We all love our dogs, and this alone is a good enough reason to care for our dog, but there are many other reasons that we should all offer dog care to our pets, for example the health and happiness of our dog is the first thing to be noticed, and secondly learning how to provide this dog care yourself will increase your relationship and bond no end.

There are many online resources for dog care available, but I would like to show you a few extracts from a book that has everything rolled into one on the way of dog grooming and explain how to´s, techniques, tips and an explanation of the benefits for you and you dog that can be obtained through correct dog care at home.

We all know that there is more to dog care than a brush through there coat – although this is an important part of dog care I would like to drawer your attention to other areas and activities that can result in the mentioned benefits and play a great part in dog care;

Eyes and Ears –

Once you have mastered grooming the coat you can move on to the next stage of grooming, caring for the eyes and ears – again this is not a difficult task, but requires a little more care than the coat. As with humans the eyes, and especially the ears are delicate organs in a dog and we have to be sure we can help our dog benefit, minimize the risks, and at the same time ensure we are not creating any danger for our pet.

Eye Care

The importance of eye care is something that many dog owners do not take into consideration as much as should be, the general eye infections suffered by dogs are caused by bacteria which has been allowed to seep into the eye, so regular cleaning is a must – also whilst cleaning will be the best opportunity to identify the most common eye problem for our pets, Conjunctivitis, this can be noticed by a redness around the eye and a greenish, or yellowish discharge…

Dental Hygiene – A part of dog care many owners omit!

Much of the dental hygiene crosses from grooming into health care, I have tried to separate the two but parts go hand in hand, however there will be another book in the series shortly that will cover health care and mouth issues in your pet deeper, for now we will try to keep with the grooming topic, and base this section around dental hygiene for a healthier, and better looking dog without too much consideration for the health issues – although these are a main factor in dental and mouth care…

And also the nails and paws are a main part of grooming when you look to dog care to show your pet you love them. Learn more about all these topics and much more with the help of ‘The Perfect Dog Grooming Guide’ which can be seen at www.Perfect-Dog-Grooming.com.

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Regular grooming to your dog is the basic thing every owner should learn. It will make your dog look great and happy.

Here are some simple but useful tips. I summarize it into point form so its easier to remember.

1. Every dog should be groomed once a week.

2. Basic equipment: dog brush, nail clippers, cotton swabs, dog shampoo.

3. While grooming, check the overall condition of your dog’s skin, eyes, ears, coat and teeth.

4. Make the grooming session as pleasant and enjoyable for you and your pet as possible.

5. Brush the coat before bathing your pup. Brushing will eliminates mats, tangles, removes dead hair and dirt. Brushing also distributes the natural oils that helps to produce healthy skin tone.

6. After brushing, check your dogs ears. Flop-eared dogs can be prone to ear infections so you’ll want to check your long-eared dog often. A simple ear cleaning solution can be made with one part white vinegar to one part water. Dip a cotton ball or swab in the mixture and wipe out your dogs ears. Use a separate swab for each ear to avoid cross contamination should she have an ear infection.

7. Nails should be clipped on a regular basis. Overly long nails will hurt your pet’s paw. Cut till the nails are short enough when your dog can stand squarely on her pads with the nails bearing none of her weight.

8. Brushing your dog’s teeth promotes healthy teeth and gums. You can make a natural toothpaste with baking soda and water. Wrap your finger in some gauze and dip it in the baking soda paste to gently clean your dog’s teeth. If your dog has a lot of tarter and plaque build-up, consider getting her teeth professionally cleaned before embarking on your own daily tooth cleaning routine.

9. Try to choose the natural dog shampoo. Don’t use human shampoo on your dog because the pH of her skin is very different.

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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.

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The main thing about dog care and dog grooming is the benefits are enormous, from the happiness and health of your dog to the enjoyment and saving made by you, these are just a couple of examples, and below is an extract from a chapter entitled ‘The Benefits of Grooming’ from The Perfect Dog Grooming Guide by Alan Brown which I feel shows the benefits that can be gained through grooming and dog care, some of which are too easily overlooked or underrated by many dog owners;

The first thing I would like to drawer your attention to, and to end any rumors that you may have heard is that grooming your dog does improve their health in many ways which we will mention a little more through this chapter. As well as this benefit you will also find that your relationship with your dog and the affection they show you will be somewhat increased. Also through grooming your dog you will come to know them better and have the opportunity to spot possible health issues that may have gone unnoticed previously.

