Selection of a groomer should be done with at least as much care as choice of a barber or hair stylist, for you must be pleased with the results of the “haircut” and the dog must be treated with care while at the shop.

Many veterinarians have incorporated grooming into their clinics, so you may start there. If your veterinarian is not associated with a groomer, he may have a list of recommended groomers. Other sources of recommendations include friends who own pets, boarding kennels that don’t have their own grooming service, pet supply stores, shelters, and purebred breeders.

If you own a Poodle or a terrier, the selection may be a bit more difficult, for these breeds have special grooming requirements that take more time and expertise.

After getting some recommendations, make a few telephone calls and ask questions about services and costs, pick-up and delivery, and use of tranquilizers to calm the dog. Most groomers will not use tranquilizers; however they will handle a dog that has been tranquilized by the veterinarian or owner if they know that the drug has been given. If your dog is geriatric or has a chronic medical problem, ask about special handling.

Visit the groomers who answered your questions without the dog. Make sure the shop is well-lit, that the groomer and assistants handle the dogs gently, that old or arthritic dogs are treated with special consideration, and that the shampoos and flea and tick products meet your needs.

If the shop is part of a boarding kennel, find out what vaccinations the kennel requires. If routine vaccinations, including Bordatella, are not required, be aware that Cactus may bring home more than a new hairdo.

Dog nails have a quick that can be seen as a darkening of light-colored nails but is invisible on dark nails. The quick has a nerve and blood supply; nicking the quick not only hurts the dog, it causes profuse bleeding, so keep a quick stop product on hand or use flour or cornstarch to stem the tide.

Include an examination of the dog’s feet into a grooming session to make sure there is nothing stuck between the pads. Seeds from some grasses can stab into the pad, pebbles can get stuck, chemicals used on lawns can burn, and fungus can cause irritation, which lads to licking, which can lead to hot spots and infection.

A home-grooming session can be a boon to the dog-owner relationship. Dogs naturally groom each other to reinforce pack behavior and show subordination., and you can take advantage of this behavior. Spend 10-20 minutes every day or two, depending on the dog and the season of the year, and you’ll increase the bond with your pet immeasurably along with insuring that you’ll keep his skin and coat healthy and be aware of any subtle changes in condition.

Infected ears can also lead to further complications. Not only is the dog painfully uncomfortable, he may cause a hematoma by breaking a blood vessel while shaking his head in response to the discomfort.

The hematoma may dissipate on its own if Rover stops shaking his head — or it may grow and require lancing and stitching.

Grooming is essential for healthy skin, not so much for keeping it clean, but for making the owner aware of any problems that may be developing. Flea allergies can cause severe skin problems, so daily examination of the dog during flea season is a must. Contact allergies can also cause skin to break out. Irritated skin leads to scratching, which can open the skin to staphylococcus infections. An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure for the dog and the pocketbook the antibiotics for skin infections are among the most expensive medications, and the cost of treatment can be dollars a day for a couple of weeks or longer.

Skin irritations and infections can crop up overnight, so keep a close eye on the situation. Groom daily for fleas and ticks if Lad has had a problem. Use a fine-toothed comb to check for fleas, then flick the tiny insects into a container of warm, soapy water. Remove ticks with protected fingers and drop in a vial of alcohol. Treat the house for fleas as well; modern controls for these pests use genetically altered natural insecticides, growth inhibitors, and drying agents that are both environmentally friendly and less toxic to people and pets.

For dogs that get bathed more than once a month, aloe-based shampoos and coat conditioners and foods and supplements with Omega fatty acids help maintain coat oils and skin health.

