Posts Tagged ‘Loose Hair’
Many people might not know this, but the German Shepherd actually has 2 layers of fur to protect its body. And it is surprisingly easier to take care of than expected. The first layer of the covering which is close to the body is close-knit and soft. It provides the German Shepherd with protection, acting as a thermal coat to maintain warmth during colder months and protects it from the harmful rays of the sun during the warm seasons. The second coat of the German Shepherd, the outer coat is rougher and of a medium length.
The best way to take care of your German Shepherd is to make sure that he is getting the right nutrition he needs. The German Shepherd is, after all, a strong carnivore and you need to make sure that the food he is getting is high in protein and vitamins. The dog requires a high-protein, high-fat diet. Chicken, lamb or beef are excellent choices. If you decide to make your own dog food, be sure that it has the right balance and all of the components the dog needs to stay as healthy as possible.
Vegetables are more difficult for dogs to eat. Rather than the curved stomach like a human, dogs have a straight stomach. This can cause them to have problems while digesting their vegetables. Wheat, corn and other plant-like materials can be tough for the animal and they should only make up a small portion of the dog’s overall digestive diet. Once you are sure that the dog is getting an excellent diet, you can move on to the grooming needs.
It is usually advised that you brush your dog’s fur at least 2 times per week. You want to be sure that the oil in the fur is evenly distributed to prevent matting and tangles. You can also be sure to remove the dead skin cells and loose hair clogging the coat. A standard metal brush or slicker will work well if it is used properly. You must take care not to cause a lesion or scrape the dog’s skin while brushing.
When you start to brush, take the brush in the same direction as the coat hair. To ensure you tackle all parts of the dog’s fur, do use a combination of different brushes with various sizes of brush heads.
Based on the dog’s normal schedule, you wold probably have to bath your dog at least once or twice a month. The bathing will depend on where you live and what your dog loves to do. For instance, if your dog should love the great outdoors, it is almost certain he will necessitate a bath more often compared to dogs that prefer to stay in the house. If the dog is an indoor dog, taking a bath every few months will be sufficient.
If you stroke your dog and dust you can see dust waft up, that’s a clear signal it’s time for a bath. In addition, if he is starting to smell odorous, a bath will be a solution to that and make him far more appealing during your bonding periods. If the coat is oily, it can be a signal that it is time for a bath.
The correct shampoo is essential to the dog’s coat and condition. German Shepherds can be very sensitive to wheat and other allergic reactions, so the right shampoo can be important. For instance, oatmeal shampoo can be calming for your dog but they also cause material to collect on the coat far more easily, so you might have to bathe your dog more often. An aloe shampoo might be a good solution if you are not worried about fleas. In any case, with constant grooming, your German Shepherd is sure to look well-groomed all the time.
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
Moses Wright loves to help fellow dog lovers with their pet dog training problems whenever he is free. You can find more free German Shepherd facts and training problems resources on his site.
Dogs, unlike cats, do not sit and groom themselves by the hour. Actually, most dogs could not care less about their appearance and are happiest when they are rolling around on the ground on something stinky they have found.
Unfortunately for them, ‘essence of Fido’ is not a favorite scent of humans and wading through bales of shedding dog hair left on the furniture is very overrated. So until our canine companions totally take over, they will have to live with us grooming them and trying to keep their coats healthy and shiny looking.
Pet salons provide a full range of dog grooming services and many people opt to take advantage of their services. Prices are usually reasonable and all the mess and fuss is left to the professionals. However, for a variety of reasons not everyone elects to go this route; some do not bother grooming at all and others just do it themselves at home.
To varying degrees, all dogs require grooming. Long-haired dogs should be brushed and combed two or three times a week. Dogs with thick undercoats should have the dead hair combed out weekly. This will accelerate the shedding process and avoid hairy carpets and furniture. Dogs with shorter hair should still be brushed and rubbed down frequently to keep their coats and skin smart and healthy.
Just like any project, proper grooming requires both technique and tools of the trade. A fine-toothed comb should be used to rake fleas from the coat and for grooming soft, silky coated dogs. The shedding comb offers a skip-tooth design; its long teeth pull dead hair from the undercoat while the short teeth collect loose hair. It is also an excellent tool for removing matted hair. The undercoat rake is especially designed for breeds with thick, heavy coats and undercoats. The teeth are thick, allowing the rake to attack the undercoat while being pulled gently through the dog’s hair.
Although bathing is an essential component in keeping your dog’s coat fresh and presentable, it should not be overdone. Most veterinarians suggest bathing a dog no more than once a month. Over bathing can dry a dog’s skin and lead to hot spots and itching, which can lead to scratching and infection. If a dog is to be bathed more than once a month, an aloe based shampoo and conditioners should be used and foods and supplements with Omega fatty acids should be given to bolster the production of coat oils.
