How Often Should You Wash Your Dog - Why Dog Grooming Is So Important

How Often Should You Wash Your Dog?
Author: Chris The Blogger

A good recommendation is every two to three weeks. it's important not to over wash. Over washing can strip the natural oils in your dogs’ coat and cause drying of the skin that will make your dog itchy. 

Believe it or not, even in this day and age, there are dog owners asking this question each and every single day. They do not believe that taking the time to groom their dog properly on a regular basis is necessary, despite all of the evidence to the contrary. After all, your dog cannot just stay clean on his or her own. In fact, although they are capable of cleaning themselves to a certain degree, they need more help than many owners often believe.

Here are 6 of the 8 main reasons why you should take the time to groom your dog outlined below that highlight the benefits for both you and your dog. As such, they should give you an idea of the importance that should be placed on grooming by all dog owners today:

• It encourages the health of your dog’s skin and coat. Regular brushing and grooming of your dog’s coat can encourage the health and vitality of your dog’s skin because it boosts the blood flow underneath the coat. This in turn ensures that the cells get everything they need via the bloodstream. Similarly, dogs need to wash much the same as humans do in order to keep toxins that may get caught in the fur at bay because they can also cause problems with the coat and skin.
  
• It enhances your dog’s overall health. Grooming enhances your dog’s overall health in a number of ways. It can ensure that your dog is mentally and physically in top condition as a result of the attention. Furthermore, it can improve the circulation, boost muscle mass and reduce the possibility of infection. By pairing grooming with a good diet, you can also boost your dog’s immune system, meaning that he or she will be less likely to become ill anyway.
  
• It eliminates the smell associated with dogs. This point applies to both your dog and your home. Everyone knows that there is nothing worse than walking into a house and having your senses assaulted with the pungent odor of stale dog but you do not have to worry about that if you regularly groom your dog because it minimizes the smell. This applies to all breeds of dog, even those that have particularly long and thick coats.
  
• It highlights any problems as and when they arise. This is not one of the more obvious reasons but it is a reason nevertheless because regular grooming enables you to notice changes in your dog’s body, which can be important in the diagnosis of many illnesses. For example, you will notice any cuts, grazes, lumps, swelling and even heat that occur. You may also notice slight differences in your dog’s general demeanor that may hint at depression or pain in some way. As such, if you notice these symptoms then you can seek help for your dog much quicker than would otherwise be possible.
  
• It can cut down on the overall cost of grooming. If you pay for someone else to groom your dog, whether on a regular basis or for a six monthly coat trim. By regularly grooming your dog, you may not need to hire anyone else to provide personal attention for your dog in the first place. This will save you money and enhance the relationship between you and your dog.
  
• Finally, and most importantly, it enhances the bond between you and your dog. As hinted at under the last point, grooming enhances the relationship between man and dog because it gives you a shared experience and one that is pleasurable for your canine companion. Dogs do enjoy grooming because it means that they get attention from their owners. All dogs absolutely love the attention. As such, it is an activity that you will be able to laugh at and your dog will be able to enjoy.
  

All of the above reasons should be more than enough to give you a push in the right direction because now you can see exactly why you and your dog can benefit from the process. Grooming is an essential part of owning a dog so the sooner you integrate it into your routine the better. The information in the ensuing chapters will most definitely be able to give you an idea as to where to start.

For more information on grooming your dog plus access to the popular FREE Dog Grooming newsletter - Please visit Dog Grooming Secrets Website.

How To Clean Your Dogs Paws

Here is another great Tutorial Video From Victoria Calvin. I love her tutorials videos she goes into great detail and has a wonderful voice for teaching. I will definitely be adding more of these wonderful tutorials to this blog.

Expert: Victoria Calvin

Contact: www.splish-n-splashmobile.com

Bio: Victoria Calvin is a professional dog groomer in Miami, and the owner of Splish-n-Splash Mobile Pet Grooming. She is a member of the National Dog Groomers Association.

Dog Grooming - It's Not Just for Poodles Anymore

Dog Grooming - It's Not Just for Poodles Anymore
By: Paolo Parodi

Dog grooming is not simply an aesthetic bonus for our canine friends. Maintaining a regular grooming schedule will help to keep your dog both happy and healthy. Routine dog grooming will ensure that your dog is free of parasites, has healthy skin and a shiny coat, and has good dental health. Of course, the aesthetic benefits are also a plus. Only a true dog lover wants to be around a dirty, stinky dog with bad breath. Proper dog grooming will bring out the best in man's best friend.

