Who wouldn't be tempted to cuddle a well-groomed and clean Labrador Retriever? They are every dog owners pride. But every dog owner should always remember that grooming and cleaning is not merely to make your Labrador Retriever look good. Grooming and cleaning is important in maintaining the general health condition of your dog.
Bathing is one of the many responsibilities of a dog owner. However, bathing your dog too often is not good for his skin. The frequency of the bath depends on your dog's breed and his type of activities. As for the Labrador Retriever, give him a bath when he is really dirty especially if he has stayed out and worked a lot. You can also use your nose to tell if your dog needs a bath. Bathing him too often than needed will strip the skin's natural protective oil resulting to dry, itchy skin and will irritate the skin further when scratched.
If the weather is good and warm, you can bath your dog outside. Make sure to choose a place that will not turn into mud when it gets wet. If you think that bathing outside seems unappealing to your dog, wash him inside and try to use warm water. But before the bath begins, prepare everything- shampoo or conditioner, towel, comb and even dog treats or toys. Remember to use a shampoo specially formulated to work on problems such as fleas and ticks, dry itchy skin, doggy odor, abnormal shedding and others.
Start bathing your dog from the head and work towards the tail. Wash his face with wash cloth. Avoid pouring lots of water in his face to prevent it from getting inside the ears. You may also want to place cotton balls inside his ears to make sure water cannot enter. Water in the ears is not good for dogs and can cause health problems such as ear infection.
Thoroughly wet your dog with water using a pitcher or a spray nozzle. If you are using spray nozzle, make sure that the spray is not too strong. Avoid spraying directly into your dog's face or genital. Apply dog shampoo and work from the head to the tail. Remember to read and understand the product labels carefully. While shampooing, pay particular attention to parts like rectum, between the toes, behind the ears and under the chin.
After shampoo, rinse your dog thoroughly to prevent shampoo residue that may possibly cause skin irritations. Dry your dog's coat using towel. But be careful not to rub because coats of some breeds tangle easily.
Some dog owners think that bathing a dog is so difficult, but with the right knowledge and technique, bathing a dog is not a challenge anymore.
Labradors make the perfect family dog because not only are they friendly, but they are a great dog for children as well. When you have children, it is almost a guarantee that they will at some point want a pet. You of course, want to choose a pet that is friendly and very gentle, which is why the Labrador Retriever makes a great dog for the entire family.
Families also want a dog they can train not only in the basic manners of house breaking and other mandatory things, but also in fun things such as tricks. The Labrador Retriever learns very quickly. They are also very obedient dogs and live to serve their master. All of these great qualities combined make for the perfect family pet that everyone can enjoy both children and adults.
Of course, owning a pet requires a lot of responsibility. It is a great way to teach your children from an early age the responsibilities of owning and caring for a pet. Each pet has their own set of requirements of needs and temperament; therefore, it is important that you learn as much as you can about them. With the Labrador Retriever, for example, they require a great deal of exercise. A very energetic pet, you will want to make sure that you take them on regular walks and give them ample space to run and play.
Another thing about the Labrador Retriever is that they require plenty of attention. It is important that you make time for your lovable friend and play with him, pet him, and love him frequently.
You will find that they crave human companionship and need it regularly. You want to make sure that if you have to leave on vacation, you have someone coming over to give him a little human interaction time.
When choosing a pet, you also want to be aware of health problems that particular breed is prone to. With the Labrador Retriever, they are typically prone to elbow and hip dysplasia.
Elbow dysplasia affects the joints in Labradors, which could range from mild forms of arthritis or severe forms, which could lead to the possibility of surgery to correct the problems.
Hip dysplasia directly affects the joint in the hip. This could cause pain, arthritis, and even trouble walking or getting up. Labrador Retrievers are also prone to PRA and eye disorders.
Overall, the Labrador Retriever makes an excellent pet for any family. They can be housed in any type of home, such as an apartment. However, you want to make sure they get plenty of exercise.
A home with a decent yard is ideal for this dog breed. They are very obedient and faithful pets. It's no wonder they are the most favorite breed in the United States and Canada.
Carol Stack has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Fishing and Fitness. Carol Stack enjoys writing articles, especially about dogs. She lives with her husband, children, four and seven cats in the United States. Carol and her daugh. Carol Stack's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.