The Artful Groomer Blog

Its official – experts now say that walking your dog is healthier than the gym! Surprised? Don’t be. The benefits of a brisk 30 – 60 minute walk will burn nearly as many calories as an aerobic class. Why? Because dogs need daily walks for potty breaks and exercise, forcing owners to get out and walk regularly. And regular exercise is the key to a healthy lifestyle and cardiovascular fitness. Just make sure to give the same consideration to your pups walking gear as you do to your own.

Now that you know that, its time to gear up for those walks! Your dogs walking gear is as important as a good pair of walking sneakers for you. Your dogs breed characteristics and training needs will dictate the type of collar, leash and/or harness that you need for your daily walking routine. Here’s a few tips for selecting the right walking gear for your dog.

Dog Harness or Dog Collar?

A well-fitted harness is key to your dogs comfort, and your control, on daily walks

Most vets will recommend a harness over a collar for small dogs. That’s because small dogs are prone to trachea injuries, and the constant pulling of a dogs neck against a collar only increases the risk of injury. A well made harness will not only minimize injury, many adjust to provide the perfect fit and look great on your dog.

Dog Collars are a better choice for bigger or strong breeds because it makes pulling, something that big dog breeds are naturally inclined to do, a bit more difficult. A dog collar also serves as a good general training tool too, so if you’ve got a dog that has not yet mastered the art of the neighborhood walk, it will aid you in controlling and training your dog.

Dog Collars are a better choice for bigger or strong breeds because it makes pulling, something that big dog breeds are naturally inclined to do, a bit more difficult. A dog collar also serves as a good general training tool too, so if you’ve got a dog that has not yet mastered the art of the neighborhood walk, it will aid you in controlling and training your dog.

Dog Leash Options

There are basically two types of dog leashes: the traditional fixed length leash and the retractable leash. Fixed length leashes allow better control of your dog on walks and minimize leash burn (yes, they are notorious for leaving burns on your legs when not locked). Retractable leashes have their place, and are best for the casual, non-structured walk. But if you are constantly stopping to let Fluffy sniff around, you’re not going to burn many calories. Therefore, the fixed length leash is the best way for you and your dog to stay focused on your walk.

Selecting the Right Dog Harness or Dog Collar for Your Walks

There are plenty of harness and collar styles available on the market today. Your selection depends on your personal preference, along with consideration for how well your dog is trained.
If you have a dog that needs a bit more control than a dog collar will give, then a harness is the way to go. Dog harnesses are not only easier on your dogs neck, they are nearly impossible to wriggle out of – something that many escape artists are good at doing in a collar! Rather than a choke collar, which is favored among those with narrow-headed dogs that can easily wriggle out of a dog collar, a dog harness is a much kinder and gentler way of keeping your dog in check.

When shopping for your dogs walking gear, look for products of quality that are backed by the manufacturer, and allow flexibility to adjust for a good fit. After all, a well-fitting collar or leash is just as important as a well-fitting pair of walking sneakers!

Don’t forget to enjoy your walks with your dog. Walking is not only a great way to get fit and stay in shape, it’s a good stress reliever for both you and your best friend.

Like our own health, most of us do not think much about our dog’s illness until it strikes. I’ve always been a lucky dog owner. I’ve had healthy dogs that have lived to ripe old ages with little to no medical intervention. I figured that if I exercised and fed my dogs properly and took care of their immunizations and other preventive care like heartworm, all would be well. However my lucky streak finally ran out when one of my dogs developed urinary tract stones that required surgery for removal.

The experience was pretty darn stressful. It all started when Tilde began having accidents all over the house. At first, I thought that she was displaying dominant behavior (marking) with our foster dog. But then she starting straining to pee, and when she did pee it was tinged with blood. I panicked, and after a $300 trip to the emergency clinic (that revealed nothing) and a $650 surgical procedure, I realized that if I had done just a few things differently, I could have saved 1) myself some money, and, 2) my poor Tilde from going through a battery of unnecessary tests.

Here’s what I suggest all dog owners be mindful of when dealing with an illness:

Be aware, and make note of differences in your dog’s coat, demeanor, gait, eating and elimination.
You know your dog better than anyone. The way you approach your dog’s health should be no different than the way you do your own health. When you don’t feel well, you make note of your symptoms, address them as best as you can on your own, and if that fails to resolve the situation you see your doctor, right? After a series of questions about your symptoms, your doctor will make a recommendation – either to do a series of tests if the symptoms indicate more than one potential issue, or specific tests if the symptoms more clearly describe a particular malady. The more descriptive and specific you are about your symptoms, the quicker and easier it is for your doctor to diagnose your illness. Well, the same goes for your dog.

