Dog Grooming Tips to Keep Your Dog Looking Great

When you groom your dog, you keep him clean, healthy, happy and make a good relationship with him. Other than keeping his skin, coat, teeth, ears, and feet healthy, you also become familiar with his body thus noticing earlier if there is anything unusual which needs attention.

In order to efficiently groom your dog, you need to have a piece of knowledge on essential pieces of equipment as well as the whole process.

So, here is a guide which will give you an insight and take you to the route to apprehend how to become a dog groomer.

Brushing

Fur Trimming

Bathing

Cutting Nails

Teeth Cleaning

Ear Care

Eye Care

Skin Issues

Conclusion

What Happens When a Dog Eats Coffee?

Most of us just can’t even imagine a day without having coffee in the morning. And if you are a coffee person, it’s quite normal for you to drink 3-4 cups in a single day! I mean, for coffee lovers like us, it mostly stands for energy, inspiration, creativity and many more.

But what about our pets? Do they feel the same level of craze as we feel for coffee? Well, the craze part is normal, but the main question is, is the coffee good for your fluffy dog friend?

Many of you aren’t actually aware of what happens when a dog eats coffee. That’s why some owners aren’t careful enough to keep their canine friend away from coffee. To let you know the circumstances, I’ll be filling you in on what will happen if your dog eats coffee.

So, let’s get started!

Can They Eat Coffee Beans or Drink it?

The obvious answer would be NO. Your dog should never ever consume coffee in any means. That being said, we all know how dogs can goof around and do stuff that they aren’t supposed to.

But as an owner, you would have to take care of your dog and be there in case of an emergency. Consuming coffee is one of those scenarios. It’s because coffee can be really toxic for your furry pet. So, when we can enjoy the wonderful blessing of coffee easily, our pets cannot.

When it comes to coffee beans, a mere two teaspoon could be toxic for your dog and can lead be many other health complications.

I’ll be sharing all the details on this. Hopefully, you’ll be able to avoid any kind of bad situations in the future.

Do you like coffee? You may also like Daily Cupo!

Why is Coffee Poisonous for the Dog?

Coffee is a wonderful stimulant for us and helps us work throughout the day without feeling tired.

However, for dogs, coffee does the exact opposite. It can cause some serious damages to their internal organs right after it’s consumed. Let’s see what they are:

Heart:

After the caffeine gets mixed in the bloodstream, it slowly increases the heart rate of your dog. The excessive heart rate increase makes the heartbeat in a hazardous way. The worst part is that the heart starts to beat irregularly after some time.

According to a study, only 25mg of caffeine can make your dog’s heart go into ventricular fibrillation. V-fib is not a good heart rhythm and increases the change of cardiac arrest to a great extent. So, your dog could have a heart attack if he consumes too much and is left untreated.

Kidney:

Caffeine puts too much pressure on the dog’s kidney. These are closely related to the bladder and coffee consumption could make them pee a lot than usual. This could result in possible dehydration, which will further stress the kidneys.

If the dog overeats coffee, then his kidneys could even fail along with renal failure.

Central Nervous System:

Coffee will excite your dog too much, and it will affect the CNS pretty badly. If you see your dog acting really restless and run around like crazy, then it already affected his CNS.

It could result in pacing, muscle tremors, seizures and the most dangerous one – coma. The dog’s body will try to reject the toxicity, which will make him vomit and induce diarrhea. If it reaches the lungs, then it can paralyze them and make him stop breathing.

What’s the Lethal Dose Rate?

Dogs can absorb coffee really fast, faster than us. That’s the irony. But the issue is, what amount can be lethal for your dog? According to doctors, the toxic dose for your dog is 140mg per kg. This means that, if your dog has a weight of 3kg then it would only need 420mg.

This might seem like a lot to you, but it’s not that much for your dog. A strong full jug of coffee will have 140mg caffeine in it. Do remember that it will depend on your dog’s weight. So, if you have a small dog, then it would take less caffeine to toxicate him.

However, don’t think that your dog is safe as long as it’s lower than the lethal amount. With a smaller dose, your dog will start to show neurological and minor symptoms that can make him sick.

So, stay alert at all times.

Major Symptoms of Coffee Poisoning

You can’t watch your dog 24/7. There might be some time where your dog could sneak in and eat coffee beans. Sometimes coffee grounds are too tasty for your dog, and he could go through the trash to eat it. So, how will you ever know if your dog is in distress before it’s too late?

You should look out for these symptoms. It could occur within minutes or could take twelve hours to develop. Either way, always keep a close eye on your dog.

• Fever
• Hyperactivity
• Panting
• Increased urination
• Vomiting
• Pacing
• Diarrhea
• Increased blood pressure
• Pupil dilation
• Muscle tremors
• Bloating
• Unquenchable thirst
• Seizures
• Fatigue
• Coma

If you see your dog having a seizure, then the dose could be lethal. You should go to your vet immediately. In fact, if you see any of these symptoms go to your vet and treat your dog.

Treatment Process

Regarding coffee consumption, you’ll have to seek help immediately. If you want treatment to be effective, then it should be done within 2 hours of consumption. This is kind of time-sensitive task. The more you wait the least likely your dog will survive.

