My dog is allergic to many foods, the vet told me to buy the venison and sweet potatoe food. I have bought a few bags but it is so expensive. My boyfriend is a hunter and we have a freezer full of venison. Does anyone know how to feed a dog this? I know I will need other ingredients to have a balanced diet. Im just curious if anyone has done this I am willing to spend time making it.
Just get some bonemeal powder/calcium supplements to add to the meat. Make sure you feed both muscle and organ meat. You don’t need to add any veggies, grains, or other crap, just feed him the meat. Raw whole meats is a very healthy diet for dogs, and it will clear up his allergies in no time.
I did a true blue test for my dog & cat & pedigree is the worst brand food with no ratings…so is eukanuba, iams, science diet & pro plan…I tired the brand food blue but he does not like it so what other good brand food should i try?
any one of the dog foods that are top rated.
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/
Most of grocery store dog food formulas, like IAMS, Pedigree, Science Diet, Purina,and etc contain “meat and bone meal” which has been known to contain dead dogs and cats that were euthanized in animal shelters. Their bodies are picked up and bought by the truck load by “rendering plants” , that also pick up road kill, dead live stock, and etc. They are shredded, and boiled. They skim off the fat on the top of the “soup” and collected it and sell it to pet food companies as “animal fat”, the rest of the animals’ remains are crushed up, dried and sold to dog and cat food companies as meat and bone meal.
You can read more about it here.
http://earthislandprojects.org/eijournal/fall97/fe_fall97petfood.html
Here is an article where the owner of a rendering plant talks about it. He says that cremating the dead shelter animals would cause pollution, and that rendering them is good.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5072/is_12_26/ai_115041999
Here is further information on what you shouldn’t see in the ingredients list in your dog’s food.
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=badingredients
Top rated dog foods like Canidae contain good healthy ingredients.
Compare Your Dog’s Food to Blue Buffalo With The True Blue Test
Introducing Sipp by Thermos. The Sipp Thermos line of products combines sleek style with unique functional features. The TherMax double wall vacuum stainless steel tumbler will keep hot for 5 hours and cold for 9 hours. The Eastman Tritan lids are BPA free and have a built- in tea hook for tea bags or most loose leaf infusers. Leak-proof lid with one hand push button operation; dishwasher safe; 16…
Engineered for effectiveness and reliability to serve law enforcement, security personnel, professional inspectors and exterminators - with dozens of uses around home, too. Ultraviolet light causes many organic substances like pet stains or blood to fluoresce (glow) so they’re easy to spot (you’ve probably seen a similar light used on TV shows like ‘CSI’). High-efficiency LED extend battery life u…
Works Better. Lasts Longer. CosaminDS is recommended by Docotrs and Pharmacists for joint health… ? proven effective in controlled, published US studies to reduce joint pain ? shown in laboratory tests to protect cartilage cells from breakdown ? contains the proven low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine combination not found in other brands ? manufactured in the United ates …
What’s in Blue Buffalo Adult Free Range Lamb & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and how it benefits your adult dog: High Quality Protein - Dogs love our tasty lamb, and it provides them with the essential amino acids they need every day. Wholesome Whole Grains - Hearty whole grains like brown rice, barley and oats supply the complex carbohydrates that your dog needs for energy. Healthy Garden Veggies …
Chicken Soup for the Pet Loverâs Soul Adult Formula Dry Dog Food Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul provides premium nutrition for your dog or cat. They offer a full line of formulas to meet your pet’s changing and unique nutritional needs. So whether your pet is a puppy or kitten, a senior or somewhere in between, the innovative formulas from Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul provide …
Blue Buffalo BLUE Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe for small breed dogs is formulated with ingredients chosen specifically to help address their special needs….
If a big hungry moose comes to visit, you might give him a muffin to make him feel at home. If you give him a muffin, he’ll want some jam to go with it. When he’s eaten all your muffins, he’ll want to go to the store to get some more muffin mix. In this hilarious sequel to If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, the young host is again run ragged by a surprise guest. Young readers will delight in the comic …
I need advice about what I should do about my dog. My wife and I got our 7yr old dog 5 years ago from an animal shelter. Our dog has serious separation anxiety. Whenever we leave, she destroys our house, including urinating on our beds and scratching windows/doors to the point where her paws bleed. Whenever we are home, she wants to do nothing but sleep. We have tried many solutions including long walks, exercise in a fenced-in yard, obedience training, and even medication prescribed by a vet. Nothing has worked. In fact, she seems to get worse in age. We have had no other option than to crate her during the day. Recently, the dog has started urinating on our bed while we sleep, but we cannot crate her at night since we do during the day. My wife and I both have jobs in which we must work 10 hrs per day, and we have activities after work that keep us busy. These are commitments we cannot give up. We love her very much, but do not know what to do. Any suggestions?
