How To Give The Perfect Dog Bath

Most pet owners do not think twice about spending big dollars to buy their dog premium dog food, the best health care or even blissful days at a doggie day care facility. Most pet owners also don't think twice when it's time to give Bowser a bath. Grab the Head and Shoulders and fire up the backyard garden hose. But lets give it a bit more thought than that.

But a proper dog bath is key to maintaining your pet's vigorous good health. The skin is the body's largest organ and a perfect dog bath is key to stimulating blood circulation and keeping the skin healthy. Improper bathing can cause a matted condition in the coat which is uncomfortable to your dog. The first step in the
perfect dog bath is a good brushing.

For short-haired dogs brush in a circular motion with a curry comb made of rubber with teeth cut into the edges. It will pull the dead coat out. Slicker brushes will take out the dead undercoat. Start on the legs and hold the outer hair so that you can brush from the skin outward. If it is not removed, the coat will easily mat.
Use this technique all over the dog - legs, body and tail. Dogs resent the tail being brushed so save it for last. For fine-haired dogs use a natural bristle brush. Moisten the area to be worked with a good coat conditioner.

For long-haired dogs use a pin brush if the coat is not tangled, a slicker brush if the coat is tangled. Start at the legs, again brushing from the skin out and brushing only a few hairs at a time. The secret to thorough brushing is to brush only a few hairs at a time. Check each area with a comb; if the comb goes through without stress continue all the way up to the middle of the dog's back. Go to the loin area and to the back legs; then move to each side of the back of the dog.

You are now ready to wash. Never use human shampoos to wash your dog. Dog shampoos are specially formulated to match the pH level of a dog's skin. Human shampoos can strip a dog's coat of essential oils. The right way to bathe a dog is determined by the texture and length of the coat. Short-haired dogs are washed with a vigorous circular motion which will pull out the dirt. On dogs with a medium- length coast, use a back-and-forth motion. As the hair gets longer, go only in the direction the hair grows.

Step 1. Rinse the dog completely.

Step 2. Apply the shampoo along the back, working up as much lather as possible; do the same with the belly, legs and tail.

Step 3. Rinse the coat with one hand to run water on the dog and the other hand in a kneading fashion to work the soap out. Make certain all the soap is out as dried soap will dull a coat and cause skin problems.

Step 4. Before towel-drying, squeeze as much water out of the coat as possible by pulling the hair straight out and squeezing at the same time.

Step 5. Use a washcloth to clean the dog's face and avoid getting water in his ears. Moisture inside the ears provides the conditions for fungus infections.

Step 6. Towel dry your dog and use a hand-held hair dryer on thick-coated dogs but never use a human hair dryer as they run too hot and can burn the dog and damage the coat.

Voila! A clean, healthy dog.
copyright 2006

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Orthopedic Surgery For Dogs

Dogs and cats get orthopedic injuries just like we do. In fact, it may surprise you to find out that almost any surgery that can be performed in human medicine has a corresponding animal procedure for your pet. Veterinary medicine has changed--and improved--drastically over the years as the human-animal bond has increased.

Working with veterinary surgical specialists over the last several years has really opened my eyes to the possibilities that exist. Not to mention the fact that I have had to take advantage of some of these "possibilities" for not only personal pets, but also for rescue animals in my care.

So, what kinds of injuries require specialty orthopedic surgery?

Broken bones, of course, come instantly to mind. But, does your pet need to be seen by a surgical specialist, or can your primary veterinarian repair the fracture? Well, this depends not only on the complexity of the fracture and the procedure to repair it, but also on the skill and experience of your veterinarian. I have seen cases where the pet had to undergo additional surgery by a specialist after a first attempt by a primary care physician. Think of it this way: if you had been hit by a car and required major surgery, would you go to your GP, or would you want to be operated on by a surgeon?

Joint injuries are also very common, especially in large, athletic breeds, and in overweight dogs. We routinely operate to correct torn cruciate ligaments and luxating patellas. These procedures are usually fairly costly, and the last thing you want to do is try to save a few dollars by having an inexperienced doctor perform these procedures. I have seen hip surgeries go so badly that there is no longer anything for a specialist to work with. There is nothing as difficult as telling a client that you could have helped their pet -- if you had been able to operate first, or sooner.

Recovery and rehabilitation are difficult for many pets, and for their owners! It takes a long time for bones to heal properly. So, if you pet needs orthopedic surgery, you are looking at approximately 12 to 16 weeks -- yes, that's 3 or 4 months! -- before "Roscoe" will be able to go back to normal, off leash activity. I'm not sure who this is more difficult on, the patient, or the owner. But, the worst thing you can do is assume that because "Roscoe" doesn't seem to be in any pain, you can relax on the exercise restrictions. You don't want "Roscoe" to end up back in the operating room, or worse, end up not being able to be restored to normal activity at all.

