Lhasa Apso Grooming | Tips and advice

Archive for November 2009

Tired of packing your big, hairy dog into the car for a ride across town with a panting, barking animal for his weekly groom, only to find your car needs one too afterward?  Mobile dog grooming has become a necessity for many of us who don’t have time to get the pooch and the car washed in the same day.  The demand for this service is ever growing, causing many dog-loving entrepreneurs to consider taking up this business.When looking to start a mobile dog grooming business, the most important asset will be your mobile trailer.  What kind will you start with?First of all, size does matter.  Even if environmental considerations are not primary on your list (and they should be) an overly large trailer is a poor choice.  The larger your trailer is the more gas you will consume, thus eating into your profit margin.  A large trailer will put more strain your vehicle’s suspension and brakes.  You may think it looks grand but in reality anything over a 5 foot by 8 foot trailer will be very difficult to maneuver in traffic and hard to see around in your rear view mirror.  Remember, you will be spending almost as much time driving as brushing and bathing, so look for a trailer that is easy to tow and inexpensive to maintain.Price is always and issue and depends upon your individual budget, in the final analysis.  Should be able to purchase a trailer with all you need for between 15, and 25,000.  It will be your decision to personalize it and make your mobile dog-grooming trailer a good advertisement as well as a rolling pet care salon.Your other major choice is whether to buy a bare trailer and outfit it yourself or buy one fully equipped.  I would personally opt for the other every time for the convenience and time saving aspects.  But if you choose the other direction, you will need a good-sized water tank, grooming station and bathing areas, a floor drain, air-conditioning and several sources of natural light.  These are not just things to enhance your work environment; they are essentials to performing the work professionally.The material of choice for your trailer is easy to clean aluminium or stainless steel.  After purchasing a trailer with these basics, you may want to choose from many useful add ons.  Look thoroughly at the various types of equipment offered and choose those that will come in handy and really make your work go more smoothly.  Avoid impulse buying when viewing extra equipment.A wise “extra” is a special paint job that will make your van a good source of advertising.  Decorate your moving billboard in an eye catching manner, with your telephone numbers and website plainly visible.  You may include your hours of operation or the breeds of dogs that you like to handle.  Do not include price information or too much wording that could get in the way of your important contact information. Of course, you will also want to advertise in conventional ways, such as the yellow pages, on the Internet, in the local newspaper and, occasionally, handouts and flyers posted around the neighbourhood.Armed with the proper equipment and advertising, you are off to a good start with your new career keeping spaniels shiny and poodles pouffed!

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Hide

We may have made our pets dependent of a comfortable life, in which the master takes them out for casual walks and feeds them on command, after having cuddled them behind their giddy ears, but a natural instinct for self-grooming will never be gone, and the proud owner should sustain this instinct. This process is a daily and a weekly one, so dog grooming training is necessary in order to make it easier for the pet and for you too. As funny as a bubble bath may seem to our kids, your furry friend may find it strangely irritating, unless you follow some simple training guidelines to make him go through the ordeal of grooming: from clipping his toenails, brushing his fangs, to smoothing that cute rich fur of his, or sleek glossy hide with a welcomed bath. That is the reason why dog grooming training sessions are required, and the good news is you don’t have to have a PhD or a BD for this; you do need some special tools, rewards to motivate the pet and the persistence of your school teacher when telling you about logarithms. The result will be a satisfying one, though, and your dog will be fit to walk on a cat walk!A Dawdling Process
There are these few main activities that are compulsory when speaking of a dog grooming training session: the brushing of his teeth, the clipping of his nails so as not to scratch that beautiful leather arm chair you just bought or to gather germs that make him prone to diseases and taking care in every possible way of his fur, less or more existent, depending on the breed: the coat of a groomed dog must be glossy, healthy and resistant. In order to do this, you will imminently annoy the dog by touching him in forbidden places: his aggressiveness might be aroused and he may act strangely every time the process recurs. The most important thing is not to hurry up, dawdle here and there, with smooth caresses and sprinkle the dog grooming sessions with several rewards, so that he develop a conditional instinct of pleasure specifically in these times. The first activity is the brushing of his mean “fangs”, to maintain their health and that of the gums too. The muzzle of the dog is another sensitive area so pat him gently and caress the nose and when he pulls up his lip, you will be able to position the toothbrush. Make him feel good during this by enhancing his self-esteem, speaking to him slowly and soothingly and offering him a reward: you shouldn’t be surprised if this training hint will enable you to brush his teeth often and even turn it into a spa for your pet, an enjoyable one.
If you desire to clip the nails, the identical gentle behavior and treats are required, except that you have to touch his paws and to press them to see clearly the nails: it is not a particular pleasant thing for your furry friend so be patient and persistent: the time you are investing in the dog grooming training will be recovered soon, when he will sit calmly every time you want to perform the task a bit faster. The brushing of the pet’s coat of fur is definitely not that difficult or disagreeable, like brushing his teeth or clipping his toenails, to some extent. However, when delicate areas such as his back end or tail are involved, things have to be taken slow: make him comfortable first, when touching these parts of his body, give him rewards, speak soothingly to him, pat him carefully and in the end he will lighten up and allow you to act there as well: operate with slow strokes of the brush in the back side and at the tail to obtain an ideal grooming where it is genuinely needed.
As it has been said, rewards and persistence are the main ingredients to performing a proper dog grooming training, achieving both a better relationship between you and the dog, and make it a more enjoyable task with the permission of your pet.