I can understand your frustration. It sounds like you already know that your dog is lonely and anxious. This is why she is so lazy when you’re home — she’s happy and secure because she’s with her “packmates.” You are already doing the right thing to be exercising her as much as possible: in dog training, we say that a tired dog is a good dog. But now you need to solve the porblem of her loneliness. Try enrolling her a reputable doggy daycare. Most, for a extra fee, will even pick up your dog from your house for you. You pooch will be able to interact with other dogs and form normal pack bonds and get lots of exercise and stimulation.
If doggy daycare is not possible, at the very least, hire someone to walk her a couple times during the day. A 10- to 12-hour day alone is hard for a pack animal, and having some interruption in the hours can work wonders.
Also consider leaving her with a stuffed Kong, which is a hollow dog toy that can be packed with goodies. If you pack tightly, one Kong can last a dog an hour.
Finally, on top of providing more stimulation, follow hellokitty’s training program, which is right on for helping her understand how to behave calmly without you. (:
Lake Placid holding alumni volleyball tournamentLAKE PLACID Lake Placid will be holding its first annual Lake Placid Alumni Volleyball game on Saturday, July 17, at 3 p.m. in the Lake Placid gym. The concession stand will be open.The cost for spectators is $5 and children 5 and under are admitted free. The cost is $10 per player.Those wishing to play, Lake Placid graduates or not, should contact … pod3 Food & Drink: Ben Wilson: Metabolic Typing; How to Diet
Generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, beef jerky and vension jerky. Great for making trail mix, homemade yogurt, apple snacks, banana chips, dried soup mixes, dried tomatoes, dried fruits, herbs and spices. Also makes potpourri and dried flowers. Helps dry food in hours, not days like ordinary food dehydrators. U.S.A. Shape: Round, Watts: 700, Top Mount Fan: Yes, …
The IRT0421 Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer with Laser is designed to accurately measure temperature from a distance. Simply pull the trigger and aim the pistol grip thermometer at an object using the laser indicator and the unit will provide an accurate temperature measurement in less than a second. The IRT0421 has an advanced highly accurate infrared sensor with a Distance to Spot Ratio of 12 t…
AlphaFlex® is an effective, non-toxic supplement that has proven muscle and joint properties.
AlphaFlex® works synergistically with all other nutrients to improve your well-being. Feel younger, look better, be more flexible, and optimize your performance.
AlphaFlex® is based upon the important foundational nutrient Omega-5 (myristoleic acid) that provides important structural components of yo…
AlphaFlex® is an effective, Hypo Allergenic Topical Lotion that has proven muscle and joint properties. AlphaFlex® works synergistically with all other nutrients to improve your well-being. Feel younger, look better, be more flexible, and optimize your performance. AlphaFlex® is based upon the important foundational nutrient Omega-5 (myristoleic acid) that provides important structural componen…
THESE THREE PRODUCTS ARE ALL YOU NEED TO COMPLETLY CLEAN AND REMOVE THE STAINS AND SMELLS OUT OF YOUR URINE AFFECTED PROBLEMS. THESE PRODUCTS ARE GUARENTEED 100% OR YOUR MONEY BACK. JOIN THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLETLY SATISFIED CUSTOMERS AND REMOVE YOUR ODOR PROBLEMS….
Throw out your scoop and save time with our Van Ness Sifting Enclosed Cat Pan.This smartly designed unit features two nesting pans and a sifting screen. Stack the pans with the sifting screen on top and fill with clumping litter. When you lift the sifting screen the litter sifts out into the pan, leaving clumps that you throw away. Replace the sifting screen in the empty pan, move the litter from …
The German Shepherd is a breed that brings different views from people. Some say they are fearsome, threatening dogs that should be banned - and, unfortunately, in some areas this has been the case. However, those who have had a German Shepherd see the same breed with much different eyes.