Not only have I seen pets have to come back for second, third, even fourth surgeries, I have also seen dogs that had to be put down because their prognosis for recovery was so poor when exercise restrictions were not followed. When the surgeon says 2 weeks in a crate, and an additional 8 weeks of on-leash walking only, she means it!

The use of orthotic devices is an option for pet owners when surgery is risky or to help in your pet's recovery process. Custom braces can support the operated limb and allow proper healing to take place. They can also help correct the limb's function without surgery. Your surgeon will be able to let you know whether this is an option for your pet.

Baby Girl is a beautiful Australian Shepherd at Mill Creek Animal Rescue. She came to us when she was about six months old with a horrible limp. I took her to an orthopedic surgeon. X-rays showed that she had suffered a fracture of her front left leg at some point in the past. Unfortunately, this was never treated, and there was a mal-union of the radius/ulna. Her ulna had tried to grow, but was growing out, rather than in length, while the radius continued to grow normally. This resulted in her paw being pushed sideways at a terrible angle. The doctor felt that although she had probably attained 65% of her full size, that surgery would benefit her and provide improved quality of life.

Baby Girl underwent surgery in early January. A 1 centimeter segment of the ulna was removed, and then the bone stabilized by divergent pins. The x-rays looked promising, and her foot appeared much straighter than it had pre-surgery. Now, Baby Girl thought she was better immediately. She wanted to romp and play the day after surgery. But, having seen post-surgery disasters, I followed the aftercare instructions to the letter. Two weeks post surgery, the splint came off. Baby Girl was walking much more normally, but still remained crated except for 3 or 4 daily leash walks.

Last month, Baby Girl returned for x-rays to determine whether or not the bone had healed. The x-rays revealed: SUCCESS! Although a pin had migrated and had to be removed, Baby Girl was released back to full, unrestricted activity -- much to her joy and mine!
In closing, orthopedic surgery can greatly improve your dog's quality of life. If your dog requires surgery, first find a good orthopedic surgeon. If your primary care veterinarian doesn't have a recommendation for you, visit the ACVS (American College of Veterinary Surgeons) website for the name of a specialist near you. And, whatever you do, follow the aftercare instructions. It may be difficult on both of you, but in the long run, you'll be glad you did!

CD Miller is the founder of Mill Creek Animal Rescue. You can view pets available for adoption at Petfinder.com Also, be sure to visit The New Pet Zone for the latest news and product reviews for a healthier happier pet!

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5 Simple Dog Bath Tips For Bathing Your Dog at Home

Do you absolutely hate the thought of giving your dog a bath? It is such a messy and usually very unpleasant task

Admit it, do you just kind of let your dog go without a bath until it becomes unbearable and you have to bathe him/her.

Welcome to our world. That is how most dog owners feel about giving our dogs a bath. You do not ever mention the word bath, because then your dog will run and hide.

It usually takes more then one person and a lot of work for this ordeal to take place.

The size of the dog can also be a hassle. A large dog is definitely not easy to bathe. If your dog has a thick coat it is hard to clean the fur down to the skin.

Many of us do not have yards and water hookups outside.

However, when the time comes and your dog starts smelling like a dog, it has to be done. For your dogs sake as well as yours, a bath is necessary.

Some people have the luxury of having their dog bathed by professionals, but that can be expensive and out or reach for many people.

If you are like many of us and must this job yourself here are some simple tips to make it easier

1. Begin regularly bathing your dog from an early age, or as soon as you adopt one. This way they will get use to the whole process. Never give a puppy at bath until they are least 8 weeks old, and only if necessary.

2. Always make sure your home is warm before starting an indoor bath. If needed turn your thermostat up a few degrees. Get all your prep work done this includes towels, shampoo and whatever you need to begin the bath.

3. Combing and brushing out all the mats. Do this before your dog gets wet, to prevent the mats from turning into solid clumps that can only be removed with clippers.

If your dog has gotten into some sort of sticky materials like tar or paint, trim away the effected area of hair or soak it with vegetable or mineral oil for 24 hours. If it is a large area, you might be better off consulting a professional groomer.

4. Preparing the patient (dog). To keep their eyes safe from suds, put a small drop of mineral oil in them. You can also place cotton balls in their ears. When using cotton balls make sure of the size if they are too small for your dogs ears they could slip down the ear canal.