So, upon noticing rush to your vet as fast as you can. After that, the vet might induce vomiting to get rid of the coffee from the stomach. Once the vet makes your dog vomit, he might give your dog charcoal. What activated charcoal does here is that it absorbs any toxin that is in the bloodstream.

Even if you don’t know what caused the poisoning, activated charcoal will help. After that, your dog will get IV fluids to deal with dehydration from the vomiting. If everything goes smoothly, it could take a day to get all the caffeine out of his system.

So, be prepared for that from beforehand.

Preventing the Disaster

Obviously, prevention is the smart choice. If you are a coffee lover you should always store your coffee in a safe place where your dog won’t be able to reach it. Also, avoid throwing your coffee in the garbage.

Also, make sure your dog doesn’t drink the coffee you just made for yourself in the morning.

In The End

As an owner, it’s your responsibility to safeguard your dog in every way. So, always be prepared for the worst and keep a close eye on your pet. You might think that small dosage won’t harm that much, but beware because dogs are oversensitive when it comes to caffeine.

Coffee might be your best friend but not your dogs. That’s why make sure your dog never consumes coffee in any way.

A Complete Guide on When to Take Your Dog to the Vet     

We love our pets and want nothing but the best for them. Apart from giving them a nutritious meal and a daily dose of exercise, we often need to take them to a vet. Barring the routine checkups, it’s really a judgement call to figure if a particular symptom or sign is important enough to be taken seriously.

Why Even Seemingly-Trivial Symptoms Can Be Serious?

Here’s the thing when it comes to pets there is no such thing as trivial symptoms and signs. For example, a lethargy, which is often confused as laziness, can be a sign of heartworm disease. Coughing at night may be a sign of heart problems.

Now, because dogs cannot express how they are feeling explicitly, it’s your job as a pet parent to keep a lookout for the subtlest of signs and seek out help from a qualified professional.  Early detection and administration of prescription dog medications can help you treat a lot of serious health conditions and diseases, which would otherwise be life threatening.

Ignoring seemingly-trivial symptoms can be dangerous because it prevents early detection. Symptoms that seem more dangerous such as fainting, vomiting, coughing blood and others only appear when the condition has progressed at which point treatment becomes more complicated.

Are Regular Vet Checkups Necessary?

It really depends on your dog’s health and age. If you have an elderly dog, then routine checkup every 6 months is a good idea. A healthy young dog, on the other hand, can be taken to the vet’s office once every year. Most veteran pet parents club the annual health checkup with vaccination dates to save time and effort. Long story short, you need to take your pet to the vet for a wellness checkup at least once every 12 months.

Vets conduct a full physical exam, which includes checking the eyes, ears, gums, teeth, stomach, anal opening, and other parts for clues of diseases and problems. Vets also check the heart for murmur and arrhythmia using a stethoscope. Vets may prescribe medical tests if he or she suspects a particular symptom or sign deserves further investigation.

What Are the Signs That Indicate the Need for Immediate Veterinary Attention?

Follow the golden rule, which is to always consult the vet when in doubt about a particular sign or symptom. With that being said, there are certain symptoms that demand immediate attention. When you spot these signs waste no time and rush your pet to the vet’s office. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it serves as a good starting point.

Dry Vomiting: Dogs vomit sometimes and it’s usually safe to ignore it if it happens once. However, dry vomiting also known as unproductive vomiting can be a sign of serious health problems such as GDV and gastric dilatation.

Gum Discoloration or Abnormality: Gum discoloration may be an indication of a lack of oxygenation, which in turn is a sign of fatal conditions such as congestive heart failure. Poor oral health and gum infection can also lead to organ failure.

Seizure: When it comes to seizures, one is one too many. Seizures can be caused by a range of different diseases right from Lyme disease to epilepsy. Even if your dog has a seizure for a few seconds, go to the vet’s office for a thorough check up.

Know How Dried Mealworms For Birds Can Be Composed As The Best Meal!

People, who either pet various birds, or who love welcoming their garden guests with all sort of care, definitely know about mealworms! As we all know the love of birds for insects, people now have a lot of easy, healthy and tasty alternatives to feed these pretty chirpers around them. Mealworms can be generally fed to the live insects or the birds in roasted or in dried form.

These live insects are highly preferred as their movements easily catch the eyes of the birds, however, a hungry and sharp one will also find the dried ones within no time. A greater benefit that comes with the bulk dried mealworms for birds is that you can easily serve them combined with fruits or seeds and make a perfect meal for your birds. Want to discover more? Here is every detail about such dried mealworms.

Why choose dried ones over the living mealworms?

Just like we can’t get all the desired nutrition for our body through a single food product, it is extremely essential for the birds too, to get a good and balanced nutritious diet. Thus, feeding them always with mealworms is not a good idea.

What comes as a great benefit with the dried mealworms for birds is that you can easily get it combined up with other food items that the birds love, and can prepare a full meal for them. Moreover, in the case of real ones, you can definitely not put the live mealworms in a bowl of fruits, right? Thus dried ones are extremely useful.