The German Shepherd is often aloof - they don’t often walk right up to a stranger but size them up, as if silently figuring whether you are worth their time. Some dogs take longer than others to warm up and create a bond, but once that bond is made is a dog that will face any threat imaginable to protect their family.
It is this loyalty and sense of duty that has made the German Shepherd a dog that willingly guided the blind, works as law enforcement, herds livestock, competes not only in shows but in dog sports, is a friend to the military and performs countless duties in homes throughout the world.
In the late 1800s cavaly officer Capt. Max Von Stephanitz sought to perfect a dog for farm work. As with many animals bred for function, what was needed locally was different than the dogs available. The breed today takes the look of a defined breed but not all are the same. A dog developed as a show dog might look very different from one developed for police work, which may have a different body type from one working on the farm.
American soldiers brought the breed to the US after being introduced to the breed in the military. The breed is still today used to assist soldiers throughout the world.
By the standard, the male should be 24-26 inches at the shoulder with females 22-24. They should be longer than they are tall, with an image of power and grace. Disqualifications from show include: cropped or dropped ears, nose not mostly black, undershot jaw, docked tail and all white dogs. There are many many dogs that are larger than the standard, or all white dogs, as well as all black dogs, that are still fully German Shepherd. For those interested in details of show conformation requirements they can be found at http://www.akc.org/breeds/german_shepherd_dog/
In early development it was felt the GSD should be above everything utility and intelligence. The breed is still today a working machine…functional in the ability to cover ground easily whether after a loose cow or an escaped criminal. They are distinctive in appearance and although known by different names are the same breed throughout the world.
The GSD is one of the breeds some pet food companies have developed special formulas for. They are also many people who feed a raw meat and bones diet. An important factor in feeding German Shepherds is food selection. Do not feed for fast growth - it does not necessarily mean a bigger adult but can mean a weaker adult. High energy food that boosts fast growth should be avoided especially in the rapid growth time of 3-8 months of age. This reduces the chances of displasia later. While selection of breeding dogs and testing hips and elbows before breeding is certainly a factor, equally is diet.
Many things vary within this breed. One GSD charges fearlessly into a conflict that includes gunfire while another trembles in a thunderstorm. Some have been guilty of biting while others would never except under extreme threat threaten a human. Some are bold in any circumstance, some are borderline fearful. Handling and breeding can make an immense difference in this breed. Additionally the breeding and genetic markers for disease can affect an otherwise suitable working dog. Genetic issues affecting the eyes, skin, heart, neurological system, digestive and skeletal systems are all possible within the breed - and most are found by testing before breeding.
It is this testing and the maintaining of healthy, tested clean lines that makes a good GSD an investment. A few health issues to watch for besides the hip and elbow displasia include thyroid disorders, skin allergies, Addisons, vonWillebrand’s disease, heart murmurs, cardiomyopathy, epilepsy, wobbler syndrome and spinal bifida can all affect the breed. Many problems show up at under 2 years old. A condition called EPI, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, is another issue that can be overlooked.
A more complete list of the health issues that can affect the breed is at http://www.awsaclub.com/healthgenetics/caninegen.htm - and remember that although it can look like they are prone to every disease known to canines, many of these can be eliminated by genetics.
Although not genetic, owners of GSD should be familiar with the danger of bloat. Like many deep chested dogs, GSD is susceptible to this critical emergency that needs immediate medical attention. This condition is fast-striking and fatal.
Do not be deterred by the list of health issues in the breed - instead, use that to choose your dog wisely. Understand that without testing you have the risk of losing a dog you’ve become attached to - and it may well be worth $700-800 for a dog that has a healthy genetic family rather than getting one of unknown background for $150 then spending thousands treating problems that are lurking unseen. For a tested, working and show type dog bred for temperament, trainability and soundness do not be shocked by prices $1,500 or $2,000 and up. Many of these come with health and soundness guarantees.
Dogs of 12-15 years are not uncommon. With a reported average litter size of eight, it’s important to choose mates wisely.
The trainability of the German Shepherd is well documented. The movie “K-9″ and it’s sequels revolved around a German Shepherd, as did the infamous Rin Tin Tin. The first seeing-eye dog in 1928 was a German Shepherd. The GSD is one of the most intelligent dogs in the canine world, in one test just behind the border collie and poodle. John Kennedy, Roy Rogers and Franklin D. Roosevelt kept GSD.
