How to Clean your Dogs Ears

Many dogs do not like having their ears cleaned, which makes doing a good job very difficult. It is helpful, before you even begin cleaning your dog's ears that you learn how to make this grooming experience pleasurable for your dog.



Handling Your Dog's Ears

Practice handling your dog's ears gently. Give delicious treats while you massage the outside of and eventually the inside of the ear. Repeat this until your dog really enjoys having his ears handled. Once your dog accepts all kinds of ear manipulation with your hands, repeat the procedure using a cloth and then with cotton balls.



Your Dog's Ears

Dogs with heavy, floppy ears generally need to have their ears cleaned more frequently than dogs with prick ears (which stand upright and allow for better air circulation), and dogs that have a lot of hair in the inside of their ears may require additional maintenance (increased cleaning and for some, plucking of hair growing in the ear).



If your dog is itching his ears a lot, if the ears smell funny, are very red or inflamed, if your dog is constantly shaking his head, it is best to visit your veterinarian as these may be indications of an existing ear infection or other ear problem.



Cleaning Your Dog's Ears

Frequent ear cleanings (weekly) will keep the ears free of wax and debris, and will also allow you to understand what your dog's ears look like when they are healthy. This enables you to more easily recognize any abnormalities in the ear should they arise.



Consult with your veterinarian about recommended dog ear cleaning products. To clean your dog's ears well, you will need an appropriate ear cleaner, a number of cotton balls, and if possible, a helper - someone who can feed the dog treats and keep him calm during the process.



Some dogs have a lot of hair on the inside of the ear. This hair can serve as a reservoir for dirt, debris, and accumulations of earwax. Ask your veterinarian or groomer whether plucking is recommended for your dog. Plucking takes a bit of skill and finesse and can cause discomfort when done incorrectly, so is best left to professionals who have experience on plucking ear hair in dogs. Watch your vet or groomer closely as they pluck the dog's ears, asking any questions you may have about the procedure. Be well prepared with some yummy treats while the vet is plucking the ears, to make this a positive experience for your dog.



Once the ears are free of hair, it is time to begin cleaning. Wash your hands well before and after ear cleaning, and have your supplies ready.



Squirt a small amount of ear cleaning solution into the ear canal. Do not force the nozzle of the bottle into the ear canal as you can cause significant damage this way - only the tip of the bottle should be inserted into the canal. Once you have the solution in the ear, massage the base of the ear to encourage distribution throughout the canal. Be prepared for your dog to shake his head after you apply the solution.



Take a cotton ball and rub the inside of the ear to remove any discharge or any accumulated wax. You may use a Q-tip to get in the crevices at the base of the ear, but do not insert the Q-tip into the ear canal itself. When the base of the ear is clean, you may use soaked cotton balls or a soaked wet cloth to clean the ear flap out toward the tip.



The College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University has published great how-to instructions with photos. The restraint methods shown at the top of the article will likely be unnecessary if you have trained your dog to love having his ears manipulated in advance.



If your dog will not tolerate ear cleaning or if you are unsure of how to go about cleaning your dog's ears, you may want to consult with your veterinarian and have her do the cleaning for you. It's always easiest to learn a new skill if you have someone well experienced in its practice to coach and guide you so that you can learn the correct way to implement the task. It is also worth finding a experienced behavioral professional to help you out with tips for how you can train your dog to be more accepting of husbandry techniques including ear cleaning.
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Its a Dog's Life

