time.

Bedding should be washed regularly with Clorox bleach and a good laundry detergent. Floors should be kept clean. Strong disinfectant can be dangerous if it comes in contact with the coat or the dog licks the disinfectant off the coat.

A regular grooming routine can help you detect problems like runny eyes, bad breath, skin disorders and allergies. Early treatment of these problems is essential. If you see one flea, there probably are many more. Please use a good flea and tick preventative especially if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors. It may be necessary to apply flea and tick prevention year round according to the climate in which you live.

In conclusion the healthiest dog coats are a result of a high quality nutritionally complete diet and regular grooming routines. Genetics can lay the groundwork for a good coat, but diet, exercise and grooming will maintain and/or improve the dog?s coat.

Author: Connie Limon. I raise Shih Tzu puppies from top champion bloodlines. Purchase unique dog clothes and topknot dog bows at: http://www.littleguysdogclothesshop.com

Dog grooming is the basis for preventive health care for your dog and puppy. It gives you a chance to see small changes in and on your dog’s body that could lead to health concerns such as a lump or problems in his ears or with his teeth.

Dog grooming can be a time of further bonding with your dog. This is some serious one on one time when he gets loads of your attention.

So what do you do and when do you start grooming your dog and puppy? As with most things with your puppy, you need to introduce him to dog grooming slowly and help him be comfortable with it. Start with short sessions of about five minutes and work up to the whole routine as he adjusts.

Begin with brushing and combing. There are several different grooming tools used for brushing and which you use depends upon the breed of your dog and the type of coat he has. Ask the breeder you got your puppy from for the proper techniques.

Brushing should be done before you bathe your dog or puppy. Bathing your puppy should begin when he is about 14 weeks old or sooner if he is a very dirty dog. Most dogs should need bathing only once a month unless he gets dirty. Wherever you decide to bathe your dog, bathtub, sink or some type of tub, place a rubber mat within to give him something secure to stand on so he won’t slip around.

Soak down his body but not his face. Keep water out of his ears. You may wish to block his ear canals with cotton balls to prevent the water from getting into his ears. Lather up your wet dog with a dog shampoo. Rinse well. Any leftover shampoo in his coat is likely to cause dryness or skin irritation. Wipe his face off with a damp cloth. Squeeze off the excess water and then towel dry your dog. Complete the drying process with either a hair dryer set on warm, not hot, or by leaving him in a warm room until dry.

Be aware that a dog will shake just as soon as you release him. This is why some people want to run their dog outside quickly after a bath on a leash to prevent him from rolling and getting dirty again. If this is not an option, such as in winter, you may wish to consider a professional groomer.

A professional groomer may be a consideration for some of the more difficult haircuts and dog grooming considerations such as the stripping required by some wire-haired breeds. This depends upon your ability to do the required tasks and your desire to do them as well.

copyright 2005. Sandra Dinkins-Wilson

Visit our Puppy Training website at http://ezpuppytraining.com/ for a free course on Welcoming Your New Puppy Home and Puppy Training. Find more puppy training and care tips at our website ezpuppytraining.com.

Dog grooming is absolutely essential in maintaining your dog’s health. Grooming includes regular brushing and combing to remove dead hair, skin and general debris, bathing and nail trimming as necessary, as well as looking after your dog’s ears, eyes and mouth.

Regular dog grooming will provide your dog with not only a shinier coat but also a healthier lifestyle, plus it gives you the opportunity of spending some ‘one on one’ time with your dog. It is essential that you train your pet by dog grooming him in his earlier years with a gentle approach, as this way he will not worry when you continue to groom him as he gets older – he will know what to expect. Often dogs can look on the grooming routine as another way of you petting him. Combing and brushing will care for your dog’s coat but it is equally important that you attend to his other body parts, like the ears, toes, eyes and the mouth.

Dog grooming will have to be applied in a different way, depending on the breed of dog that you have, so you need to make sure that you research the right way for your dog. We have listed below the general dog grooming methods used, but you need to make sure if your dog has special grooming needs, then you abide by them.

Bathing

Bathing is a very large part of dog grooming. It is wise to bathe your pet once every two months or so, or as frequently as needed. Brush you pet’s coat well before each bathe so that you elimate dead skin, hair and knots from his coat.

To bathe your dog:

For secure footing, place a rubber mat or a bath towel in your bath tub or sink. Make sure you are careful not to let water into your dogs ears – it can be a good idea to secure the dog’s ears with cotton balls so you make sure that you are preventing the water from entering these openings.

Use warm water to rinse your dog. If you have a spray hose available then this can be best to use, but do make sure that the nozzle of the hose is kept close to your pet’s body. Never ever spray the animal directly on his face, as this is likely to scare or irritate him, and he will not want you to bathe him again.

Use only specially formulated shampoos that are only made for dogs. Using small amounts, start from head to tail but avoid getting the shampoo on your dog’s eyes. Be sure to clear from dirt the dog’s rectum, and other body parts like those under the chin, behind the ears and between the dog’s toes.

