Why do you want to take a dog-grooming course?  Didn’t you learn how to bathe the family dog when you were a kid?  Probably that is not the best way. You will learn allot in a course that will help you keep your pet clean and healthy without risking injury to your dog or yourself.Learn about different breedsFirst of all, a good dog grooming training course will teach you about the different breeds of dogs and the special grooming needs they have.  A silky longhaired dog has different requirements that a fuzzy headed terrier and a good course will focus on the breeds of dogs the owners have.  You will learn the best maintenance routine and supplies for your dog’s breed and temperament.Learn about dog grooming suppliesIn a dog grooming training course you will learn about the supplies you will need to carry out a grooming schedule.  You will be instructed about good shampoos and skin care treatments for your pet.  You will be told the best types of brushes, combs and dematting devices that will work for your breed of dog.  Furthermore, the need for and proper use of devices such as toenail cutters with be provided.  A good dog grooming training instructor will outline the best way to look for the parasites that love to get into your dogs hair and how to prevent them or remove them properly to avoid infection.  Also in this category are ear mites, which you will learn to be on the lookout for and to treat.Learn grooming techniquesIn a dog grooming training course you will learn technique.  Your dog is, at best, somewhat apprehensive about this grooming ritual and may even try to avoid it.  Most dogs are easily distracted and have too much energy to hold still for long.  You will be shown techniques to calm your dog before starting grooming, and to keep him from bolting out of the area covered with suds. You will be shown how to soothe your dog and introduce him to dog grooming tools like blow-dryers and electric trimmers.  He may never get to like the buzz of an electric motor, but you will learn the best way to calm him or her enough so that he will stand still for it.In short, a good dog-grooming course will provide a roadmap for successful maintenance of your pet and the proper tools to use to do this safely and efficiently.  It will also give you the confidence and know how to groom your pet in a loving way.  A good dog-grooming course can be a giant step in forming a good relationship with your dog and keeping him healthy.

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Are you a dog lover? Do you live in an apartment or small home? Do you have allergies? A small dog with hypoallergenic fur might be the answer for you. “Hypo” is a Greek suffix meaning less or below. A hypoallergenic dog might still put out allergens, but at a much lower level. A few dogs that take up less space, making them better for apartment living, are the Silky Terrier, the Havanese, and the Coton de Tulear. These dogs are all considered of the “Toy” size by the America Kennel Club. The Silky Terrier was developed through a cross of a Yorkshire Terrier and an Australian Terrier in the late 19th century. Even with these early dates, it was not fully recognized as a breed of its own until 1955 as the Australian Silky Terrier. These dogs have terrier qualities such as enjoying activity and a very sharp alertness. Their hair is long, but the Silky Terriers do not shed. This long hair also is partially where their name is derived from. It has very soft and smooth qualities. The dog does require more than average care for this silky coat to stay in good condition. The terriers can get along with other dogs and children, but will get aggressive when provoked or teased. Proper education should be given to as well as the people around the animal as well as the dogs themselves in how to act around one another. The Havanese were originally developed by the Spanish from a now extinct breed called the Bichon Tenerife, making them part of the Bichon family of dogs. Grooming isn’t a worry with this breed, even with Havanese that are shown in competition. They are meant to look playful and friendly, much like their temperament. These dogs are great around children, other dogs, and people in general without becoming overly possessive. Their sturdy frame makes them that much better around curious children, unlike most fragile “Toy” sized dogs. Although they love playing and winning, they can be easily calmed when spoken to sternly by their owners. One of the major downsides to owning a Havanese is that they seem to suffer from many ailments such as cataracts and hip dysplasia. These are actually uncommon, unless the dog is adopted from a less than reputable breeder. A Coton de Tulear is another dog with Spanish roots from the Bichon family. Its actual home is Madagascar, where it is the official dog of the country. This intelligent breed is extremely playful, and when pure bred, is white in color. This white coat, while hypoallergenic, does shed more than that of their Havanese cousin, so it requires brushing once every week or two. The Coton de Tulears love people and enjoy playing with them, going on daily walks, and can even keep up on longer hikes. They get easily attached to their owners and suffer from separation anxiety at times. Overall, these dogs are very healthy, living anywhere from fourteen to eighteen years.