I Came across this article on guy-sports.com on the internet “its a Dog’s Life “and right away it caught my attention because there was a time when this phrase was used it meant that we were in a bad way. It meant we were not doing so good! It meant life was not good! and that everything was turning out wrong nothing would turn out the way you wanted it to.; Each day was worse then the one before so this is why we said “its a Dog’s Life cause then dogs didn’t have it so easy! Dogs were not dressed up in little cute frilly outfits are leather collars with diamonds . Dogs diid not have soft fluffy beds to sleep in,Or cute clean pretty bowls or dishes to eat their dog food out of andl most dogs slept outside in the cold and rain, And now dogs even sleep in the same bed as their masters! OOPS!! I forgot we don’t even use the word Master anymorel.. Now its Dog Lovers or Dog owners or even Family.(which by the way I prefer those then Master) Nowadays if your living a Dog’s life you have it good!! OOH do not get me wrong their are still alot of dogs out there who still need our help and love and we should give it But what I mean is that Phrase does not have quite the same meaning now then it used to.. SMILE…I read the origin of the catchphrase ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’ is obscure. One of the earliest popular reference is Charlie Chaplin’s 1918 film called ‘A Dog’s Life’. There is also a well known 1955 film by Herman Hoffman, this title include the It’s - ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’.




The phrase is so evocative of the downtrodden hero, that it’s perfect for Charles M. Schulz’s Snoopy. It’s a dog’s life has also inspired music and also T.V. episodes of popular programs such as ‘Murder She Wrote’.



♪10) Is it a Dog’s Life Anymore?

There was a time when dogs weren’t allowed in the house. Dogs were fed scraps and if they were lucky they had a kennels. Thus a whole family of sayings arose around ‘It’s a dogs life’. For example, going to the dogs, dog tired, dog’s dinner, dogsbody and dog eat dog.



HOWEVER, nowadays, dogs have it cushy, they live indoors are pampered with dog food, and even get their own dog basket. In consequence the young generation are perplexed by the saying, ‘It’s a dogs life’.

Home Remedies for your Dogs

Many dog owners have turned to natural home remedies instead of store bought products because they are affordable and safe and you can find them right in your home.. Many of these natural home remedies for dogs are quite easy to obtain. For example, do you have garlic in your kitchen? Most people do and use it to cook up tasty dishes but never consider that it is an effective flea repellant.
What about mineral oil, olive oil or almond oil? These are also common household items that can be used for a variety of different purposes. Did you know that they are also effective for treating ear infections or ear mites in dogs?
Do you treat your own skin with Vitamin E? It’s a common way to soothe irritated and dry skin. If your dog suffers from irritated skin as a result of allergies, try applying a bit to their skin to see rapid improvement.

What about oats? They are excellent for adding to your dog’s bath water if he has problems with allergies and as a result spends a lot of time itching and scratching. Just a handful of oats added to your dog’s bath water can help to soothe his irritated skin.

Epsom salts are excellent additives if your dog has problems with his feet. Just add a bit to some water and then soak your dog’s feet. Remember to take care that he does not drink the water.

Natural home remedies for dogs are safe, easy and inexpensive solutions to many health problems that may plague your dog.

Source: Ezine articles

Excercise, Control and Praise

Training a dog is a little easier if the dog is content. When training a dog, use the following teaching tips:



Provide plenty of exercise

You’re the “Alpha Dog” and control the pack. It’s very important that you feel and believe this, because your dog will sense it if you don’t. A stern voice and confidence goes a long way when training a dog.
Most important of all, “Praise”. All dogs want to please their owners and that is why praising him is as equally important. Let him know you’re proud of him and he’s doing a great job, then slip him one of his favorite treats.
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How to Train your puppy to Pee outside

A puppy isn't born knowing that your carpet is not an acceptable place to relieve himself. You are going to have to show it the ropes and train the puppy to hold it until it's time for a walk outside or playtime in the backyard. Here's a relatively easy way to train him that doesn't require punishment.

Step 1. Watch your puppy's behavior while relieving himself outdoors so you can detect the warning signs and intercept him when indoors.

Step 2. Stay outside as often as possible during nice weather so your puppy can develop a preference for eliminating outdoors. Help him develop a liking for surfaces like dirt and gravel by taking him outdoors to eliminate after eating, playing and sleeping, or, ideally, every 15 minutes.

Step 3. When it's time, go straight to a predesignated area and don't leave until the puppy urinates.

