Should You Home Groom or Professionally Groom Your Dogs?

Above photo courtesy of Cathy Tucker from KTW Wraps and Knotless Hair Wraps

Many dog owners choose to groom their dogs at home for the simple reason that is less expensive and also for the unique bonding time you create during the grooming process. However, there are many positive points to consider about at least every now and then getting a professional groom. If you have the time, stay and watch your dog be groomed. If you choose a real professional groomer, you will notice how much your dog actually enjoys the "beauty treatment" in his dog salon. 

Here are some of things a professional dog groomer does during sessions:

• typically the dog is thoroughly brushed, bathed and dried
• groomers trim or clip dog hair with sanitized brushes and clipper blades
• they brush or comb out all mats before the bath making it easier to lather up the dog with a nice smelling shampoo specifically for your dog's type of hair (if you have found a true professional dog groomer)
• they clean the dogs ears and check for signs of ear infections
• they trim most dogs over or around the eyes, at the tips of the ears and bottoms of feet, which are all places a dog owner often finds difficult to reach
• they can also brush your dog's teeth if requested
• professional groomers have all the right tools to make your dog look its best; I have often been totally taken back and amazed when my dogs come out of professional grooming sessions
• many groomers know how to groom for breed show cuts, which is important if you show your dog or dogs; this requires precise grooming skills as different dog coats require different brushes and other tools
• a good groomer removes all dead hair leaving less dead hairs to fall on your carpets and floors
• a good professional groomer knows how to handle old, anxious or aggressive dogs gently and with confidence; you will be surprised
• professional grooming really helps out when you have back pain or other health problems which prevent you from having to lift and handle your dog appropriately for grooming sessions

There are also health benefits for your dog including:

• regular baths wash out all the dirt which helps to prevent skin irritations; on the other hand if you bath too frequently you can stir up skin problems as well; finding the happy medium of how often to bath your particular breed is key to helping eliminate skin problems
• using the correct brushes and other tools for coat type removes damaged and dead hair and allows new growth of healthy hair
• careful professional brushing distributes natural oils to help keep the coat shiny and well lubricated

Of course you can learn which are the right tools to use for home dog grooming while you watch your professional groomer and perform at home with similar results, however, a regular visit to a professional groomer is still a great way to keep your dog looking gorgeous as well as to learn yourself how to groom your dog. You will be stunned to see how beautiful he or she looks when they are all done. Your dog should enjoy his or her day at his dog beauty salon. It is just an extra kind of a treat for you and the dog to get a professional groom at least every now and then. Show them off after they get all prettied up!

Are You Thinking About Getting a Second Dog?

Above photo courtesy of Dreier's Fire Poodles

 

Consider the following points before getting a second dog:

Take a good look at your current dog and determine whether or not he or she is out of puppyhood and completely trained as you desire he or she to be. Are you well bonded to your current dog? It might be more difficult for one person to train and/or bond with two young dogs at the same time. Take your time with each new member of the family.

Many dog experts recommend your first dog be at least one to two years old before adding a second dog to the family unit. If your first dog is very old, he or she might not tolerate a new frisky puppy and might not be able to play with the puppy. The older dog might consider this newcomer as a nuisance instead of a welcome family member. Take time to think about it.

Do you have enough space for a second dog?

Will you be able to walk two dogs at once?

Dogs with similar energy levels make the best companions.

Which sex is best to add to the family? This will depend a lot upon the personality yet some people do suggest opposite sex dogs get along better than same sex dogs.

Consider your life's upcoming events or projects. Be sure you allow enough time in your schedule to training and socializing a new puppy.

Can you afford the additional costs of owning two dogs. Everything doubles. There will be twice the food to buy, 2 vet visits, double vaccines, double grooming and so forth.

Can Dogs Get Sunburn?

Above photo courtesy of Chinese Crested Puppies

Like humans, dogs can get sunburn. Some dogs are more susceptible than others. Dogs can even experience the same complications and/or diseases associated with sun exposure. Take a few common sense safety precautions to prevent sunburn and diseases related to excessive sun exposure; dog sunscreen formulated especially for dogs will be your best defense.

Hairless dogs like the Chinese Crested and American Hairless Terrier to name a couple, there are other breeds as well. Know the risks to your own dog breed. If your dog has white hair, he like a human with blonde hair will most likely have fair skin that requires careful applications of sunscreen. Dogs with thin coats, light colored noses (such as the dogs with liver color genes) and eyelids even lips are more at risk for sunburn. Collies, Australian Sheepdogs and just any dog with light or white pigment on their ears or near the nose are those you need to take extra precautions. Some dogs with thick coats of hair experience hair loss from seasonal shedding are more at risk for sunburn. It is safe to say if your dog has thin hair or a health condition that caused thin hair it will be at a greater risk for sunburn. 