Another general, funny but important thing is that you may love to pet a bird, but it’s not always cool for you to keep on looking for live mealworms around your home to feed the birds. No one has the time to actually scratch around their backyard, collect the worms and make a meal for their birds. What is better? Purchasing a container of dried ones which can be easily fed and preserved for longer!

Dried Mealworms, Everything You Need to Know

What are the major benefits of serving and mixing dried mealworms with seeds?

• It’s extremely easy- dried mealworms are easily available in packet containers at any of the bird food stores. You can find them at very reasonable rates as and when you want. Just grab them, put them into a bowl, mix it up in an adequate amount with the regular seeds, put them in a hopper feeder or in a tray and see the birds showering their love on it.
• Dried ones are extremely nutritious– Dried mealworms for birds contain an extremely balanced amount of fat, fiber, and protein that is needed for a better health and progression of the birds. Thus, to keep the birds fly higher and flaunt their great health, and amazing feathers all across the sky, whether it’s a pet bird or not, just always feed them with the dried worms.

• They appeal to the natural diet of the birds– petting a bird can sometimes turn around as extremely difficult because, they might not love the food that you give to them initially, however when it comes to mealworms, they are naturally attracted to this food. It is a significant part of their natural and regular diet. Thus, no bird will ever say no to the dried mealworms and eat them with full cheerfulness.
• Attracting a huge variety of birds– if you love to spend your evening in your garden, with a cup of coffee and lots of chirping, then definitely Dried mealworms for birds, are going to help you out a lot. A lot of species, who are largely attracted to mealworms, will see the food, and come to your garden eventually. Winter species contain some birds like chickadees, woodpeckers, nuthatches, American Robin and occasional bluebird that are extremely fond of mealworms. So, you can even expect to get a glimpse of them.
• Your dried and freeze worms will not run around and mess it all up- definitely, the dried mealworms are much easier to handle, and take care of. You don’t have to feed the worms themselves to keep them alive. Thus, the dried ones can be easily stored into a container, put in the fridge and can also be hydrated easily through a bit of nectar or water when you are about to feed them to the birds.

Thus, in every way, dried mealworms for birds are a better alternative than the live ones. You will neither feel guilty about killing the living ones nor will starve your birds due to unavailability of food. At the end of the day, when you return back to home after a full hectic day of work, you can always feed your birds with the dried mealworms by adding a few fruits and seeds that make their day much better and healthier. So, go to the store and find out the best-dried mealworms for birds today!

Can Dogs Eat Pickles?

Because of their popularity as a companion, few people know that gherkins are considered healthy foods. But Can dogs eat pickles as humans can, and are gherkins safe for dogs? What are the health benefits of dog marinades and are there any side effects? Let’s take a look.

If you’re wondering “can I give my dog pickles,” the answer is: it depends. Gherkins (or pickled cucumbers) are not toxic to dogs, but they are also not the safest treatment.

In general, gherkins are not overtly harmful to dogs, but they are not necessary for dogs either. And although they can have health benefits, it’s not just about giving dog pickles that every pet owner needs to know.

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What are pickles?

Gherkins are vegetables that have been stored in salt water or acidic liquids for long-term preservation from deterioration.

The term “pickles” can refer to several different vegetables that have been pickled. However, cucumber is the most common vegetable associated with marinating, which is often marinated in dill brine, garlic, and spices.

As such, most people refer to “pickled cucumber” by mentioning pickles. This is what we will cover in this article about the benefits and side effects of pickles for dogs.

Here is what gherkins (or pickled cucumbers) look like

What do pickles look like

This miracle food dates back to 2030 BC BC where early travelers discovered pickled cucumbers with just two ingredients: salt and water.

Can dogs eat pickles? 6 potential benefits and 5 side effects
Pickles are not toxic to dogs. However, they are not a recommended treatment for your dog, and there are a few reasons for this.

That said, pickles have healthy nutritional benefits for them. They are an excellent source of several vitamins and minerals:

– Vitamin A
– Vitamin K
– Potassium
– Magnesium
– Calcium
– Iron
– Fiber

In theory, these vitamins and minerals would be a great pleasure to give pickles to dogs. So let’s first explore the potential benefits of pickles for dogs.

6 Potential Health Benefits of Dog Gherkins

1. Vitamins A and K.

Vitamin A promotes healthy eyes in dogs, while vitamin K helps regulate normal blood function and strengthen the bones of the dog’s body.

2. Potassium.

Potassium is an important electrolyte mineral that helps maintain cardiac function, digestive health and overall well-being in dogs.

3. Magnesium.

Magnesium is another essential mineral needed for proper heart function, bone health, calcium absorption and nervous system regulation in a dog’s body.

4. Calcium

As with humans, calcium is also essential for strengthening bones and teeth in dogs, as well as the health of the dog’s coat and nails. This mineral also promotes nerve function, digestion, hormone release and healthy heart function in dogs.

5. Ironing

For dogs, iron associated with the consumption of protein creates hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the red blood cells of the dog’s body. It is also necessary to help some enzymes work properly in dogs.