Before bathing, clear any mats or tangles from Ginger’s coat.
Teach her to stand in the tub, then add warm or tepid water.
Soak her to the skin, lather, then rinse thoroughly to prevent dull, sticky coat and dry skin.
Take care to keep water and soap out of her eyes and ears and clean her face and the insides of her ears with a sponge or washcloth.
Daily examination
Even if Ginger doesn’t need daily grooming, check her thoroughly to make sure she has no cuts, sores, fleas, rashes, bumps, ticks, or hitchhikers in her coat or dirt in her ears. Remove fleas with a fine-toothed comb and drop them into a container of soapy water. Remove embedded ticks with tweezers or protected fingers and drop them in a vial of alcohol. (Grasp the tick body, rock it back and forth, then pull firmly.) Carefully remove vegetative matter such as grass awns, seed casings, or thorny twigs with fingers or comb.

During this daily exam, check Ginger’s feet and ears, look at her teeth, and feel for cuts or tumors.

Shedding
Dog hair grows and dies just as human hair does. Some dogs ?particularly hard-coated terriers and Poodles ?hang on to their dead hair, thus requiring special grooming to remove it. Other dogs give it up quite readily, all over the house. Double-coated dogs generally drop their soft undercoats twice a year and lose their guard hairs once a year, although some individual dogs might shed constantly or only every 10-12 months. Shedding can take anywhere from three weeks to two months. A warm bath helps accelerate the process and daily (or twice-daily) grooming can help control clouds of hair that scurry into corners and under furniture.

Shedding is controlled by hormonal changes that are tied to photoperiod (day length) and is influenced by level of nutrition and general state of health. In addition to natural biennial shedding, a dog may drop its coat after surgery, x-rays under anesthesia, and whelping puppies.

Double-coated dogs that shed heavily are Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Keeshond, Siberian Husky, Samoyed, Norwegian Elkhound, Collie, Great Pyrenees, Kuvasz, Newfoundland, St. Bernard, English Toy Spaniel, Pomeranian, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Tervuren, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd, Smooth Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, and American Eskimo. The Dalmatian sheds constantly, and many dogs shed a moderate amount of hair.

Owners should be aware before purchase that a long-coated dog, purebred or mixed, will require grooming throughout its life. If the inclination to groom or the time to do so are not part of the plan, provisions should be made for professional coat care for the dog. Otherwise, a dog that can do with a lick and a promise is a better choice as a family pet.

Pet supply stores have a dizzying variety of tools and products to assist in dog grooming. There are combs with fine teeth, combs with medium teeth, and combs with coarse teeth, combs with handles and without. There are brushes with short metal pins, brushes with slanted metal pins, brushes with flexible plastic pins, oval-shaped brushes and rectangular brushes. There are shedding blades for thick-coated dogs that shed gobs of undercoat and nubby gloves for smooth-coated breeds.

There are shampoos and rinses and gels and whiteners and conditioners and supplements to clean and soften coats.

A basic home grooming kit that can be found in many online website stores for a long-coated dog should include a soft wire slicker brush, a comb that has both fine and coarse teeth, a Universal brush and mat comb for dealing with the tangles that do form, and an oil-based conditioner that is applied before brushing or combing the coat. The mat comb has long teeth that are inserted into the mat rocked in a sawing motion to loosen the hairs.

A kit for medium-coated or short-coated dogs should include a slicker brush or flexible-pin brush. Bony dogs should be brushed with a soft brush or one with blunt bristles. Feathery hairs on the legs, ears, and tail should be combed. A nubby glove or coarse rag is suitable for grooming faces and for stimulating the skin and conditioning the coat on short-coated dogs.

Grooming provides bonding time. In the wild, wolves and other canines groom each other as part of the social interaction of the pack or family group. Dog incisors (the front teeth) are an effective comb; the little nibbles they etch on the bodies of pack mates stimulate the skin and have a calming effect. Puppy owners can also use grooming as pleasurable time with their new family member.

Dog owners did not realize that their dog should be combed frequently and completely to prevent kinks and knots caused by intertwining of hairs or by dirt, grit, or vegetative matter in the coat. Mats can pull tender skin and cause pain and lead to hot spots or wounds to irritated skin and eventual infection, general skin outbreaks, or fungus or insect invasion.

