Older dogs can be suffering trying to Work in small sections and alternate chew on rotted teeth. Bacteria and toxins between your brush and comb. Using the from infected teeth can affect their overall comb sideways, you can work small mats out health. Examine your dog’s teeth and gums. of the coat. It helps to separate the mats Do they look healthy? Have their eating habits with your fingers. Use your rake for tougher changed? Head-shaking and facial swelling tangles. Use your scissors, or a mat splitter, often indicates an infected tooth (or other is- carefully cutting downward, away from the sues) and can be painful. Bring your dog to skin, through tough mats. TheraPet, LLC the Veterinarian pronto.

Brush and comb down to the skin, Keep ears clean and dry. Check them not just the topcoat. Pick up the legs, ears, at least once a month. If you smell any "foul" and tail. Don't forget underneath! On longer, odors, or your dog scratches his ear exces- double-coated breeds, brush the coat against sively, rubs it against the floor, or tilts his the grain. This will lift and separate the coat. head to one side, see your Veterinarian. In- Grooming fections often settle deep within the ear canal This is a good time to check your dog’s and need to be treated immediately. Use a skin for lumps, bumps, warts, ticks, fleas good otic solution (e.g. Novalsan, Oti-Cleanse, and/or other possible skin conditions. For Health Malcetic Otic by Derma-Pet). Apply liberally into the ear canal. Massage the base of the Check between the pads of the & ear gently. Clean accessible portion of ear paws. Trim excess hair under the paws & with a CLEAN, dry terry cloth, cotton ball or around the pads. Use your finger to ease hair Self Esteem pad. Leaving a cotton ball in the ear for a up from between their toes. Trim excess short time (if the dogs allows this) helps to hair. If you prefer, trim unruly hair around absorb excess liquid and wax. Wrapping a ears and face. A thinning shear gives a more terry cloth around your finger to wipe outer natural look on some ears and paws. Use Awareness portion of the ear only helps. Do not poke your snub nosed scissors around the ears and Education too deep with your finger or Q-tips. Dry the eyes for safety. Use common sense and a ear thoroughly. Allow your dog to "shake-out" keen eye to give your dog an overall neat Relationship the excess solution. Put the shake on cue by appearance. Well-being shaking your hand back and forth. Moisture breeds bacteria that can cause infection. Grooming our dogs can be a pleasant, Dusting with an antiseptic powder after clean- rewarding and bonding experience. The ear- sing is optional, but may help prevent infec- lier you begin desensitizing the better. For tion. many people, grooming is a work-of-art. Dog Talk Training and Wellness Sanctuary Brushing: Begin with the appropriate For practical purposes and overall well- brush for your dog’s coat and texture. For being healthy grooming is a MUST. If you are 24 Tenney Road example: use your slicker brush by gently multi-tasking, stressed out or simply choose Pelham, NH 03076 parting and brushing the coat. Praise your dog to have someone groom your dog; GREAT! (603) 635-DOGS (3647) for standing calmly and accepting this. Re- Search around, ask questions and ensure that member, breathe and focus on positive behav- this grooming professional, and the environ- ior while at the same time setting the bounda- ment where your dog will likely spend several ries. It’s important to groom your dog and hours, is the best possible choice! Dog Talk Media © All Rights Reserved this is a task that can be pleasurable or drive you nuts! You want this to be a pleasing ex- perience, without challenge! I look marvelous! Grooming is essential for Health and Keep first grooming sessions short In white nails, you can see this fine Self-Esteem. A well-groomed dog is healthier & sweet. Keep one hand on your dog for pink line. In black nails, trim a little at a and aesthetically more pleasing to the eye. reassurance and to prevent scrambling for time. A circular pattern that resembles the People love to muzzle nuzzle, hug, and walk escape. Talk calmly, massage her ears and bark of a tree appears when you are getting proudly beside them. They naturally get more sides, all the way down the legs to each toe. close to the quick. On the back of the paw, attention, which increases socialization and en- Brush a little, praise and do it again. Do this under the nail is a meaty like section. This