10 Bath Tips For Doggie Grooming at Home

How difficult can it be to bathe your dog at home in between visits to the groomer? Probably much harder than you might have previously thought.

This all really depends on the demeanor, breed, and size of your furry friend. Professional groomers usually have specific harnesses and equipment to help them and have a lot of experience dealing with all varieties of dogs. They know what to do in instances where biting is an issue or when all the pet wants to do is get as far away from a bath as they can. Getting a pet clean can be a sticky situation.

Due to the current financial state here in the US, many dog owners have found it necessary to take a closer look at their expenses for pet-related costs. One of these budgeted items is most definitely doggie grooming. Some pets, who previously might have taken a trip to the groomer once every few weeks, are now only going every other month. This leaves a lot of time for that hair to get shaggy and those nails to grow.

Here are a few helpful tips that can help you avoid a home doggie grooming disaster and point you in the right direction.

1. Do some research on doggie grooming by asking advice from a professional breeder and reading grooming or breed-specific books.

2. Get together all essential items before you even start running the bath water. Pet soap, shampoo, towels, gloves or any other accessories should be placed somewhere that you can easily reach them when needed.

3. Purchasing a hand-held shower attachment will go a long way for making baths more efficient and less time consuming.

4. Never leave your pet alone in the bath water once the bath has started. Smaller pets can drown and any other pet could hurt their limbs by trying to jump out of the bath tub.

5. Always check the water temperature by running it over your wrist to make sure it is not too cold or so hot it will injure your pet.

6. If the telephone or doorbell rings during your doggie grooming and you need to walk away for a few minutes then take your pet out of the water and wrap them in a towel.

7. Try to soothe your pet and keep them calm while always placing one hand firmly around them to avoid slipping or falling.

8. Invest in a non-skid bath mat to prevent slips in the tub or sink.

9. Keep kitchen or bathroom doors closed tight when bathing your pet in order to avoid them running out and soaking furniture or tracking soap suds all over the house.

10. When you are done with your doggie grooming remember to dry the floor in order to avoid future accidents or slips.

If you are considering sprucing up your dog in between trips to the groomer then it is important to follow these few simple tips. Keep in mind that doggie grooming at home is not always as easy as it might seem and be careful so that both you and your furry friend stay safe and avoid injury.

Russ Barker has bathed a few dogs in his time and knows it can be an interesting experience. He is the resident blogger at DogTagArt.com, a company devoted to providing animals with fun and functional pet ID tags. We all know how crucial having an up-to-date ID tag is for making sure pets are returned home as fast as possible when they wander off. A custom dog tag with your own personal photos or art is an excellent way to ensure your pet's safe return.

What Can Dogs Eat? - 10 Human Foods for Dogs

We have posted a few articles in the past about human food for dogs and how it can potentially harm your pet. So this week we decided to look at the other side of the table, so to speak, and create a list of perfectly safe and healthy human food for dogs. Extra foods should never make up more than 1/4th of your pet's diet and should only be given to them in order to supplement their current food. The same pet food every day can be boring and you always have the option to brighten it up a little with any of the above choices along with many other safe human food for dogs.

	Pineapple - This spiky fruit contains a delicious treat for your furry friend. This is another human food for dogs that you can serve fresh or frozen. Pineapple is a great source of minerals but also has the added advantage of stopping your dog from eating their stool. Provides: Potassium, Calcium
	Green Beans - These nutritious beans are a great way to substitute a little low calorie filler to your pet's usual food. They can be served thawed or frozen; your dog will love them either way. Provides: Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Manganese
	Popcorn - This is an easy treat you can share with your pet pal in front of the television or out on the go. Use no salt or butter and be sure to air pop. Provides: Calcium, Phosphorous, and Magnesium
	Rice - Not exactly the most flavorful human food for dogs, rice can be just what your pup needs if they are experiencing stomach problems. While both types of rice a fine source of energy for your pet, white rice is easier to digest and brown rice contains more protein and less starch. Provides: Lactic Acid, Fiber, Carbohydrates
	Peas - These little jewels are a great human food for dogs. They can be added into pretty much any other dog food in order to infuse it with healthy nutrients. Dogs will enjoy them either fully thawed or froze. Provides: Potassium, Thiamin, Phosphorous
	Peanut Butter - What dog doesn’t love this creamy spread? You can just let your pal clean out the empty jar or apply a little to his squeaky toy. It will be entertaining in the very least. Provides: Protein, Folic Acid, Vitamin E
	Sweet Potatoes - Why not make your own dog treats by cutting this colorful tuber into small pieces and dehydrating? You can save money and give your dog a delicious snack that is packed with vitamins. Provides: Beta Carotene, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Fiber
	Squash - This yellow gourd can be served in many ways to your pet. You can bake it and remove the seeds or cut it into treat size portions and freeze it. It is great for the anal glands and preventing constipation. Provides: Beta Carotene, Vitamin C
	Apples - An apple a day keeps the vet away! Well, maybe not completely away but it sure doesn't hurt. This fruit is packed with vitamins and fiber and the skin is rich in phytonutrients that can prevent disease. Be sure to cut away the seeds and core. Provides: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Fiber
	Salmon - Be sure to cook this fishy snack before serving it. The micro-organisms in raw salmon can be dangerous to dogs. Salmon helps your pet build a strong immune system and can help keep their fur and skin healthy. Provides: Omega-3 Acids, Protein, B Vitamins

Feel free to let you dog try any of these as they are all very safe and healthy alternatives to just blindly feeding them from the table. It is important to keep in mind that these human foods are great to share with your dog in small portions or as a sidekick to their normal dog food regimen but should not become the main part of their diet. They all can be used to bring a little color and flavor into your pet's life.

- Russ Barker

Russ Barker is a jack of all trades at DogTagArt.com, an organization with pet safety as it's goal that creates personalized pet ID tags. To make sure pets of all kinds are returned to their proper owners when lost, they offer stunning full-color custom dog tags featuring over 500 designs as well as a "custom tag creator" that lets you use your own photos or artwork.