A Step-By-Step Guide To Bathing Pet Dogs Properly

If you own a dog, it is important that you have the time to give him a proper bath as well as the right grooming. While you can easily bring him to the groomers, the much cheaper option is to do it by yourself. If you're new at this, it is also ideal to talk to other pet owners to get some tips and to do research online to make sure that you're doing everything right.

Let these simple steps guide you as you bathe your dog for the first time:

Step 1 - Preparation

Before bathing your pet, be sure to remove bows, collars, clothing and other accessories he might be wearing. Lay a soft towel on the floor or on your grooming table and place your dog on it. If you opt to use a grooming table, keep an eye on your pet and make sure he doesn't jump off and get injured. Use a pin brush and work your way through your dog's coat in sections and remove any tangles.

Step 2 - Shampoo

Using a hose, wet your dog's body completely starting from the top of his head. Squirt some good quality dog shampoo into your hands and start a lather from the top of the neck all the way to the tail. Do not use human shampoo as it has a different Ph balance and could cause damage to your dog's coat. Be sure to cover all parts - the legs, belly, featherings and even the outside of the ears. When it's time to shampoo the head, work your way from the top down to the muzzle.

Step 3 - Rinse

Rinsing soap or shampoo from your dog's fur is an important part of the process. If you don't rinse thoroughly, the residue could cause irritation on your pet's skin. Use clean and warm water to rinse out the shampoo. Don't stop until all soap suds are removed and the water runs clear.

Step 4 - Conditioner

This step is optional and can be done every other bath you give your dog. When putting conditioner on your dog's coat, work it the same way like you would the shampoo (Step 2), just let it set for 5 to 10 minutes before you rinse it off.

Step 5 - Drying

Your pet will do half the job for you. Let him shake off the water first before drying him out with a clean, soft towel. Using a pin brush, gently brush your dog's coat in sections. You can use a blow dryer while brushing, but keep it at the coolest setting and should be moving constantly.

Bathing your dog regularly will ensure that he is clean and healthy. He will also have a lower chance of developing skin conditions.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Step-By-Step-Guide-To-Bathing-Pet-Dogs-Properly&id=9713727

How to Choose the Best Dog for YOU!

A video from Zak George on how to choose the best dog for you.

How to Know If You Should Get a Dog

Getting a dog is a decision that should not be taken lightly. It is a long-term commitment in which you will be responsible for another life. So, before you rush out to your local shelter to pick out a dog or send a deposit to a breeder for a new puppy, ask yourself these 4 questions.

1. Do you feel confident that you will have room in the budget not just now but for years to come?

To know if it's the right time to have a new puppy or dog, it's wise to first have a good look at your income, financial responsibilities, and your spending habits. Getting a dog does involve an initial expense; however, it goes far beyond that.

For at least a decade, and longer in many cases, you'll need to be able to pay for dog food, care items (bowls, leashes, collars or harnesses, grooming items, toys, etc.) and veterinary bills. Some pet owners try to save money by avoiding yearly wellness checks at the vet; however, this can lead to more bills down the line due to health issues not being caught early.

The cost of taking care of a dog depends on the quality of the care items that you'll be purchasing and variations of store pricing. If you expect to have at least $200 a month for both ongoing costs and starting an emergency vet fund, this is a good start to knowing if you're ready to have a new dog or puppy.

2. Is your home pet-friendly? Not all dogs need large yards to run and play, and in fact toy breed dogs can do just fine in small apartments. However, there are other things to look at.

You'll want to have an easily accessible outdoor area for the dog's bathroom needs. Since daily exercise is important for dogs, there should be an area for daily walks.

While dogs can enjoy an active and large family, most do not do well with chaotic or stressful households, so this should be considered as well.

You'll also want enough room so that the family (both humans and pets) do not feel crowded. And the puppy or dog should have his own area for resting, sleeping, indoor play, and eating.

3. Do you have time for a dog? It is quite common for owners to be away from home for work, school, or other responsibilities. However, you'll want to know that you have time to spend with your new pet if you do get a puppy or dog. Will you have time each day for walks? Grooming? One-on-one time for play and perhaps command training? Dogs love human interaction and do not do well when isolated the majority of the time.

4. Does your urge to get a dog go beyond just thinking that dogs are cute? Dogs are indeed cute. But, they can also have barking issues, housebreaking issues, and marking problems. A teething puppy may nip and an adopted adult may not like children. It's more common to have a dog with a few issues and quirks than a perfectly behaved canine family member.

To know if it's the right time to get a new puppy or dog, think about how you feel about having a dog every single day, through good times and bad, without any breaks in pet ownership.