, , Hide

If you have a pet then you will be responsible for taking care of him, and one of the most important aspects of health & care is dog grooming. All grooming needs quality combs, brushes and clippers that can be found at all pet supplies stores.

If you take your pet to a professional dog grooming service center then it can sometimes be expensive. It is not something that cannot be done at home i.e., it is possible only if you have the time and the equipment. The first and the foremost thing is that you need to be extremely patient with your dog during the dog grooming session and don’t forget to reward him once it is over so that you don’t face any problems the next time around.

The second important thing is buying the right pet supplies to enable grooming at home. The different types of pet supplies that you will need for grooming includes:

· Bathing accessories: This will mostly include hair dryers, shampoo, conditioner and towels

· Clippers: This will consist of pet grooming tools like turbo clippers, clipper kits, combs, trimmers etc.

· Others: This can include an array of pet grooming tools like nail grinders, FUrminator de-shedding tools, Styptic powder, Matbreaker dematting tool, dematting combs, dematting rake, flea comb, area slicker brushes, undercoat rake, etc.

Dog grooming is important for all pets but more for dogs and cats with a lot of hair. Dogs like German Shepherds have double coat and experience a lot of hair fall and hence should be groomed regularly. Some of the important parts of the body that need to be cleaned and groomed include the skin and ears and it is a must to clip the nails for cats and dogs.

Cleaning the ears of dogs is an integral part of dog grooming because of the fact that they get a lot of infections through their ears. Dogs with droopy ears are highly susceptible to different types of ear problems and infections caused by ear mites, waxy ears, and fungus. You need to check the ears of your dog once every week and clean them as well. Another important part of dog grooming is clipping nails and this is mostly done for dogs, as their nails can grow unusually big. Although they will never hurt you with their nails but are quite capable of scratching you while playing. You need to clip nails once every 3 weeks.

Let us consider some other pet supplies you may need:

· Treats: some dogs don’t like having a bath or being clipped, sometimes it’s a good idea to have a treat to distract your dog.

· Dental toothpaste: this is an often-overlooked necessity when buying pet supplies. Dental problems in cats and dogs are one of the most expensive veterinarian costs during a pet’s life.

· Toys: a great hide bone or Kong toy is a great idea when buying pet supplies. Anything to distract a dog will always help, especially if they playful by nature.

The one thing that most pets hate and dogs even more is bathing. Except for the Retrievers almost all dogs hate taking a bath and cats will always shy away. But bathing is also an important part of dog grooming. Before you give your pet a nice bath, ensure that you have the necessary pet supplies like shampoo, conditioner etc.

Hide

The Lhasa Apso: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet

This is our ninth set of Happy, Healthy Pet titles. These latest books will bring our series up to sixty-seven titles and, like the others, they are books that pet owners can turn to for the essential information they need to raise a happy, healthy pet. All books contain information on:feedinggroominghousinghealth carewhat to expect from the petbasic trainingAs our series expands and focuses on different kinds of pets, the emphasis remains on making the pet a companion. Owne (more…)