Shaving may be the only solution for felted mats, but it must be done carefully to avoid nicking the dog or further irritating already inflamed skin.

Breeds that need frequent grooming to prevent mats and keep their coats healthy include Cocker Spaniel, Afghan Hound, Otterhound, Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundland, Samoyed, long-coated St. Bernard, Maltese, English Toy Spaniel, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Silky Terrier, Australian Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Bichon Fris? Chow Chow, Keeshond, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan Terrier, Finnish Spitz, American Eskimo, Bearded Collie, Belgian Tervuren, Old English Sheepdog, Collie, Briard, and Shetland Sheepdog.

However, all dogs need some grooming. Although they are unlikely to develop mats or tangles ?except around the ears or on the feathered legs of some breeds ?medium-coated and short-coated dogs do need periodic grooming to keep coats and skin healthy. Grooming during shedding helps move the process along, lessen the hairy tumbleweeds in the family room, and encourage the growth of new coat.

Brutus has short hair that drops off where he sleeps.

Freckles generously spreads her Dalmatian hairs wherever she travels, all day, all week, all year.

Long-coated Lad is matted to the skin, his hair twisted into thick felt pads, his tender hide raw and fleabitten.

Each of these situations could be helped by regular grooming sessions with the family pet.

“Grooming” conjures up pictures of expensive salons for poodles or Shih Tzus or images of the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club dog show. The family Sassy or Freckles or Lad certainly doesn’t need fancy haircuts or expensive baths with hot oil treatments. However, failing to groom the dog is akin to neglecting to comb a child’s hair and wash behind his ears.

A long-coated dog should have her hair brushed and combed several times each week. A double-coated dog should have dead hair combed from the coat to hasten shedding and prevent hairy tumbleweeds from infesting the house. Even a short-coated dog should be brushed or rubbed down a couple of times a week to keep skin and coat healthy.

Much grooming can be done at home. A brush suitable for the dog’s particular coat; a fine-toothed comb for soft, silky hair and flea control; a rubber mitt or coarse washcloth for short coats are minimal tools necessary for the job. Owners who can manage may also want a pair of clippers for trimming dog toenails.

The first step in home grooming is to teach the dog to accept the attention. The best strategy is to start when the pet is a puppy, teaching him to accept the handling of all his body parts and to stand and lie on his side by command. Use hands, a soft brush, or a coarse washcloth to groom a puppy. If the puppy has a tough time staying still, place a mat on the kitchen table for traction and work with the pup on the mat.

If the pup has grown up ungroomed, he can still be taught to stand or lie still and accept this necessary attention. As with any training effort, you will often need more patience to teach shy or fearful dogs than confident or dominant dogs.

When grooming a dog with a tangled coat, work gently to avoid irritating the skin. Comb the outside of the tangle, gently progressing towards the skin, just as you would comb a child’s snarled tresses. If the coat is severely tangled or matted, work in short sessions and praise the dog frequently for accepting the sometimes irritating or painful combing. Or consider taking the pooch to a professional for an evaluation of his condition and possible clipping.

Dogs may shed dead hairs continuously, particularly in dry winter household heat. Double-coated dogs generally shed massive amounts of hair twice a year. Undercoat shedding often begins on the haunches and proceeds forward until the entire coat has molted. You may notice a dullness to the hair before the tufts begin to emerge from the coat. Full shedding can take a month or more, particularly in the heavy coated breeds.

Toxins in secondhand smoke can cause lung and nasal cancer in dogs and malignant lymphoma in cats, studies have concluded reported USA Today .

American Lung Association of New Hampshire states that birds that sit on a smoker’s hand could contact dermatitis from the nicotine that remains on the smoker’s hand. They could also pull out their feathers.

Nicotine is highly toxic to animals if ingested. A dog that accidentally eats tobacco could become weak, have trouble breathing – or die.

