Labrador Retriever Dogs Blog

Wouldn’t you rather learn how to deal with minor dog health problems BEFORE they become major ones?  I know I would, because let’s face it, dogs are part of your family, and no one wants to see a part of your family get sick or even die.

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.

Here is some of the valuable advice I got from one of my favorite sites for dog health care solutions, The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health.

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!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Grooming your dog is just one tiny aspect of maintaining overall health and happiness. For a complete, encyclopedic survival guide to all aspects of dog health, from preventative care to choosing a vet to doggie First Aid (even the canine Heimlich maneuver!), you should take a look at The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health.

A survival guide for knowledgeable, effective, and life-saving dog care, this manual keeps your dog’s health and wellbeing firmly within your control – which is exactly where you want it to be.

It can’t hurt to look.

Visit Joni Compretta Website At . . . www.JoniCompretta.com . . . . .______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Beagle Chihuahua Shih-Tzu Bulldog Collie Dachshund Dalmatian Doberman Pinscher Rottweiler Saint Bernard Boston Terrier Basset Hound Chinese Shar-Pei Pomeranian German Shepherd Dog Pekingese Airedale Terrier Akita Inu Alaskan Malamute American Cocker Spaniel Australian Shepherd Bichon Frise Boxer Brittany Spaniel Cairn Terrier Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chow Chow English Springer Spaniel German Shorthaired Pointer Golden Retriever Great Dane Great Pyrenees Labrador Retriever Lhasa Apso Maltese Mastiff Miniature Pinscher Miniature Schnauzer Newfoundland Pembroke Welsh Corgi Poodle Pug Samoyed Schipperke Scottish Terrier (Scottie) Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) Siberian Husky Weimaraner West Highland White Terrier Yorkshire Terrier redbone coon hounds Children mississippi squirrel revival johnny counterfeit man’s best friend Rin Tin Tin

A dog is considered to be “a man’s best friend”. The companionship between a pet dog and the owners is priceless. Imagine how delightful it is seeing your own dog behave so good, that you don’t have to yell or scream at him, ever again.

The best way to train dogs remained a perpetual concern for the dog training enthusiasts. Before training your dog, there are some things you might want to know in order for you to be an efficient trainer. This will also help your pet dog on how to adjust with all the new tricks you will give.

Whether you have a puppy or an older dog for an instance, you can still teach them new tricks. Dogs are intelligent creatures thus they can always be taught new things. It is helpful to start training a puppy, between the age of six to eight months. In this stage, the dog is a lot eager to learn things. Somehow, a dog is more receptive between these ages.

It is best that you understand how to use reinforcements so that your dog can really absorb the new tricks you teach. A positive reinforcement is favorable in training dogs. Like what most people want, dogs appreciate it much when they are praised and fed with dog treats. When dog is able to perform commands in a correct and precise manner a treat must be given. This can be in a form of food.

Dogs are brilliant companions and are very trainable. Their gregarious nature sets them aside from other pet animals. They can interact and attach emotionally with their owners. While training your dog, you will soon appreciate the connection that you have both made.

Be firm but friendly in dealing with your dogs. Like when you are dealing with toddlers you have to be firm in giving those orders but in a very positive tone. This approach in teaching dogs fosters learning and being friendly towards your dog avoids intimidation. When you start to give command try a calm voice coupled with a little tone of being friendly.

Make use of your voice to give commands. Learn when to use high pitch voice and low pitch voice. This will also enable the dog to get familiar on the usual voice usage that you might implore.

Punishment is a type of reinforcement. It is classified as a negative reinforcement which is unfavorable when training dogs. It is imperative that you should not punish the dog in any manner. Otherwise, the dog will develop that fear and will be distracted along the course of the training. Be consistent in all your commands. Consistent training techniques can hasten learning of the dogs due to the fact that they are familiar with the sounds, words used in the command given. In addition, it is important that the command must be given by the same person. This will also help the dog to associate the commands to who is giving the commands.