So let us break these benefits down a little and go through them piece by piece; reverting to the health benefits we mentioned, firstly when we think dog care and grooming we immediately think of brushing our dog so let´s start there. When you brush your dog you remove all the dead hair from their coat, leaving only the healthy, this eliminates many of the bad odors emitted by your dog’s coat, as well as helps to keep them cooler, looks cleaner and reduces your dogs scratching and itching.

To make grooming your dogs coat easier and to help maintain the goodness reached through grooming it is advisable to bathe your dog and use a quality dog shampoo regularly – although you must pay attention to over bathing your dog, like humans you can easily strip the natural oils from the coat and reduce the healthiness that way. We mentioned dog shampoo, and that was deliberately mentioned, as human shampoo contains different ingredients and must not be used on our poets under any circumstances.

Another benefit of grooming or brushing the coat is the stimulation it causes to the blood flow which in turn increases and improves the blood supply to the hair follicles and aids the overall health of the dog’s coat. Also brushing has a similar effect as massage and can aid the stimulation of the lymphatic node which is another means of improving your dog’s health, and we shall cover this a little more in another chapter.

Grooming also consists of dental hygiene and care of the eyes and ears…

This shows how dog care is not only good for your dog, but for you also, and you can benefit a whole lot more from the content of The Perfect Dog grooming Guide which can be seen at www.Perfect-Dog-Grooming.com.

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Dog grooming has its own significance in pet care. It not only improves the look of your pet, but also provides it with better health.
All things such as brushing, bathing, and cleaning of the ears need to be carried out regularly, and by doing so, you can keep your pet healthy.
It is important that you brush your pet every day to keep your pet’s hair dirt free. It also spreads natural oil, which in turn prevents tangling of hair and keeps the skin clean and irritation free. If you make grooming a routine, then your pet will eventually begin to enjoy it.
Another important part of your pet that needs cleaning is the nails. It is important that you trim the nails of your pet once a month. Always use a clipper that is specifically designed for the type of pet you have.
To cut the nails, make your pet sit beside you. Next, place one of your pet’s paws in your hand, and then trim the nails gently. Trim carefully, making sure you stop before the quick, which contains nerves and blood vessels. If the quick does get harmed, then use a moist cotton ball with clotting powder and press it for a few minutes to stop the bleeding.
You also need to always keep your pet’s ears clean. Unclean ears may result in infection, which is not only painful but can also cause hearing loss. Infection can be identified by recognizing signs such as redness, scratching, head shaking and odor.
You should check your pet’s ears twice a month. The skin of the ears must be pale pink in color. If you notice a foul odor or change in color, take your pet to a veterinarian.
Use moist cotton balls with lukewarm water or mineral oil to clean the ears.
Cleaning of your pet’s teeth is another important aspect of grooming. Your pet may get cavities in his or her teeth that can develop into periodontal disease. Clean your pet’s teeth twice a week with a soft, small pet toothbrush.
Bathe your pet at least once a month or as required. In order to remove all the matting from your pet’s coat, brush your pet before and after each bath.
Place a rubber mat or a small towel in a bathtub so that it is not slippery for your pet. Use cotton balls to prevent water from going into your pet’s ears, and use warm water to bathe your pet in. You can use a spray nozzle, but be sure that you keep the nozzle close to your pet’s body when spraying, and do not spray your pet in the face.
Use shampoo that is made specifically for pets. Use a small quantity, and wash from head to the tail. Clean the rectum, between the toes, backside of the ears and under the chin. After washing, rinse your pet thoroughly with warm water, and then dry with a drier, or pat dry with a towel.
It is important that you regularly give proper attention towards the grooming of your pet. It will keep your pet healthy and active, both physically and psychologically.

