Category: Grooming

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Grooming

What you’ll need to give your dog a bath

Photo courtesy of: Susan Cid Tritsch

Tools of the Trade

It’s much easier to bath your dog if you have everything ready before you start. Here is a check list of what you will need to effectively bath your dog.

Brush. This will remove any loose or matted hair, and should be used before your dog gets wet. Start at his head and work your way all over his body and down his tail. Use a brush that is best suited for his coat type.

Shampoo. Choose the right kind of shampoo to do the job. If your dog has normal healthy skin, then Bubbles ‘n Beads is a good choice for him. It is a 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner that contains microbeads which deliver vitamins and conditioners right down to his skin surface. Another good option is Sparkle and Shine, which is designed to brighten up a light colored coat. For the dogs with itchy or sensitive skin, reach for theComfy Dog oatmeal shampoo to soothe the inflammation and make him more comfortable.

Conditioner. Ruff to Smooth detangling conditioner can be used all over your dog after his bath, to loosen any tangles and make it easier to brush him. It is particularly effective if your dog is a wire haired breed. For a deep conditioning effect, and to ease skin irritations, Fur Butter is the product of choice. Oatmeal has been proven to reduce itching, and it will leave your dog’s coat soft, shiny and luxurious.

Ear wipes. When it comes to ear problems, prevention is definitely better than cure. If you use ear wipes after your dog has been bathed, the colloidal silver will help to prevent the growth of bacteria while the all natural cleansing ingredients will remove any dirt and debris in the ear canal.

Non slip bath mat. If you wash your dog in the bath tub, put a rubber non slip mat on the bottom of the tub. He will feel much more secure if he isn’t slipping and sliding on the wet porcelain.

Towels and wash cloth. Make sure you have some towels handy to dry your dog when he comes out of the bath. If it’s cold, he’ll appreciate it if it has been warmed up in the tumble dryer for a few minutes before you use it. Put some towels on the floor around the bath tub so he doesn’t slip on the wet floor. The wash cloth is very handy for wiping his face and around his eyes.

Hand held shower attachment. This is almost essential for bathing your dog in the shower or bath tub. It allows you to move the shower head around and under your dog, giving you easy access to all parts of his body. It’s much more convenient than using a cup to pour water on him, and hoping you don’t miss anywhere. If your shower doesn’t have one of these, give some thought to buying one. They aren’t expensive, and you’ll get plenty of use out of it.

Heater. During the colder months, both you and your dog will appreciate having a small heater turned on in the bathroom. You must remember to be very careful with electricity around water.

Tether. If you prefer to wash your dog outdoors, then a tether is a very handy tool. Tie your dog’s leash to it and you’ll have both hands free to lather him up and rinse him off. Make sure you step back when you let him loose, as he will shake water all over you!

Dryer. A hand held hair dryer is useful to dry your dog’s coat after his bath. Remove as much water as you can with a towel before using it, otherwise you’ll possibly end up spending more time drying your dog’s hair than you do your own.

Bath time should be a fun time for you and your dog. Choose the right products for his skin and coat, and he’ll be clean and fresh when you give him a hug.

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Anxiety & Nervousness Grooming

Does Nail Trimming Really Hurt My Dog?

If you have a dog, chances are you’ve had  his nails trimmed at some point. If he sits happily for this, consider yourself very lucky! Most dogs do not enjoy this procedure, so if it was a more painful experience for you than him, you are definitely not alone!

Most dogs that exercise on hard ground tend to wear down their nails naturally, and don’t require nail trimmings very often. If your dog typically exercises on grass or sand, however, then this may not be the case, and you may have to trim his nails for him.

Why Do Dogs Hate Having Their Nails Trimmed?

Previous bad experiences with nail trimming: Your dog’s claw is equivalent to your fingernail – if you’ve ever had an injured nail that has torn very short, you’ll remember how painful it felt. This is because it exposed the “quick” – the sensitive tissue below the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. So if you accidentally clip your dog’s nail quick, it tends to bleed and is quite sensitive. If this has happened to your dog even once in the past, he will remember it, and will then associate the experience with any attempt to touch his feet.

A dislike for having their feet touched: Some dogs just dislike having their feet touched, even if they have never had a painful experience with nail trimming. Typically these tend to be dogs that were never accustomed to this as puppies.