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While the Labrador retriever still remains the most popular dog that people want to own, for those with allergies, labs are not the best breed to choose. There are many other types of dogs that would be more suitable for those suffering with allergies. These breeds include: Chinese Crested, Kerry Blue Terrier, and the Schnauzer. These dogs are not only beautiful; they also have short hair without an undercoating or longer hair that does not shed as much as other breeds. These dogs are purebred and can be found by contacting a breeder online or by telephone. The Chinese Crested is available in two varieties, the hairless, or the powder puff. Both types are considered hypoallergenic and are desired by those who have allergic reactions to dog hair and dander. The hairless, which is more common than the powder puff, has hair on its paws, head, and tail. Hair may also grow on its chin. The hair is soft and does not shed as often as other breeds. The hairless Chinese crested is prone to sunburn and acne, however. You should learn how to take care of this type of dog before buying one. Other than skin issues, these dogs are very friendly and enjoy being with their owners. Powder puff Chinese Crested has a full coat of long, soft hair that does not shed as often. People have fewer allergy issues with this breed because the hair is long and does not float through the air long enough for people to be affected. Both the hairless and the powder puff varieties are suitable companions for those with dog allergies. The Kerry Blue Terrier is a larger hypoallergenic dog that has a flat head, predominant chest, and a coat that is similar to that of the Poodle or Maltese. The dog gets its name from that fact that its coat will take on a blue sheen once it is an adult. Originally used for hunting, the Kerry Blue Terrier is now considered a working dog and requires constant companionship. In order to maintain this breed’s coat, you will have to have the dog groomed every two months and brush the coat once a week to prevent clumping. Since the dog does not shed, this is one of the better hypoallergenic dogs to choose. Also, this breed does not have an undercoat, which will also reduce allergic reactions. You should not let the dog outside in cold weather, however, since the lack of undercoat will cause the dog harm in colder temperatures. The Schnauzer is a hypoallergenic dog breed with short hair that does not shed. If you purchase on of these breeds, you will have to keep up regular grooming appointments. The Schnauzer comes in three different varieties: the Miniature Schnauzer, the Standard Schnauzer, and the Giant Schnauzer. Even though they vary in size, the schnauzer can be recognized by its boxy face, short hair, and square build. This breed is common in households because it does not shed and because of its easy going temperament.

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Hypoallergenic dog breeds have special needs because they are usually smaller in size and have temperaments that may be difficult to handle sometimes. When you first bring your new dog home, you should allow it to roam around to get an idea of its surroundings. If you have other pets, you should put them in another room while the dog is investigating the area. Depending on the breed of dog, they may be very scared at first. They may not want much human contact, so you should be careful about handling them too much during the first few days they are in your home. Once you new dog becomes comfortable, you should develop a feeding and hair brushing routine that you and your dog will follow. If you have allergies, brushing your dog every day will reduce the amount of allergens in the air. This will reduce the allergens on your carpets, furniture, clothing, and walls. Buy a steel comb with wide teeth that will help trap hair and get out any knots that may be in the dog’s fur. If you purchased a Mexican hairless or other breed that does not have hair, you should make sure that its skin is not dry. If you notice flaking, you should visit your vet who will prescribe medication or lotion that you can use. Making sure your hypoallergenic dog gets plenty of exercise is important for their health and also for controlling allergens in your home. Walking your dog at least once a day and making sure it sleeps through the night will keep the dog on a routine. Dogs that are awake at night time may want to be with you. Allowing your dog to sleep on your bed could increase your risk of an allergy attack. Your dog should have a designated place to sleep during the night and during the day. Buying a soft bed or giving the dog an old blanket will help keep them warm and safe when they are sleeping. You should wash their pet bed often to prevent allergens from being transferred to carpeting or clothing. While you cannot prevent all allergens from getting into your clothing and inside your carpeting, you can reduce them by keeping everything in your home clean. Dog grooming is also important when caring for a hypoallergenic dog. Even though the breed that you buy will probably have short hair, you will have to have it professionally groomed every few months to maintain the shape and also to keep the hair from becoming too long. Since hair can grow long and cover the dog’s eyes, and make it difficult for the dog to keep itself clean, grooming your dog will ensure that it remains healthy and happy. Now that you know more about caring for a hypoallergenic dog, you should remember that just because these dogs are considered a good choice for those with allergies, these dogs may still cause you to have allergy attacks from time to time. Hypoallergenic dogs reduce the risk of attacks, but cannot prevent them from occurring.

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Dogs that are considered hypoallergenic may cause fewer allergic reactions in people who own them other breeds. There are many breeds of long hair, short hair, and hairless varieties to choose from depending on your particular allergies and what you are looking for in a dog. Hypoallergenic dogs are sold mostly by breeders, but you can also find them in pet stores and sometimes in animal shelters. If you decide to buy a hypoallergenic dog, there are ways to care for them that may require a little more work than non-hypoallergenic breeds. Caring for your hypoallergenic dog begins with caring for their coat. While many hypoallergenic breeds such as Terriers, Schnauzers, and Poodles have short hair, this hair can be coarse and will continue to grow unless the dogs are properly groomed. These dogs do not shed and have hair that can be compared to human hair. You will have to keep your dog groomed in order to prevent matting. Matting can cause skin rashes and other health problems if the dog’s coat is not taken care of. Brushing your dog is also important especially in breeds that have longer hair such as the Afghan Hound. While these dogs are considered hypoallergenic, their coats are long and shiny. They do not shed either, so brushing and grooming are important. Brush your dog at least twice a week to keep excess hair from building up. Some hypoallergenic dogs have undercoats, while others do not. Undercoats protect dogs from cold temperatures by storing body heat. Dogs that do not have an undercoat will not survive long in cold temperatures. Unless a breeder says you can keep your dog outside, you should keep the dog indoors. If you have a hairless dog, you will have to protect their skin with lotions and skin creams. You should not leave these dogs outside for long periods of time as they will suffer from sun burn and dehydration. Caring for your dog is not only making sure their coat and skin are protected, it also means making sure that they get enough exercise and time with you each day. Dogs that are left alone for long periods of time can become destructive. Training your dog by developing a routine will help them adjust to the times when you cannot be at home. If you will be out of town for more than two or three days, you should find a friend that can check in on your dog or you should consider boarding the dog until you come home. Protecting your hypoallergenic dog from cold temperatures, the sun, and from developing skin rashes are ways that you can help your dog live a long, healthy life. Because many breeds of hypoallergenic dogs are small in size, they are prone to arthritis, eyesight issues, tumors, and other problems. While you cannot predict how your dog will age, you should research different breeds to see what types of health issues they may have some day. Regular checkups with a vet will help your dog live a long life.