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Whether your dog has a short coat (Boxer, Basset Hound, Labrador Retriever), long coat (Lhasa Apso, German Long-haired Pointer, Samoyed) or one that falls somewhere in between, he’ll need to be groomed on a regularly.
All dogs need to get used to being groomed, and starting as early in its life as possible. Good pet grooming habits will prevent future grooming problems from happening later on in their adult lives.
One Size Does Not Fit All When It Comes To Dogs
There are a variety of coats require different grooming steps, but basic grooming care such as bathing, brushing, ear and teeth cleaning, and nail trimming is needed for all pets. If you own a long-haired dog, grooming will have to be practiced more often and may be a little more challenging. So, it is imperative to introduce your dog to grooming early on in her life. Life will be more pleasant for both you and your dog if she learns to enjoy this experience while he’s still young.
Good Grooming Habits: Groom Your Dog Everyday
To ensure that your dog creates a positive experience with grooming, you must introduce her to the process slowly and often. Get your dog familiar with each piece of equipment by introducing it to her one at a time. Show your dog the brush, let her sniff it for a few seconds and then give her a small treat.
The next step is to gently touch her with the brush and the treat. Once your dog has fully accepted the object, gently brush one stroke and follow with a treat. Do this process about three more times until your dog realizes that being brushed is a great feeling. Break down this method into small steps as this will give your dog the chance to create a positive experience within each step of the way.
Take your dog to the grooming station and let her get to know the area before you begin the grooming process. A few days prior giving your dog a bath, put her in the bathtub while it’s dry and let her play with a toy and throw in a favorite treat. Repeat this technique the next day, adding some water and a sponge. See, it’s not as difficult as you probable thought it would be.
Warning: Don’t allow your dog to simply jump into a tub filled with water out of the blue, allow your dog get used to the water before filling the tub. Dogs are just like children, they have to be handled with care as well. So, before your dog gets in, you may want to dip your elbow into the tub to make sure that it isn’t to cold or hot.
Lastly, repeat this same procedure goes for the nail clipper, toothbrush, and other grooming tools. Take your time when introducing them to your dog and she will enjoy grooming for the rest of your pet’s life.

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Mini was the first dog that I had owned. She had the familiar Lhasa Apso thick long coat draping her entire body down to the floor. She was a beautiful mixture of brown and white all over with a white feathered tale. I loved her eyes, which where of the deepest blue, although they where hard to see because they too where covered by thick hair. She appeared to be sporting long bangs. I think this is why she was prone to eye infections – her tear ducks would swell – usually clearing within several days. I loved bringing Mini home from the groomers with a bow holding a wisp of her hair at the top of her head. The Lhasa Apso requires much grooming. Therefore, you should consider the cost of regular grooming if you plan to own one.

Lhasa Apso’s are friendly, affectionate, intelligent, and spirited small dogs. Mini was easily housetrained and performed simple commands – sit, fetch, stay, etc. As a puppy she taught me an interesting lesson. We where playing tug of war with her rope toy. I was pulling on one end, as she vigorously pulled the other end with her teeth. All of a sudden she gave way and I noticed a tooth stuck on her end of the rope. I, not being familiar with what was happening, thought I had pulled too hard. I quickly called my dentist friend and she informed me that puppies – just like babies – lose their first set of teeth.

Lhasa Apso originated from Tibet and is named for the capital city of Lhasa. According to Wikipedia, the Lhasa Apso was bred originally to guard monasteries. The Lhasa Apso was expected to follow the intruder barking until his master arrived to check on the intruder. Also, they are believed to bring good luck to their owners. Mini was a fantastic watchdog and a precious companion. Her bark was quite deceiving because it sounded as if it belonged to a much larger dog.

If you are considering owning a Lhasa Apso they do well in apartment living. However, they are too nervous around children and therefore require supervision. They do need to be taken on daily walks for at least 20 minutes – dogs that do not have daily walks tend to display behavioral problems. The average life span of this breed is 15 years and they are generally a healthy dog. If you are planning to add a Lhasa Apso to your home please consider adopting one from a local shelter or a rescue group that specializes in this breed. Also, consider adopting an older dog, they are usually housetrained and are not readily adopted – they need love and a family too.

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