Six Tips To Make Nail Trimming Less Traumatic

1 Play with your puppy’s feet every day: This way he will become accustomed to having his feet handled, and when his nails need to be trimmed, the experience won’t be so traumatic.

2 Desensitize and counter-condition anxious dogs: If your dog hates having his nails trimmed, you can try to desensitize him in various ways. Start touching his feet regularly when he is lying down, and progress to gently squeezing his nails – in time, he may realize that nothing bad happens every time someone touches his feet. Ultimately you may be able to trim even a single nail without him reacting. Reward him with a treat – this will help him to associate something positive with the experience.

3 Don’t over-trim: Lighter colored nails are easier to cut than black ones, because you can see the pink quick through the nail. If you can see the quick, trim so that you leave at least 2mm of nail below it. With dark nails where the quick is invisible, trim only the tips – make a couple of short cuts on these nails to lessen the chance of clipping the quick.

4 Use appropriate tools: Buy clippers that are suitable for your particular dog’s size, and keep them sharp and clean. Using clippers that are blunt, or too small for your dog’s nails, can just make your life more difficult. There are many different types of nail clippers available for dogs – ask your groomer or veterinarian to help you choose some that suit not only your dog’s size, but also your preferences. We like these nail clippers.

5 Help your dog relax: About 20 minutes before you are going to clip your dog’s nails, give her an all natural remedy to help her relax. We like to use a calming tonic for dogs prior to nail trimming. This herbal elixir will help calm your dog in just a few minutes an, there are no side effects and it’s not toxic in anyway.

6 Keep styptic powder – just in case! If you decide to trim your dog’s nails at home, buy some styptic powder to keep at hand – just in case you accidentally clip the nail quick.

If you have never trimmed a dog’s nails before, ask your veterinarian or groomer for a tutorial. They will be able to demonstrate the procedure and give you some guidance before you try it yourself at home.

Despite all good efforts, however, some dogs just never tolerate having their nails trimmed. If this sounds like your dog, then it may be wise to save your sanity and leave it to the professionals. Whenever your dog pays a visit to his veterinarian or groomer, this is the perfect opportunity to ask them to trim his nails if necessary. They do this every day for anxious dogs, and have a team of assistants to help make this a quick and painless procedure for your dog. Nail trimming should never be a whole lot of blood, sweat, and tears for your dog – and certainly not for you!

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Grooming Skin Disease

What Are Those Liver Spots On My Dog?

by EcoWellDog– All Natural Leaders in Grooming & Wellness

Liver spots in people are skin blemishes that tend to develop with age, especially on the hands, arms, and face. Their name arose because it was thought that they were associated with liver disease. Today, however, we know that this is not the case, but that they are a result of long-term sun exposure.

Should I Worry If My Dog Has Liver Spots?

Owners often notice blemishes on their dog’s skin that look like liver spots in people. They are harmless, pigmented areas that also often develop with age. These light brown patches of skin may be very obvious if your dog has a thin coat, or if they are present on hairless regions like the underside of his body. The blemishes are not raised above the skin, but are merely flat, pigmented patches, so in dogs with thicker coats they may not be obvious unless his skin needs to be shaved – maybe for a surgical procedure, or to treat a skin condition.

7 Important Changes To Look Out For:

Harmless blemishes like these will remain unchanged over time. But just as is the case with pigmented skin blemishes in people, it is extremely important to seek medical advice if these change in any way. Changes in their appearance could mean that they are not just harmless blemishes after all, but could be a form of skin cancer. Some important changes to watch out for, include:

  • Change in shape
  • Change in size
  • The blemish becomes raised above the skin
  • Change in color (if the blemish becomes reddened or even darker brown)
  • Loss of hair over the patch (if hair was present previously)
  • Itchiness in that region
  • Ulceration or bleeding of the blemish

So although typically these blemishes are just benign skin pigmentations, it makes sense to keep a check on them every so often. Ask your veterinarian to examine them each time he sees your dog. And if you want to monitor them yourself too, simply taking measurements and photographs of them every so often can be a great way to keep a check on their progression.

