One of the worst things that your dog can pick-up outside can lead to some serious problems. Fleas are disgusting parasites that feed on your dog and a severe infestation can be started with just a couple of the tiny little bugs. According to an article on AnimalPlanet.com titled, “Home Remedies for Dogs with Fleas,” by Shanna Freeman and Dr. William Fortney, the authors explain the horrific negative effects of fleas on your dog—and on you.

Fleas bite your dog, which can lead to severely itchy and irritating lumps. Your dog may also be incredibly sensitive to the saliva of fleas, and even just one bite can lead to flea-allergy dermatitis (FAD). This is a condition is which the raw, bitten skin becomes even more susceptible to bacterial infections and your dog may develop hot spots, which are areas of infection on the skin that can continue to spread. Fleas also carry parasites and tapeworms, so it is a very good idea to try to eliminate a flea problem the moment that you think an infestation has occurred.

Treatments

You can find over-the-counter products that you can buy for your dog’s fleas or you can go to the vet to get prescription medications. The medications that you get from your vet will be much more effective than the stuff that you buy from the store. Prescriptions will also work a lot faster and will be safer for your dog’s delicate skin. There are also natural, home remedies that can work to kill the fleas and get rid of the eggs so that no more fleas are produced. Natural options include:

• Vinegar
• Lavender Oil
• Cedar Oil
• Organic remedies that you buy from the vet

If you opt to use vinegar, you should do so after you wash your dog with a mild dishwashing soap or baby shampoo. Then, apply a mixture of vinegar and either lavender oil or cedar oil, and leave this product on the dog for at least 20 minutes. Afterwards, wash the mixture out thoroughly and then use a flea comb to comb through all of your dog’s fur. You should get as close to the skin as possible, to loosen up eggs and dead fleas.

If for any reason your dog seems to be in serious distress after applying the flea repellant, like is he is shaking or drooling heavily, call the vet immediately. You should also wash all fabrics in the house and vacuum carefully to get rid of any fleas in the home.

Flea & Tick Medications
http://www.mrchewy.com/b/flea-and-tick

How to Groom a Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu’s are originally from Chinese descent. During the 1800’s, they were prized house pets for the royal families throughout the Ming dynasty. They are best known for their coat of thick hair that requires constant attention. Caring for a Shih Tzu involves the grooming of its flowing coat – as well as its ears, nails, and eyes. Learn how to groom a Shih Tzu at home using just a few basic tools and easy-to-learn techniques.

Shih Tzu modeling for you

1. Fill a water bottle with warm tap water and spray the Shih Tzu to dampen its coat. Gently brush out any matted hair or tangles. Use a steel brush with thin teeth for the long outside coat and a soft brush for the dog’s undercoat. Brush the dog’s coat in layers, starting from the bottom and working your way towards the top. Brush two to three times per week for cottony-haired dogs and weekly for silky-haired breeds.

2. Wash the Shih Tzu with a shampoo formulated for your dog’s specific coat. Ask your local pet store or veterinarian for product suggestions. Take care to remove dirt and sand from the dog’s coat, especially in the facial area and around the eyes and mouth. Focus washing on the feet and legs of the dog where dirt tends to accumulate. Use a toothbrush to carefully wash small, delicate areas. Rinse thoroughly and use a dog conditioner, if desired.

3. Pat the Shi Tzu’s coat dry with a soft bath towel. Brush the dog’s wet coat to separate the hair and dry his coat with a blow dryer. As you dry with the blow dryer on the lowest setting, use a slicker comb to brush out the hair and any tangles you come across. Try to separate large matted areas of hair with your fingers. Apply a small amount of conditioner to these areas to help work out difficult tangles. Shih Tzu’s should be bathed once every three weeks to maintain cleanliness and aid in the grooming process.

4. Part the Shih Tzu’s hair in the front using a slicker comb once the dog is completely dry. Use a small pony tail holder or rubber band to tie a topknot on the dog’s head to help keep the hair out of his eyes. Most Shit Tzu’s are ready to sport a typically Shih Tzu topknot once he reaches five months of age. Comb the topknot and mustache each day. As you do this, gently wipe the dog’s eyes to prevent buildup.

5. Trim the Shit Tzu’s nails as needed, but at least once a month. Use nail clippers designed for use on small breed dogs. Shih Tzu’s are prone to various dental problems, including gingivitis and plaque. Brush the dog’s teeth at least twice per week with toothpaste specially formulated for dogs. Consult with your veterinarian about ear and eye care, as this breed is susceptible to ear and eye conditions. Check for signs of irritation in these areas as you groom your pet.

Whether you already have a Shih Tzu or you plan to adopt one, it’s important to learn how to groom a Shih Tzu the proper way. These sweet, yet headstrong dogs can be challenging to care for. Due to their hair type which is similar to that of human hair, the Shih Tzu requires regular grooming to maintain a tangle-free coat. While professional grooming every six to eight weeks is one option, it can be costly. Consider doing this job yourself with just a few simple tips.

Dog Grooming Tips

There are many steps that go into grooming a short haired dog. This can include Labs, Greyhounds, Great Danes, Jack Russell’s, and Weimaraners. Any dog with this coat needs basic maintenance about every two months. I would like to outline the steps taken to keep your dog in tip top shape with these easy dog grooming tips. I will also include links to the products that I recommend using.

Prep Work

1.)    Clean ears with cottons balls and ear cleaning solution.

2.)    Trim and file nails. (Here is a pet safe dremel to use on smooth your dogs nails: http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-7300-PT-4-8-Volt-Pet-Grooming/dp/B003TU0XG4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332815456&sr=8-1)

3.)    Brush well with a Zoom Groom by Kong Dog brush. Removing the excess hair first makes the bathing process a little easier.                                                                   (http://www.amazon.com/KONG-ZoomGroom-Dog-Grooming-Raspberry/dp/B0002AR1A0/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1332815508&sr=1-1-catcorr)

Bath Time!

1.)    Thoroughly wet your dog and gently massage in shampoo. My favorite to use is anything that contains Oatmeal. The Kong comes in handy during this process ass well because you can use it to massage the shampoo into the skin. You want to think of washing the skinn not just the coat.

2.)    Rinse thoroughly

3.)    Apply a conditioner and massage in. Let sit for 2 minutes and then rise.

4.)    Rinse out your dog’s eyes with an eye rinse. This helps to rinse out any shampoo you may have gotten into your dog’s eyes, as well as dislodge any debris such as loose hair that may be in there.

5.)    In a professional grooming salon you can use a force dryer (a high powered blow dryer) to blow out water and hair. This comes in handy if your dog is shedding a lot. If you do not have this available to you, dry your dog as best you can with your towel, then blow dry on a cool setting if your dog will stay still for it.

Other tips and tricks.

1.)    It is best to wet your dog in the direction of tail to head, that way you get the water and shampoo all the way own to the base of the coat.

2.)    Pet stores sell bath mats that are slip resistant, and also pet safe restraints to keep them from jumping out of the tub.

3.)    Specialty shampoos are great, but the best to use is the basic hypo-allergenic or oatmeal shampoo.

4.)    Do not bathe your dog 2 days prior to, or for one week after putting on a topical flea medication.

5.)    If you have a dog that sheds a lot, the Furminator tool is a great investment.