Grooming

How to Choose a Dog Breed That Suits Your Lifestyle

July 26, 2019 By Alina Jumabhoy

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Thinking of adding another pooch to your family?

While every dog is individual when it comes to their personality, different breeds usually have distinct traits that are unique to them. It is always a good idea to keep this in mind when choosing a dog breed, so that you can ensure that the dog you pick is one that will easily fit into your life.

What Sort of Home Do You Have?

This should be one of the first questions you ask yourself when choosing a dog breed...

If you live in a small apartment, then it goes without saying that giant breeds, from the Great Dane to the Great Pyrenees, would not be a good choice. You would be much better off with a smaller breed.

Having said that, terriers are popular small breed dogs, but they are also known for being quite noisy. If you live in a crowded area, you would be best off with a dog that doesn't have that same predisposition to excessive barking.

Yes, many giant breeds can actually be quite sedentary in nature, but they do still need space to move around. Think about when they get excited – you don't want a giant dog racing in circles around your small apartment!

Do you live in a rural area?

This does give you more choice when it comes to choosing a dog breed. However, keep in mind that you may find it harder to keep your dog clean. From dirt to bugs to sticky plants, a long-haired dog can sometimes be a nightmare to care for in a rural environment.

How Big is Your Family?

If you live on your own, and know that your family is not going to be expanding in the future, then this gives you quite a big choice of breeds.

However, if you have a large or growing family, then you need to take this into consideration.

Certain breeds are known for being better with kids than others. Labradors and Golden Retrievers are known for being fantastic family pets, but they do also have quite a bit of energy...

You may want to choose a dog breed that does not require an excessive amount of daily exercise, since your human family will be keeping you pretty busy too. However, if you know that your entire family will be chipping in when it comes to looking after the dog, then you may want a more energetic breed to be able to cope with all of those walks and games!

How Active Are You?

Are you generally quite active?

If so, you need to choose a dog breed that can keep up with this. Border Collies are known for having an endless amount of energy. The same applies to Spaniels, Huskies and Australian Shepherds.

However, even if you are quite active on a daily basis, you do still need quite a large home and garden for a high-energy breed. They require this space through the day to burn off excess energy.

If you are not very active but have enough space at home for a giant breed to roam around, then this may be the dog for you. Breeds such as Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds are surprisingly low-energy. Greyhounds are similar in a way – many require a speedy ten minute run before happily curling up on the sofa for the rest of the day.

How Often Do You Travel?

Do you travel frequently?

If you plan on leaving your pooch at a boarding facility, you need a breed that would be happy with this.

Some breeds, such as the Bichon Frise, are more prone to separation anxiety than others.

Alternatively, if you plan on taking your dog with you while you travel, you need to choose a dog breed suitable for this.

Are you and your pooch going to be flying quite regularly?

Make sure that the size and weight of your chosen breed fits in with airline regulations.

How Much Time Do You Have for Grooming?

Those long-haired and ultra-fluffy dogs may look adorable, but they do require quite a lot of upkeep.

Certain breeds, such as Poodles, the Bichon Frise and Cocker Spaniels require daily maintenance when it comes to their coat. You will need to keep them well-brushed to avoid mattes. They also require regular grooming sessions, which is an extra financial investment.

How Much Money Are You Willing to Spend on Your Dog?

Let's face it, health issues can affect just about any dog out there, no matter their breed.

However, some breeds do tend to have more health issues than others.

Fallen in love with a flat-faced breed?

Keep in mind that these breeds often have breathing problems, as well as skin and ear issues.

Other popular breeds, from Boxers to Labrador Retrievers, are also known for their health problems.

If you have an endless amount of funds to put towards veterinary care, then this may not matter. However, if your budget is limited, then look into some of the healthier breeds out there.

Are you willing to spend money on grooming?

As mentioned earlier, grooming costs can quickly mount up over a dog's lifetime.

If you are not willing to spend money on this, then choose a dog with a low-maintenance coat. Alternatively, you could also look into grooming your dog yourself. You will need to invest in some initial supplies, but these should more than pay for themselves over time.

Make a List

As you work your way through these questions, write your answers down in list-form.

You will then have a list of requirements and specifications to help you to choose a dog breed that will suit your lifestyle. You will need to spend quite a bit of time researching various breeds, and also speaking to owners that own dogs of those breeds.

However, all that effort will be worth it, as this is what will ensure you choose the perfect breed for you.

About Alina Jumabhoy

The challenge that rescue dogs provide is something that Alina always welcomes, and she never shies away from taking in and rehabilitating troubled dogs. Alina currently has four dogs, with all of them being rescues and ranging in size from a small bichon to a large pointer cross. Alina firmly believes that every dog has their own personality, and understanding this can be key when it comes to successful training.