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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!

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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.

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Dogs have long been known to be man’s trusted and loving companion. Children especially love to have them as pets. However, not all dogs are suitable for children as some dog breeds can unintentionally harm them. So before giving your children the pet that they have always wanted, consider first the age of your child, your personal and home lifestyle and the general nature and temperament of the breed. There are specific breeds that are naturally ideal for family with kids. These breeds are the intelligent ones with moderate energy level and right temperament. These breeds are the following:•    Beagle. These dogs are not too big making them very ideal for kids. They are also friendly, clever and they can also be trained well.•    Bichon Frise. This little breed is usually docile. They are not to hyper but they love to play. Kids would also love their fluffy, white hair. •    English Cocker Spaniel. Cocker Spaniels are good watchdogs. They are also obedient and are gifted with agility. •    German Shepherd. This breed is very playful especially when they are around children. They are also loyal and protective but they must also be trained well. •    Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever. These breeds are both smart and great with kids. They are also known for their loyalty and enthusiasm.  They just need regular training and grooming, •    Poodle. Poodles are smart, energetic and have good temperament. Parents could also choose from different size choices— toy, miniature and standard. All those breeds have been known to be affectionate and with energy level that could keep up with each family member. Some of them are even known to baby-sit so they are indeed perfect for homes with children. More often, parents make a common mistake of thinking that cute-looking and miniature dog breeds are good for their children. Thus, they buy these kinds of dogs without considering first their nature or temperaments. Some of these breeds are: Afghan Hound, Borzoi, Akita, Affenpinscher, Pekingese, Puli, Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu, Basenji, Yorkshire Terrier, Chow Chow, Schnauzers and Chesapeake Bay Retriever. These breeds are not recommended for young children as they are unfriendly by nature. They are also sensitive and may have the tendency to be aggressive when teased. Giving your kids their dream dog may really be an ideal gift. Learning about the different dog breeds good for kids will not just grant them their dream pets, however, but will also show how particular you are when it comes to their welfare. So when looking for the right dog for your home, visit your local rescue group and ask about the dogs that have been in foster care. Let them recommend the dog perfect for you and your kids’ lifestyle. If you want a purebred dog, research for the best breeders in town and know everything about the temperament and history of the dog of your choice. And once the dog is home, give them the right amount of attention and training so that you won’t ever regret giving them to your kids.

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The Shih-Tzu is a result of the breeding of the Tibetan Lhasa Apso with the Pekinese during the 17th century and Peking. However, England wouldn’t see the first pair until the 1930s when they were allowed to be imported. Today, the spunky old dog is a popular pet as well as a show dog favorite.
Admitted to the American Kennel Club in 1969, the Shih-Tzu is part of the toy group. This breed weighs from 9 to 16 pounds and is around 11 inches tall
This breed is small and sturdy resembling the Lhasa Apso and having an abundant coat consisting of a woolly undercoat any long overcoat of hair. The hair above the nose grows upward which creates a unique shape, sometimes referred to as a chrysanthemum shape for the face. The Shih-Tzu has a mustache and beard along with a short hairy muzzle and black nose. The eyes are dark, large and round. The pendant shaped ears are covered with hair which causes them to blend right in to the rest of the dogs body. He has a plumed tale which he carries curled over his back. These dogs come in all colors, but show dogs must have white on the forehead as well as the tip of the tail.
The Shih-Tzu is a little dog with a lot of character. Sometimes they can seem a bit arrogant, but they do tend to make friends easily even when they are being obstinate. This alert and spunky breed is playful and affectionate but does not cope well if left on his own and needs to spend a lot of time with his family. They are usually pretty quiet when indoors, but have been known to be a bit stubborn and can bark when they want to.
Since Shih-Tzus have a short muzzle, they can wheeze and snore a bit and also can be prone to respiratory, ear and eye problems. In some Shih-Tzus which have short legs and long backs, spinal disc disease can be a problem. Like most small dogs, they can be prone to tooth decay and need to have regular dental care. They can also gain weight easily and should not be overfed.
The Shih-Tzu can be active in doors and is well suited to apartment living. Of course, they do need to be exercised with the daily walk and they can have a tendency to become lazy if exercise is not part of their routine.
Daily grooming is a must with this long-haired breed which should be brushed with a bristle brush. It’s also a good idea to put the hair up in a little ponytail to keep it out of the dogs eyes. You should make sure that the eyes are cleaned regularly and the ear passages as well. Even though this dog breed does have a lot of hair, it does not shed.

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