The dog must not be confused in any manner.

On top of these, you might want to solicit an advice from a dog trainer, better if it is a certified dog trainer. Yes, there are many dog training resources out there, including dog training videos and dog training e-books, but nothing compares with the advice you will get from a certified dog trainer professional.

Dogs are man’s best friends. In turn, they rely on us to take care of them and to keep them healthy. Owning a dog is a big responsibility. They cannot take care of themselves and we must nurture them similarly as we would a baby. By following daily and weekly procedures, we can make this task less daunting and eliminate serious problems before they arise, as well as, preventing complications.

There are certain things we need to do on a daily basis to provide appropriate care for our animal friends. Just a few minutes out of your day would be enough to satisfy these duties and will give you and your dog a chance to establish a bond. Feeding, of course, is one of them. A dog should be fed twice a day and also should be provided with plenty of drinking water.

In addition, your dog requires playtime with you. This is very important because dogs are by nature social animals that need companionship. So, get down on the floor and let your dog know he is special to you. You will have a fun experience, and in turn, the dog will show his appreciation through his love, loyalty and eagerness to please you. This playtime will possibly eliminate behavior problems that result from enormous amounts of alone time for dogs. A daily, or twice daily, walk will satisfy your dog’s exercise needs and get him some fresh air. Exerting energy is important and will result in a calmer dog. On your walk, he will see other animals and people and this will also satisfy his socialization needs.

Another important daily task would be to examine your dog. This will allow you the opportunity to stumble upon problems before they get serious. Get to know your pet by running your hands over his body. Start with his head and ears, down the front of his body, down his back and sides of his body, and then, his legs chest and abdomen. By getting to know the feel of your pet, you will be able to spot abnormalities early on. This is also a good time to look for skin problems, aches, pains, eye problems, ear infections or tooth and gum problems.

Dental care is also important in dogs. Ideally this should be done on a daily basis, but if you can fit it in twice a week that would also suffice. Food particles on a dog’s teeth will combine with bacteria to form plaque, which if not removed will turn into tartar. This can cause tooth and gum problems. By using a dog toothpaste and soft bristled toothbrush and concentrating on the two upper canine teeth or fangs and two upper fourth premolars or the large teeth in the back of the mouth, you can keep your dog’s teeth healthy, problem free, and his breath fresher smelling.

Remember also that a longhaired dog will do well with a daily brushing. Shorthaired dogs also need brushing. This will spread the natural oils from their skin, prevent tangles and matted hair, remove loose and dead hair and keep him looking well.

On a weekly basis, you should check your dog’s ears for possible infections and clean them, trim his nails, and inspect and clean his eyes.

Dogs need our loving care and attention to keep healthy and clean. We are responsible for this. Although it may seem like an endless chore, if we combine it with some playtime and fun, both you and your dog will enjoy this time together. You will develop a bond that will last a lifetime and your dog will be your loyal companion. In the end, you will see that you will get as much out of these care procedures as your dog does.

The Chihuahua is undoubtedly the oldest purebred canine native to the North American continent. He is known by no other name. The Chihuahua is a native of the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. He appears in a short-or smooth-coated variety and another type that has a long coat. The distinguishing features of a Chihuahua are very small size (average weight is 3 pounds) large ears, prominent eyes and a long tail.

The Chihuahua was important in the ceremonial life of both Toltec and Aztex peoples and is still a very popular pet in his native land and all around the world. He is the smallest of all dogs. His purpose is to provide loving companionship. His very small size keeps him from being a good pet to children or toddlers, or even young adolescents. He makes a wonderful little pet for the elderly. His size makes him very easy to pick up, carry around, and to take care of during grooming chores. The Chihuahua seems to know other Chihuahuas and prefers their company over other breeds of dogs. He is highly sensitive and can be a bit stubborn.

Although the Chihuahua looks very fragile he can be quite courageous. He is known to be more of a one-person dog and can be quite ferocious in defending that person.