6. Fiber.

The fibers regulate the digestive system in dogs, which promotes the strengthening of the immune system. It can prevent fat gain, constipation, and bloat in dogs.
“So can I give my dog ​​pickles then?”

Technically, you can, but do not rush to turn your dog’s meal into a pickle festival.

In theory, it looks good. However, once the cucumber has been “marinated”, the vegetable loses a lot (though not all) of its nutrients. In order to provide your dog with most of these nutrients, it is always best to give non-pickled cucumbers instead.

Why are pickles not a good snack for dogs? Because they may contain other toxic or unhealthy ingredients for dogs. Let’s take a closer look.

Can Dogs Eat Pickles – 4 Important Safety Instructions

More on Pickles for Dogs
4 Important Safety Precautions
Pickles may not be toxic to dogs, but that does not mean they are completely safe.

Due to the stripping process indicated in the studies and the foods contained in marinating, pickled cucumbers can harm your dog’s health.

Here are the reasons why:

1. Pickles contain large amounts of sodium.

Pickles are extremely salty because they are kept in a sour brine that consists almost entirely of salt. Salt does not add anything to your dog’s diet.

In fact, salt (or sodium) promotes dehydration and excessive thirst in dogs, as in humans, which can lead to frequent urination.

High blood pressure can also result from feeding your dog too much pickle. Therefore, if you must give your dog pickles as a treat, feed them in very controlled quantities.

2. Excessive salt can cause pancreatitis.

There are more problems with pickles and salt for dogs.

Dogs that regularly consume high-sodium foods, such as pickles, can develop pancreatitis, an inflammation of the canine pancreas. The pancreas becomes unable to function properly and breaks down sodium and fat.

This condition is very painful for a dog. The stomach becomes painful and painful and the dog can walk in a hunched way or refuse to move. Vomiting may occur if the dog tries to eat.

Canine pancreatitis is very common and often results from a poor food choice.

A dog with pancreatitis must be hospitalized and given intravenous infusions, pain relievers, and antibiotics to treat the disease. Prompt treatment for canine pancreatitis usually leads to complete healing, although the dog should avoid foods high in sodium to prevent the disease from recurring.

3. Pickles may contain spices that are forbidden to dogs.

Today’s stripping process has “improved” and contains more than just the three ingredients. It can often include garlic, white vinegar, and onions, which should not all be in your dog’s food as they are toxic to dogs.

Garlic is toxic to dogs. It causes vomiting, gasping, high heart rate, blood in the urine and weakness in the dog when consumed in small amounts.

White vinegar can cause gastrointestinal disturbances in dogs, including diarrhea, gas, and vomiting.

Onions are toxic to dogs and can cause a disease called hemolytic anemia. The red blood cells are damaged by the toxicity of the onion and burst. If the condition is very advanced, the dog will require hospitalization and blood transfusions.

Of course, look at the list of ingredients before choosing pickles for dogs. Ideally, it is best to avoid them completely, but if you must, always pick pickles that contain nothing but the three main ingredients.

4. Even without accompanying spices, pickles can cause digestive disorders.

Spices are not the only reason that gherkins administered to dogs can cause stomach upset.

The more you feed your gherkins, the more likely they are to cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs, including diarrhea, constipation, and stomach upset.

In the end, this is not worth the risk of giving dog Pickles.
Are there any real side effects of giving pickles for dogs?

Pickles themselves have no side effects in dogs, except the precautions above, unless they are administered to an excess dog. However, it is always best to give your dog fresh cucumbers and avoid pickles.

Are there any real side effects of giving pickles for dogs

Summary:

Can I give gherkins to dogs?
Technically, you can give gherkins to dogs if they do not contain any additional ingredients.

However, it is not recommended and it is better to opt for cucumbers instead.

Although pickles alone are not toxic to dogs, their presence can be dangerous. High levels of sodium and ingredients such as onions, vinegar, and garlic, which are often used in marinating, can have disastrous effects on your dog’s health.

Better alternatives exist if you want to give your dog a healthy snack.

How to Help an Anxious Dog Sleep Better

Even if you have tons of love for your pooch, his anxiousness in the middle of the night isn’t particularly helpful to your sleeping pattern. In this case, the chances of you getting a good night’s sleep depend greatly on helping your canine fall into deep slumber.

A restless dog can be a nuisance especially when you want good quality sleep after a long day at work. To handle this situation and enjoy a quiet night, here’s what you can do:

1. Create a Good Sleeping Environment

It helps to make sure that your beloved pooch has his own comfortable place to sleep in. Instead of snoozing on your sheets, he should be sleeping on a good quality dog bed complemented with a warm blanket. The location of the bed should be as peaceful and quiet as possible to help your pup drift off to peaceful slumber.

• Consider buying a thoroughly cushioned bed as padding can make your dog more comfortable through the night. Introduce your pooch to his new bed by leading him there with treats.
• Place the bed in a warm but well-ventilated location. Your dog should be comfortable enough not to feel too cold or too warm.
• If you can’t find a low-lit area to place the bed, consider using blackout curtains to keep light levels down during the day.

