Grooming:
For many dogs, brushing is an enjoyable experience. It feels good. And it gives you a chance to look for unusual lumps under the skin, rashes, bald spots, sores, or dull or flaky skin. While a few flakes may not require medical attention, you will want to ask your veterinarian about anything you find that's unusual or about which you have questions.
Brushing Teeth: Make it more enjoyable by using special flavored toothpaste made for dogs, and plenty of praise for letting you look at and clean his teeth. Always check for strong breath odor, red or bright pink and swollen gums and excessive tartar on the teeth, which turns teeth yellow or brown.
Bathing: Many dogs enjoy the water. Bring toys and make it fun. Also, use special dog shampoo. Remember not to bathe too often. Read more about Bathing.
Checking Eyes, Ears, Paws and Skin: Make all these part of a routine. Reward your dog for sitting still while you make sure his eyes are clear and free of discharge, his ears don’t have a strong odor or sign of infection, his paws don’t have cuts or material packed in them and his skin is free of rashes or lumps.
With rewards, praise and a good attitude, you can make grooming something your dog looks forward to, and that makes it easier for dog and owner alike.
Moulting
Dog hair on your trouser legs and furniture are normal telltale signs of having a pet. If your dog has a coat, there is going to be some shedding, and you'll have to decide if you're comfortable with the amount of hair your dog leaves behind.
Seasonal Shedding
For many dogs, shedding is just a spring and summer irritation as your dog sheds the extra protection of a wooly winter coat. Different breeds shed different amounts, so if you're sensitive to hair, consider this when choosing a dog. Look for breeds that don't shed as much.
You also may notice a difference between indoor and outdoor dogs. If your dog spends most of his time indoors, he may shed year-round since his body won't register the dramatic changes in temperature that trigger growth and shedding.
Make brushing your puppy a daily ritual, particularly if you have a breed with longer hair or one that naturally sheds. Brushing can be great for bonding and giving puppy the attention he craves.
Excessive shedding
If your dog is shedding excessively (more than in the past, or if bald spots start to appear), talk to your veterinarian. This may be coat loss related to a health condition that may need treatment.
Soiled fur
Longhaired dogs sometimes have a soiled rear from defecating. Without daily brushing, the rear can become matted and smelly. Monthly clipping around the rear end helps, as do daily brushing and grooming.
Bathing
There are two major points to consider when bathing your dog: First, how to do it; and second, how often to do it.
How Often
The answer to the second consideration is ‘not too often.’ A dog’s coat needs its oils to remain soft and silky and to keep from getting brittle or damaged. If you bathe your dog too often (every week, for example), you will strip away those oils.
A good rule of thumb is to only bathe your dog when he is visibly dirty or noticeably smelly. At the same time, you don’t want to go too long or a long-haired dog will tend to get tangles and matted hair. So the time between baths will vary from dog to dog and may change from one time of year to another.
How to Bathe
A few tips:
Make it fun. Praise your dog often, and start while your dog is young so he gets comfortable with it.
Select a location based on breed size and time of year. A sink or a washtub works just fine for puppies and small dogs. Big dogs need the bathtub. If it's warm outside, use a child's wading pool or a hose.
Put a rubber mat in the bottom of your tub. Your dog will feel more secure.
Before starting, gather all the things you need: shampoo, towels, possibly a bucket. Don’t turn your back on a wet dog unless you want to be involved in a chase.
Make sure the water is lukewarm.
Apply shampoo that has been formulated specifically for dogs. Use tearless dog shampoo products if possible.
Avoid getting water or soap in your dog’s eyes.
Wet your dog’s head last as that will minimize his desire to shake.
Rinse well. The flaky, itchy discomfort many dogs experience after a bath comes from inadequate soap removal. This can also be caused by too-frequent bathing.
Be careful when rinsing that you don't get water in his ears or eyes.
In the winter, keep your dog inside until dry. A blow dryer, set at warm or cool - not hot - to avoid burning, can speed things along.