5. Bathe your dog as quickly as you can. This will alleviate the stress on both of you.

Do a thorough and good cleaning, be it outdoors or indoors especially rinsing all the shampoo off.

Soap residue can cause itching and irritation to their skin. Always dry your dog off immediately. Using a pet shammy and soft towels. If your dog does not mind a blow dryer on a low setting works quite well.
Be prepared for the big shake off your dog will do. It is good to let them shake the water off, just be prepared and keep them in a small area like your bathroom to control the water going all over.

Your dog will be much happier when he/she is clean and fresh smelling, of course do not expect them to let you know they liked it. With the right preparation bathing your dog does not have to been a battle, it can be almost fun when done with love, kindness and patience.

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Pregnant Dog Symptoms - How to Spot the Best Diet For Healthy Pups

Spotting pregnant dog symptoms is not just a responsibility for those who breed dogs but for any pet owner who insists on not spaying their females. Even though females only go into heat twice a year, all it takes for a pregnancy to occur is for the right elements to be in the right place at the right time.

Because dogs will always tenaciously follow their instincts, even the most careful of owners can find themselves in such a situation. Regardless of the circumstances, if the goal is a successful canine pregnancy, then all attention must turn to the issue of providing proper nutrition.

A pet owner that makes it a point to know his or her dog well is often better at spotting pregnant dog symptoms. Nonetheless, early indicators can still be rather hard to spot. For the most part, there is a decrease in appetite or energy as hormone levels fluctuate and there are often behavioral changes to go with it.

A minor swelling in the nipples may be the only other outwardly physical sign until hormone levels stabilize and the mother to be's appetite returns. As she begins putting on weight, there will soon be the telltale signs of a swelling abdomen and teats. A trip to the vet to test for the pregnancy hormone relaxing will help determine whether or not a female is pregnant for sure.

Whereas the expectant mother previously only had herself to worry, now comes the issue of meeting the nutritional demands of her unborn pups. Those who breed dogs know that pregnancies are demanding and a female must have proper nutrition before pregnant dog symptoms ever make an appearance. For dogs fortunate enough to be on a wholesome natural diet of raw meat and bone, this will not be an issue. This is because a diet of raw meat and bone provides all the proteins, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in the exact form the canine physiology was designed to live on.

However, most dogs are made to subsist on a commercial diet that contains rendered down waste mixed with flavor enhancers and other dangerous additives. The nutrients that are often added to such a toxic recipe rarely come in a form that can be used efficiently.

As stated by Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, DVM, Esq., "commercial pet foods have repeatedly shown themselves to be subject to serious contamination and catastrophic imbalances of various nutrients."   When a mother to be is getting less than adequate nutrition, what chance do her unborn pups have? Luckily, it is never too late to switch.

There can be nothing more exciting than the day when a beloved canine companion brings her babies into the world. The sooner pregnant dog symptoms are spotted and a pet owner can start offering the proper nutrition, the more likely he or she is to see the vision of a healthy litter become reality. For all our canine companions offer us, offering a diet of raw meat and bone from the very beginning is simply the right thing to do.

Dan Scott, author of "Real Food for Dogs", has lived, trained, studied, worked and very much loved dogs for over 43 years. His burning passion for Canine Nutrition - "what your dog eats" through research and practice of natural diets for dogs is helping people the world over to have a healthy dog for life.

For a wealth of information and videos go to http://healthydogforlife.com/blog and sign up for the free controversial report.
(c) Copyright - Dan Scott. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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You and Pregnant Dogs

A pregnant dog has a full litter of puppies growing within her which will have her going through several changes. The needs for your pregnant dog are going to increase. Before the big day of delivery for pregnant dogs, it will be highly important of you to be sure she will be in tip top health condition. So if you are planning to breed your dog, it is important that you know some of the important things about pregnant dogs. Here are some of them:

Signs or Symptoms of Dog Pregnancy

Three weeks after the female dog has mated, she may have an upset stomach and may be difficult to feed for about 1 week to 10 days. You can tell if your dog is pregnant by checking her vulva. The swelling of the vulva would not go down after her heat and the vulva looks enlarged. 30 days after mating, you can have your dog do a blood test to confirm if she is really pregnant. The nipples of pregnant dogs usually develop around 5 weeks after mating. By the 5th week, the nipples should look broader and bigger. At the 21st day after mating, you can have a veterinarian perform an ultrasound test on your dog and at the 45th day, a radiograph test can be taken to check how many puppies are inside.

How long does dog pregnancy take?

The gestation or pregnancy period for dogs is between 60 and 63 days. Start counting from the day she first mated.