2. Develop a Routine

Setting up a consistent daily routine will help your furry friend recognize when it’s time to hit the sack. Before and after you go to work, try to take your dog for a walk at the same time each day. Then, do the same with his mealtimes and feed him a few hours before bed to help him digest the food.

Stick to a routine so that you can keep the hour before bedtime as calm as possible for your dog. Avoid any exciting activities and giving excessive treats, and ensure your pup has done his business before bed so he won’t need to come out in the middle of the night.

3. Give Plenty of Exercises

Exercising your anxious dog during the day can lead to an evening of uninterrupted slumber. Depending on your pup’s size and breed, he should spend at least 30 minutes to two hours a day for exercise. Generally, the larger the dog is, the more exercise he will need.

A simple long walk for a few hours before bedtime is a good way to ensure good sleep for both you and your dog. You can also let your pup play with his dog toys, but do this inside a pet play pen if you don’t want your dog destroying furniture.

4. Check For Any Medical Condition

If exercising doesn’t work and your pooch is still restless at night, consider helping him with some approved calming aids. These are easy to find, but it’s crucial that you get your vet’s approval first. Canines have a different bodily system and they may be affected distinctly by calming aids.

A dog struggling to snooze may be suffering an underlying health condition. This is usually the case for an older dog who didn’t usually have problems sleeping. Take your pooch to the vet and discuss any changes in his appetite, behavior, movement, and sleeping pattern.

5. Examine your own sleeping habits

Are you sure you aren’t a bad sleeper? Having poor sleeping habits yourself can affect your dog as well. By being consistent with your own sleep schedule, you can help your pooch with his. For instance, if you go to bed at 2 a.m. one night then 10 p.m. the next day, your dog won’t recognize when the right time to sleep is.

Give your dog comfort

A dog who’s full of anxiety and can’t fall asleep, sometimes, only needs your love and comfort to feel relaxed. Try to sit with your dog and invite him to lay beside you. Pet your pooch and speak to him in a calm tone so that he’ll feel at ease.

If your dog isn’t sleeping well or is out of character at night, do something about it. Keep in mind that problems won’t go away if you don’t find out the root cause.

AUTHOR BIO

Farah Al-Khojai is the Managing Partner of Pet’s Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a Bsc in Government from the London School of Economics. She is always on the lookout for new opportunities to develop and grow the pet and equestrian retail and wholesale market in the UAE and beyond, and is proud to be at the helm of the first and the largest pet care provider in the market representing world-class brands including Orijen, Applaws, Hunter, Savic, Flamingo, Ruffwear and Rogz.

Long-Haired vs. Short-Haired German Shepherds: All You Need to Know

German Shepherds are a wonderful breed, one of the most popular among families and police work. These dogs are brilliant, great looking, have good manners and are good with humans in general.

But there seems to be always a matter of confusion when it comes to new owners. Most of you may or may not know that there are some variations when it comes to German Shepherds. No, they aren’t only a single type, but there is long-haired version too.

Unfortunately, long-haired ones aren’t as much popular as short-haired ones. But why? Is there any difference between these two lovely GSD types? Today I’ll be concluding the battle of long-haired vs. short-haired GSDs. Let’s see if there are any profound differences between these two.

 Obvious Difference: The Coat

Judging by the name you already guessed what the first difference would be. One of them has a shorter coat and another a bit longer coat. In spite of the length differences, they have similar coat colors. Another fact is that the long-haired version isn’t recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club).

So, for that, this dog isn’t allowed to participate in any kind of dog show. The AKC acknowledged the coat of the long-haired species to be faulty. Due to this reason, this variation isn’t bred as much as the counterpart.

Regardless of everything else, long-haired ones are still considered purebred.

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Major Differences between Short-hair and Long-hair German Shepherds

Well, you already know by now that one of them has a shorter coat and other has a longer coat. But that’s not the only difference between these two. The exciting part is that the coat length does affect other elements of these two dogs.

Let’s see what they are!

Weather Adaptation

If you are thinking about long-haired German Shepard being more suited for cold weather, then you would be dead wrong. Even though they have long hair, which should protect them from cold weather, still it doesn’t.

It’s because short hair GSD has an undercoat that’s quite wooly and waterproof. This undercoat provides them with extra protection and works as an insulator in cold weathers. On the other hand, long hair GSD has only a single layer of the long coat without the undercoat. That’s why they can’t sustain cold weathers as much as short-haired ones.

So, if you live in cold weather, then you should rethink if that would be good for your long-haired friend.

Worker Dogs

As I said, earlier long-haired shepherds don’t have the physical robustness to handle any weather scenario. As a result, these aren’t bred to work like short-haired ones. You already know how short-hair shepherds are really popular in the police force.

They work as a service dog, guide, police dog, military dog, etc. To do this kind of work, you would need the ability to be tough and sustain anything. Unfortunately, with long-haired, you won’t get that. These are more of a softer type and go well with any owner who wants to cuddle with their dog.

On the other hand, short-haired ones seem a bit more sophisticated than the long ones.