For example, it was very clear what Tilde’s symptoms were. Because of my worry, I took Tilde to an emergency clinic. I provided a detailed description of when and how she was urinating (or trying to urinate). The attending Vet named a plethora of other potential problems, and recommended some blood tests to aid in the initial diagnosis. Now, had I done some homework up front, I would have questioned that recommendation and asked about an alternative course of action. But because I didn’t and was overwhelmed with worry, I just followed the Vet’s lead instead of actively participating in the decision-making process about her care.

Reseach, Research, Research!
There is valid info out there on dog health that you can learn much from, so long as it’s a reputable source.Prior to any hospital or vet visit, do some research so that you are literate about the potential problems your dog may have. Look for articles that are written by vets, and have images illustrating the symptoms (when there are visible indicators).
If you “Google” your dogs symptoms, you’ll find dozens of sites with good information. But don’t jump to conclusions about a diagnosis. If you find that 70% of the research you do indicates the same potential illness, then that will guide you in your visit to the vet or clinic. This is the knowledge that you need to talk intelligently with your vet about your dog’s diagnosis so that you can get the answers you need to understand the problem, or make sound decisions about your dog’s treatment.

Take an Active Role in the Treatment of Your Dog’s Medical Care.
I can’t stress enough how important it is that you actively participate in the decision process regarding your dog’s medical care. It’s not about what’s right or wrong. It again goes back to knowing your dog, and clearly articulating to your vet his/her symptoms so that the most accurate diagnosis and treatment can be made.

To use my situation as the example, the attending vet at the hospital was confused by Tilde’s initial blood test results, and indicated that she might have diabetes or a plethora of other issues that I have since forgotten, not to mention a high-cost ultrasound for the stones. I was advised that Tilde should be tested for all these different issues to properly address the problem, and because I was distraught and love my dog, I was ready to submit to all those tests to ensure the proper diagnosis. $300 later, I realized that I should have authorized only one – an x-ray – because it was the most appropriate for her symptoms, and would have revealed the stones that were causing the problem. Since there was nothing life-threatening at the moment (although they certainly made me feel like it was!), we could have continued with other tests once the x-ray was evaluated. Instead, I left the emergency clinic with little more than I had when I arrived, beyond what I already thought – that Tilde didn’t have diabetes or any of the other illnesses that were suspected – and I was determined that I would manage the next day’s visit with Tildes’ vet much better.

When we arrived at the vet the very next day, the same recommendations for testing were made. It was suggested that Tilde receive a few tests rather than just an x-ray. I diplomatically asked if we could just proceed with the x-ray, and then depending on the results, decide from there how to proceed. Tilde’s vet was super – he agreed to the approach, and once the suspected stones were confirmed, surgery for their removal was scheduled the next day. I saved around $200 in unnecessary tests that day – and my dog received the medical care she needed.

Congratulations! So you’ve made the commitment to add a puppy to your family and are shopping for puppy collars. You are off to a good start because your puppy’s collar is an important part of your puppy’s training, safety, and grooming.

With so many types of puppy collars on the market, it’s hard to decide which type of puppy collar will be right for your pup. So here’s a short list of things to consider in helping you find the right collar for your puppy.

• Adjustability. Puppies grow fast, so getting a puppy or dog collar with room to grow is an important feature. You will eventually need to buy another collar to accommodate your pup’s growth, so look for a collar length that your puppy can wear for at least 6 months. A collar that increases by at least 4″ will allow for growth while providing a good fit.
• Comfort. Some Puppies take to collars right away, and others need time to adjust to wearing a collar. It can be funny to watch your pup try to wriggle it’s way out of a collar, but if the collar is lightweight, soft and flexible, s/he will quickly become accustomed to wearing it. Stay away from stiff materials that do not bend or give.
• Safety. Puppies, just like kids, can get into all kinds of mischief, so you want a dog collar that has a quick release buckle should you need to remove the collar in an emergency. Unlike buckle collars, a quick release won’t snag as easily as a buckle collar will.
• Training. The collar and leash are essential training tools for teaching your dog certain commands. A properly fitted collar is important for puppy training. You should be able to fit two fingers comfortably through the collar when on your puppy’s neck. Choke and martingale collars are more suitable for adult dogs and are helpful where traditional training methods have failed.
• Grooming and appearance. There’s nothing more unsightly than a worn and smelly collar on a freshly bathed or groomed puppy. So get a washable collar in materials that will hold a fresh scent. Collars come in many fun designs and colors, so shop for one that suits his/her personality – and yours!