Step 4. Tuck your puppy into a cozy crate in your bedroom at night. Dogs are den animals and don't like to soil the area where they sleep.

Step 5. Carry the puppy outdoors when he becomes restless in the middle of the night, and wait until he's finished relieving himself.

Step 6. Supply a litter box (filled with sand or kitty litter) during the night, unless you plan on getting up every couple of hours to take him outside. If you do want to take him outside, set your alarm if you sleep too deeply to notice that your puppy has started fidgeting, and carry him outside at those times.

Step 7. Carry the puppy outside first thing in the morning so he won't soil the floors as he walks outside.

Step 8. Be consistent with training. Consult a pet behaviorist if you have problems.

Step 9. Reward your dog with puppy treats and praise every time he successfully eliminates outdoors.

How to bathe your Dog

If you've ever personally tried washing your dog, you know it can be challenging. I have found if I can do it faster, we're all better off. Here are some tips if you want to save money at the groomer's and try shampooing your pooch at home.

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:
Original Dawn
Dog Shampoo of your choice
Old, worn out, frayed "doggie" towels
dog hairbrush
dog tooth supplies (might as well get it all done)
Bucket or pitcher
bathing suit (for yourself)
Luke warm water
SHOWER
Blanket
Step1 Showers are quicker Traditional bath tub bathing for your dog is more cumbersome and arduous than letting the dog step into your shower stall. Showers are quicker, easier and if you have a hand-held sprayer, PERFECT!
Step2 just for dogs If your dog is prone to getting fleas, using original DAWN liquid dish soap will eliminate them. Otherwise, a bottle of dog shampoo from any store where pet supplies are sold will suffice.
Step3 lather up After initially getting the fur all wet between the bucket and sprayer, starting at the head and going to the tail, make a straight line of shampoo and lather up! Scrub using your finger tips as you would shampooing your own head. Rinse, repeat.
Step4 don't forget the back ones! Now is a good time to break out the toothbrush and doggie's toothpaste. Be thorough with this, and if done routinely, you will potentially add years to your dog's life!
Step5 brrrr ! I'm cccCccold! Upon completion, make sure your dog's towel is ready to go, or he will shake excess water all over EVERYWHERE! Towel dry your best friend, and keep him warm with a dry blanket.
Step6 dirty dog! Don't let him run outside, the first thing he'll do is find some dirt to roll in!
Step7 brush out the knots When your dog's fur is all dry, brush him all over, smoothing out knots and freshening up his coat. Put his collar back on his neck, and praise him some more for being such a good dog!!!

Useful Home Remedies for Dogs Dry Itchy Skin and Other Skin Ailments

Dog skin problems seldom give rise to emergency situations. If you are regular in your pet care and look for changes in the skin and coat for dog or cat dandruff, canine or feline acne, and skin lumps and lesions, there is every reason to believe that you will have enough time at hand to consult your veterinarian about it.
The skin and coat of a pet is the best indicator of any underlying condition that may be brewing inside your dog’s body. Given that your dog cannot communicate minor discomforts to you, the skin proves to be the best indicator and early warning for problems to come.
It has been observed that itchy skin, paw chewing, constant licking and allergies in dogs have become more common than ever before. Diets, digestive enzymes, dietary supplements and essential fatty acids are used for long term treatment of itchy skin in dogs. There are also some home remedies that you can effectively use for short term treatment:
For hot spots, prepare a mixture by dissolving two aspirin tablets in one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol. Take another cup of warm water and dip a tea bag in it. Mix the two and let it cool. Shave the hair around the hot spot, and apply the mixture with a cotton ball and use as often as required. You can follow it up with a cortisone spray or cream that is available over the counter.
Allergies are the most common cause of itching in dogs. Allergies may be caused by contact with an allergen causing multiple crusty lesions that are extremely itchy. Give your dog a cool bath for ten minutes to relieve itching. You may add colloidal oatmeal in the bath.
For itchy feet, mix Epsom salts in cool water. Dip the dog’s feet in the water for 5-10 minutes, ensuring that he does not drink it.
Ear mites in dogs often cause excessive scratching in areas around the ears. Soak a cotton ball in mineral oil and gently swab the ear canal. This will remove the ear mites but only temporarily.
For insect bites, use water mixed with baking soda to relieve the itch.
Flea collars are not advisable for use over a long period. If your dog tends to catch fleas often, a diet that includes yeast and garlic is an effective way of keeping fleas at bay.
An itchy skin often leads to canine and feline hair loss if the itch is not attended to in time. In addition, itchy skin is almost always a precursor of an underlying or hidden medical condition. Home remedies can, at their best, provide only temporary relief. They can provide comfort to the dog for some time and give you some adequate time to arrange for expert consultation. Source: Tess Thompson