Veterinarians at Animal Hospital in McLean, Va., said a lethal dose of nicotine in dogs can be about 20 to 100 mg . Cigarettes tally 10 to 30 mg of the chemical, and cigars that you buy can contain 15 to 40 mg.

Other breathing problems such as asthma could develop. Common symptoms of an allergic reaction to secondhand smoke include scratching, biting and chewing skin, which could easily be mistaken for fleas, according to the American Lung Association of New Hampshire .

“Nicotine from secondhand smoke can have effects to the nervous systems of cats and dogs,” Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant of the ASPCA.

The American Lung Association of New Hampshire listed other smoking-related dangers :

Two cigarette butts, if eaten by a puppy, can cause death in a relatively short period of time.
Cats exposed to secondhand smoke in the home have a higher rate of an oral cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
Birds may develop eye and respiratory problems.
Animal lovers who won’t quit for themselves can do it for their pet.

Mary Ellen Ratuszny smoked for more than 30 years. But after learning secondhand would complicate her dog’s heartworm treatment the choice was clear.

“I did not want to do anything that was going to jeopardize the health and recovery of this dog. It was a very immediate, very concrete motivator,” the Michigan woman told The Grand Rapids Press .

Dachshunds are available in two sizes, standard and miniature. Otherwise known as the “sausage dog breed,” the Dachshund has a low, long and muscular body, enabling it to move freely in a tunnel or den without sacrificing the jaw and body strength it needs to overcome its quarry. Agile and with great stamina, Dachshunds have three types of coats, smoothhaired, longhaired and wirehaired, each providing a different level of protection against the weather. The Dachshund dog breeds has a pleasant, energetic expression.

Country of Origin:

The City is looking into a growing number of complaints over some people walking several dogs at once, in off-leash areas.

According to the Calgary Sun, the bylaw department is now looking at possibly capping the number of dogs a person can walk at one time.

Bylaw boss Bill Bruce says the problem isn’t necessarily with canines causing trouble, but rather the mess they’re creating.

He says the growing problem came up during the City’s recent review of off-leash areas.

In the future, it could mean dog-walking businesses, and perhaps even Doggie Daycares, may need a license to operate.

the country or internationally and would want to carry your dog with you then what you really need are dog carriers. You can purchase fabricated dog cages or made to order.

There are several different types of dog carriers available in the market and choosing the right one for your dog can be quite difficult. Here are some shopping tips that will help you choose or find the right dog cages for your favorite companion:

1. Check the design: The first thing to check is the design of the dog carriers. Start from the front door and check if it is spring loaded or not. Some of the dog carriers have doors that can snap shut on your dog’s tail or paw and injure him. The next thing to look out for is the latches. You need to ensure that the latches for the dog cages are in place and should be secure. It is recommended to choose the metal pin latches over the plastic latches as the former are more durable and stronger. Another type of latch is the dial latch, which is also strong enough although they might be a little tricky to work with and at times might just get stuck.

2. There are certain types of dog carriers that can open from the top, the front as well as from the sides. There are times when the moment you arrive at your new destination, your dog might want to get out of his carrier. At that point using the front door to take him out can be challenging and hence a top side flap or a side door can be extremely handy.

3. Material: Most of the dog carriers are made of plastic and hence they are easy to clean and last longer. Most of the plastic dog carriers available in top pet stores have been approved by various airlines and will have a label reinforcing the fact.

4. Soft carriers: There are different types of dog carriers and meant for short travels. These dog cages are not approved by the airlines and hence it will not be a good idea to carry your dog in it if you are traveling by air.

5. Cardboard carriers: There are certain dog carriers that are made from card board and are much less sturdy and durable than the plastic ones. If these dog cages become wet then they can easily get destroyed or broken. It is recommended that you refrain from using them.

6. One of the good quality dog cages include the collapsible dog carriers, which are good to work with and are durable too.

7. Ensure that the dog carriers have enough ventilation for your dog and he should not feel uncomfortable or get suffocated within it.