Temperament

The difference of coats also influences the behavior of the dogs. As short-haired ones are bred to have a working output, these are more focused and show a significant amount of disciplinary. These are also quite reserved when it comes to a stranger or some strange activities.

On the other hand, long-hair Shepherds have a slightly better personality than typical ones. As they don’t have those working dog characteristics, they seem to have a more eagerness toward pleasing and making their owners happy.

So, they would be a bit more loving to have instead of short ones. However, this type of temperament doesn’t have any scientific backup. But years and years of owners experience makes this call more prominent.

If you want a new loving pet, but unsure of typical German shepherd behavior then you could go for long haired ones.

What About Shedding and Grooming?

You might think that both of them have different lengths of hair so that they might have a different level of shedding. Well, that’s not the case here. Even though the long-haired one only has one layer to think about, on the other hand, short-ones have double the coat.

But the shedding does have a little difference, not a major issue. The double coating will shed a bit more than the single coat throughout the seasons. Typically this happens in the summer times when the deep coating isn’t needed for insulation. They shed their deep thick layer for a lighter layer, and during winter the lighter layer is replaced with a thicker layer.

But on the other hand, long-haired ones will shed a lot too. Don’t think that a single hair will stop them from shedding. However, you might see less hair left around the house. When they shed hairs, they all get trapped with other long hairs, making it look like they don’t shed at all.

But once you brush their coat, you’ll realize they aren’t that much behind then the typical ones.

It doesn’t matter what type of GSD you have; you would have to groom them pretty regularly. Even if you see hair all over the place, tangled hairs on the coat could become matted, which can lead to loads of problems.

Especially for long-haired one, you need to maintain the brushing to ensure you got all the fallen hair out. Also, regular brushing could solve the problem of a massive pile of hair around the house.

Short-hair or Long-hair: Both Are Lovely Dogs to Have

Now that you know the main difference between these two types of GSDs, you can easily make the call. But I have to say, even though they have their differences, both of them are German Shepherds. This means they will share a lot of common grounds with each other.

As you already know how popular the typical German Shepard is, you can easily count on the long-hair one too. Whatever the hair length may be both of them are an intelligent and loyal companion. It would depend on your choice in the last.

How To Cut Your Dogs Hair: A Step By Step Approach

Grooming your dog is essential in maintaining his healthy and clean state. On top of bathing and brushing your dog, it is vital to give him an occasional hair-cut, especially if he is the furry type. The duration between the cuts will depend on the kind of dog and how fast his hair grows.

Creating and keeping a pet grooming table will assist you to keep your dog calm and still while you are making your dog look good, as advised by experts. Note that not all dogs need a hair-cut, and for those that do, this simple practice can be done from the comfort of your home.

Reasons For Cutting Your Dog’s Hair

• Cleanliness. It gets easier to groom a dog when the hair is not extremely long. The main reason for grooming your pet is to keep him clean and smelling nice. Shampooing gets more comfortable with manageable hair length.
• Keeping pests away. Cutting the dog’s hair helps prevent the existence of pests and inhibits their spread. This, in turn, enhances the health of the dog by reducing the chances of infection from pests like fleas and ticks.
• Ease of hearing and seeing. Sometimes the dog hair grows long until it covers the dog’s eyes and ears. This interferes with his sight and hearing and can be very uncomfortable for him. Regular hair-cuts will remove the extra-long hair and let your pup be at ease.

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Factors to Consider Before Cutting Your Dog’s Hair

As mentioned, not all dogs need hair-cuts. For those that do, so many things vary.

• Hair length. Long hair is cut differently from short hair, and the tools used on long hair vary from those used to cut short hair. Long hair is best cut using scissors while short hair is easy to trim using a grooming clipper.
• Hair texture. Some dogs have soft fur while others do not. Different fur textures tangle differently and demand different attention details. Dog clippers usually slide over soft fur and may not be the best for the job. Scissors, on the other hand, are manually operated and can cut any hair type.
• Experience. Depending on your level of expertise, some tools are applicable when cutting your dog’s hair. Clippers are easier used by not-so-confident groomers because with scissors a small distraction can cause harm to your dog.

Cutting Your Dog’s Hair Step By Step

The most important part of trimming your dog’s hair is preparation. Depending on your dog’s hair type and length, gather all the requirements; clippers, dog grooming scissors, a comb, rounded safety shears, thinning shears, dog brush, warm water, shampoo and hair drier. Set up a working spot and ensure all the tools are handy.

Prepare your dog psychologically by talking to him and letting him know it is grooming time. Most dogs may get ballistic at this time, and it is essential to give them time and positively reinforce them so that they embrace the exercise.

