11 Facts All Dog Owners Should Know
Having a new furry friend in the house is a very exciting, yet somewhat overwhelming, change of pace. Canines everywhere are finding homes around the holiday season. If this is your first time caring for a pup in your home, or even if you’ve been an owner for a while, here are 11 facts you should know.
1. Dog shampoos are available in various types and scents, but many dogs are slightly allergic to perfume scented shampoos. Mild oatmeal based dog shampoos get the job done while not leaving your pooch itchy.
2. Phobias are prevalent in dogs just as they are in humans – work with your pooch to eliminate fears of thunder, water, hair dryers, vacuums, lawn mowers, etc.
3. Dogs use their tails to communicate – a wag can express aggression, playfulness, or fear. Get familiar with your pup’s tail talking techniques to have a better understanding of how your friend is feeling.
4. Deep wrinkles in dogs should be cleansed daily to avoid dirt accumulation that can cause odors, or even infection.
5. Fleas aren’t the only reason Fido may be scratching his ears. Your pup could be experiencing anything from ear mites to yeast, so bringing your itchy pooch to the vet is the best idea.
6. Mental stimulation is just as important for a dog as physical stimulation – agility training is a great way to knock out both.
7. Canines love a good car ride, just be sure your playful pal is secured to ensure protection.
8. When you point, your dog focuses on the tip of your finger versus the item you are pointing at. If you want your pup’s attention, teach verbal commands for better understanding.
9. Bored dogs create mischief. Be sure to provide the needed attention, love, and stimulation your pooch needs to stay out of trouble.
10. Table begging is usually a bad habit spoiled pups have picked up because of their success in scoring table scraps in the past. Discourage bad table manners by skipping the scrap sharing.
11. It’s a fact: dogs bark. Your pooch may be exercising their vocal chords for a number of reasons; to protect their territory, express a need, or initiate playtime. Excessive barking may either be a warning or a cry for help. Pay attention to your dog’s barking and enforce commands if needed.
Scrub-a-Dub-Dub: Bath Time for Your Dog
How to Groom Your Dog at Home
Regular grooming for your dog is very important to their health and your home. However, taking your furry friend to the groomer can get quite expensive and time consuming. Many groomers get overbooked during the holidays as well. With these few at home tips, you can keep your dog healthy and smelling fresh, making everyone happy!
Whether it is a special occasion or just time for a bath, there are many dog grooming products that can be easily used to keep your dog clean and fresh. The first step to grooming is to untangle matted fur with a good brush. If you don’t brush your pup first, the hair will become even more entangled during the washing process. Dogs with short hair probably only need to be gone over a few times with a rubber curry brush, while dogs with longer hair need to use a slicker brush or pin rake style dog brush. The next step before getting your dog in the tub is to clean their eyes, ears, and teeth. While that initially may sound like a hassle, there are many products that make that process a breeze. Dog ear, eye, and dental wipes make grooming your dog a much simpler task. They are easy to use and gentle on your puppy.
Now you are finally ready to get your dog in the tub! Make sure to choose a dog shampoo that is best suited for your dog’s coat. For sensitive skin, a hypoallergenic formula would be best, or for dry skin, an oatmeal formula would be very beneficial.
After giving your dog a good shampoo, condition, and rinse, you are almost done! Drying your dog is an important part of the grooming process. If your dog has short to medium hair, simply towel drying or using Microfiber Dog Drying Gloves will be just fine. If your dog has longer hair, you may want to blow dry their coat. Make sure the blow dryer is on a cool setting and also do not blow dry completely, as that will dry out their skin. After following these steps, your furry friend will be fluffed, buffed, and ready to go! Now that they are all clean, treat them to a new outfit to show off their new look!
How to Keep Your Dog Clean and Happy
All year round dogs find new ways to get dirty and into things they shouldn’t, especially during the summer when a lot of time is spent outside. From rolling in mud, to jumping in lakes, dogs are constantly in need of a quick bath and brushing. Trips to the groomers for baths can add up quickly. Doggie Vogue offers a wide variety of products to help keep your pet well groomed and with these few simple at home care tips, your dog can stay clean and healthy for less!