Dogs love a good shake to remove excess water. A shake starts at the dog’s head, so if you hold his head still, shaking will be limited. Tossing a towel over your dog immediately after the bath is done can prevent too much water on the walls. If you want to avoid getting an unwanted shower entirely, teach your dog to shake on command. This takes a little patience and training, but it’s possible. Once you’ve completed the bath, put your dog in a sit/stay. If he starts to shake, quickly guide him back into his sit. Resume sit/stay and get out of the way. Tell him to shake and praise, praise, praise.
Also Bathing is a good opportunity to check your dog’s skin. Feel all over for lumps or rough areas. Contact your veterinarian if you find any.
Nail Clipping
Nail trimming is one of those dog maintenance tasks that every owner should know about and address. Like fingernails, a dog's toenails keep growing, and untrimmed, they can be uncomfortable for dog and owner alike.
If you decide to trim your own dogs nails, having purchased purpose made clippers, then gently hold and squeeze your dog's paw, which will help extend the nail. Find the "quick" by looking for the pink line coming from the base of the nail. The quick is a vein in the nail that feeds the nail bed; this, you do not want to cut. Wait until your dog is still before you make a cut.
Start conservatively. It's better to cut a little twice than cut too much and hit the quick. If you cut a nail and it bleeds, immediately apply some styptic powder and a small amount of pressure to the end of the nail. On darker nails, it can be a bit more difficult to detect where the quick begins. If your dog has darker nails, make sure you get appropriate instruction before you clip.
Always praise your dog for holding still
Keep Nails Shorter Naturally
One side benefit to regular exercise, particularly if you walk on a sidewalk, is that the action of walking keeps the nails trimmed as they brush against the concrete. This doesn't mean that you don't have to worry about nail trimming, but you will be able to go longer between trims
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Teeth and Dental issues
Look in your dog's mouth. Teething puppies often have bad breath, but this is usually normal and passes after teething is completed. Discoloured teeth, red and swollen gums and an odor that goes beyond the usual "doggie breath" can be signs of a problem. If you notice these, see your veterinarian for a dental check up and treatment. Your veterinarian can also explain how you can clean your dog's teeth to help avoid future dental problems.
Start feeling and checking the inside of your dog's mouth early so he's comfortable with the idea. Gently reach into your puppy's mouth and rubbed its gums and teeth with your fingers. That will make future dental care much easier, and within a week you will be able to brush them with a proper brush (I used a child size soft one) and chicken or malt flavoured toothpaste, this makes it more enjoyable.
Buy a toothpaste specially formulated for dogs. There are pastes flavored with meat and other dog-friendly flavors to make it more enjoyable. Do not use toothpaste formulated for humans. Because pets swallow rather than spit the toothpaste out, this can cause stomach upset.
Dental Problems
Problems that start with the teeth can have far-ranging consequences, from mere bad breath to problems eating or even infections that may reach the kidneys or heart.
Common signs of dental problems in dogs include:
Loss of appetite
Red, swollen and bleeding gums
Drooling
Blood in the saliva
Yellow-brown tartar at the gum line
Broken teeth
Foul breath
The most common problem by far for dogs is the buildup of plaque, which can accumulate and harden to chalky calculus on the teeth. Left unchecked, this may eventually lead to inflammation of the gums, and the teeth may become infected and even fall out. The infection resulting from these conditions may spread to other parts of the body such as the kidneys or the heart.
This is why it is so important to establish regular dental cleanings both at home and at the veterinarian's office. If these problems already exist and have gotten beyond the point of a simple cleaning, visit your veterinarian.
Some other common problems associated with the above signs include broken teeth, foreign bodies (such as porcupine quills or small, sharp objects), and certain systemic illnesses. Your veterinarian is best equipped to diagnose and treat these conditions.
Dry, crunchy foods can be helpful in keeping teeth clean by scraping against the teeth, which helps reduce tartar build-up. Still, there is no substitute for regular dental care.
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