Be aware of any dog that just loves to lie out on the patio, concrete or light surfaces and especially those who lie on their backs basking in the sunshine can suffer from too much sun exposure. Smother them with sunscreen to avoid sunburn.

Be sure to use the right type of sunscreen. Using the wrong type causes problems as well as not using any at all. Of most importance here is that you use formulas specifically made for dogs. Human sunscreen is not the solution. Read the labels. Do not use products containing zinc oxide or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) BECAUSE these ingredients are highly toxic to dogs. You will poison your dogs if you use products containing these ingredients, so carefully read the labels for ingredients on sunscreen products you choose. Why is this? Dogs often lick their skin and will accidentally swallow the sunscreen.

Another good idea when choosing dog sunscreen is to look for one that is waterproof, unscented and a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30.

Next comes the tricky part of getting the sunscreen on your dog. Test a small spot to be sure your dog is not allergic to the product. Be sure to put it on spots most exposed to the sun like the bridge of the nose, ear tips, skin around the lips, groin and inner thighs. Look anywhere else on the dog where skin color is light and smooth on sunscreen. Be sure to NOT get product into the dog's eyes. Watch the dog 10 or 15 minutes after applying to allow adequate absorption and to be sure the dog does not lick product off. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before your dog goes outside. While in the sun reapply sunscreen every 4 to 6 hours or after swimming sessions.

If you rather not mess with sunscreen, consider using protective clothing such as sun shirts for dogs that cover large areas of their bodies, of course you still got the lips, nose and ears exposed in which you will need to protect with sunscreen lotion. Hats and even goggles are available to protect your dog from the dangers of too much sun exposure. Essentially you can dress your dog much like humans dress to avoid too much sun exposure, that is, if your particular dog will tolerate the costumes.

All dogs and especially puppies and older dogs are at risk of heat stroke. Be sure they have access to lots of fresh drinking water at all times. Ask your vet for advice on how best to protect your dog and of course you can just simply keep your dog in the shade with free access to water.

Home Cleaning Tips for Dog Owners

Above photo courtesy of Zyanya Shih Tzu

Put it on your to do checklist to take an audit yearly of your pet's supplies. Items like toys, feed and water bowls or containers are high on the list for sanitizing. Be sure to use pet safe cleaning supplies. I highly recommend using all natural products such as those offered through Life's Abundance. Check out Life's Abundance all natural cleaning supplies for safe cleaning for pets and humans as well.

Living in colder areas of the world teaches you quickly how important it is to clean up your yard. Snow melts and suddenly you can actually see everything you neglected to clean up during the colder months. Your dog's waste droppings may be in the piles well hidden by the beautiful white snow falls.

Warm weather calls for dogs and puppies to bask in the beautiful sunshine. It is time to make sure your yard is a safe haven for them to hang out and play around. As you pick up the poop do not neglect picking up sticks, stones, fallen or stray branches and anything else your dog will no doubt find quickly to chew on and play with.

Give your kitchen a deep annual cleaning that includes dog supplies as well. Replace worn out dog dishes regularly. Clean dog dishes at least every day. Add a bit of sanitizing bleach to the dishes cleaning water and rinse well. Of course you should clean rugs or mats under their dishes as well.

Check puppy or dog's food, treats and medications for expiration dates frequently and dispose of anything that is expired.

Living with dogs presents us with unique cleaning chores especially if your dog sheds hair often. Stray hairs and dander are among some of the biggest challenges home owners/pet owners tackle. If you have carpet you will want to get into every corner and surface of your home with a trusted vacuum.

To prepare for your vacuuming chores improve chances of making a good clean sweep on carpets and upholstery. Use a light mist with water and fabric softener. Follow this misting step with a once-over with a stiff-bristled brush to loosen and pull up embedded hairs. Lint rollers should be stashed in many different places of your home. Go over these surfaces with a lint roller, aa pet hair remover, or other hair grabber after vacuuming. For the finishing touch after all pet hair is gone go over the fabrics and carpets with a fabric spray.

Take a deep look into your dog's toy box. If toys are dirty, give them a good, deep clean with hot soapy water. Fabric toys go into the washing machine nicely. Throw out broken or potentially dangerous toys. Now comes the real fun of replacing old worn out toys with new and more innovative dog toys.