What's Involved in Dog Grooming?
While dog grooming can be performed at home, the best results can be achieved via a professional dog groomer. A thorough dog grooming session takes care of all the hygienic needs of your dog. The grooming process generally takes a hour or two to accomplish, but the results are well worth the time spent. A typical dog grooming session consists of the following treatments for your dog:

* A thorough bath including flea dip (if applicable)

* A complete coat brushing to eliminate tangles and matted hair

* Styling as requested (can include accessories such as bows, rhinestones and bandannas)

* Nail trimming

* Ear cleaning and examination for parasites

* Teeth cleaning

How Often Should Dog Grooming Take Place?
The frequency with which your should groom your dog is dependent on the breed and coat quality of your dog. Some breeds are considered high maintenance in terms of dog grooming, while others need only periodic care. Before you purchase or adopt a dog, it's a good idea to find out how much grooming it will require. A basic guide to dog grooming by coat type is as follows:

* Curly-Coated - Dogs such as Poodles have a dense and curly coat that is fairly resistant to water. These dogs will require dog grooming at least once every two months, or six times a year.

* Short-Coated - Dogs with short dense coats, such as Corgis and Boxers need a weekly brushing, but do not need to be bathed more than once or twice a year unless a problem arises.

* Long-Coated - Long coated dogs, such as Collies and Sheepdogs, require a daily brushing to keep their coats in good condition. Additional dog grooming including regular bathing, should be administered once every other month.

* Silky-Coated - Afghans, Cocker Spaniels and Pekinese dogs belong to the silky coated dog group. These dogs require daily brushing and a thorough dog grooming session four times a year.

* Wire-Coated - Wire coated dogs require considerable dog grooming. Dogs such as Terriers and Schnauzers should be bathed every three months and have their coat clipped every six to eight weeks.

* Smooth-Coated - The smooth-coated class of dogs includes Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers and Dachshunds. These are very low maintenance dogs and require only weekly brushing and bathing as necessary.

Whatever type of dog you own, it's important to see that proper grooming is maintained for the health and happiness of your canine companion.

Paolo Parodi is an expert author who writes for Dog Grooming

A Great How To Give A Dog A Bath Video (Starring A Cute Puppy)

DIY Dog Grooming To Bring Out The Dog In You

DIY Dog Grooming To Bring Out The Dog In You
Author: Sturat Michael M

The term dog grooming may sometimes give an impression of complicated procedures coupled with devices which bear semblance to medical or beauty devices.  That is where the misconception lies as it is basically a practice no different to how man takes care of himself.  As everyone requires self maintenance in the areas of beauty and hygiene, so do our dogs.  Since there are varying levels of grooming needs, it is recommended you do some research before landing yourself with a high maintenance project.  Numerous tips and guidelines are readily available in pet grooming books as well as online sites.

To keep a dog at its best condition, it needs

to be kept clean at all times.  Depending on type of dog breed, each has its own set of physical characteristics.  A longer-haired dog obviously needs more frequent brushing to remove tangles, matting and excess shedding.  Unless you are one with the time and patience for such a discipline, a shorter-haired breed may be more up your alley.  Hair cuts are also a must as overgrown hair tends to encourage knots and obstruct your dog's vision.  A dog with a disheveled appearance is not the best-looking man's best friend.  Unless you have the proper devices and skills on how to properly trim your dog's hair, this can be a task best left to the experts.

Since dogs and children share commonalities in attracting every possible piece of dirt when playing outdoors, bathing is an essential part of dog grooming.  Putting right a common fallacy that dogs are adverse to water, it is often the opposite.  Dogs just dislike water running into their ears which explains the constant shaking of heads and the occasional dash for freedom whilst dripping throughout the house.

A dog with long and floppy ears needs more attention as it is more prone to ear infection.  It is normally caused by lack of ventilation to the ear canal, type of dog breed, allergies and lack of hygiene.  By observing proper ear care procedures as advised by the vet, your dog should be spared of this misery.  A dog's nails also need to be kept in check with periodic trimming.  To avoid over clipping them, file them to recommended lengths.

By grooming your own dog, the chore takes on a new turn as a bonding opportunity between owner and pet.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1706437_54.html