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Activities & Fun Grooming

How To Care For Your Swimming Dog

by Dr. Nicola Parry

Swimming seems to be a favorite sport for many dogs, whether in the ocean or the children’s pool!  It certainly is a great way to exercise your dog – just as is the case with people, swimming is a non-weight bearing activity that reduces strain on the joints, The downside, however, is that it can increase the risk of skin infections. Dogs who swim in pools may have dry, itchy skin due to the effect of the chlorine and other chemicals in the water.  Some chemicals can strip away natural oils from the skin, and may also have a bleaching effect, leading to a dull or even discolored coat. Swimming dogs are also at increased risk of ear infections because water in the ear canals produces a wonderful environment for bacterial growth.

So if your dog loves his water sports, follow these 10 points to help protect his skin and ears:

10 Ways To Care For Your Swimming Dog

  1. Avoid stagnant pools of water for swimming: These can be a source of slime, leeches or other parasites, and just generally dirty water.
  2. Apply conditioner before he swims: This will help to reduce the drying-out effect of water on his skin and coat. The HappyTails Ruff to Smooth leave-in conditioner spray is ideal for this purpose.
  3. Apply sunscreen: Dogs suffer from sunburn too. If he has a thin coat or light colored skin, be sure to apply sunscreen. This will reduce skin damage or irritation that could lead to itchiness and secondary bacterial infections. Try Flea the Scene which is a spray on anti insect and natural sunscreen designed for dogs.
  4. Rinse him thoroughly with fresh water after a swim: This is especially important if he swims in salt or stagnant water.
  5. Dry him well: After drying him thoroughly, spray his coat again with conditioner, and comb it out well.
  6. Bathe him weekly during swim season: Use gentle products to remove excess chemicals that have built up, and to alleviate any itchiness from sand or salt. If he is a lake or river swimmer, you may need to bathe him after each swim to remove any pollutants or slime from the water. Try Bubbles n Beads combined shampoo and conditioner. If your dog gets muddy or dirty during his swim, this shampoo will help to dislodge dirt and debris while quickly cleaning and conditioning your dog.
  7. Provide omega-3 fatty acid supplements: These will help to replace natural oils that are lost.
  8. Clean and dry his ears thoroughly: Use a small towel or cotton wool to remove excess water, and then use the HappyTails deodorizing ear wipes around the ear canal.
  9. Use a gentle ear cleaner weekly: This will help remove any salt, sand, or pollutants that have built up after swimming. The Cain & Able Ear Cleanser is a gentle and natural product that will help to clean and sanitize your dog’s ears.
  10. After the swim: As well as protecting him against skin and ear infections, don’t forget that swimming can be exhausting. So be sure to have fresh drinking water available for him after a swim, especially if he is swimming in stagnant or salt water – neither of which is ideal for him to be drinking. And make shade available too.

Just as we need to take care of ourselves, and our children during outside activities, it’s important to take care of our dogs in the same way. Following some simple tips, along with our own common sense, can go a long way to help our dogs to enjoy some fun, but safe time outdoors.

EcoWellDog– Natural Leaders in Problem Solving Grooming & Wellness

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Grooming

Should I Shave My Dog’s Coat In The Summer?

by Nicola Parry, DVM

The Dog Days Of Summer

There’s no doubt that the benefits of sun exposure outweigh the risks, for people and pets. But it’s important to always respect the sun and the hot temperatures during the summer months. Dogs can suffer in the heat of the summer, just like we can. And in addition to overheating in high temperatures, long-term exposure to solar radiation can lead to damage, or even cancer, of the skin.

Should I Shave My Dog’s Coat In The Summer?

Unlike us, dogs do not have sweat glands throughout their body. They deal with hot, humid weather mostly by panting, with minimal contribution from sweating through sweat glands on their footpads. Clipping your dog’s coat in hot weather can actually increase his risk of heat stroke, as well as skin damage from the sun.

This is because his coat actually insulates and protects him from hot temperatures as well as the cold. You can help him out at this time by making sure his longer hair is groomed well. Daily brushing of long coats is therefore a must in the warmer months. Keep his hair thoroughly brushed out, and remove the undercoat to improve air circulation through the coat, helping to keep his body cooler. For easy detangling of matted hair, use “Ruff To Smooth” on his coat. This leave-in conditioner comes in an easy to use spray formulation, and can be used on wet or dry coats. Simply spray on problem areas to relax stubborn tangles, and make grooming less stressful for everyone.