How to Safely Cut Your Dog’s Nails

July 11, 2019 By Alina Jumabhoy

Photo by Show 131/ CC

While some dogs are able to naturally keep their nails quite short, others need to have their nails clipped on a regular basis.

Why?

Because when a dog walks with long nails that touch the ground, this causes the nail to be pushed back upwards into the nail bed, placing unnecessary pressure on the dog's toe joints. This can lead to quite a bit of pain, along with arthritis in the toes.

Nails that are too long can also affect your dog's posture and gait. This can then cause problems in the future when it comes to the muscles and joints in the legs.

Wondering how to safely cut your dog's nails?

Here is everything you need to know...

Begin By Handling the Paws

Before you can even think about starting to cut your dog's nails, you need to make sure that your pooch is happy having his paws handled.

This is a process that needs to begin long before the nail clipping. Ideally, it is something that you should start when your dog is young.

All you need to do is handle and touch your dog's paws as often as possible. Praise him for good behavior, offering up treats too.

Once your dog is comfortable having his paws touched, you can then introduce the clippers. You don't need to cut anything just yet – simply show your dog the clippers and regularly place these next to his nails. Don't forget to keep praising and treating!

Make Sure That You Have the Right Tools

In order to cut your dog's nails safely and efficiently, you will need the right tools.

Dog nail clippers come in a few different styles. The one you want to use is the scissor-style of clipper.

Why?

Because these give you better control. When compared to the guillotine-styled clippers, they don't crush the toe either. This makes the process more comfortable for your dog.

Clippers are also available in different sizes. You need to use a size that is suitable for the size of your dog and his nails.

Make sure that your nail clippers are sharp too. If they aren't, you will need to sharpen them or replace them.

One more thing to keep nearby when you start to cut your dog's nails is...

Corn starch!

Why would you need corn starch?

Because this is what you should apply to the nail if you cut the quick. The quick is the blood vessel that runs through the nail, and you should be able to see it if you look at the nail closely. You should always cut above the quick, because cutting the quick will cause it to bleed.

The corn starch will stop the bleeding, enabling you to get on with the rest of the nails.

Can't see your dog's quick?

If your dog has black nails, the quick will be harder to spot. You will need to take things slow, cutting in small amounts and keeping an eye out for a white color on the area that has just been cut. As soon as the white gives way to a darker circle in the center of the nail, stop cutting, as this is the quick.

Getting Started with Cutting Your Dog's Nails

Ready to get started?

You will need to hold your dog's paw in your hand. Make sure that you have a firm grip, but are being gentle too. Try not to squeeze the toes either, as this will only be painful for your pooch.

Then, hold the clippers at a 45 degree angle over the nail.

Rather than taking a large chunk off on your first go, start with small amounts.

As you cut, make sure that you keep inspecting the nail. As soon as you see the inside of the nail looking white, with a small black dot in the middle of it, it is time to stop, as you are reaching the quick.

You would probably be best off starting with the hind legs rather than the front. Those nails tend to be less sensitive, making them easier to cut.

Can't get your dog to stay still?

Even when dogs are used to having their paws handled, they may still struggle when it comes to having their nails clipped.

You need to be gentle but confident while doing so. Your dog will pick up on any nerves you may have, and will only struggle even more.

Giving your dog a treat each time you clip a part of his nail can help to build up positive associations with the process.

If you really can't manage on your own, don't battle your way through. You want this to be a calm and quick process that doesn't stress your dog out too much. Consider enlisting the help of a friend when it comes to restraining your dog, so that you can get the job done quickly.

You could also take things even slower, cutting just one nail a day. So long as you keep the experience positive, it won't take too long for your dog to grow accustomed to the process, and he will soon allow you to clip his nails without any problems.

Need to Cut Your Dog's Nails Even Shorter?

If your dog hasn't regularly had his nails clipped, then the quick within them will be quite long.

However, if you need a shorter cut, don't worry, as this will come with time.

Each time you cut your dog's nails, the quick will recede a little more. This means that the next time you go to cut your dog's nails, you will be able to cut them a little shorter.

Perfect Your Technique

If you have multiple dogs, or if you simply want to learn how to get better at cutting your dog's nails, you can always ask a professional for some extra advice.

Your vet or your groomer will be able to talk you through the clipping process, arming you with plenty of additional techniques to ensure that the clipping goes smoothly.

Cutting your dog's nails can seem frightening at first, especially if you have never done this before. However, so long as you take things slowly and calmly, the process is easy, and is something that you will be able to repeat every few weeks.

