Dog Grooming and Maintenance

There are many reasons that a puppy may experience hair loss. In some cases it can be caused by an allergic reaction to food or its environment, while in other cases it could be because of a behavioral problem such as obsessive licking. If your puppy experiences hair loss, it is important to have it checked by a veterinarian so that the appropriate method of treatment can be prescribed as soon as possible. read more

Newborn puppies are just beginning to adapt to the outside world, so they tend to be quite sensitive to temperature and other extraneous variables. Typically within the first three to four weeks of their life, puppies are cared for by their mothers. However, sometimes the mothers become inattentive or a problem occurs while they are not around. In those instances, it is important for the dog owner to know how to care for the newborn -- particularly how to bathe it, which will also help to stimulate the puppy to urinate and defecate. read more

Mange is a condition that can affect any dog no matter how old they are. However, one type of mange attacks puppies in particular called demodectic mange. This type is caused by mites that burrow into the skin. This can understandably cause irritation like patchy skin, hair loss, sores and even oozing sores. Luckily, there are mange treatments for puppies that help clear up the condition quickly and efficiently. read more

A lightweight dog jacket may be ideal for a sun sensitive dog, rainy weather, or a short haired dog on chilly fall or spring days. Making your own dog jacket allows you to customize the fit for your dog's frame. This is especially helpful for very small or large dogs. Choose fabrics suited to your climate and weather needs. read more

If left untrimmed, a dog's nails may become long and unsightly, clicking on the floor as he walks and increasing the risk of snagging and tearing. While some dogs have relatively little trouble with long nails, other dogs suffer from ragged nails that cut their skin when they scratch. A dremel is an invaluable tool in a dog groomer's arsenal; with a little practice, you can use a dremel to trim your dog's nails. read more

Harnesses are safe alternatives to collars for taking dogs on walks. Putting on a puppy harness is relatively simple--the hardest part will be trying to control the wriggling puppy who is excited to go outside. There are several different types of harnesses, but they all work basically the same way. read more

Hot day? Want some sun protection for your dog? If you're good at origami, you'll be good at making this dog visor bandanna. You're simply folding the bandanna into a series of triangles and diamonds until is makes a secure visor to shade your dog's eyes. read more

Your puppy may need an occasional ear cleaning to remove excess wax buildup, especially if he plays outdoors in dusty conditions or swims frequently and gets water in his ears. Both of these activities can trigger excess wax production, which increases the risk of ear infections. Your veterinarian may suggest regular ear cleanings as a preventative measure. read more

Your puppy's ear health is important, and dirty ears can develop infections that may lead to hearing loss. While it's normal for a thin layer of sticky, yellowish wax to line the innermost part of your puppy's ear canal, thick wax, brown wax, debris or moisture in the ear can trigger irritation and an infection. Puppies with long, floppy ears are more susceptible to chronic ear infections. read more

After your dog has used its dog bed for awhile, it will need to be cleaned. Dogs may get their dirty paws on the bed or they may drool on it. They are also likely to shed their hair on the bed. Cleaning the bed will get rid of the dirt and freshen the bed up so that it smells good again. Each type of dog bed is different so take note of what the bed is made out of. read more

Itchy skin among dogs is a common problem that can be caused by allergies, fleas, poor nutrition or infection. Pet owners often don't know what to do to help their dogs, particularly if they don't want to pay expensive veterinary fees. Fortunately, there are a number of home remedies available to soothe dog's itchy skin. read more

Bandannas are cloth scarves worn by people to protect the nose and mouth from dust and flying particles. They are seen in historic photographs of coal miners, cow wranglers and farmers. Made from cloth squares folded into triangles, bandannas were typically bright red with black and white line designs. Traditional patterns included machined dye prints and block-printed paisley, but geometric designs were also used. Dog bandannas became popular in the 1960s. The scarves are tied around the animals' necks simply for decoration. read more

An encounter with a skunk rarely has a happy ending for a dog. The stench the canine comes away with gets even worse, if this is possible, when the dog gets wet. There are products on the market such as Skunk Off and Skunk Kleen that are designed to get rid of horrible skunk odor, but there is also a simple home recipe that can accomplish this task. read more

Dog skin allergies cause various symptoms, including loss of hair, itchy skin, ear infection, poor coat texture and hot spots on the skin. Owners often feel helpless when they see their pets in pain, but it is much easier to address the issue if the owner can determine whether or not the pain is related to allergies. read more