What If My Dog’s Coat Is Naturally Short?

Hairless dogs, or those with shorter coats, can be at a disadvantage in the summer. Since they lack the insulation that a longer coat provides, it is especially important to make sure they have cooler areas in which to rest during the summer, as well as plenty of shade. Their sparse hair coat can also leave them at increased risk of skin damage – especially in the case of dogs with white hair and pink skin.

Shorthaired dogs therefore also benefit from application of a non-toxic, waterproof sunscreen. This can be applied to areas where hair is sparse, especially those that tend to be affected most by the sun, such as the:

  • Nose
  • Ear tips
  • Top of the body
  • Hairless regions of the underside of the body

If your dog is hairless, try putting a T-shirt on him when he is outdoors. This provides an effective sunblock for a large area of the body, and sunscreen can be applied to the regions that remain uncovered.

So be sure to protect your dog against the damaging effect of the summer. In addition to providing him with extra fresh water and plenty of shade in the summer months, you can take simple steps to prevent skin damage and overheating. Keep him cool and comfortable by grooming him regularly, but avoid shaving him. This can actually have the opposite effect to what you want, and may even leave you with an unexpected, expensive veterinary bill if he suffers from heatstroke.

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Grooming

How to Choose the Best Dog Groomer

by Nicola Parry, DVM

Have you ever dreaded looking for a new hair stylist? Well finding the right groomer for your dog can be just as harrowing! As much as you want his locks to look luscious, even more importantly you’ll want him to be safe while he’s there, and unfortunately groomer abuse is on the rise.

Often times frustrated groomers will abuse dogs causing minimal to major damage and even death. Luckilly most grooming professionals are caring and loving but even still you’ll want to do your own due diligence so your dog is treated well while she is there.

Start out by gathering a list of possible contenders. In addition to searching directories for grooming facilities in your area, ask friends for any recommendations that they may have. As soon as you have the names of some groomers that seem to fit the bill, pop in and visit their facilities. Although there are many points to consider when choosing the right groomer for you and your dog, here are some tips to help you in your search!

5 Things To Look For When Choosing A Groomer

  • Membership and Credentials

Do they belong to a professional organization such as the National Dog Groomer’s Association of America? This at least shows that they enjoy keeping up to date with grooming standards and changes within the grooming industry. Also ask if they have undertaken any certification programs – these can demonstrate a level of skill that meets a recognized national standard.

  • Experience

There are no formal training requirements for groomers, so standards can vary widely. But you can at least ensure, for example, that inexperienced staff members are not doing clippings.

  • Safety

Do they ever sedate dogs for grooming, and if so, who does this? If they use cage dryers, do they ever leave dogs unsupervised here? Is there a veterinarian on call? If not, how do they deal with urgent or emergency medical issues? If you leave your dog at the groomers all day, be sure to ask if they get a potty break. If not your dog may be suffering by the time you pick him up in the evening.

  • Their work

Grooming is definitely an art form, so make sure that their work is compatible with the style you are hoping for. Ask to see a portfolio of their work, or ask other customers about their experience with the grooming facility.

  • Level of Service

Do they have a standard grooming fee, and what does that cover?

Can they help with any breed-specific cuts that you may require?

Do they offer any perks such as natural grooming products?

  • This can be especially important if your dog has any special requirements when it comes to skin products. If he has allergic skin disease, for example, you may not wish for him to be far away from his favorite soothing products such as Comfy Dog oatmeal shampoo and Fur Butter ultra-rich conditioner. If he has irritated skin, warn them in advance of grooming, and ask if they can apply his Itchin’ For Relief spray afterwards. And since he’ll be hanging out with some new buddies while he’s there, don’t forget to apply his Flea The Scenebeforehand, otherwise you never know how many new friends he may return with! And even if they don’t already use these favorite products, many facilities are more than happy for you to send along your own supplies for use on your dog during his visit. So you can always stock up his overnight bag with your favorite items!