The Right Diet for Pregnant Dogs

On her first 30 days or first month of pregnancy, you can give your dog her normal diet as long as the food contents are of high quality. On her last month, you can switch her diet to high-quality puppy foods but make sure to change the diet over a week's time. Never give your pregnant dog vitamin supplements because high quality foods already have the necessary nutrients she needs. You should also be aware that some vitamins may only cause birth defects.

Exercise

Walking is the best exercise for pregnant dogs. It is very important that she doesn't become overweight during her pregnancy and because of her sensitive condition, walking is the only way to keep her in tip top shape for delivery.

Vaccinations

Pregnant dogs do not ever get vaccination as some shots cause abortion. Remember to give
vaccination before the breeding process so that the protection from the vaccinations can be passed on to the puppies through the mother's milk.

Whelping Box

Two weeks before the expected delivery, you start preparing your pregnant dog's whelping box. The whelping box should be deep and wide enough to house the puppies until they are 4 to 6 weeks old. Cover the whelping box with sheets, newspapers, towels, etc. Never use anything that's important to you as puppy whelping is such a dirty business.

Body Temperature

One week before the whelping starts, it is advisable that the mother's temperature is taken rectally. A normal temperature of pregnant dogs is between 100.5 and 102.5; however, 24 hours before the whelping process, expect her temperature to drop by a few degrees.

Additional Information 

Pregnant dogs that are about whelp are never left alone. Many pregnant dogs need help in giving birth to their puppies and in some cases; a caesarian may be required to save both the life of the mother and the puppies.

Click Here to learn all the information you should about birthing puppies of pregnant dogs and know all the things you should have in your birthing kit!
I love all animals but have a special passion for dogs. I have several and breed. I want to help others who share the same passion as me.
Click here and get the facts you should know about pregnant dogs.

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Essential Steps in Puppy Health Care

No doubt it is very exciting to have a new puppy at home; however this also adds a lot of responsibilities to your daily life. In order to have a trouble free breeding of your dog you first of all learn the basics of puppy health care. Just like human beings, puppies are susceptible to illness; in order to ensure that the puppy remains healthy and vibrant you may have to take certain precautions. The first and foremost thing is that they should not be separated from their mothers until they attain the age of eight weeks. This is because of the fact that puppies are protected from many illnesses from the colostrum in their mother's milk.

Find a Good Veterinarian

One of the important initial steps in puppy health care is to locate a good veterinarian in your locality with whom you can confide. It is preferable if your veterinarian has experience in dealing with the kind of breed you have. It is also essential that you are comfortable in dealing with this veterinarian. Write down his phone number and contact details so that you are in a position to contact him whenever emergency arises.

Immediately after you get your puppy, you should take him for detailed check-up; he also has to be given necessary vaccinations. You should discuss with your vet about the vaccines requirements for your dog; also ensure that your dog is given necessary booster shots as per schedule. It is also advisable in puppy health care that you get the stool sample of the dog tested for worms during your first visit to your vet.

Another important aspect in puppy health care is following a special diet for your dog; check with your veterinarian about any special diet requirement for your dog. In general, it is necessary that puppies eat more often than older dogs; puppies have to be given only dry foods to eat with adequate quantity of water. In any household there is tendency to feed the family dogs with table scraps without knowing the implications; human foods are not suited for consumption of dogs and they cause digestive problems. This also creates behavioral problems such as begging.

Getting breed specific information for a particular breed is an important part of puppy health care. You should purchase a book which gives details on caring, grooming and training the specific breed you intend to procure; this has to be done before you bring the puppy to your home. Further purchase all required materials and accessories such as crate, nail clippers, brush and chewing toys before bringing it home.

To conclude, puppy health care and baby health care are similar and both pose challenges. You should take enough efforts on puppy care to have a smooth ride. You must ensure during the first few weeks that you are in touch with a veterinarian. Educate yourself on taking care of your puppy; train the puppy after reading the books and also consulting your veterinarian. Finally, remember that your new puppy requires lots of love and affection in order to foster good health.

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Why Does Our Puppy Need Socialization?

What do we mean with "puppy socialization"?

When we talk about puppy socialization we actually refer to the first 16 weeks of the dog's life. These 16 weeks are quite important for our puppy's life and they define our dog's character in the future.

During these weeks we will develop the character and behaviour habits of our puppy and this will last for his whole life. It will define how our puppy will relate to his family, our friends, strangers, other animals and the environment where he lives.

Socialization stimulates all the senses of the dog. It introduces and exposes our puppy to the smells, sounds, sights, tastes, and touch of his everyday life. The period of socialization prepares our puppy for many different situations and things he needs to be familiar with and makes him comfortable with them. Also it prepares our puppy to deal with new challenges which show up throughout his life in the good manner.