It’s shedding season, and all of you with dogs that shed know it, because there is dog hair everywhere in your home! It seems to happen suddenly and with no warning.  You find yourself vacuuming and sweeping up after your dog nonstop, with no end in sight.  So what can you do? Well first lets talk about why and when your dog sheds. Then we’ll talk about how you can manage it.

Why a Dog Sheds
You all know the most common reason for shedding, and that’s when your dog’s sheds his/her heavy winter coat in the spring. There are a few other reasons dogs shed:

• Adult females that are unaltered shed when in heat.
• Puppies shed their puppy coat for their adult coat.
• Stress. Yes, just as humans can lose hair when stressed, so too, do dogs.
• Dry skin or a damaged coat. Dogs that are bathed frequently or with a heavy detergent-based shampoo may get dried out and lose the natural fatty acids that help maintain a healthy and conditioned coat.
• Dogs with a medical condition, such as sarcoptic mange or a yeast infection will lose hair.

Brush your dog outdoors to avoid flyaway hair dander in your home

Keeping Your Dogs Shedding in Check
Lets focus on the common causes of shedding, as they can all be treated at home using similar methods without the aid of a vet or dog groomer. Keep in mind that seasonal shedding cannot be eliminated – it’s a natural process that no drug or treatment can stop. But you can do a few things to keep it to a minimum so that you and your dog can live harmoniously during his/her shedding period.

• Mark your calendar! Shedding is much easier to control when you know its coming and you are prepared. Think of it like preparing for any season. A snowstorm is much less stressful if you’ve got everything you need should you be snowed in, right? So start checking for the signs of shedding by giving your pup a good coat rub. You will know by the amount of fall out that the glorious season of shedding has begun.
• Carve time out everyday to brush your dogs coat. 5 minutes or less should do it for most dogs. Concentrate on the back, sides, chest and particularly the hindquarters. No time for brushing? Give your kids (or the neighborhood kids) an incentive by giving them extra Xbox or TV time for the one who can brush out the most hair. But by all means, do it outdoors -  after all, it’s the indoor hair that’s driving you nuts!
• Use the proper brush. A bristle brush is not going to do much good on a dog with an undercoat. Bristle brushes are best for use on short coats. Use a coat rake on really long coats (but be careful of the pressure you use), or a pin head brush (your dog groomer can recommend one that will work best on your dog’s coat).
• Give your dog a good massage using a rubber curry brush at least once a week. The rubbing will not only relax your dog, it will remove a lot of the hair without the risk of over-brushing and damaging the skin.
• Bath and condition your dogs coat once a week before and during shedding season. Note: be sure to use a conditioning shampoo in addition to a conditioning treatment following the shampoo. Those that are best are the ones that contain Omega3 and 6 Fatty acids. There are also supplements on the market that can be added to your dogs food that contain these acids and vitamins A and E – all good for promoting a healthy coat.
• Use a de-shedding tool. There are many on the market that make it easier remove dead hair.
• Step up your visits to the groomer. If you don’t have time to bath & brush your dog, cutting the coat very short will lesson a lot of the shedding. Your groomer can also provide a good de-shedding treatment along with your regular groom at a minimal charge.

Your dog has just been groomed and is looking like a million bucks, but his/her collar looks quite the opposite  – tattered edges, ground in dirt, and a tad tight with the addition of a few pounds – so you decide that it’s time for a new dog collar.

Rather than go to your local pet store where the collars lack variety or personality, you decide to go with something a little bit more fashionable and unique – after all, your favorite pooch is a one-of-a-kind! So you you start with a search online, where anything and everything for dogs can be found.

This fashion flower dog collar from theartfulcanine.com is unique with its red jeweled charm.

