Sunday, July 15, 2012

Dog Collars




Dog Collars as we have all known are worn by dogs for various intentions, may it be for training, walking, identification or even for fashion purposes. Since a lot has been having a hard time telling what kind of collar should be used for the right activity, I've created this post to enumerate 6 kinds of collars with their corresponding usage.  I hope that this could at least give you an idea of what kind of collar your dog needs.

  1. Choke Chai
    1. Choke chains – This kind of collars are also known as choke collars and are only use for dog trainings. The short length leash makes it easier for trainers to tug the dog when making corrections during trainings. Though using Choke chains makes it easier for trainers to control over their dogs, it was still not advisable to use such chain since this could damage the dog's neck. If ever you wish to use such collar, use it with great caution and never leave your dog unattended.



  2. Metal Prong Collar
    Metal Prong Collars – Also known as pinch collar and like the Choke chains, this kind of collar is only used for training purposes. This is quite helpful for trainers whose dogs are stubborn with tendency to pull leash. Made of metal, a prong collar consists of links with small metal prongs facing inward that sit against the dog’s neck. When the lead is pulled, the metal links come together and apply pressure to the dog’s neck. This kind of leash is quite painful or cruel, using this requires a lot of caution and knowledge.



  3. Martingale Dog Collar
    Martingale Collars - Also know as limited slip collars. This collar is used by owners to prevent their dogs from slipping out of their collars while walking on a leash. Though the collars tightens with a tug on the leash, there is a stopping mechanism to prevent the collar from tigtening too much on your dog's neck. These kind of collars are normally and are suited for Sighthounds, but can also be used to different breed of dogs.



  4. Everyday Collars- These kind of collars are the most basic collars for dogs, these are normally used by ordinary dog owners for everyday-stroll-in-the-park moments with their pets. Collars with metal buckels and leather collars are just some example.
    Leather Collar
    Spike Collars






  5. Head Dog Collar
    Head Collars- This kind of collar act more like a harness for your dog;s head. If your dog tries to pull or lunge forward, the collar transfers the forward motion into turning the head sideways. This immediately discourages the activity without any undue stress to the animal. You could also use this to restrain biters and calms boisterous dogs.




  6. Dog body Harness
    Harnesses - these are designed for placement around a dog’s chest and abdomen, crossing over the back. A leash can be attached to the top of the harness. Some dog owners prefer harnesses over collars, especially for dogs with a tendency to pull, because they put no pressure on the neck. Some trainers feel that harnesses only encourage pulling and that leash-and-collar training should be enforced. Harnesses are ideal for dogs with medical problems in the neck and airway.

Dog Leash and Harness on Ebay*

*Ebay Philippines

Saturday, July 07, 2012

How to Clean Your Dog's Ear


On my last post I've mentioned the 5 basic Ways of Dog Grooming, one of which is cleaning our dog's ears. Most of us are having a hard time doing this because we knew that a dog's ear is one of the most sensitive body part of our beloved pup. Dogs have no interest in having their ears cleaned Cleaning their ears sometimes freaks our them out and makes it more harder for us to do this task.

Occasionally, it's a good idea to clean your dog's ears. But be careful - you don't want to overdo it and set him up for future ear infections.
So basically, this post would give you some instructions and tips in cleaning your lovely dog's ear at home.*

*If your dog is susceptible to ear infections and gets them often, leave the cleaning to the professionals. If not, and you just want to remove some of the gunk, here are some simple ideas to get the job done.


3 ways of cleaning your Dog's Ear:

  1. Using Baby wipes
  2. Using Vinegar and Alcohol
  3. Using commercial ear wash solution

Cleaning Techniques:

1. Get your Materials ready
You’ll want to have all your supplies handy so you can devote your full attention to the dog and not get distracted looking for the wayward cotton balls.

2. Start with the Rubbin'
 Start your dog’s ear cleaning with a good belly rub and soothing words. This will relax your dog and let him or her know that ear cleaning times are not so bad. 