Choosing a groomer is never an easy task! But while styling skill is important, it’s not the only essential to look out for – look for someone with a caring manner who genuinely likes dogs. Someone who can easily relate to your dog will put him at ease and make the whole experience much more relaxing for him, and for you! Above all though, always trust your gut instinct. If something doesn’t feel right about a certain establishment, move on to the next on your list.

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Grooming Old Age

5 Things To Think About When Grooming an Older Dog

Grooming is an important part of any dog’s routine.  But as your dog ages, your role as primary care giver and often time chief groomer becomes even more important than it was when Fido was a pup. Not only does your grooming help to maintain his general hair and coat health, but it gives you a great chance to keep an eye on any skin changes that might need veterinary attention.

5 Things To Think About When Grooming Older Dogs

  • Arthritis

As arthritis sets in, your dog may find it difficult to twist and turn to groom certain places – I know my little old dog had real trouble reaching his hip region as he got older. Some dogs aren’t as keen to stand for long periods of time to be groomed or for nail trimming. Joint stiffness really reduces their natural grooming efficiency, and affects their general wellbeing too. If this sounds like your dog, try using Joint Resolution Its natural ingredients have been shown to be very effective in reducing soreness and stiffness.

  • Lumps and bumps

Skin tumors pop up more frequently as dogs get older, just like in people. Even though many are quite harmless and may not need removing, they can easily be nicked during grooming. My old dog was quite a skin tumor machine in his later years! Occasionally I’d accidentally nick his tumors as I groomed him, causing irritation to the skin and minor bleeding. So a little extra, careful attention might be needed, especially if new tumors tend to pop up occasionally.

  • Long claws

Older dogs tend to need to have their nails trimmed more frequently – as they age, they may not be as active anymore, so their nails likely do not naturally wear down as quickly as before.

  • Dry Skin

As we get older, our skin can change considerably, and the same can happen to our dog too. Some dogs may develop increasingly dry, flaky skin. Try Comfy Dog oatmeal shampoo to combat these changes, leaving your dog’s skin clean and soothed. Follow this up with “Fur Butter”, an ultra-rich deep conditioning treatment that will bring back the sparkle and shine to his coat. And bowWoW Butter Balm is just wonderful for those dry, cracked regions of skin on the nose and footpads.

  • Thin skin

Older skin tends to more fragile in general too, so using a softer brush can certainly help to reduce unnecessary skin irritation.

So don’t forget to pay a little extra grooming attention to your dog as he gets older and finds it tough to get to some of those hard-to-reach places. And let’s not forget that grooming isn’t only essential for its health benefits – just like their owners, many dogs love to be pampered too. So go ahead and spoil your dog!

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Grooming

Clean dogs are healthy dogs!

Clean dogs are healthy dogs, and they have happier owners. There are several reasons why this is so.

1. Washing your dog regularly with the right shampoo will prevent him developing itching and inflammation on his skin. If he has sensitive skin, Comfy Dog oatmeal shampoo is the right choice for him, because the colloidal oatmeal will stop that itch quick smart. Follow it with Fur Butter for longer lasting relief from itching, and a soft shiny coat. Dogs with normal coats benefit from a gentle shampoo with Bubbles ‘n Beads. It contains all natural ingredients to moisturize and repair his skin and coat. It’s an ideal product for dull, dry or damaged fur because it doesn’t strip out the natural oils in the coat. Tiny micro-beads deliver little packages of conditioners and vitamins right to the skin, leaving his coat soft and smelling great.

2. Most people like to have their dogs indoors with them. They’re a part of the family and this way they can share family activities, like curling up on the couch and watching television. They’re not so welcome on the furniture if they’re dirty, so make sure you give them a regular bath. That way your couch will remain in good condition for when you have human guests to share it with.

3. Dogs can shed copious amounts of hair, and sometimes you can sweep up enough from the floor to knit another dog! A good shampoo and brushing will help to loosen and remove excess hair. You won’t have little bundles of dog hair in the corners of your room, and your sweeping time will be considerably reduced.

4. Fleas can be a real problem for dogs. They cause itching and can spread tapeworms, and they may even jump onto you and give you an itchy bite. Bathe your dog with the appropriate shampoo, and then spray him with Flea the Scene, and neither of you will have any problems with these little blood sucking parasites.