Daily examinations, though admittedly a little too demanding and time consuming for the average pet owner, are a valuable tool in maintaining a dog’s appearance and good health. The dog should be checked for cuts, rashes, fleas, ticks, bumps and burrs and other hitchhikers that might attach to the coat. These should be removed and antibiotics or appropriate medications applied as necessary. Flea allergies and contact allergies can cause skin eruptions and should be treated immediately.
It should be remembered that good skin and a healthy coat begin with a good diet. Usually, a good grade dry dog food will provide all of the nutrition and essential dietary elements necessary to keep a dog in good health. If a dog’s coat is dull or its skin appears itchy, sometimes a change in diet is necessary. However, most often vitamin or fatty acid supplements will eliminate the problem.
As mentioned previously, professional groomers are readily available and should not be overlooked if grooming becomes too demanding. In addition to bathing and combing and thinning the dog’s undercoat, they also clean the ears and clip the dog’s nails. Actually, nails should be clipped weekly and often this is a chore that neither the dog nor the owner handle well. In recent years, the traveling groomer has emerged on the grooming scene. These professionals will come to your home in their Van, which is fully equipped for grooming, and complete the full bathing and grooming process right in your own driveway.
Our dogs ask little in return for the limitless love and devotion they bestow upon us. Helping them maintain their health by keeping them groomed is the least we can do to reward their affection.
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
Paul Duxbury writes extensively on Pet Care. You can read more of his articles at Dog Care and Training and Pet Care Centre Download Your Free Dog Training Report
Dogs, unlike cats, don’t sit and groom themselves by the hour. Actually, like some people I know – most dogs couldn’t care less about their appearance and couldn’t be happier than when they’re rolling around the ground on something stinky they’ve found. Unfortunately for them, “essence of DOG” isn’t a favorite scent of humans and wading through bales of shedding dog hair left on the furniture is way overrated. So until our canine companions totally take over, they’ll have to live with us grooming them and trying to keep their coats healthy and shiny looking.
Pet salons provide a full array of grooming services and many people opt to avail themselves of their services. Prices are usually reasonable and all the mess and fuss are left to the professionals. However, for a variety of reasons not everyone elects to go this route; some don’t bother grooming at all and others just do it themselves at home.
To varying degrees, all dogs require grooming. Long-haired dogs should be brushed and combed two or three times a week. Dogs with thick undercoats should have the dead hair combed out weekly. This will accelerate the shedding process and avoid hairy carpets and furniture. Dogs with shorter hair should still be brushed and rubbed down frequently to keep their coats and skin smart and healthy.
Just like any project, proper grooming requires both technique and tools of the trade. A fine-toothed comb should be used to rake fleas from the coat and for grooming soft, silky coated dogs. The shedding comb offers a “skip-tooth” design; its long teeth pull dead hair from the undercoat while the short teeth collect loose hair. It’s also an excellent tool for removing matted hair. The undercoat rake is especially designed for breeds with thick, heavy coats and undercoats. The teeth are thick, allowing the rake to attack the undercoat while being pulled gently through the dog’s hair.
Although bathing is an essential component in keeping your dog’s coat fresh and presentable, it should not be overdone. Most veterinarians suggest bathing a dog no more than once a month. Over bathing can dry a dog’s skin and lead to hot spots and itching, which can lead to scratching and infection. If a dog is to be bathed more than once a month, an aloe based shampoo and conditioners should be used and foods and supplements with Omega fatty acids should be given to bolster the production of coat oils.
Daily examinations, though admittedly a little too demanding and time consuming for the average pet owner, are a valuable tool in maintaining a dog’s appearance and good health. The dog should be checked for cuts, rashes, fleas, ticks, bumps and burrs and other hitchhikers that might attach to the coat. These should be removed and antibiotics or appropriate medications applied as necessary. Flea allergies and contact allergies can cause skin eruptions and should be treated immediately.
It should be remembered that good skin and a healthy coat begin with a good diet. A little amount of ‘people food” goes a long way for a dog. Usually, a good grade dry dog food will provide all of the nutrition and essential dietary elements necessary to keep a dog in good health. If a dog’s coat is dull or its skin appears itchy, sometimes a change in diet is necessary. However, most often vitamin or fatty acid supplements will eliminate the problem.
As mentioned previously, professional groomers are readily available and should not be overlooked if grooming becomes too demanding. In addition to bathing and combing and thinning the dog’s undercoat, they also clean the ears and clip the dog’s nails. Actually, nails should be clipped weekly and often this is a chore that neither the dog nor the owner handle well. In recent years, the traveling groomer has emerged on the grooming scene. These professionals will come to your home in their Van or RV, which is fully equipped for grooming, and complete the full bathing and grooming process right in your driveway.
Our dogs ask little in return for the limitless love and devotion they bestow upon us. Helping them maintain their health by keeping them groomed is the least we can do to reward their affection.
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
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