Thoroughly clean crates, carriers, collars, leashes and dog clothes. Be safe and use all natural cleaning products to reduce the chance of pets and or children and adults coming in contact with dangerous cleaning chemicals.

Do You Like to Take Your Dog on Camping Trips? Here is How You Prepare

Above photo courtesy of Shih Tzu Treasures

Dogs make wonderful companions at home and away from home. If you love your dog and like to go camping, it most likely will be very difficult to leave your favorite companion behind. Camping is a common and very popular family activity. How in this world can you leave out the most important family member, "the dog?" In this article explore a few tips on having a safe and happy camping trip with your dog. 

First of all be sure to check the regulations of your destination to learn if dogs are allowed in all places where you and the rest of your family will be. You can usually find this information from the National Park Service who provides a detailed map available at campsites. Your state and local parks will provide important information online at their websites; they will always tell you if your dog is welcome or not.

Here is how you tell when your dog may NOT be ready for a camping trip:

1. dog barks a lot at home
2. dog has no obedience skills
3. dog is afraid of strangers
4. if the weather is too extreme either too hot or too cold, your dog may be more comfortable and happier staying home or with a pet sitter.

Visit your vet before a camping trip and make sure your dog is up to date on vaccinations. Take a copy of the vaccination record and be sure to take along any medications the dog is currently taking.

Prepare yourself for all the bugs. In wooded areas there are without a doubt all sorts of insects, including fleas and ticks. It is a good idea to give your dog a flea and tick treatment before going on the camping trip.

Don't forget to trim your dog's nails, especially if he will be inside a tent just in case he scratches the tent material.

Be sure your microchip ID information is up to date and always take along a pet first-aid kit.

Is it Important to Microchip your Dog?

 Above photo courtesy of  Las vegas tiny chihuahua

According to dog expert statistics one in three pets become lost at some point during their lifetime. Your dog could certainly be one of the statistics. One way of helping to retrieve your lost dog is to use a microchip.

Swell! But how do microchips help you find your lost dog? Microchips use a radio-frequency identification transponder that carries a unique identification number. A vet or shelter can scan the microchip to reveal this number. No batteries required. No power required. Your vet will inject the microchip under the loose skin between the dog's shoulder blades; the procedure can be done in the vet's office and is no more invasive than usual vaccinations.

You will have to register the unique identifier in the chip with a national pet recovery database which is the secret to finding a lost dog. Be sure to use a recovery service that has access to different microchip databases and technologies.

At the time registration be sure to enter all your relevant contact information; enter both a landline and cell phone numbers for you and others in your household. Keep your contact information up to date with the registry.

Pets with microchips are far more likely to be reunited with their owners. Forget just using a collar. Collar can be taken off and thrown away. A microchip is your answer for finding a lost dog. It is simple and not expensive. Don't take a chance on losing your sweet companion. Microchip as soon as possible.

Tips for Preventing Car Sickness in Dogs

Above photo courtesy of Extreme Chinese Crested

Dogs are like humans when it comes to car sickness; it is related to the sense of balance. Car sickness is more often seen in puppies, however, like humans, some dogs never outgrow car sickness. 

Here are a few tips to help you deal with your dog's car sickness:

• your goal is to make the car ride more comfortable
• take control of what your dog sees as he rides in the car; put him in the middle seat to avoid watching all things speed by him in a big blur while sitting near a side window; sitting in the middle seat will adjust his view to straight ahead
• you can use a solid-sided crate to limit your dog's field of vision
• roll the windows down a few inches to circulate fresh air
• keep the car cool and well ventilated
• withhold food for 12 hours before the car trip, but continue giving fresh water
• bring something that smells like home such as a beloved blanket or toy, even one of your shoes or old t-shirts 
• buy one special toy that is kept in the car to help your dog associate the car with something fun and happy

Other tips to help condition your dog to a car ride might include:

• start putting dog in the car with  you a few minutes each day; don't turn on the car or drive away, just sit quietly while giving dog praise and petting gently
• after a few days of just sitting still in the car, start the car and let it run for a few minutes to help the dog learn the new sound; bring a toy and play with dog during this activity
• progress slowly
• drive up and down the driveway or road then stop and exit; slowly increase the travel time until you take a short trip somewhere your dog likes to go such as a favorite park; if dog gets sick take a step or two back and start the process again 
• if your dog vomits or shows anxiety, keep calm and try again tomorrow

If none of the above works, your vet can recommend medication for nausea or anti-anxiety maybe even a sedative. Some natural herbs and plants such as lavender, ginger, and valerian may help to calm your dog's stomach, but be sure you ask your vet before giving your dog any medications or herbal home remedies.