• Step One: Bathe your dog. Bathing your dog before shaving ensures that the fur is clean and as much as possible tangle-free. Use warm water and your regular shampoo. Ensure the hair is lathered up fairly before rinsing off the foam with warm water. Next, dab up your pet with a clean towel to get rid of the excess water.
• Step two: Dry up your dog with a hair drier. Using a regular hair drier, blow at the fur of your pet using one hand while stroking it with your other hand to dry up his hair completely. It is much easier to cut dry hair as opposed to wet hair. When blow drying him, begin with the rest of the body and finish up with the head area so that you do not make your dog anxious.
• Step three: Brush the hair. Using the dog brush, brush the hair of your pet evenly to get rid of any tangled spots. In case of a tangle, hold it at the root firmly with one hand and work the knot slowly without tagging excessively at the dog’s skin. Ensure you brush the legs and the head areas too, including the ears and the tail.
• Step four: Shaving. If you are using dog grooming clippers, choose the best blade from a wide assortment in such a way that the clipper leaves about two or three-centimeter allowance between its edge and the dog’s skin. Also, if possible use a low noise clipper as louder clippers can make your dog more anxious. Run the clipper gently on the hair without pressing too hard on the dog’s skin. Start from the neck area down to the body on one side, careful not to apply too much pressure. Turn to the other side of the body and repeat the exercise. Use a comb to ensure evenness by brushing gently to see areas that need more cutting. Remember the general rule; do not shave against the grain.

Next, shave the belly of the dog as gently as ever, carefully running the clipper while holding your dog to prevent too much movement.

Proceed to the legs in the same way careful not to apply a lot of pressure. Cut the tail hair while it is held horizontally as that makes it even when the dog wags his tail.

Finish off with the head and the area around the ears. Here, you can use the rounded shears and the comb. Comb up hair and shave what lies on the top part and not more than that.

If you are using scissors, make sure they are oiled and sharp for best results. Also, ensure you are firm and confident at it so that you do not tremble while using them. Follow the same procedure starting with the body, belly, legs, tail, and finally the head area.

Be careful if your dog is playful because one little distraction will cause an accident that’s why with a grooming table they usually have straps to keep your dog still and in the same place. Use either your fingers or the comb to hold up hair to see if it is even. Be careful at the paw area as it can be sensitive. It is advisable that you use a number thirty or forty blades to safely shear his paw area.

• Step five: Brush. Having finished shaving, brush your dog ever gently all over the body, to smooth the remaining fur. You could oil him and add a little massage to complete the exercise.

Conclusion

It is not easy to groom a dog for starters, but with practice, it becomes more and more natural. You can use pet groomers’ services as you learn and perfect it, but ensure they do it in your presence. Some pet groomers can be rough, and that will make your dog hate grooming completely.

It is also okay to give your dog a break in between so that he relaxes because he can get anxious during the entire process and make it hard for you. Repeat the process every time your dog’s hair reaches a length that is hectic to maintain. Remember to give your dog enough drinking water and a balanced diet every day to promote active and healthy hair growth.

Large Dog Beds for Giant Dog Breeds: How to Pick the Best Bed?

There are so many dog beds out in the market nowadays. But still, many dog parents find it harder to get ahold of a large dog bed for your lovely dog. Big dogs will need more space and support when it comes to beds.

But choosing the bed can be a rather hefty job, especially when you know very little about dog beds. That’s why today I’ll be sharing how to pick out large dog beds for giant dog breeds to help you out in your quest.

Let’s get started!

Do You Need Beds for Large Dogs?

Most of the dogs will be happy just to sleep on the floor or couch, but you shouldn’t do that. Why? Well, it’s because this scenario can lead to other problems.

• Relief from Hip Pain: Most of the large dog breeds suffer from joint or hip issues. Here a well supportive bed for them could help them deal with the pain and relax. Even though couches can be pretty soft, it won’t be able to support your dog as much as a dog bed.
• Protects Furniture: Dog beds can be the easiest way to preserve your furniture. Your furniture’s aren’t equipped with dealing with claws or bites. So, after some time you’ll see them being worn out. On the other hand, dog beds are perfectly capable of handling your dog’s scratches.
• Less Hairy Mess: Another plus point of having a dog bed is to keep your furniture out of hair. ​We all know how dogs tend to shed hair everywhere. Even if your dog is a light shedder sleeping in couches would make it difficult to clean up every day.
• No Hazards: Big dogs tend to be a hazard when it comes to night trips. It’s best to give them a certain place to be comfortable and avoid any unwanted situation.

What Type Should You Go For?

There are different types of dog beds, but typically they all fall in three major categories. Before you go out to choose the dog bed, you should take a look at them. Let’s see what they are.

Classic Beds: Fiber-Filled

If you like the traditional pet beds that are made of cloths and have stuffing that is filled with cotton or other fibers, then it’s best to stay away. Why?

Well, they may be comfortable, but they aren’t the best solution for your large breed. The filling can’t provide the extra support you may need for a large dog. It could clump up after a few uses as it can’t take the weight of the large breed.

So, your dog might be forced to lay on an almost flat surface. Even though these are affordable avoid them.

Orthopedic Beds

These beds can be the best solution for your large dog breeds. They are made in a way that every time your dog lays on top it, it will become softer. What it does is that it absorbs the warmth of your dog’s body and makes the bed soft and comfortable.

Orthopedic dog beds will always ensure the additional support needed to deal with hip or joint pain. These also avoid any clumping up, unlike fiber beds.

In short, this can be the best thing you could ever do for your large, loving pet.