The short haired variety is kept tidy with brushing several times a week with a rubber slicker or grooming glove. The smooth should be soft texture, close and glossy. The coat should be placed well over the body with ruff on neck, and scantier on head and ears.

The long coats should be of a soft texture, either flat or slightly curly with an undercoat preferably. Ears fringed (heavily fringed ears may be tipped slightly never down), feathering on feet and legs, and pants on hind legs. Large ruff on neck desired and preferred. Tail should be full and long (as a plume).

The long coat will need attention a couple times per week. The long-coated Chihuahua is easy to maintain with brushing a couple times per week. They normally love the attention of being groomed.

You will need a cushioned natural bristle brush and a medium-toothed comb.

Grooming procedure:

1. Brush through entire coat with a natural bristle brush and then comb to remove all tangles.

2. A suitable shampoo for both the long and short coated Chihuahua might be “natural tea tree and lavender oil.”

3. Don’t bathe your Chihuahua unless he gets really dirty. Oftentimes the Chihuahua will only need a bath about every 2 to 3 months depending on environment and circumstances. Always rinse well.

4. Blow-dry the coat while brushing the long hair.

5. After blow drying, comb through with your medium-toothed comb (these items can be

purchased at any pet supply store or online.

6. Check the Chihuahua’s nails, ears and teeth. His nails should be kept moderately short. For show dogs, follow the breed standard about nails.

Note: The interior of the ear canals of the little Chihuahua should be gently cleaned. You may want to use a little Betadine scrub in his ears to prevent yeast infections. Pay special attention to drying the inside and outside of his ears. Ear infections can arise from moist ear canals.

Special Note about the Chihuahua Show Dogs:

For the show ring cut the hairs on the muzzle with a curve scissor and, for Long Coats, trim around the feet and between the pads.

There are many aspects involved with dog care and making sure you cover them all can be daunting. Dogs are subject to allergies but they catch them from the air. Proper allergy care involves not only treating the symptoms but also prevention. You should bath your dog regularly and rinse their feet after they have been outside to remove any allergens on your dog’s skin.

Dog dental care can also be done at home and is very easy but also critical to your dogs health. Proper dental care provides for more than clean breath, it also keeps your dogs organs healthy as bacterial buildup on the teeth can spread throughout your pets whole system and cause illness and disease.

As with your own dental care you only need a few tools in order to care for your dog’s teeth, these are dental clens solution, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental treats or toys or a dental cleaning dog kit. It may take your dog a few days or even weeks to get used to the dental care procedure but their teeth and gums will be much healthier and not have as many problems as before.

Ear care is particularly important for dogs, especially during the summer. A build up of moisture in the ear canals can cause problems as well as favorable conditions for ear infections. There are many products that can be used to care for your dogs ears including ear powders to keep ears dry, ear miticide to kill ear mites and other ear cleaning solutions that rinse away dirt and loosens waxy build up.

Keeping your dogs eyes clean is also important as this can prevent infections. The most common eye infection for dogs is conjunctivitis. To prevent infections you should use eye cleaning solutions or protective ointments that protect eyes from irritation as well as killing bacteria. You can trim hair from around your pet’s eyes to prevent infection, make sure the corners of their eyes are mucous free, and try to keep your pets away form activities or surroundings where they may get eye trauma. When doing any cleaning or cutting around your dogs eyes, you want to use the utmost care so as to avoid poking your dog in the eye!

As your dog ages there is some additional dog care needs that you should be aware of. Your dog should still exercise but at a lower intensity and for shorter periods of time. Older dogs should use a foam bed to protect their joints when sleeping. You should also take advantage of senior dog food as it will contain important vitamins and nutrients that older dogs may need more of. As dogs age you need to keep a closer eye out for changes in behavior as these can be signs of problems. You should take your dog to the vet as soon as you notice any changes.