8. You need to also ensure that the dog carriers can hold food and water bowls as attachments.

The most important thing is that your dog should feel secure and comfortable during the ride or flight and hence choosing top-of-the-line dog carriers is important.

There are a lot of dog cages.out there. Make sure you choose the right dog carrier for your dog so they feel secure and confortable during ride or flight.

These are fashion items I don’t even own (and lust after) and they were all for the dogs!

This got me thinking about the business of pet clothing in general. Being a dog owner myself and, I like to think, a fashionable one at that, I’ve never purchased anything beyond a bandanna for my pet. That said, she has been gifted a chic rain coat which she absolutely loathes wearing. Her aversion to couture notwithstanding, the pet fashion industry has grown into a multi-million dollar enterprise.

According to ezinearticles.com, last year the pet supply industry made $34 billion dollars, and Petsmart alone revealed profits in the $38 million dollar range–and this is in the middle of a recession!

Further examining fashion trends for dogs, my eyes were opened to the items we might typically buy for ourselves and are now buying for our dogs. Check out these doggie hairpins from Glamour Dog which will run you somewhere in the vicinity of $8 a pop.

Then there is the trend of dog jewelry. Turns out diamonds are not just a girl’s best friend, but also her dog’s. Swarovski dog collars and, yes, necklaces are the featured item at Doggie Designer. The prices here are not too bad, ranging in price from $60 to $70–but if you’d really like to spend some dough, buy your pet some Christian Audigier accessories. If you want to carry your dog in an Audigier, you’ll have to part with upwards of $300 bucks.

So, the question is, would you part with your hard-earned dough to keep your dog in the haute-est of fashions? Or perhaps you’ve already succumbed to doggie fashion trends and you have some favorite places to shop? Leave us a comment about your thoughts on doggie couture.

Thinking about getting pet insurance? Here are few things you need to know.

Pricing

Pet insurance premiums range from $5 to $75 a month, the average plan is $25-$30 a month. This amount can vary greatly depending on:

• Breed
• Age
• Coverage

Policies usually cover illness and accidents with more inclusive packages covering regular checkups and vaccines.

Sign up early

Plan ahead and save money in the long run. It’s best for your pet and for your pocketbook to sign up early, before your pet gets sick. Insurance companies generally exclude preexisting conditions, no prior illnesses also gives you more options when shopping for plans.

Save up

It’s still a good idea to save. Pet owners pay vet bills up front first and are then reimbursed by the insurance company. Companies will generally pay about 80 percent of the bill after a deductible.

Alternatives

There are alternatives. Some vets offer a prepaid health plan, which cover certain procedures at a discounted rate throughout the year. A few auto insurance companies will also cover pets in car accidents. Membership in Pet Assure gives you a discounted bill at a network of participating vets and animal hospitals.

So you’ve decided to get pet insurance, now what?

Make sure you do your research. There used to be just a few companies offering insurance but now there are many options. Visit company websites to see the different plans they offer and compare plans based on benefits, co-payments and deductibles. Read reviews and opinions on the web from more than one source to find the plan that is right for your pet.

On Easter, the Baltimore Bureau of Animal Control received a call about youths throwing rocks and bricks at a year-old dog tied up in the 3700 block of Greenspring Avenue near the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School. The dog was severely injured.

When a concerned citizen went to rescue the dog, the youths began throwing rocks and bricks at him. The suspects appeared to be 12 or 13 years old.

The one-year old dog was brought to the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) where she was being treated for severe injuries. She had wounds on the top of her head, her snout was very swollen with multiple wounds, there were multiple wounds around and in both nostrils, hemorrhages in both eyes, a wound on the dorsal surface of her front paw, and crusted blood in booth ears, both nostrils, and in her eyes.

“Getting the serious attention of law enforcement, prosecutors and the community in cases involving allegations of cruelty to animals is an essential step in protecting the community,” the Humane Society said in a statement.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call (410) 396-4698.