, , , , , , , Hide

While acquiring a pet dog is easy, taking proper care of them requires some effort. Feeding and exercising the dog are aspects that most dog owners take good care of. However, one aspect that is no less crucial to the appearance and health of a dog is its grooming. Grooming keeps a dog fresh and in a happy mood.
There are some essential dog grooming tips and procedures that you must keep in mind if you own a dog.
Bathing your dog – we all know the importance of bathing dogs. Since it is important to bathe your dog quite frequently, the first essential dog grooming tip suggests making the experience an enjoyable one. Whereas some dogs have fun while bathing, most abhor water. So, you need to take adequate precautions to ensure that your dog does not hurt himself in an attempt to get away from the bath or while being fidgety in the bath. Keep an old towel on the floor of the bathtub to ensure that he does not slip and hurt himself if he has a tendency to get agitated in the bath.
Brushing your dog : A very essential dog grooming tip is to brush the coat of your dog on a daily basis. Do not be under the impression that your dog does not need to be brushed if he has short hair. Brushing the coat not only keeps it shiny and clean by removing dirt and other foreign matter but also helps prevents ticks and infections. However, ensure that you use a good quality dog grooming brush for the purpose.
Clipping the nails : While the nails of dogs are naturally filed to a certain extent when they walk on the road or pavement, even then it is an essential dog grooming tip to keep a watch on their nails. Clipping the nails of your dog once every month is sufficient to keep it in good condition. Use good quality pet nail clippers and trim the nails taking care not to cut back too far or you could end up causing injury, which is a potent source of infection. If you are not certain of the extent to which you should cut the nail, stick to cutting it at the point the nail begins to curl and you cannot go wrong. If you are not comfortable doing this, take the help of a professional instead of making a botched up effort.
Caring for the teeth : Dental health is very important in case of dogs too. While you may be providing regular dental care to your pet during the visits to the vet, it is also advisable to carry out this procedure on a smaller scale at home too. You can use either pet toothbrush or an old one that you may have discarded. An essential pet grooming tip in his respect is to use special pet toothpaste as dogs do not like the taste of the regular toothpastes and may try to avoid having their teeth brushed.
Pampering your dog with clothes : Many dogs like to preen in their doggie clothes so, treat them to cute sweaters or hats. However, an essential dog grooming tip in this respect is to do up your dog in clothing and accessories only if he enjoys it. If you force it upon him they may bite them off or become annoyed and snappy.
Remember that dog grooming is an essential part of your pets life. Though he may not like every grooming procedure, you must strive to make it as enjoyable as possible for him. Also know where to draw the line when it comes to dog grooming. In your zeal to groom your dog do not ignore his discomfort. There are professional dog grooming services available that could be of immense value in case you find grooming your dog on your own a troublesome task.

, , , Hide

Now that you have figured out how to best feed and exercise your pet, or made the decision to provide dog grooming services yourself, just what do you need to carry out your good intentions?Bathing supplies and area You will, of course need an area to bathe your pet, complete with good drainage and a hose device for quick and thorough rinsing.  Specially formulated shampoo and conditioner are must haves and you may have to spend a bit of time researching and trying several before you find the best for your breed of dog.  After bathing, your pet needs to be patted down with a designated, super absorbent towel and a quick blow dry.  You may even want to invest in a commercial dog blow dryer that comes on a stand that the dog can be strapped into.  This is a real aid for long haired dogs and their owners, since drying time can be prolonged.  It is important to dry the dog’s coat quickly before it develops tangles and become matted.Brushes and combsBrushes and combs are important not only as a beauty aid to provide a silky coat but for maintaining a healthy coat.  Even short haired breeds must have regular brushing to remove excess hair that allows the skin to breath.  Brushing with a soft brush feels good, calms the dog and makes the coat shine.  But using a hard wire brush and/or comb, is the only way to remove debris and tangles.  It is also a good way to check for ticks, fleas and other parasites.  The brush or comb may be made of metal or hard plastic but must have fine enough to ferret out those invaders and stand up to tangles without breaking. Dog toenail clippersDog toenail clippers are a must have and come in scissor or guillotine style.  They should be used biweekly or more often, according to how fast the nails grow.  Keeping your pets nails trimmed will prevent nail splitting.  Scissors and trimmersScissors and trimmers should be specially designed for your breed of dog.  Scissors should be blunt ended to avoid possible injury from a jumpy pet and trimmers must be strong enough to do the job efficiently.  Get an electric trimmer with enough power to quickly shave and trim areas of dense fur without clogging and stalling.Together with these must have dog grooming tools is your love and dedication to keeping your pet clean, attractive and healthy.  Your attitude will help make dog grooming less of a chore and a really pleasant bonding experience.