Schutzhund, a competition not for the faint of heart, is but one thing the GSD excells at. This competition tests the dog’s intelligence, soundness, tracking abilities, willingness to work, courage and trainability. While photos from these competitions show dogs scaling obstacles and making spectacular leaps to latch bites onto the arm of a “suspect” it’s important to remember these dogs are highly trained. They are not vicious…they are trained to get to a suspect, restrain them and ideally get them on the ground for the safety of their handlers.
No dog, German Shepherd or otherwise, should be teased or mistreated to induce aggression. The difference between an aggressive dog and a trained K-9 is extreme. A K-9’s training is based on play - an aggressive dog is based on survival, and this difference is critical to understand. It drives an aggressive dog to unspeakable acts and reflects poorly on the many great dogs of the breed that are highly trainable.
A good dog with obedience training doesn’t need special training for protection. These operate from a position of defense of the home - and the bark of a GSD is often enough to change the minds of someone who thinks they want to do harm. The natural protection instincts of a good GSD is normally sufficient to deal with a threat.
It is no surprise that there are many heroes in this breed. Ceasar, a K-9 handled by Corporal Mark Sarna of the Shaker Heights Ohio Police Department, had a resume that included drug detection, tracking suspects as well as being a certified therapy dog and friendly with children. Griff, a K-9 with the Summit County Sheriff’s Department, and his handler Deputy Kathy Wilmot is another awarded dog and a great illustration as to the unknown these dogs and their handlers can face. Called to a domestic disturbance where the suspect was threatening to burn down the house of a girlfriend with her and her kids in it, Griff tracked the suspect through freezing rain. While he wanted to continue, the humans insisted on returning to the command unit and before long a second call came in. The suspect returned to the home and was becoming violent. A very dangerous situation evolved with the suspect assaulting the dog and handlers, attempting to kill the dog hands on despite being tazered. Griff not only never gave up but never shifted position - he put himself between the suspect and his handler, willing to lay down his life if need be. After the incident was over it was learned the suspect had commited an armed robbery just hours before, was out on bond and had a previous stint of 13 years in prison.
In the dangerous work of police and military work many German Shepherds have paid the ultimate price for their instincts and training. They serve faithfully and have confronted the worst of humanity, not only on a daily basis but also in events such as the World Trade Center and Oklahoma City bombing.
Because these are bold, intelligent and trainable dogs they must have a home that will TRAIN them. Select a good, healthy dog and put the time into training them. This doesn’t take 6-8 hours per day…it’s teaching things in small ways on a day to day basis. Left to their own devices they will be unhappy and find their own means to entertain themselves, and you probably won’t like it. A bored, untrained dog can destroy vehicles, homes and lives. Once trained then you can sit back and enjoy your beautiful, functional, intelligent and well mannered dog.
For the right home the German Shepherd is a wonderful companion and security that doesn’t fail with power outages. If yours is the right home, do your homework and find the best dog for you. They’re a wonderful breed with a big heart.
About the Author
David Beart is the owner of the Professors House
. Our site covers family related issues from raising children to dogs
, relationships to cooking.
The small Electronic PetSafe Smart Door grants your dog exclusive access to your home with a PetSafe’s award-winning SmartKey dog door tag, located on your dog’s collar. After your dog has passed through the electronic dog door, the dog door automatically locks. PetSafe Smart Door Features:Adjustable SmartKey sensing range up to three feet away Plexiglas dog flap, which locks in both directions Sm…
Owners would like to have an obedient, calm and faithful dog because an obedient and trained dog is a happier dog, most unlikely to get into tussles with people or with other dogs. A well socialised and trained dog is more reliable and interacts so much better with family companion, especially in households with young children.
They are also less likely to suffer from behavioural problems such as unprovoked biting and vicious attacks on humans. Many communities require that the dogs living in their neighbourhoods be well trained, and for a good reason - especially for many breeds thought to have aggression and behaviour problems - dog breeds like Pit bulls and Rottweilers for instance.
When considering training your own dog or having someone else to help you train it, there are certain basic commands that must be mastered by your dog. These basic commands include:
* Sit - it is vital to train your dog to sit on command. Speak to it in a very firm and authoritative tone, otherwise your dog may not realise that you are serious or associate what you say with danger and discipline. Say it like you mean it. Start training early, when your dog is still a puppy. Make sure that you use the same gestures, body language, the same command words (i.e. “sit”, “roll over”, “come here”, “fetch” etc) consistently in order to allow the dog to associate these words or motions with what he is supposed to do. Practise, practise and practise.