If you've answered 'yes' to these four questions this is a great sign that you are ready to bring a new puppy or dog into your home.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Know-If-You-Should-Get-a-Dog&id=9714303

Spectacular Benefits of Grooming Your Pets

Keeps the Skin and Fur Free from Infection

Regular grooming of your pet is necessary. Especially, if the pet likes to spend time in the park and roll around on the mud. The skin and the fur of your pet can get exposed to the risk of dirt allergies along with several other infections. A dirty fur and skin will invite fleas and other forms of parasites which will weaken your pet, gradually. Also it makes them become smelly. Making them take a bath, on a regular basis, will help them get rid of this problems. Bathe your pet with pH-balanced shampoos in order to disinfect their skin.

Grooming helps them to Relax

Regular grooming sessions help your pet to learn to relax. Bathing or clipping the nails of a nervous dog is very challenging. For that reason regular grooming is necessary. When you are using a nail clipper or a de-shedding tool it is required that your pet stay calm. Using grooming tools like the toenail clippers is a bit risky if your dog is restless and anxious. Regular clipping will make him/her understand that it is a necessary step. Use styptic powder in case he/she bleeds whilst you clip the toe nails. It helps your pet to stay safe and it reduces the risk of injury.

Reduces Chances of Allergies

Well groomed cats and dogs are much less prone to allergies. Try and adopt a holistic pet grooming solution in order to make sure that your dog and cat is free from any sort of risk. For example, bathing alone does not necessarily solve the problem. You should use Otic solution along with forceps and gauze to make sure that your dog's ears are free from any sort of flea and infections.

Grooming at regular intervals also helps you to combat pollen allergies and also ragweed allergies in dogs. Pets that play outside attract such allergies to a large extent. These kinds of allergens get deposited in different parts of your home, like the floor, sofa and the carpet. So, along with grooming, if you regularly clean your house, then the chances of such allergies reduces.

Perfectly Trimmed Fur

Over trimming of fur might also expose your pets' skin to infection, injuries and burn from the sun. That is why professional grooming services will guide you to understand the exact length your dog's fur needs to be so that it does not expose the skin and yet helps it stay healthy and clean. Use de-shedding tools to brush your pets' fur in order to get rid of all the loose fur.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Spectacular-Benefits-of-Grooming-Your-Pets&id=9733380

Some Fun Facts About Canine Obesity

It has been estimated that nearly 50% of dogs in our country are obese. This is a startling number considering the fact that we love dogs and do not want these furry companions to have any health problems. But then why is this number showing up? A major worrying factor that results in obese dogs is diseases like arthritis, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer, compromised immune function along with heart and lung disease. It has been researched and found out that dogs that maintain their ideal weight live 15% longer than those who are obese. In fact, if the obesity issue is not resolved in dogs it will shorten the lives of these furry companions.

There are certain dog owners who recognize the fact that their furry companions are a little heavy but they do not fully recognize that their doggy is obese. When a veterinarian suggests a dog owner to make his Fido lose 5 lbs. it often goes from one ear to the next without really taking things seriously. But when you compare the dog weight with human weight you will be able to understand the perspective:

Did you know that:

· 5 extra lbs. on a 12 lbs. Shih Tzu is like 58 extra lbs. on a 140 lbs. woman (This is 42% more weight of the dog than the ideal weight!)

· 5 extra lbs. on a 25 lbs. Beagle is like 28 extra lbs. on a 140 lbs. woman (This is 20% more weight of the dog than the ideal weight!)

· 5 extra lbs. on a 70 lbs. Lab Retriever is like 10 extra lbs. on a 140 lbs. woman (This is approximately 7% more weight weight of the dog than the ideal weight!)

One prime reason for obesity in dogs is overfeeding. It is as if you are pampering your furry pal for being good. But frequent and overfeeding is harmful for the dog's health as it contains lots of excessive calories that need to be burned otherwise it can result in diseases. So, in order to avoid this, follow these steps given below:

· Recognize that your pooch is overweight (Because knowing the problem is half the problem solved.)

· Consult with your veterinarian and ask them to conduct full body checkup of your pooch. It is important to know how obese your dog is and also know how many calories need to be fed to the furry pal.

· Select the best food for weight loss of the doggy. There are wide array of options available in the market to choose from. Consult your veterinarian and then choose the food that maintains lean body mass and strength in the dog.

· Follow a strict exercise regime for your doggy on a daily basis.

· Note down the weight of your furry pal in the beginning and then monitor it after regular interval.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Some-Fun-Facts-About-Canine-Obesity&id=9748824

When To Bring Your Dog To The Vet: 5 Signs To Watch Out For

One of the biggest challenges a dog owner has to face is taking care of a sick pet. While a bout of diarrhea or lack of appetite can be scary, it doesn't necessarily mean that you should take him to the vet right away. But if the problem persists for more than a day, it's probably wise to give the doctor a call. Is my dog's condition serious or am I just panicking? Knowing when to bring your furry friend to get checked out can be confusing especially to new pet owners.