A face-lift for a dog?

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Is Fido in need of a face-lift?

Go see Edgado Brito, who is advancing the practice of pet plastic surgery in a land with a worldwide reputation for making people beautiful by any means.

Brazilians have long been known for their penchant for cosmetic surgery, and Brito has been adapting those techniques for use on animals.

"Plastic surgery is good for dogs!" said Brito, 45, a Doberman breeder who has worked as a veterinarian for 20 years.

He can make protruding ears droop and uses Metacril to straighten bent ears. He uses Botox to fix inverted eyelashes. He has even tightened the mammillae of a couple of female dogs, whose owners wanted to show them after they had given birth.

Simple surgeries usually cost from about $100 to $200.

In Brazil, the United States and Europe, pet plastic surgery is increasingly in demand, despite objections from animal rights activists and some dog breeders.

The American Kennel Club, which sets the rules for the recognized breeds on the U.S. dog-show circuit, prohibits any surgery that alters a dog's appearance, other than the cropping of ears and tails to meet breed standards.

But the prohibition on surgery is difficult to define and enforce. Two years ago, an award-winning Pekingese in Britain was the subject of an inquiry when rumors swirled that its face had been surgically enhanced. The dog and its owners were acquitted and allowed to keep the award from the 2003 Crufts Dog Show.

In Brazil, Brito keeps abreast of human plastic-surgery trends and attends human surgeries to develop treatments for his pet patients. He's performed thousands of operations.

Brito says animal health is his top concern, but beauty also is important to the animal's well-being. Brito said that if the owner thinks the dog is attractive, the relationship is better.

"Good symmetry is very important," Brito said. "All that is not symmetric we don't like."

One of Brito's more famous patients is Brutus, a miniature schnauzer imported to Brazil from Argentina. He is gray, sleek and muscular and perfectly groomed.

"Brutus was perfect in all details," said his owner Anita Alt, except for one. One ear, thanks to a bad ear job from another veterinarian, flopped open. Fearing infection and hoping to show and breed Brutus, Alt turned to Brito five years ago. The doctor injected a substance used to eliminate human wrinkles into the base of Brutus' ear, which straightened instantly.

"No trauma, and you can see the results immediately," said Alt, who breeds mini schnauzers. Brutus became a grand champion, retired early, and now lives a happy life as a handsome stud in Sao Paulo. Source: News Service

Dog Grooming- Hair Brushing

Dog grooming is one of your dog's basic needs and an important part of dog ownership. Just like people, dogs need physical maintenance to look and feel their best. Generally, a dog’s grooming needs depend on the breed and hair type. If your dog has a skin, ear or nail condition, follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding grooming your dog. It is also important to use the appropriate grooming tools. Here are some dog grooming basics to remember.

A dog’s minimum brushing needs depend on hair type. Choose the right tools and follow these guidelines.

Long-haired dogs usually require daily brushing to prevent matting and tangling of hair.
Medium-haired dogs may be prone to matting and tangles and should be brushed at least weekly.
Short-haired dogs can typically go up to a month in-between brushing.
Regardless of hair type, you can brush your dog daily - especially if he enjoys it. More frequent brushing during shedding season can help prevent hair build-up and excess shedding.