The 2nd Most Popular Dog in the
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Some Ideal Human Companions
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* The elderly
* The housebound
* Singles
* Apartment dwellers
Brushing And Bathing
Source: Wikipedia and AKC
This is great information for you to know regarding your pup pal!
A nice way to spend a few minutes!! Happy Friday!
Let Grooming by Melissa help you with some of your dog grooming questions!
What is grooming?
Grooming is more than just a hair cut. It may include bathing, combing, brushing, clipping nails, cutting or shaving mats, cleaning ears, and controlling external parasites.
Why choose a groomer?
You may not have the time, tools, experience, or physical ability to adequately groom your pet. For example, some animals (like poodles) have their fur groomed into particular styles that require a professional. Or a pet may require regular or seasonal clipping, medicated or flea baths, removal of skunk odors or harmful substances, or removal of matted fur. Typically, a trained professional can more safely and humanely handle tricky procedures and temperamental or frightened animals. (Removing severe mats should always be done by an experienced groomer to avoid accidental cuts.) Keep in mind, however, that professional groomers aren't miracle workers; it's up to you to stay on top of your pet's grooming needs.
How do I evaluate a grooming facility?
Before selecting a groomer, tour the facility. Here are some factors to consider during your evaluation:
Grooming costs vary depending on where you live, your pet's species and size, the severity of matting, and the simplicity or difficulty of the cut. An average fee is $35 for a shampoo and brushing, and $40 for a shampoo and cut. More extensive grooming services cost more. Expect to pay $10–15 more for mobile grooming services that come to your home.
How can I ease my pet's fears?
It's important for your pet to tolerate being groomed, regardless of how often you take him to a professional. To train your pet, groom him briefly when you're both relaxed. For example, begin by gently massaging his coat each morning as you feed him. Gradually introduce a brush or comb. Each day, increase the grooming time and work on different areas. Reward your pet for cooperating. The more comfortable your pet feels with home grooming and around strangers, the better he'll tolerate professional grooming.
What should I do before the first visit?
For the health and safety of both your pet and the groomer, make sure your pet is up-to-date on veterinary treatment, including vaccines and sterilization. Spayed and neutered pets are generally calmer, and sterilized dogs are less likely to bite. (Sterilized pets also enjoy many health benefits and do not contribute to pet overpopulation.) A pet who is particularly nervous or difficult to handle makes the grooming process stressful for both your pet and the groomer. If this sounds like your pet, work with an animal behavior specialist or dog trainer.
When making the appointment, inform the groomer about your pet's needs. To provide special handling, the groomer must know in advance whether your pet is geriatric or has a chronic health condition. Also warn the groomer about any habits that could interfere with safe and successful grooming. Keep in mind, too, that groomers are not licensed to dispense tranquilizers; if your pet needs sedation to be groomed, find a veterinarian who employs a groomer. Finally, when you drop your pet off at the groomer, bid your pet good-bye quickly: Emotional departures will increase your pet's stress level. When you pick up your pet, both of you will enjoy that clean, mat-free coat that makes pets--and their people--more comfortable.
Reprinted with permission from The Humane Society of the United States.
Benefits of bones
Chewing on bones (rawhide, nylon, or starch-based) helps dogs of all ages in a number of ways. In using the term 'bones' we do not mean bones leftover from a roast, etc., which may cause digestive problems and which are too abrasive and can wear down the teeth. Instead, we mean chew bones specifically designed for dogs. Whether your dog prefers rawhide bones or the extra-hard choices for aggressive chewers, here are a few ways chew bones benefit dogs:
Provide Dental Benefits: Chewing on chew bones is good for your dog's teeth. In our practice, the vast majority of dogs we see and treat for dental problems are dogs that have not chewed on enough hard objects, whether they are toys or bones.
Chewing on dog chew bones or hard toys helps scrape away plaque, which can cause bad breath and a number of potentially serious dental problems. The action of the bone against the teeth scrapes away plaque and controls tartar buildup - helping prevent periodontal disease and yellowing of teeth. Hard bones like pressed rawhide or any of the Nylabone products help scrape off even the most stubborn plaque, keeping exposed surfaces smooth and harder for plaque to adhere to.