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Hide

Dog grooming is essential in maintaining your dog’s health which include routines involving regular brushing, combing for dead hair removal, bathing and nail removal.

Dog grooming provides dogs with shinier and healthier lifestyle plus the opportunity to spend some time with your dog. It is essential that you train your pet with dog grooming in his earlier years with mild approach. Some dogs may view the routine as another way of petting him. Combing and brushing will care for your dog’s coat but it is equally important that you attend to his other body parts, like the ears, toes, eyes and the mouth.

Additionally, dog grooming will significantly contribute to your dog’s over well-being, both in physiological and psychological aspects.

Dog grooming applies differently for the many varieties of dog breeds thus it is essential that you know the different treatments for each dog. But listed below is the general dog grooming methods that you may use as your basis.

Bathing

Bathing is an substantial part of dog grooming. It is wise to bathe your pet once in two months are as frequently as needed. Brush you pet’s coat before each bathe as to eliminate the mats out of his coat.

To bathe your dog:
· For secure footing, provide a rubber mat or a bath towel to be placed in your bath tub or sink. Then secure the dog’s ears and with cotton balls as to prevent the water from entering these openings.
· Use warm water to rinse your dog. If a spray hose is available it is best to use it but make use the nozzle of the hose is kept close to your pet’s body. Never spray the animal directly on his face, this may irritate or scare him.
· Use shampoos that are only made for dogs. With small amounts, start from head to tail but avoid getting the shampoo on your dog’s eyes. Be sure to clear from dirt the dog’s rectum, and other body parts like those under the chin, behind the ears and between the dog’s toes.
· Then rinse your dog with warm water, make sure that no shampoo is left on his coat.
· Lastly, pat your animal dry with a bath towel or a hair dryer.

Coat
It is essential that your dog’s coat is kept clean. Assure that with your dog’s daily dog grooming routine, his coat is thoroughly brushed. This assures that his coat is kept from dirt. also, a dog grooming procedure like that of brushing may spread the dog’s natural skin oils all through the coat. This may also keep the dog’s skin form irritation and may further prevent his coat from tangling. This does not only apply with dogs having long coats but with short-haired dogs as well.

Nail trimming

For once a month, your dog’s nails must be trimmed. Use a specially designed nail trimmer or clipper for your dog breed, also provide a blood-clotting powder in case his skin tissue is cut. You may also use scissors for this form of dog grooming.

Ear care

Is an important aspect of dog grooming. If not properly address, your pet may develop an ear infection, which in turn may result to permanent hearing loss. The symptoms for an ear infection are constant scratching, ear redness and head shaking. You dog grooming specialist or veterinarian must address sever cases of dog infections.

Hide

Although it’s often overlooked, grooming is an important part of your dog’s health and wellness program. Here are some of the most frequently asked dog grooming questions our experts at PetPlace.com are asked by their 600,000 visitors per month:

1. When should I start grooming my dog?

Start regular grooming when you first bring your dog home and make it a part of his or her routine. Purchase a good-quality brush and comb and get your dog used to being handled. Praise your dog when he or she holds still and soon he or she will come to enjoy the extra attention. Some breeds have special grooming needs, so ask your vet or a professional groomer for advice on particular grooming equipment necessary for your particular dog.

2. How often should I brush my dog’s hair?

Routine brushing and combing removes dead hair and dirt and prevents matting, while giving your pet a healthier and shinier coat.

Your dog’s skin and hair coat reflects his or her overall health and nutritional status. Many dogs maintain a healthy skin and hair coat with minimal assistance. Some long-haired or curly-haired breeds require regular brushing. For most dogs, a good brushing once or twice a week will do the trick.

3. How often should I bathe my dog?

Your dog’s need for bathing depends on its breed, the skin type and hair coat. It also depends on the owner’s preference and how dirty your dog gets. Bathing your dog every month or two isn’t unreasonable, but some dogs will need more frequent cleanings. A good rule of thumb is to bathe your pet only when the coat gets dirty or begins to smell “doggy.”

When bathing your dog, make sure to rinse all the soap out of the coat. If there are persistent problems with scratching or flaky skin, he or she may need a special medicated shampoo or have a skin problem that your veterinarian should examine.