5. There’s nothing more pleasant than burying your nose into a soft furry clean smelling coat. If your dog has a regular bath, he’ll smell lovely and feel great. This means more pats for him. Dogs thrive on attention from their owners and if his skin and coat are clean and smelling good, you’ll both enjoy those extra cuddles.

Bathing your dog can be hard work, and there’s not always time in your busy schedule for a full shampoo and towel dry. Under these circumstances, why not try Dry Dog Instant Clean to keep your dog smelling good between shampoos? Just spray it all over his coat, and wipe off any excess with a soft cloth. It will completely get rid of any doggy odors. It can also be used hand in hand with Flea the Scene, for a complete between-bath treatment.

It’s no secret that a clean dog gets more attention than a dirty one. If your dog is clean and smells good, his skin will be healthy and he’ll get more affection and cuddles, which is also great for his mental health.

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Grooming Itchy Skin & Allergies Shampoo

The Many Benefits of Lavender

 

Lavender is the most famous of the essential oils due to it’s pleasant relaxing aroma.  But did you know that lavender has many uses for common animal ailments as well?

The biggest benefit your dog will enjoy from lavender is alleviting unpleasant skin conditions. It is also excellent for first aid, custs and wounds and for general healing purposes.  Lavender is so gentle while also being antibacterial, astringent and an all natural anti itch remedy. So if your dog has itchy skin, a shampoo or spray with lavender is the way to go. You’ll be accomplishing two things– cleaning your dog while also healing the skin.

Lavender is also a good tick repellent. According to Mary Tilford in her wonderful book “Herbs for Pets”  mix olive oil, Saint John’s Wort infused oil  and lavender oil together and massage on affected areas to help ticks drop off. You can also use this mixture as a preventative.

As a side benefit, lavender also acts as a central nervous system sedative. It’s used to calm a nervous or excited animal. An open bottle of the oil can be waved under the dog’s nose, or, put some of the oil on a piece of cardboard and place near the bed. Or, even easier, get a lavender candle and enjoy the  lovely frangrance.

 

 

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Grooming

Cold-weather dog bathing- a chilling thought

I sometimes hesitate before giving my dogs a bath on a cold day. I know how cold I feel after getting out of a warm shower, and I’m not all covered in fur so I can dry off pretty quickly and slide into some warm clothes.    But the truth is dogs get dirty and stinky and really need to be bathed if they are going to live indoors with you.  So, here are some tips to make the process of cold weather bathing less painful.

 

1.       Use a dry shampoo. It normally comes in a liquid spray form. Just spray it liberally all over your dog (Don’t saturate the coat though). You will still need to wash your dog eventually, but this will get you by  a few extra days.

2.       Take your dog to be groomed or to a self wash. These places will usually be heated and have all of the supplies you will need to wash and dry your dog. 

3.       So if you still want to DIY, then first before you even get started, turn on the heater.  This way, when your dog gets out of the bath, it won’t be so cold.

4.       While your house is getting toasty, brush your dog to remove mats and tangles. When mats get wet and dry, they actually become worse.

5.       It’s best if you have a hand held shower head so you have control over the water flow. Rinse your dog in in warm water.

6.       Liberally apply the appropriate shampoo.

·         If your dog has dry itchy skin, use an oatmeal shampoo.

·         If you dog hates bathes, use a combined shampoo & conditioner to minimize time in bath

·         If your dog is really dirty or smelly, use an exfoliating shampoo with a long lasting scent.

·         If your dog has a long coat that tends to matte and tangle, use a deep conditioner

7.       Rinse your dog, making sure to remove all shampoo from your dog’s coat.

8.       Let dog shake while still in tub, then with an absorbent towel dry off your dog.

9.       I realize this might now be for everyone, but I have robes for my dogs that I put them in after their bath. So they can dry off a little before I start to dry them.  (guys are probably gagging right now, sorry, you can skip this step!)

10.   If you have a long coated dog, spray in a leave in conditioner, so when you brush your dog the hair doesn’t break

11.   Turn the hair dryer to a low setting. My dog barks at the hair dryer which makes it challenging. Do your best. Make sure your dog is 100% dry before they go outside.

12. If your dog is prone to ear infections, use an ear cleanser immediately after the bath to help prevent infections.

13.   Enjoy your fresh smelling dog!