* Heel - it is important to teach your dog to learn how to walk beside you on a loose leash, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind.
* Down - lying down on command is more than just a cute trick; it is a key component of any successful dog training program. This is also to make sure that your dog obeys your order as the leader of the pack.
* No - make sure that you train your dog to respond to the word “No”. This, of all the command words, is the one word that all dogs MUST learn. Training your dog to respond to this word will stop your dog right in its track from doing what it is about to do, sometimes this could mean in life and death situations.
* Stay - a well trained dog should be able to remain where it is when this command word is used, no matter how excited or threatened it feels.
Dog training does much more than just to create an obedient, willing companion. Training your dog properly could actually strengthen the bond between your dog and you and make it a much more fulfilling experience for both parties.
Dogs are by nature pack animals and they always look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. It is therefore crucial to establish yourself as the pack leader as early as possible to address dominance issues with your dog. The key to successful dog training is to set this right from the word go as failure to do so leads to all manners of behavioural problems.
A well-trained dog will respond properly to all the owner’s commands, and will not display anxiety, displeasure or confusion. A good dog training program will focus on allowing the dog to learn just what is expected of it, and will use positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviours. Routine and patience is the key to successfully training your dog to perform these commands correctly.
Ongoing obedience training is a great way to fulfil some of the dog’s own needs, including the need for exercise, the security that comes with knowing what is expected of it, a feeling of achievement, confidence building and bonding with its handler. Dog training also provides the dog a job to do and important goals to reach. Giving your dog a job to perform or challenges is more important than you may think. Dogs were originally bred by humans to do important work, such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many dogs today have no important job to do which often lead to boredom and neurotic behaviours. This is especially important for high energy breeds like German Shepherds and Border Collies. Training sessions are a great way for these high energy dogs to use up their extra energy and simply to enjoy themselves. So incorporate lots of playtime into your dog’s training sessions and have fun!
About the Author
For more information and tips on Dog advice and care, check out our website: www.dog-advice.net
Dog Tricks Training: Rolling Over : Dog Tricks: Dog Treats
Product Features Platform: PlayStation2 Add dogs, cats, birds, or guinea pigs to your Sims family Create your own unique cat or dog by modifying its body type, face shape, fur color, markings, and more Cross different breeds to create designer pets or make new ones and register them to appear in Create-A-Family Teach pets tricks like shake, fetch, roll over, and more — unruly pets might topple th…
Product InformationThe Sims 2: Pets gives your Sims the chance to raise & care for a pet!Choose from a variety of existing breeds and hot designer mixes but they’llalso be able to personally design their new friend. Teach them new tricks takethem for a romp in the park outfit them with new pet accessories and even givethem a job! As in real life your Sims’ pet will require care and training. Anegl…
Imagine how easy dog training would be if your dog could tell you exactly how to get the results you want. In ROVER, DON’¬?T ROLL OVER, professional dog trainer and behavioral therapist Jody Rosengarten taps into our four-legged friends’¬? perspective to present new, more realistic approaches to dog training. Does your dog insist on sleeping on your bed? It’¬?s okay-let him! Does your pup want …
101 Dog Tricks is the largest trick book on the market and the only one presenting full-color photos of each trick and its training steps. The step-by-step approach, difficulty rating, and prerequisites, allow readers to start training immediately. Tips and trouble-shooting boxes cover common problems, while “build-on” ideas suggest more complicated tricks which build on each new skill. No special…
A shortand outline for almost every word in the English language. The GREGG Shorthand Dictionary Simplified is divided into two parts: Part I contains 26,098 words most commonly used in notation with their official shorthand outlines. Also included are words that are frequently used in such fields as medicine, law, engineering, chemistry, and many others. These words represent a large range…
Pit Bulls have an image problem. If you’ve never been around Pit Bulls, you may think they are bloodthirsty man-eaters on the prowl for their next meal. If you’ve lived with one you know they are, indeed, on the prowl for their next meal – but they plan to get it by conning you out of your meal by doing something irresistibly cute! A breed of satin and steel, Pit Bulls are a mixture of soft…
I just help tricolor sheltie 3. He was a lovely man and I want to feed him dog food to ensure he was not sick. What i feed him dog food. I know that much crap food out there. What dog food your dog food and they will be afraid of. I would like to see what they want. But not in the corn and soybean. First few ingredients must be found. Preferabble fish or turkey meat that shelties will eat in the forests around £ 15.