During socialization you build a close and very special bond with your dog that will last for the rest of his life. It depends on you whether your puppy will become an adjusted and reliable member of society or not.

We have an obligation to give our puppies a whole course of socialization and training-all dogs need them regardless of breed, regardless of where we got them. (Pet shop, shelter, etc.)

There are two basic types of puppy socialization:

Active- When we introduce our dog to several things such as walks in the park, visiting new people, car rides, obedience training, etc.

Passive- Things our puppies meet and get to know by themselves, like playing with new toys, exploring the garden, etc.

Note: Before starting your puppy's socialization you should always consult with your veterinarian because the need for educating our puppy mustn't come against the necessity of keeping him safe from diseases.

Why do we have to socialize our puppy?

- The first 16 weeks of our puppy's life is a very critical period, it's when we will shape our dog's temper, character and behaviour habits. If we fail to socialize our puppy during this period it will be very difficult to change bad habits later and fix the problems he may show in the future.

- Taking care of possible problems before they appear through socialization is much easier and tempting than trying to correct them afterwards (separation anxiety, uncontrollable barking, chewing objects, aggression towards people and other dogs etc)

- Puppy socialization is very important if we want to build a strong bond with our dog, a bond we will share with him for all his life. The more time we spend with our puppy during socialization the more benefits we'll obtain in the future.

Puppies that haven't been socialized can end up being very difficult characters than puppies that received a proper socialization.

- Your puppy's socialization has a bigger influence on its behaviour that the breed he is- it is very important.

-A puppy that is properly socialized can learn, think and process problems easier than a stressed dog or a dog full of fear- in fact the latter is very restricted to these issues.

- A socialized dog can easily accept new people or new dogs, or changes (house change) or challenges.

- Socialization prepares our dog for the challenges of everyday life. Items in the house such as the TV, the dishwasher or other animals in the house such as cats and birds will be easy for him to deal with.

- Socialization also teaches your dog how to interact without problems with other people or animals and eliminates aggression towards them.

- Last but not least, socialization feeds all the dog's senses and provides him with positive emotional and mental stimulation.

What are the problems we may face if we don't socialize our puppy?
Unfortunately the number one reason why dogs are euthanized is the lack of socialization. It is really sad that this thing happens, since it's very easy to socialize a puppy.

- If you don't socialize your dog during the first 16 weeks of its life it will be much more difficult, if impossible to do it later.

- You end up with a dog full of problems that can't fit in properly in society and can't be trusted either. It is really very sad, especially for the dog that will end up living for the rest of his life in a confined space.

- Dogs that don't get socialized are often shy, aggressive and fearful of people and animals. They also aren't very good at relating with other dogs.

- Your puppy's physical and emotional health can be endangered if he doesn't receive early social stimulation.

- Changes, unexpected events or experiences are not received well by dogs that aren't socialized. We must find the balance between making them cautious and also confident to explore and learn new things.

When does the puppy start socializing?

The puppy starts socialization from the moment he comes into this world. The puppy's mother begins this process by massaging the puppy to control the elimination, also through smell, sound and body language. Also the mother teaches the puppy discipline. The puppy's siblings also help each other by playing and interacting. They all learn to inhibit their bite and they also learn the language of dominance and submission.

The breeder's role is also crucial in the first weeks of the puppy's life. He must get them used to human contact and scent. Also he must help our puppy get accustomed with basic training.

How can we socialize our puppy?

When the puppy is about 8 weeks old we usually get it home. Right after that we must start the process of socialization. We must also be careful during his first weeks at home to avoid things that may scare our puppy (a big dog approaching, aggressive children etc) and traumatize him for ever.

House and crate training, chew toy training must start immediately and it can strengthen the behaviour we desire and also stop bad habits from appearing.
We must cuddle our puppy while talking gently to it, stroke its belly and even invite other people to do so.

Some basic training and commands such as sit, down, stay and the recall are also important during the first weeks and help build up a close bond with the puppy and also keep him safe.

Involve the puppy to your daily routine, everything you do and keep a close eye to him. The puppy must get familiar with your routine and everything that happens in the house, so that he can be relaxed in this environment and things in it like dishwasher, TV and kids.

Also the puppy must get familiar with other people in order to feel comfortable with them, ideally in the puppy's environment until his vaccinations are completed.

Most of all, we must keep in mind that all the work we do in order to socialize our puppy must have fun. It's not only a task that must be completed, but it's an excellent change to watch your puppy grow and experience new things every day. So, have a lot of fun with it.

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