About Alina Jumabhoy

How to Groom an Aggressive Dog

May 22, 2019 By Alina Jumabhoy

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of Oritslama @ Pixabay

While some dog breeds barely require any grooming at all, others need this very regularly, and they don't all enjoy having this done.

So, how do you groom an aggressive dog?

Here are a few tips to keep in mind...

Learn the Dog's Triggers

Dogs are aggressive for different reasons.

For most dogs, the reason behind their aggression will be fear. This means that it is up to you to eliminate that fear if you want to groom an aggressive dog.

How do you remove that fear?

You need to take things slow.

Begin by giving the dog time to get used to you, as well as your touch. You can do this by slowly running your hands over their body, paying particular attention to sensitive areas.

Once the dog is happy with you touching him, you can then start to introduce some of your grooming tools. Let the dog have a good sniff of these first. Then, run them gently over the dog's body, making sure that the tools are turned off.

Use these tools to pet the dog, and give the dog a treat each time he does not react. Ideally, you should be treating the dog throughout the whole process.

What should you do if the dog is still uncomfortable?

Stop, and take a step back.

This whole process of acclimatizing a dog to being groomed can take weeks. This can seem frustrating, but it is so much better to spend this time encouraging the dog's comfort, rather than forcing the dog into a negative situation.

Restraints, Muzzles and Medication

You are probably thinking...

What if I don't have weeks to acclimatize a dog to the grooming process?

This is common, especially when it comes to rescue dogs who are in a bad way with their coats.

Well, in these cases, you will need to use restraints and muzzles.

Now, most groomers already use restraints on their grooming tables. These help to keep dogs still while they are being groomed, ensuring that the result is neat and even and that the dog doesn't run the risk of being cut by the clippers or scissors.

However, when trying to groom an aggressive dog, you will likely need a few extra restraints, as well as a muzzle.

You should always be careful when muzzling an aggressive dog, once again taking this as slow as possible. The muzzle you use is important too – it should be one that still allows the dog to pant, drink and accept treats, but should not enable the dog to bite. The muzzle should also be the right size for the dog – a muzzle that is too big or too small can result in even more discomfort and injury for the dog, which will only make him act more aggressively.

Try not to leave the muzzle on for too long. After all, you want to try to build up positive associations with the grooming process as much as possible.

Is the muzzle not helping you to groom an aggressive dog?

In very serious cases, you may need to turn to medication, usually in the form of a sedative.

However, this is something that should only be done under the advice of a vet.

Long-Handled Grooming Tools

Grooming tools are available in so many different shapes and sizes, with many of these featuring long handles. These are most commonly found in the form of combs and brushes.

These long-handled tools are perfect when trying to groom an aggressive dog. They allow you to reach those sensitive spots while keeping your hand far enough away to ensure that you don't end up bitten.

Don't forget...

You will still need to spend some time at the beginning allowing the dog to sniff your long-handled tools. This will make him much more receptive to the tools touching his body.

Short Grooming Sessions

Trying to groom an aggressive dog can be difficult, especially since you need to try to keep the experience as positive as possible.

One way to do this is by keeping the grooming sessions short and sweet.

You don't need to do a full groom the first time around – instead, pick an area of the dog and focus on getting that part groomed. This could be the face, the paws, the stomach, or anywhere else.

Make sure that you end each grooming session on a positive note. This usually involves plenty of praise and treats.

The more you do this, the more you will notice that the dog becomes increasingly receptive to the grooming process with each session.

Enlist the Help of an Assistant

You don't have to do it alone when trying to groom an aggressive dog.

In fact, finding someone to help you can make the whole process so much easier.

Your best bet would be finding someone who has experience in handling aggressive dogs. There are certain ways in which an aggressive dog can be held by your assistant, so that you can carry out the groom without having to worry about being bitten.

However, as you can imagine, this can be dangerous unless your assistant is well-experienced in this.

Stay Firm and Calm

Dogs quickly pick up on the emotions of the people around them.

If you are feeling nervous or unsure, an aggressive dog will take advantage of this, and will likely intimidate you even more.

While it may be difficult, it is so important that you remain firm and calm throughout the whole process.

What should you do if you are feeling nervous?

Take yourself out of the situation and give yourself a few minutes to calm down. Only return to the dog once you are feeling confident again.

If you can't seem to find that confidence, you may need someone else to do the grooming for you.

It can definitely be difficult to try to groom an aggressive dog, but it can be done. It does require plenty of behavioral knowledge, along with patience and determination, but, so long as you take things slow, it won't be long before the dog soon becomes accustomed to the grooming process.

How to Choose a Dog Breed That Suits Your Lifestyle