Before putting your dog in the bath, lay down a rubber non-slip mat so your dog can stand up okay and not feel uncomfortable. Make sure you have all your supplies ready before starting the water. All dogs have different types of coats, many need certain qualities in their shampoos to ensure proper coat care. With our Ugroom Dog Shampoos you can choose the shampoo to best fit your pup’s needs. For the sensitive dogs and puppies, our hypoallergenic dog shampoo is a gentle, tearless formula that leaves your dog’s coat silky and smelling great without any irritation. If your furry friend suffers from dry, flakey skin then our oatmeal dog shampoo is the perfect fix. This formula features oatmeal, lavender and cucumber extracts to moisturize and soothe itchy skin. Some dogs can be fearful of the water or try to jump out mid bath, so remember to make the bath a fun experience for your dog! Try bringing some water friendly toys in, or giving them a nice massage with the shampoo to calm their nerves.
The real hassle of doggie bath time is when it’s time to get your dog out of the tub and dried off. When your pup gets out of the tub, they most likely will give one big shake to get the water off them, this is unfortunately inevitable. So make sure you’re wearing clothes you don’t mind getting a little (or a lot) wet! Instead of trying to make your pooch stay calm and still while you dry, make it a fun game. By using our Microfiber Dog Drying Gloves you can give your dog a nice belly rub or massage while drying them with this great bath accessory. These gloves make drying your pet quick and easy with their ultra-soft, ultra-absorbent microfiber material. After your dog is dry and smelling great, your mission is complete, until your fur baby gets into the next pile of mud!
Grooming Your Dog: Bath Time!
Most dogs panic when they hear the word bath and this makes the task of bathing quite uncomfortable. Taking your dog to the groomer to be bathed can be costly, but many people are willing to pay the high grooming fees to avoid getting drenched every time they try to bathe their dogs. Giving your dog a bath doesn’t have to be such a nerve-wracking experience. If you just make your dog feel safe and secure, you will find that you will have a much easier time.
Before you begin, gather all your supplies and take them into your bathroom. You will need shampoo, conditioner (optional), dog brush, towels, cotton balls, and treats. Place a rubber bath mat in the bottom of your bath tub to help your pet feel secure. Brush your dog’s coat our before bathing to remove tangles, mats, and loose hair. You can use a removable hair strainer to prevent your drain from clogging. If you own a detachable showerhead, you may want to use that instead as most dogs are afraid of water running from faucets. This is also easier and helps save water. Put moist cotton balls in your dog’s ears to prevent water from running in. You can get eye drops that keep soap out of your dog’s eyes.
Try leaving the water running ahead of time to get your dog used to the sound before you actually put him in the tub and fill with about 6 inches of water. Wet your pet thoroughly and lather with shampoo from head to tail. Use a shampoo made especially for dogs. Never use human shampoo; it is too harsh for dog’s sensitive skin. Be sure to stay away from their eyes. If you massage and rub your dog while lathering him up, it will relax him and make bath time more enjoyable.
Rinse your dog thoroughly. Make sure to remove all traces of shampoo and get all of the hard to rinse places like his belly, behind his ears, and under his tail. Leftover shampoo residue causes itching and scratching. Rinse with one hand and rub your pet with the other, draining the bath tub while you rinse. If you are using conditioner, apply and leave on your dog for about two minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
While still in the tub, dry your dog with towels in smooth strokes to remove all of the water trapped under fur. Do not rub- this will only tangle the hair. You can use a hair dryer on a low setting to dry hair more quickly. Watch your dog when he is done; most dogs want to run and rub to get themselves dry after a bath and he could get dirty all over again. When your dog is completely dry, brush his coat out again.
Treats and praise a big key to success when dealing with dogs. Make sure to praise your dog throughout the whole process and give your dog treats when you are through. This will present baths as a positive experience. Never yell at your dog or be rough with him while bathing. This will only scare him and make him more resistant to the process.