Proper dog care also constitutes regular veterinary visits. This way you can be assured that you are providing your pet with everything he needs to be happy, healthy and long lived.

I have lot of friends who has taken dogs to accompany them and share life with. But taking a dog may not be that easy for you have to prepare yourself for a ten to fifteen-year commitment. Your dog can help you relax and give you the happiness you may want. And like any other relationship, it is a mutual. If he gives you the happiness you want, you are to provide also his basic needs. Like humans, dogs needs food, shelter and the nurturing to keep him healthy and happy.

Feeding. Feeding your dog does not mean letting him eat the left overs of meal. You have to provide nutritious food for your companion like how you prepare food for your love ones., and also food supplements to fill the nutrient needs that maybe lacking in his diet. There are dog foods that not only gives the nutritional needs but also gives serves as supplements to counter disease like canine malassimilation and also helps develop good teeth and gums. In choosing the food for your pet, you must choose the one that he really loves.

Visiting the Vet. Feeding might be insufficient if there are signs of parasite infections of your beloved pet. To know if your dog needs deworming, it is best to consult a veterinarian to determine the parasite that infects the dog. This will allow proper prescription and diagnosis. Deworming is not only a one-time procedure but suggested mostly to be done on a regular basis. Aside from parasite infections, dog arthritis and other common dog problems, visiting the vet would allow you to monitor his over-all health.

Physical maintenance and grooming. How your dog looks like would reflect the way you take good care of him. Proper grooming of your dog is important so you may not find him smelly and dirty as you hug him. Physical maintenance and grooming does not mean you have to dress him up but rather as part of his health routine and appearance.

Bath Items. You not only choose shampoo to clean him but also to maintain the color of his fur. There are variety of shampoos to choose from depending on your dog needs.

Ear cleaning. Most dogs does not want to have their ears cleaned, while others may just content themselves waiting you to do the cleaning:. Ear cleaning is necessary in dog’s grooming to prevent causes of ear infections. Dogs with heavy floppy ears have the most problems with ear infections. Same with some breeds that have lots of hair in and around the ear canal. Dogs that spend lots of time in the water also are prone to developing ear infections. Ear cleaning may be a messy job so you have to prepare yourself .Epiotic ear cleaner may do the job easier and can be purchased on line.

Teeth and gums maintenance. Does it smell awful when your dog breathes in your face? Maybe that’s something you should not ignore. Dental care of your dog does not only ensure fresh and clean breath but also keeps him away from bacterial infections.

Nurturing and care. The moment you decided to have a dog, it means you have committed yourself to be his guardian for the rest of his life. Maintaining a good canine-human relationship is vital. Give him some of your time, play, talk and cherish every moment you have with him.

Dogs are considered man’s best friend. Having a dog is not your usual chore but an experience of a lifetime you’ll be happy with.

When picking out a Labrador puppy, make sure that the puppy is energetic and interactive with people. Avoid Labrador puppies that are subdued, withdrawn and fearful with pet care advice from a veterinarian in this free video on dog training and raising puppies. Expert: Dr. James Talbott Bio: Dr. James R. Talbott is a staff veterinarian at Belle Forest Animal Hospital and Kennel in Nashville, Tenn. Filmmaker: Dimitri LaBarge

Dog grooming is an important task that is needed for more than one reason. Good grooming covers things such as bathes, brushing the fur and brushing the teeth. Good grooming helps the prevention of parasites such as flees and ticks on a dogs skin. Depending on the length of the fur will depend on how often you will need to groom your dog. The longer the fur the more washing and brushing it will require. The shorter the fur the less it will require maybe once a week.

What You Do In Dog Grooming

When you groom a dog you are taking care of their whole outer body, cleaning it and making it look better. You can easily groom your dog at home by bathing your dog, clipping their hair and nails and cleaning their eyes, ears and teeth. If you don’t have the room at home to do these things you can go to a professional grooming service and have it done.