If your dog has learned how to lie down, he will learn how to paly dead soon, you can order him to lie down, then say “sleep” to him and roll the dog, let him fall down towards one side of his body with head straight down, keep the posture for a while, then stroke him until he stays.

There is another training method, it’s also effective.

You can motion toward your dog first, then simulate a single shot, such as “Bang”. After that, push your dog down on the ground, your action should be lightly and slowly to avoid to frighten him, let him lie down with belly up for several minutes. Repeat the training for 3 to 5 times everyday. After several days, your dog will establish a conditioned reflex, once you make a gesture shooting, dog will paly dead at once, if so, give him a reward.

Practice two or three times every day, your dog will succeed in one month.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel originated in England.

Height:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels range from 11 inches to 13 inches.

Weight:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels range from 10 to 18 pounds.

Colors:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels may be black and tan or white, black and red or rich red or white and red.

Coat:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have long, fine, shedding coats that need regular brushing.

Temperament:

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a friendly and outgoing dog breed who is very affectionate with its family. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel makes a good companion dog for the elderly or disabled.

Health Concerns:

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is susceptible to heart murmurs, ear infections, eye conditions and patella luxation.

Life Expectancy:

The expected life span of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 9-14 years.

Living Environment:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is an indoor dog, who makes a good pet for apartment living.

AKC Group:

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is in the Toy group

Country of Origin:

The Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) originated in Wales

Height:

Welsh Corgi Cardigan males are 10-13 inches (25-33cm). Females are 10-13 inches (25-33cm).

Weight:

Welsh Corgi Cardigan males are 25-30 pounds (11-14kg). Females are 25-30 pounds (11-14kg).

Colors:

Welsh Corgi Cardigans come in red, sable and brindle black tan and blue merle (black and gray; marbled).

Coat:

Waterproof and shed twice a year, the Welsh Corgi Cardigan’s coat must be brust regularly.

Temperament:

Welsh Corgi Cardigans are serious and even tempered. They are suspicious of strangers. Cardigans make excellent companions for the elderly and the disabled. This breed enjoys the company of children.

Health Concerns:

Cardigan Welsh Corgis are prone to glaucoma and PRA and should not be overfed.

Life Expectancy:

The expected life span of the Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) is about 12-15 years.

Living Environment:

Active indoors this breed will do well living in an apartment. Welsh Corgi Cardigans are very active and must be exercised regularly.

AKC Group:

Cardigan Welsh Corgis are in the Herding Group.

Country of Origin:

The Portuguese Water Dog originated in Portugal

Height:

Portuguese Water Dog males range from 20 to 22 inches (50-57 cm.), females from 17 to 20 inches (43-52 cm.)

Weight:

Portuguese Water Dog males range from 42 to 55 pounds (19-25 kg.), females from 35 to 49 pounds (16-22 kg.)

Colors:

Portuguese Water Dogs may be black, white or brown, parti-color (white with dark spots), black or brown with white markings, or even silver fox or gray.

Coat:

The Portuguese Water dog is a non-shedder. It has curly or wavy hair that should be brushed or combed regularly.

Temperament:

The Portuguese Water dog is a highly intelligent breed and used to be used primarily in the Portuguese fishing industry to guard boats, carry messages between boats and retrieve anything that fell overboard. This breed gets along well with children and other dogs and is highly intelligent, affectionate and loyal. Portuguese water dogs respond to tone of voice.

Health Concerns:

Susceptible to hip dysplasia and PRA. Breeding stock should be tested for GM-1 Storage Disease, a fatal nerve disease that appears when a puppy is six months old.

Life Expectancy:

The Portuguese Water Dog can be expected to live about 10 to 14 years.

Living Environment:

The Portuguese Water Dog can do well in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised. In temperate climates Portuguese water Dogs can live outside, they prefer however to be close to their families. This breed loves to retrieve sticks or balls and makes and excellent jogging companion.

AKC Group:

The Portuguese Water Dog is in the Working Group