Then rinse your dog with warm water, make sure that no shampoo is left on his coat.

. Remember a dog’s instinct is to shake when they are wet, so stand clear!

Lastly, pat your animal dry with a bath towel or a hair dryer.

Coat

It is also a very necessary part of dog grooming to ensure that your dog’s coat is kept clean. Make this part of your dog’s daily dog grooming routine, so that his coat is thoroughly brushed each day. This assures that his coat is kept from dirt, and to get rid of dead skin, old hair and other debris that finds its way onto a dog’s coat. A dog grooming procedure like brushing may spread the dog’s natural skin oils all through the coat, which can help to keep the dog’s skin form irritation and may further prevent his coat from tangling. This does not only apply to dogs having long coats but also short-haired dogs benefit from regular brushing.

Nail trimming

Depending on your own dog, but generally around once a month, your dog’s nails should be trimmed. Use a specially designed nail trimmer or clipper that has been designed for your dog breed, also provide a blood-clotting powder in case his skin tissue is cut. You may also use scissors for this form of dog grooming. If you don’t feel confident with this procedure then leave it to your vet to do when necessary.

Ear care

Is also an important part of dog grooming. If not properly addressed, your pet could well develop an ear infection, which in turn may lead to permanent hearing loss. The symptoms for an ear infection are constant scratching, ear redness and head shaking. Your dog grooming specialist or vet must deal with severe cases of ear infections in your dog.

Teeth care

Give your dog the specially formulated bones that are designed to help combat bad breath. Also try and get him into the habit of letting you clean his teeth for him. You can buy beef flavored toothpaste and a doggie size toothbrush just for him.

Look after your dog – he is worth it.

For more information on Dogs as Pets

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Want to give your dog a special day of pampering and coddling? You know how Rover loves to get your one-on-one attention, so why not give him a Spa day at home. Its a great way to spoil your best friend. Oh, I know you could take Rover to an upscale doggie parlor, but creating the royal bath time right at home will be so much more soothing when the treatment is coming from you.

So, if you think this is something youd like to try, lets get started by getting together the grooming supplies youll need. Its a good idea to always have a supply of these on hand anyway, but if you already have them stashed, you can be more spontaneous about spa day.

If you go online you can easily find some top-notch products to help you get a professional result. Specially formulated dog shampoos, conditioners, finishing sprays for detangling, combs, brushes and doggie towels – they’re all out there readily available on the web. Make sure to choose products suitable for your dog’s coat and skin type, because each dog breed is unique. There is one cool product that contains a mixture of organic pet shampoo and animal-safe skin treatment, molded into a solid form. You can just toss it in the bath water, eliminating the need to hold onto both your dog and a bottle at the same time.

Next, set the stage for relaxation by misting the grooming area with a lavender aromatherapy spray. Lavender is a well-known natural relaxant and is also useful as a deodorizer and insect repellent.

A calming massage is a good beginning to Rovers special day. Among other things, a massage is soothing to your dog, can ease areas of soreness, and will definitely enhance the bonding between you and your dog. The basic massage routines are easy to learn, but if you are not familiar with pet massage, there are some excellent guidebooks on the subject written by experts in this field. It will be well worth your while to learn about the benefits of massage not only for spa day, but for the lifetime of your pet. The next step is to prepare Rover for the bath with a good brushing to remove loose hair and dirt. Tangles are more difficult to deal with when the coat is wet. One great brush to use for this task is somewhat like a rubber glove. In fact, this tool not only does a great brushing job, but also gives a gentle massage at the same time.

Moving along to the bath itself, get everything you will need close by: shampoo, conditioner, detangling spray, cotton balls to keep the soapy water out of Rovers ears (ears should be handled later) and of course doggie towels. You wont want to start reaching for things after Rover is in the tub!

Have the water warm, but not too hot just about the way youd like it yourself. If you have hard water, try adding some Epsom salts to soften it up. Use a bath mat in the tub to help your pet remain stable and feeling secure. Then put on your rain gear. you might get just a teensy bit wet otherwise!

Lather up your pooch real well in a massage like fashion, then give a thorough rinsing, followed by a conditioner. Wrap Rover up in a highly absorbent doggie towel and give him a good rub down which hell really enjoy. You can finish off with a hair dryer on low setting. Comb and brush out using a conditioning dog coat spray to achieve a lustrous and healthy look. Nows a good time to carefully clean your dogs ears (dogs ears are very fragile) with some cotton balls (not swabs) and a high quality dog ear wash. A doggie pedicure would be a great finale to the day, but only if you have done this before and have the necessary skills for the job.

And youre done! No doubt your dog is looking good and feeling great from all the attention.

Paws for thought: If you enjoyed this experience with your pet and would like to do it more often, you might want to consider purchasing a special dog bathtub and hose, a grooming table, and a commercial pet hair dryer.

Val Witt operates a fun website that encourages you to spoil your dog, but only in the most positive ways. Lots of good common sense and information about all aspects of doggie care. http://www.dog-spoiling-made-easy.com

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