Hair Trimming

When you trim a dog’s hair you may need to leash the dog. You will need to brush the hair both before and after trimming it as the brushing removes dead hair and stimulates the growth of new hair. Gently combing the matted hair is important in dog grooming, as matted hair resistant to brushing should be cut off with scissors. To trim a dog’s hair you will need a pair of good dog clippers which can be purchased at the vets or pet shops. The longer the hair though the more trimming it will require especially in the hot seasons.

Bathing

Before you trim your dog’s hair you will need to give them a good bath to remove the debris inside the fur then dry the fur completely before starting the trimming process. During summered you can wash your dog outside with a hose but during the colder months a bathtub is a better option with warm water.

Nail Clipping

It is best to start clipping your dog when they are puppies so that they get accustomed to the process. You need to take extreme care when clipping a dog’s nail especially to avoid the quick from being cut. If you do cut the quick then press on the bleeding area until the wound stops bleeding.

Cleaning Eyes, Ears and Teeth

Don’t forget that the eyes, ears and teeth are an essential part of grooming your dog as well. The dogs ears need to be checked for parasites, dirt and scratches etc. Depending on the dog will depend on what eye care it will require. Some dogs have hair that grow around the eye which needs trimming occasionally other dogs will have weeping eyes that will need to be washed out on a daily basis to avoid infection. The groomer can remove any dirt or foreign matter from the eyes, or from around its corners, with a soft clean cloth. Dogs teeth can be clean by giving your dog bones once a week or using specially designed tooth paste and tooth brush for dogs as well as giving then good dog biscuits.

Dogs ears are prone to infection as you might already have noticed if you have a dog with problem ears. If your dog keeps getting infections here is some information that might help you deal with chronic ear infections.

Dog ear infections are usually called Otits Externa; this means an infection in the outer ear. (Otis Interna means an infection of the inner ear). Outer ear infections account for 90% of the infections in dogs; making ear infection the most common infection for a dog to be treated for. Ear mites can often accompany ear infections.

Dogs with allergies may experience more ear infections than other dogs. It can be caused by wax build up inside the ear. It can also be caused by long hair blocking the passage of air and creating a buildup of not only wax but also dirt and debris.

Regular ear cleaning will also get the pet used to having his ears handled which will make it easier to administer treatment.

You can prevent these infections by cleaning your dogs ears well and as part of your regular grooming regime. Cleaning your dog’s ears is simple and you only need a soft cloth and some ear cleanser. Lift the ears and massage some cleanser into the ear this should loosen the dirt.

Regualr ear cleaning is a powerful preventative measure; particularly if you have a dog who is at a high risk for ear infections. Ear infections are more common in dogs that swim often for example. Water inside the ears can be a problem for dogs who are essentially not designed for water.

You can spot an ear infection on your dog by looking for the following tell tale signs:

-smelly ears

-discharge

-excessive head shaking

-swelling

-redness in the ears

If your dog seems uncomfortable or is excessively scratching their ears it’s probably causing a great deal of distress. If you pet is scratching too hard this can even break blood vessels and cause swelling and bleeding.

You can try cleaning your dogs ears with white vinegar to remove dirt from the ear and promote the growth of good bacteria. Use the vinegar in the same way as the ear cleanser – pour it on and wipe gently inside the ear with the cloth or cotton. This might help ease the infection or even clear it up if the problem was not too severe to start.   If the infection is serious its time to call the vet. It can be cleared up easily. Most often the dog will need some antibiotics to help clear the problem.

If your dog has recurring ear infections the vet might suggest that you clip the hair around the ear or the vet might clip the hair around the ear. This often helps. If the problem is more extreme than that the vet might suggest surgery to allow for easier drainage of the ear canal.

Some breeds are more prone to chronic ear infections than others any breed of dog with large ears or particularly small ears will get ear infections easier than some other breeds.  Now that you know what to look for you should be able to detect ear infections before they become a serious problem