Elevated Cot-Style

These beds have mostly plastic or metal frame with a soft fabric surface for extra comfort. There are two positive things about it –

1. Ensures that your dog will be cool during summer time with the air flow beneath the surface.
2. Provide support for hip or joint problems.

However, they aren’t as good as Orthopedic beds, but they are much good than fiber beds. These are also extremely lightweight.

What Things Should You Consider for Large Dogs?

Now that you know what type of bed to look for, you should look for different features to get the best one. Why don’t you take a look?

Manufactured In Western Europe or the USA

Even though there are exceptions, still almost all great quality products are manufactured in these regions. But don’t think that you can’t get dog beds from the other areas.

Easy To Wash Cover

Well, you know how fast the bed will become dirty. So, you would need to wash it without any extra hassles. Try to look for beds that come with removable covers. This way, you would simply clean the cover, and it will be brand new again.

Thicker Foam Layer

As large dogs are heavy if you go for foam beds, then it’s best to get the thickest one. It will keep your dog away from the direct surface and provide more comfort. These also have a longer life. Make sure it’s at least 4-inches. But you should consider 6-7 inches.

Greater Warranty

It’s not uncommon for best brands to suffer from manufacturing defects. That’s why you should always go for the ones that come with the 1-2 year warranty period. This way, even if you find a defect after some months, you would be able to replace it.

Strong Cover

Well, it’s quite common sense really. You already know how your big dog has a stronger grip and claws. This is why go for the most durable cover that can withstand your dog’s fury! Mostly these covers are made from denim or canvas.

Some manufacturers design the covers especially to deal with this situation.

Your Pet’s Comfort

In the quest of finding the perfect one, don’t forget about your beloved pet. You should always prefer your pets comfort zone more than anything else. Notice how they sleep or where they get more comfortable.

Make sure to consider their size. Always take a bigger size bed than theirs. It will ensure their movement, or else they would just cramp up in the place.

Conclusion

If you aren’t sure about your dog’s bed, then you can go for several. You could place them in specific parts of the house where they hang out the most: a place where they would hang out with the family and another where they would sleep in the night.

It might seem a bit costly, but at the end of the day, it will be worth it.

I’m pretty sure; now you are fully prepared to pick out large dog beds. So, what are you waiting for? Let your dog get what he deserves!

Is There Any Secret Life Of Pups?

Just because your pup is your best friend doesn’t mean that you know everything about him. There is plenty of secrets that he is not telling you: it is a secret of course. However, you do not need to be kept in the dark. A few dog owners have managed to get a hand on the secret lives their pets are leading, and they have been generous enough to share them.

Do you even need to know about it? Of course, you do! It will go a long way in helping you know just how to make your dog respect you: alongside other benefits that will help you create a strong bond with your pup.

Puppies prefer love to food

Well, this one can be a brainer. It is so characteristic of humans to express love through sharing food. It is worth knowing that it does not work the same way for dogs. Something like a massage will work better for you, or even a walk. Do not focus too much on feeding: unless the pup is hungry, instead dedicate more time to your pup. He will appreciate it and love you for that.

Dogs want some ‘me-time’ too

Did you know that pups get attached if they spend too much time with you? Yes, they do. And it is harmful to them in many ways. One is that they will start having problems relieving themselves, anxiety, stress or even distraction. Teach your pup to be independent. Spend some time away from him once in a while and give him his space. He would love that.

They don’t like loud sounds

It tells you that it is time to tone down, especially if you are in the habit of freaking out the moment you lose your dog. Pups love an owner who uses a calm and soft voice. Also, they are not big fans of fireworks 0or thunder. Do your pup a favor and keep him away from such. Remember that their hearing capabilities are far much better than yours: you can imagine what crackers will do to him. Some enclosed space where he will feel safe will be perfect.

Changes in their behavior is a signal that they may be sick

Unlike humans, your puppy’s behavioral change cannot be blamed on mood swings. Pups will show a decline in appetite, knocking things, abnormal intake of water or weight loss is a signal that you should invite the vet.

Dogs do not like to be rushed to the bathroom

You have probably noticed that your dog loves to circle a particular point before they defecate or piss. Why they have to do this? They need to interact with the magnetic field before anything goes down.

Pups feel neglected and isolated when they are tied up

Instead of tying up your puppy when the visitors come, it would be much better if you take the time to train him. Such will interfere with your relationship. Teach your dog to respect people and behave well in a social structure. There is an alternative, getting him a crate or a kennel will do well.

Pups love to graze

You might be wondering why your puppy likes to work on the lawn. The secret is, you have probably fed them or have eaten something that does not work for them, and they would love to get rid of it. However, it does not necessarily have to be that way; sometimes they are just doing it for the little fun!

Pups are not fond of strangers

Unless you train your puppy on how not to be scared when they meet new people, they can be unfriendly. Not because they are mean, but they are scared of strangers. One great tactic that could work is to start introducing him to people when young. He will grow up being comfortable around people.

Dogs are enjoyable to have around. They make the best company. However, if you want to live in harmony with them, it is essential that you go out of your way to make them tell you a little about their secret lives: well, not literally. But, you need to be keen and study your pup’s behavior. There is a lot to learn.