After your first Google query you realize that this is not going to be easy. Your search for “fashion dog collars” returns over a million results. That’s because there are over 250 sites that offer dog collars online today! You could spend all day searching for a dog collar. So let me offer up a few tips:

• Decide what dog collar features are most important to you, such as price, comfort, durability, looks, or use. Ideally, a dog collar that has three or more of the attributes you seek will make the best choice for you and your furbaby!

• When shopping for price, steer away from designer collars unless you’re prepared to plunk down some serious cash. Ralph Lauren charges $495 for his alligator dog collars! You can find smaller sites often offer their own designs starting as low as $10.

• If it’s comfort you want, nylon dog collars are the perfect choice for both comfort and durability. They are lightweight, mold nicely to the contours of your dogs neck, and are practically indestructible. Collars with quick release buckles are secure and more comfortable than metal buckles, and won’t get hot when exposed to the sun.

• If durability is your main requirement, any well-made leather or nylon collar will be a good choice. Leather is probably the more durable of the two, although not as easy to keep clean as a nylon collar. If the seller does not offer a guarantee, then keep shopping until you find one that does.

• If you view your dogs collar like clothes, look for a fashion dog collar that is not only unique but affordable, allowing you to by two buy two or three for the price of one. That way you can swap them out when they need to be washed so that your dogs collar will always be fresh and clean! Fabric fashion dog collars come in many patterns and colors and wear well when backed by nylon. There are many handcrafted dog collars available today which are not only unique, but durable and affordable. Many are priced under $20.

• Ask for recommendations from your dog groomer, or friends that own dogs. They are likely to steer you to a website or brand of product that meets all of you and your pups needs, saving you the bother of wading through dozens of websites and product pages.

Happy Dog Collar Shopping!

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OK, everyone, here’s one dog lover’s opinion on Marley and Me. I recently watched it on PPV, and I am glad I didn’t go to the movie theater to see it. Why, you ask?

• Too many blonds (Marley included).
• Too emotional (I don’t like leaving the theater in tears).
• Can’t touch Sounder.

I guess it beats “Plague Dogs”, which is the only other movie I could find that starred a Lab. That’s it. Rant on, readers!

There are many topics on dog health and beauty that I could have written for my first post, but I have decided to keep it “real” with something that is near and dear to my heart, and part of my profession – making the not-so-beautiful dog, beautiful. Most of the dogs I groom are far from AKC perfection. They are just sweet, cute “furbabies” that need a good bath and coat cut and are for the most part, attractive dogs.

But what about the dog that has beauty issues that are a bit more challenging? I happen to be fostering one of those dogs. His name is Toby, and I foster him through the Schnauzer Rescue of Florida. He is a Mini-Schnauzer that has a strange physique (that the vet has assured me is not a health issue). He is bone-thin, yet has a big belly and two big fatty tumors on his butt. His ears are thick and heavy with scar tissue.  He gets around fine, and can be a joy to watch when he’s happy and boucing around like a pup, but when you pet his back or sides it’s a bit unsettling because all you feel are his ribs and bones.

Toby’s a not-so-beautiful dog that I want to make as beautiful and appealing so that potential adopters will see his picture and go “Awwwww, isn’t he cute. Let’s adopt him!” I think we are on the path to getting him there, and would like to know you think!

Our foster pup, Toby

So what am I doing to “beautify” Toby? Well, with each groom I work on specific areas of his coat. For example, rather than shave his torso short as is done with most mini’s, I leave some length to hide the ribs and fatty tumors. It seems to work, because no one really sees his ribs – until they touch him. I also cut as short as possible under his belly, and leave the chest area longer to give the illusion of a nice “tuck-up” as they call it in the grooming industry.   The stains around the beard have been pretty much impossible to remove – I’ve used every grooming trick I know of.  It will eventually grow out, so long as he doesn’t have any bacterial infections or allergies.  And he has beautiful light brown eyes, which I am trying to accentuate though the shape of his brows and a Green Diamond Artful Canine Dog Collar. An attractive fashion dog collar goes a long way in making a dog look and feel good!

Too bad that we are so fixated on looks – even in dogs – that the not-so-beautiful canines remain unadopted in shelters and foster homes. Someone prove me wrong and give this beautiful dog a home! For info on Toby and all other rescue dogs up for adoption, visit Petfinder.com or your local county shelter.

I will be posting other dog grooming, dog care, and dog beauty tips in future posts on this blog.