Here are 5 signs that you should bring your dog to the vet:

Abdominal pain or distension

Abdominal pain is a warning sign of a medical emergency and your pet must be brought to the vet right away. When you feel your furry friend's abdomen and he shows signs of pain, it may mean that he has a twisted stomach which has a complete obstruction. It is called gastric dilation-volvolus or more commonly referred to as bloat. Fluid distension from heart disease and internal bleeding due to ruptured spleen may also cause abdominal pain in dogs.

Collapse or lethargy

There are days that your dog may seem lazy and lethargic but if this goes on for 24 to 48 hours, it's time to take him to the vet. If you observe your dog having prolonged periods of sleep, disinterest in interacting or playing, hiding in unusual places and no desire for your daily walk, he may be experiencing collapse. This is usually caused by anaphylactic shock, allergic response, hypoglycemia, internal bleeding, dehydration, metabolic distress and even Addison's disease.

Leg paralysis

If you observe your furry friend suddenly having difficulty using one or more of his legs, this is most probably herniation in a part of his spinal cord. This is generally a medical emergency in dogs. If left untreated, it can lead to changes in your dog's mental state.

Eye problems

Red eyes, bulging eyes as well as extreme swelling and tearing are considered eye emergencies in pets and they should be brought to the vet at the soonest time possible. When left untreated, eye problems will worsen and can lead to blindness.

Seizures

A seizure, especially when experienced in clusters, indicate a medical emergency. It may be caused by serious underlying conditions such as a brain mass, electrolyte imbalance, toxin ingestion or epilepsy. Have your pet checked by your vet right away.

If you observe any of these 5 signs on your pet dog, don't hesitate to seek the help of your vet at the soonest time possible.

To help dog owners learn how to deal with minor dog health problems before they become major ones, check out this link.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?When-To-Bring-Your-Dog-To-The-Vet:-5-Signs-To-Watch-Out-For&id=9742128

An Overview of Bully Sticks and Why They Are an Amazing Choice for Your Canine

Dogs love to chew and different dogs will define different chewable around your home. Some will attack different items in the home and they include sticks in the backyard, the trash in your kitchen, eyeglasses, remotes, leather shoes and so on. This is usually aimed at quenching the chewing urge that comes to them naturally. It is however not safe for the dog to chew on everything. It is important for a dog owner to actually pick a good dog chew and one of these is the bully stick.

What they are

There are many treats out there for dogs and knowing their origin isn't always clear. Bully sticks are dog treats made of beef and are usually made from cattle penises. They can also be called pizzle sticks. These have been used for many years for different purposes. Dogs love the bully sticks.

There are lots of products available out there that can be used today. They are also available in most parts of the world so it shouldn't be too hard to find. You should be careful before buying a bully stick. In South America, Canada and the United States, the manufacturing and inspection of the bully sticks is made a priority and so you end up with an amazing product. There are different methods applied in making the sticks. Some can be sun-dried while others are smoked. This is aimed at the moisture removal giving the sticks a smoky odor. There are yet others that are oven cooked and they are actually odor free. When cooked, moisture is lost. The duration of drying reduces the odor. The preference is actually something personal.

Benefits

One of the main benefits is the fact that is a really healthy chew and satisfies the dogs urge to chew. The best bully sticks come with great nutritional value and are safe than rawhides. Chewing aids in dental hygiene as well as good breath.

What to look out for

The best in this category are natural products that have a nutritional value which is usually a protein. They should not have any additives or chemicals. The beef pizzles are used to make the bully sticks and they are usually tendons that are high in taurine. This amino acid is great for the eyesight of the dog and its heart too.

How to choose

Consider the beef range

Free range is the best. These are cattle that are grass fed. This is beef that is usually inspected and then passed ensuring that it is of the highest quality. There are areas where the bully sticks are of a much lower quality.

Chemical free

The best sticks are made from cattle that aren't given any kind of growth hormones or antibiotics. There are some bully sticks that may have chemicals that are aimed at removal of odor and the product preservation. There are yet other manufacturers that will use chemicals so as to eliminate odor and hide poor qualities of the product.

There are lots of bully sticks available out there and it is very important that you choose a very healthy treat for your dog. They can come in different shapes and sizes and therefore you may pick your preference.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?An-Overview-of-Bully-Sticks-and-Why-They-Are-an-Amazing-Choice-for-Your-Canine&id=9782574