Relieve Boredom: Not unlike humans, dogs that do not have anything to do get bored. A chew bone will entertain your dog for hours and keep his mind stimulated, which is good for dogs of all ages, especially older dogs that are not as active. Just remember, your house gets pretty dull when you are not there all day.
Satisfy the Urge to Chew: Dogs, and especially puppies, have an innate urge to chew. Chew bones are a much better alternative to satisfying your dog's urge to chew than the leg of your elegant dining room table or your new pair of hiking boots.
For teething puppies, chewing on a chew bone or chew toy helps stimulate the growth of adult teeth. Like human infants, the pressure on a dog's teeth and gums from chewing on something hard helps relieve any discomfort from the new teeth pushing through the gums.
Choosing the right bone
Choose a bone that matches your dog's chewing rate and chewing habits. Consider size, shape, hardness, and flavor.
Size: Some pets are very particular about the size of the chew bone you give them. Too big and they will not touch it, even though they will chew for hours on a smaller bone. Generally speaking, smaller dogs prefer smaller bones, but the reverse is not always true. Many bigger dogs ignore big bones, leading owners to believe, incorrectly, that bones do not interest them. Some dogs will not touch a rawhide bone that they find too big. The same rawhide in a smaller size is chewed immediately. 
Hardness and Texture: In addition to size, the consistency of the bone you give your dog is another factor to consider. Aggressive chewers can chew down a good size bone in a surprisingly short time. For these dogs, try giving pressed rawhide which is compressed, harder, and will last longer. Synthetic bones such as Nylabones are also excellent choices for a long-lasting chew.
If your dog chews for short periods of time with a soft bite, a smaller rawhide bone that is easy to soften will be more enjoyable. For these dogs, also try rawhide chips, sticks, or twists. These options satisfy the urge to chew, provide just as much entertainment, and taste just as good as any chew bone.
Flavor: Finally, the flavor is very important to some dogs. Certain dogs like peanut butter-flavored bones while others like theirs hickory-smoked. Again, try various types to see which ones your dog enjoys.
Remember, almost all dogs like to chew. Oftentimes, the trick is finding the right size, consistency, and flavor your pet wants. Try to find a few types your dog enjoys. When he loses interest in the one he is working on, switch to the other. This will keep your dog chewing, which we all know is great for helping remove plaque and relieving boredom.
For more information and interesting facts about your pet pal visit: www.peteducation.com/
PetEducation.com was developed by Drs. Foster & Smith to provide information to pet owners, students, and teachers. Our goal is education, and the information is not intended to be used to provide a diagnosis or treatment plan for individual pets. We highly recommend that you establish a long-standing client relationship with the veterinarian of your choice. Please consult with your veterinarian for regular exams and in situations where your pet may be exhibiting signs of illness.
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Tommy, a 5-year-old Chinese crested from Fort Worth, Texas, waits in the wings during the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Monday, Feb. 15, 2010 in New York. There are 2,500 dogs competing at Madison Square Garden for the title of best in show, which is scheduled to be awarded Tuesday night.
(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Most dogs usually never really require a bath. Baths can be given as often as is necessary (i.e. if your dog gets dirty or has an offensive body odor), although regular grooming, by way of combing and brushing, is often all that is required. Two or three baths a month is not considered excessive. However, if bathing is required more often than this, a special medicated shampoo should be used to prevent the hair coat and skin from drying out.
Human skin differs significantly from a dog's skin. A dog's skin is much thinner, has no sweat glands, has a different pH compared, and is generally much more sensitive than human skin. Shampoos intended for human use, even "baby" or "pH balanced" brands, should never be used on dogs. Heavily perfumed shampoos should also be avoided, since they may cause an allergic reaction.
The frequency of bathing rarely causes any significant problems in dogs, provided that the appropriate shampoo is used. In fact, the major cause of problems tends to be due to improper rinsing afterwards. A shampoo residue can cause skin irritations if left on sensitive dog skin, especially around the ultra-sensitive scrotum or vulva. If there is any doubt as to whether the shampoo is entirely rinsed, rinse one more time.
A good grooming experience is what we strive for. One that will leave both you and your pup happy! Before you choose a groomer here a few questions that you might want to ask.... 