hances self-esteem. A well-groomed dog looks several times a week (daily if time permits). is the blood supply. If you misjudge, don't better, feels better and walks proud! You will discover that most dogs love the panic. You will only upset the dog. Apply a sensation of being brushed, if it is done gen- "styptic powder or gel (my favorite)" Your dog's coat is his crowning glory! tly, correctly and with appropriate tools. immediately. Stay calm. The bleeding will Gleaming hair with a lively, resilient bounce stop. Remember to cut the dewclaws, sets off your dog's fine qualities. A healthy, Mouth / Ears / Nails: In addition to which grow above the paws on the inner leg. shiny coat (coat applicable texture) is an indica- the above daily routine, gently touch (or These never have a chance of being worn tor of good health & nutrition. massage is even better) your dog's mouth, down. They can curl around and cut into the rub the ears and again, the paws. Get him skin. Coat and skin care start from the in- accustomed to having his mouth opened for side with a complete and balanced diet. In inspection. This will assist in making toenail Brushing your dog's teeth alleviates addition to quality food products, exercise and clipping, although not always a favorite past- tartar build-up and promotes healthy gums. regular veterinary wellness care ensure a time for dogs, a more pleasant one. A dog's lifespan ranges from 10 to 15 years. healthy dog. If you didn't have your teeth cleaned or Nails should be clipped on a regular brushed for that amount of time, how would Brushing and combing are essential to basis. Few dogs get enough exercise on your teeth look, if you had any left? How a healthy and more. It eliminates mats and rough terrain to keep their nails naturally would your breath smell? It would be pretty tangles, removes dead hair, dirt and burrs. worn down. Overlong nails spread the paws grim. Brushing distributes the natural oils, producing which is painful and, in extreme cases, crip- a healthy skin tone. pling. Neglected nails can snag fabrics, Adult dogs accumulate tartar deposits rugs, human skin, and cause injury by get- along the gum line of their teeth. This Establish a grooming routine as soon as ting torn off! How often you trim depends crusty material should be periodically re- your puppy or adult dog comes home. First, on the dog’s activity level and necessity. moved or your dog will have foul breath, receding gums and may lose teeth prema- remember to breathe. Grooming your dog turely. while stressed is inappropriate especially for Use commercial dog nail clippers/ puppies who cannot process these emotions. files. Trim the nails as often as needed with Dog biscuits and dry kibble can help Save your back by using a bench or table a good "quillotine" or "plier style" clipper. keep teeth and gums healthy. Nylabones, that does not wobble and is of adequate height The "plier style" clipper, with two cutting Gumabones and hard cow bones help. How- and size. A rubber bath mat provides a non- edges, work best on large and giant breed ever, you need to check the teeth on a regu- slip surface for your dog. Plus, it resembles the dogs. lar basis. Brushing and scaling on your own conditions that your dog encounters with Pro- is a choice. Depending on the dog, daily is fessional groomers and veterinarians. Se- As the nail grows in length, so does great, weekly is good, and monthly is okay. cure your dog on the table and let him know the blood supply. A vein runs about three- Otherwise, have your Veterinarian do it pro- fessionally with an ultrasonic cleaner (the that this is grooming time. Be firm while mak- fourths of the way through the nail. Be best). ing it pleasant. Be active, but not strained. careful not to cut this vein called the

Never leave your dog unattended on the "quick". It is difficult to trim a long nail to Using a solution of warm water, baking table. For larger breeds, a step-up stool will its normal length, at one time, without caus- soda and a little peroxide on a terry cloth assist getting the dog on and off without injury. ing bleeding. Trim a safe amount and repeat wrapped around your finger or on a soft You want this to be a pleasant experience, so trimming at 7 to l0 day intervals. The blood toothbrush, brush in a circular motion you will both enjoy doing it often! supply should recede. Gradually reduce the (Mentadent works well or buy a pet tooth- nails to their normal and safe length. paste formulated just-for-dogs! 