If you have time and interest, you can consider cooking at home. Here is a website that has recipes dog : Http://www.monkeysee.com/play/6572-serving-dog-food. This way, you can choose from the content itself and with full knowledge of product quality. . If you want to consider what dog food with no recent history of products that restore or recover repeated in the past. To consider: http://www.sojos.com/europa.html some dog food is identified as "organic" or "holistic", but some of these recalls are due to Tang impairment in other foods. Any call in a series of large recalls the start. Several years ago following a site for dog food recall updates. : Http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/default.htm.
Generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, beef jerky and vension jerky. Great for making trail mix, homemade yogurt, apple snacks, banana chips, dried soup mixes, dried tomatoes, dried fruits, herbs and spices. Also makes potpourri and dried flowers. Helps dry food in hours, not days like ordinary food dehydrators. U.S.A. Shape: Round, Watts: 700, Top Mount Fan: Yes, …
Prepare sausages packed with superb flavor and nutrition. Includes a 3/8” tube for small links, and a 5/8” tube for large links. the sausage stuffer requires the food grinder attachment. Use these tubes with model…
Easy-to-use dehydrator for drying fruit, vegetables, herbs and jerky. Lay out jerky strips with ease. Includes spices and cure packets. U.S.A. Shape: Square, Watts: 700, Top Mount Fan: Yes, Tray included: 4, Adjustable Thermostat: Yes, Handle Type: Bale, Exterior Color: White, Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 14 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 10…
Dogs of all shapes and sizes love treats - the more, the better! Mini Naturals are the ideal size for frequent rewards without overfeeding. At just two calories each, every moist little morsel is packed full of premium ingredients, including the vitamins and minerals your dog needs to stay healthy. Dog trainers recommend Mini Naturals - they hold their shape in your pocket or bait bag, and no dog …
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Dry Dog Food Years of domestication have turned your pets from fierce predator to best friends. However, modern science proves that your dog or cat still share the DNA of the wolf or wild cat. Taste of the Wild Brand Dog and Cat food offers your pet a diet dictated by his genes. It provides your pet with the kind of natural, balanced diet that he could find “i…
Recipient of 2010 iF Product Design Award The Plantronics Voyager PRO is a recipient of the 2010 iF Product Design Award for excellence in design quality, workmanship, choice of materials, degree of innovation, environmental friendliness, functionality, ergonomics, visualization of use, safety, brand value, branding and universal design. The award remains valid for the entire product lifecycl…
In 1609, world-renowned Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei, introduced an elementary telescope to the growing astronomy community, which sparked interest into the mysterious night sky for centuries to come. Four centuries later, in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, Celestron offers the portable FirstScope Telescope. The FirstScope pays tribute to Galileo Galilei and many of …
Secrets to Great Dog Health Care: Grooming Your Dog
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.
About the Author
Review expert, Ethan Parker, helps you find what you need in self-help books: the good, the bad, and most importantly, the FREE!
McGruff the Crime Dog and his teenage friend Jason utilize interviews with health experts and smokers to help students discover some “burning issues” about tobacco use. The video covers tobacco’s addictive properties; the harmful chemicals it contains, and its role in causing such illnesses as cancer, emphysema and heart disease. Students learn that smoking stains teeth and fingers, causes bad br…
The alcohol-free formulation of dermasol promotes healing without excessive stinging or drying. Dermasol is non-greasy and steroid free. Contains vitamin a and e.(Size: 4.3 OUNCE)…
Whole leaf wheat grass powder when grown, processed and stored under optimal conditions is considered one of the most potent leafy green vegetables available. Wheat grass powder is an excellent concentrated food source of beta-carotene, calcium, chlorophyll, fiber, iron and vitamin K. It is also a very good source of protein, vitamin C, vitamin B-12, folic acid, vitamin B-6, trace minerals and con…
Rigid wooden applicator stick tipped with 75% Silver Nitrate/25% Potassium Nitrate, for precise placement. Silver Nitrate tips (70mg) are soluble in all secretions. Control strength by dipping in (sterile) water. Convenient dispenser tube vial….
WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…
WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…
Mail this post