3. Proceed with the cleaning
  • Using Baby wipes
    • Place a fresh baby wipe on two fingers and gently swab the dog's ear, taking care to only clean the areas that you can see. As the wipe gets soiled, fold it over and continue wiping with a fresh section or a fresh wipe. Do not rub too hard, just a gentle sweeping of the area.
  • Using Vinegar and Alcohol
    • A solution of one part vinegar, one alcohol and one part water works well as both a cleaner and a preventative. Follow the same procedure as using the baby wipes but of course, replace the wipes with cotton swabs.  Make sure to let the dog shake out the excess liquid. Do not use if you suspect the dog has an active ear infection.
  • Using commercial ear wash solution
    • Place a small amount of the solution in your dog’s ears,  Starting from the outside and working in, you’ll clean out all areas of the ear that you can reach.  Let the dog give a good shake which will help loosen debris inside the ear. Repeat  wiping the ear as often as needed, working from the inside out with a fresh cotton ball, until no more wax is seen on the cotton ball.

After finishing your dog's ear, don't forget to shower him with compliments and pamper him with treats! :)


TIPS: Cleaning your dog's ears is simple so long as you use a gentle hand and do it as needed. Give him a good rub behind his ears and work your way to the actual swiping, this will ease the transition and won’t startle him so much.

Purchase a Dog Ear Wash Solution now*:






















*products are only shipped free within the Philippines

Sunday, July 01, 2012

Dog Grooming 101

Ever watched your dog roll on the ground, lick her coat/fur or chew at a mat on her fur? These are our pet's way of keeping clean. Sometimes, though, they also need extra help from their owner to look and feel their best!



Dog grooming is one of your dog's basic needs and an important part of dog ownership. Dog grooming is very important. It keeps your dog clean, healthy and manageable, plus it also keep our dogs away from viruses that causes them to have infections. 

When we say Dog grooming, most of us think of having our dog visit the Dog salon or Spa to have our pets clean, but always remember that  Dog Grooming - not just for High-Class Citizens. Dog Grooming is for every kind of pet dog you could  a high-maintenance diva, or a scruffy, low-maintenance tough guy.

This article covers basic at-home grooming and ways to make the process more pleasant for everyone involved especially for our pets who sometimes give us hard time in grooming them.



Hair Brushing



Hair brushing is not only limited to long-haired dogs, brushing is for every kind of dog. Hair Brushing does not only to make their hair smooth and soft, but this was also proven to help stimulate blood flow and make your pet feel relaxed.  Stimulating the skin with brushing promotes proper oil distribution to the coat, which is essential to a shiny, healthy look and feel. 






Because they need some brushing to look stunning:








                                                           Dog Brush Pet Comb Pet Hair














Bathing

Bathing Your Dog not only transforms him into a more pleasant-smelling companion, but promotes skin health and a shiny coat. Some of our pet dogs act goofy when they were put in the tub to be bath. They may start wiggling and bouncing over the place, and tend to nip at bath time. If this sounds like your pet, put a toy that he may play with so your pet can focus on the toy rather than on mouthing you.

Their fur serves as their crowning glory that's why it needs to be shiny and odor free :














Nail Trimming



Most dogs dislike even having their paws handled and know how much it hurts when nails are cut too short. Dog owners like me are often uncomfortable with the process for fear of hurting my dogs. Dogs will develop an aversion to nail trimming once they experience pain from it. The best way to avoid this is to learn how to trim nails correctly and exercise caution. To avoid having your dog being upset with nail trimmings, have your pet being used to having his feet being touched before you attempt a nail trim.






When shorter becomes better:












Tooth Brushing

Offers more benefits than the obvious. In addition to curbing doggie breath, it stimulates blood flow to the gums, removes plaque and tartar, and prevents gum (periodontal) disease. Your dog's teeth are important - because to date, effective doggie dentures have not been patented. 








To remove stubborn things such as tartar and plaque off your dogs' teeth:



















Ear Care

Your dog's ears can be a haven for bacteria and yeast if not kept clean. Some dogs can go their whole lives without ear problems, and the only routine ear cleaning needed is during the monthly bath. Other dogs have chronic ear disease and require multiple cleanings a day.

Keep them clean up to their ears:










  Farnam's Sulfodene Ear Cleaner







 Every pet deserves a good grooming! :)