Yo What’s Up

Introduction to dog park etiquette

Yo what’s up is a greeting we give each other in Philly and it is one used by our dogs as well.  What would happen if your dog said “Yo what’s up?” and the other dog said “ None of ya business”.  This could be a real problem if you don’t know what signs to look for to keep this from happening.  We all want our dogs to have fun at the dog park but it is impossible to know if our dogs will like the others at the dog park so we need to know the rules of engagement. 

1. Know your dog:  Does your dog like other dogs? Seems simple but not everyone who brings their dog to the dog park knows this answer so it is important to start by introducing your dog to several different dogs individually first, then in small groups.

2. What is your dog’s playing style?  Does your dog play rough, is your dog laid back, is your dog a silent player, or does your dog play loud? These are things you need to know before bringing your dog to the dog park. If you know your dogs style of play you will be able to tell if he meets a dog he does not like his energy/posture will change and so will his style of “play”. He might be wagging his tail but instead of being low or parallel with his body it is high and stiff or so low it is almost tucked under him. If your dog starts to yawn or slowly lick his lips these are signs of being uneasy or unsure of the other dog. These signs will alert you and say hey maybe your dog doesn’t like this dog or doesn’t like the way the dog approached him.
3. How does your dog approach group play?  Does he run right in and join the crowd or does he run around the outside of the group marking and smelling around before joining the crowd? This will matter because most dog parks are not set up to properly introduce dogs to one another so if your dog likes to run the perimeter and is in the gate ready to enter the dog park he will not be happy when a group of dogs rush him as soon as he walks in.  What if you went to a dance club to meet friends and they know you love to dance so instead of walking in and having a drink or watching the crowd with your friends you are rushed by a group of strangers and brought straight to the dance floor. Wouldn’t that make you feel a little uncomfortable? That is exactly how a dog feels when he would rather “smell” the crowd and instead a group of strange dogs rush him and take him straight to the “play yard”
4. Check yourself:  If you are feeling nervous Don’t go into the dog park, this feeling will resonate to the whole crowd of dogs and put your dog at risk. Be confident you already know your dog and his playing style, you have already asked yourself all the questions and now you are ready to take your dog to the dog park. Don’t hang out in the holding area walk into the dog park and push through any dogs that are playing the “greeting” role.  This will make your dog feel more comfortable and he will feed off your confident energy. Don’t bring food with you to the dog park this could draw a crowd to you and stir up fights.  If you want to bring a toy with you make it a neutral one so if another dog goes after it while your dog is going for it, it will not be a issue, because it is not important to your dog.  For example if you know your dog has a favorite ball and every time you play with this ball with another dog there your dog gets the ball and plays “keep away with it” from the other dog that wouldn’t be a good ball to bring to the dog park.

5. Interrupt play frequently: This is especially important because the excitement or arousal level is already super high and you don’t want the play to turn into something else because the dogs are highly excited or aroused.

When you get to the dog park look at your dog’s body is he happy or excited? Is he barking or whining to get into the dog park?  Before you enter the dog park make sure your dog is calm, no whining or barking, make sure his tail is in a neutral position Not tucked or high and stiff.  If he is acting a little nervous sit outside the dog park on a bench and let your dog get used to the sounds and smells and watch to see if his body language changes, and relaxes. If he relaxes go in but if after 10 minutes he is still nervous, leave the park and come again a different day.  Do this for a few days until your dog is comfortable. That way when he does go into the park it will be fun for him.

Grooming Your Puppy

Not just for looks

Grooming your dog accomplishes much more than just making your pet's coat look nice and shiny. It will provide you with the opportunity to spend some "quality time" with your dog, combing, brushing, bathing and generally bonding with him. You will be able to check your dog closely for any problems while grooming. Move the hair aside and examine the skin closely for signs of flea, ticks or skin irritations. Look for any unusual problems with the coat such as mats, tangles, dandruff, etc. Mats and tangles can be carefully removed while grooming. All dogs have sensitive areas that need to be groomed a little more gently and carefully than others. These areas include under the arms, under the belly, the back of the legs just above the hock, and the tail.  By paying special attention to these areas, you will help make your dog more comfortable while being groomed, and he will not resist future grooming sessions. You will also become familiar with areas that he enjoys having groomed. This is helpful if you need to calm him during stressful times such as veterinary visits.

Let your dog sniff the brush and comb before you begin grooming. If the grooming procedure is made comfortable for your dog, he will begin to look forward to regular grooming sessions. You can also give your dog some treats at this time to associate something good every time he sees the brush and comb.

Health

Regular grooming is essential to your dog's health and well being. Regular combing and brushing with the proper tools will keep the coat clean and healthy. It will stimulate the skin, and allow the natural oils to circulate to the coat. It will also allow you to carefully check for potentially serious problems. Check areas for hair loss, inflammation, unusual tenderness or lumps under the skin. Constant scratching in a particular area may also be an indication of a problem. Check with your veterinarian about any unusual problems found.

Combing

Comb in the direction of hair growth, combing small sections at a time, until the coat is tangle free. For troublesome knots and tangles, use a comb with evenly sized teeth and set ¼ to ½ inch apart.  If the coat has a particularly stubborn knot or tangle, you may have to use a slicker brush. A de-matting comb, slicker or rake can be used to remove mats.  This is typically a problem when the coat begins to change around 4 to 8 months.

Brushing

Begin brushing at the head, working toward the tail and down the legs. Always brush in the direction of hair growth. Pay particular attention to the legs, flanks (thighs), under the arms, and behind the ears as these are areas that can easily mat. I would recommend a pin brush only after you have brushed your dogs coat completely out with a slicker brush.  Regular brushing will help distribute the natural oils from the skin, producing a healthy, shiny coat. Brushing several times a week is recommended for most dogs.  For short haired dogs I recommend using a rubber brush or mitt as the slicker may be too harsh for their coat and a pin brush won’t stimulate the natural oils in the coat to make it shiny.

Puppies

Puppies have short attention spans. They will require some special attention. Select a time when the puppy is less energetic. Begin with short grooming sessions, five minutes or so. Talk to your puppy in a gentle, reassuring tone while grooming to make him feel comfortable. Be sure to check his ears, paws, teeth, and underside during the grooming procedure. This will, in time, make him accustomed to being handled and examined. Eventually, he will be quite comfortable being groomed, and will look forward to these sessions with you.

Frequency

It is important to establish and adhere to a regular schedule of grooming sessions. Schedule these at a convenient time for both you and your dog. A good time to do this is after the dog has been walked, while he is relieved and calm. Select a time when you will not be interrupted and have ample time to do a proper grooming.  These sessions will further solidify your bond with your puppy.

Longhaired dogs should be groomed daily, while shorthaired breeds may require grooming only twice a week. You will soon see what frequency your dog requires.  Consult with your local groomer when you get your puppy to see when they would like to see your puppy for their first “professional” grooming session.  As a certified master groomer I recommend having your puppy groomed “ professionally” at the age of 12 weeks.  This will make your puppy comfortable with the grooming process and make it easier on you, the owner, once this is done.

Nail Trimming

Regular nail trimming is important to your dog's health and well being.

To start get your puppy used to having his paws handled without pulling back.  You should reward your puppy with his favorite treats while you are holding his paws because their natural response is to pull back. Dogs have a quick or vein in each nail and if this is cut too short it will bleed I would recommend having your puppy’s nails trimmed for the first time by your vet or groomer and ask if you could watch them do it so you could trim them in the future.