4. What skin problems are common among dogs and what should I look for?

Skin problems – including fleas, ticks and mites or allergies and infections – are common among dogs. Most conditions are manageable with early detection and treatment. If you notice excessive scratching, hair loss or flaky skin, contact your veterinarian. If your pet is continuously exposed to fleas and ticks, speak to your veterinarian about products to minimize the parasite’s impact on your dog’s skin. Remember that consistently poor hair coat with lots of skin flaking may indicate a deeper medical problem.

5. I have problems cleaning my dog’s ears. What’s the best way to clean his ears and how often should it be cleaned.

Ears also require cleaning, especially in dogs with oily skin or allergies. This is a delicate task and is probably best left to your vet. However, if your dog is easy to handle (and there is no chance that you will be bitten), you can learn to do this chore yourself. To remove excessive wax and debris from the ears, consider an ear cleaning every two to four weeks. Ask your veterinarian about products you can use at home, and be sure to ask for a demonstration of proper ear cleaning techniques.

6. I have problems keeping my dog still so I can trim its nails. Do you have any nail trimming advice?

While clipping nails is a painless and simple process, it takes practice and patience to master the skill. When you muster enough courage to trim the nails of your dog, you’ll need a good nail clipper, a nail file to rub any sharp edge away and a styptic stick to stop any subsequent bleeding easily.

Ask your vet to show you the correct technique, and then get started by getting your pet used to having his or her paws handled. Once you start using the clippers, go slowly. Try clipping just a few nails in one sitting. Maintain a regular schedule and be persistent. Your pet will eventually develop patience and learn to cooperate.

7. What is the most important thing to include in my dog grooming kit?

The most important thing required in your grooming kit is your own confidence. It will form and take shape within you and grow in time.

So, go ahead and start grooming your dog. If you can overcome your hesitation, beautiful and rewarding experiences are waiting for you. Grooming your dog properly helps to keep him or her healthy while building an important bond between you and your pet.

, , , , , , , , Hide

For some of you dog owners, this article will simply be common sense. For other owners, however, this information might just be a real eye-opener. If you really want your dog to be as healthy as possible, than take a few minutes to make sure you’re really doing all you can to ensure your dog’s good health by reading this article.
Of course, proper nutrition is essential to your dog’s health. Making sure your dog has the necessary vaccinations, heart worm tests and preventatives and fecal tests done annually is also imperative for your dog’s very survival. But what about grooming your dog? Isn’t that just something that people who show their dogs or people with long-haired dogs need to be concerned about? Absolutely not! Dog grooming is something that every conscientious dog owner should concerned with.
So what’s the big deal about dog grooming? Let’s take a look and see. First, the obvious: it makes your dog look good and healthy. But it also makes him feel good too. Brushing your dog makes the skin and hair coat healthy by bringing up the natural oils in the skin that nourish and protect your dog’s coat.
Grooming your dog serves other important purposes as well. It keeps the shedding problem down, which is a big concern for the indoor dog. Grooming on a regular basis (which means more than a couple of times a month) will also keep snarls and tangles out of your dog’s coat, which is a big problem on the legs and tails of dog breeds like Golden Retrievers (like mine), spaniels, Pomeranians and scads more.
Regular brushing also gives you a chance to closely examine your dog’s skin for possible problems. Some examples are flea and tick problems, hot spots, rashes, cuts or lumps. Catching some of these problems early may prevent disease or infection or even be the difference between life and death.
When you’re through brushing, don’t forget to check their ears (some breeds require cleaning more often than others) and their toenails (more for inside dogs…my two outside dogs keep their toenails trimmed down just fine all by themselves just running around.) The eyes and teeth are important too, but your vet will examine them on your annual visits.
And what about those who just don’t have the time or desire to make dog grooming a priority? Ever heard of a professional dog groomer? Take the time to find a reputable groomer, or get a recommendation from a trusted dog owning friend. A seasoned dog groomer can give you some great tips for grooming in between visits, and are often a great source for tips on keeping your dog healthy.
Will grooming alone ensure good health for your dog? Of course not. But done regularly in conjunction with good nutrition and proper vet care, grooming your dog sure will give your dog a better chance at a long and healthy life.

, , , Hide

Lhasa Apso 2010 Wall Calendar #10051-10

Each large format calendar features 16 months and 13 full color photographs with plenty of room to write special dates, birthdays and anniversaries on the calendar grid. Size: 12×12.

(more…)

, , , , , Hide

« Previous Entries

Next Page »

Find it!

Theme Design by devolux.org