The most important things to remember are:

• Your dog needs daily exercise. Make sure you know ho much your breed requires in order to stay healthy.
• Your dog needs to be taken to the vet at least once a year for check-ups and must also receive all the require vaccinations.
• Your dog needs a nutritious diet. Many store bought foods contain mainly filler and not much nutrition, so make sure you choose the healthiest food for your dog.
• Dogs can get overweight too, so make sure you’re feeding your dog the correct amount. You can consult your vet about how and what to feed your dog.
• While not directly related to health, a well trained dog is a safe dog. Make sure your dog at least knows the basic commands and can perform then even in distracting situations.

As dogs can’t tell you when there is something wrong, it’s vital to keep an eye out for signs of illness so you can take action immediately. In general if your dog is acting differently or strangely then there may be something wrong. Also keep an eye out for any skin problems, external and internal dog parasites such as fleas, worms or ticks, red eyes or discharge and a lack of appetite. All of these can be signs of an illness.

If you suspect there is something wrong with your dog then it’s extremely important to take it to the vet straight away. Your vet will be able to diagnose the problem accurately and advise you on the best course of action.

Some of the basic questions you should ask yourself when thinking about getting a dog are:

• Does your work or lifestyle allow you to give them time needed to a dog?
• Do you have enough money to support a dog?
• In ten years time, will you still be able to care for a dog properly?

The first point it probably the most important. A new dog needs lots of love and attention if it is to be happy. Do you have enough time to feed, exercise and train a dog? Not to mention spending time with it generally to form a strong bond. Dogs are sociable animals and hate to be on their own, so if your lifestyle means you won’t spend much time with the dog it may not be a good idea to get one.

Most new owners also don’t fully realise the financial cost of owning a dog. When doing the maths to see whether you have the money available you need to think about food, grooming costs, training equipment, toys and medical costs. Generally a dog will end up costing more than you budgeted for because of the small things like leads and toys, so make sure you remember that.

The last one is especially hard to answer as who really knows where they will be in ten years time? A lot can change in a decade, but it is important to consider that a new dog is likely to live for at least this long.

Training a dog can often be frustrating – not to mention tiring! However it is essential if you want your dog’s life to be a happy and fulfilled one.  Training should start as soon as possible and should be a daily event. If you don’t think you’ll have enough time to train or exercise your dog each and every day then that could be a problem.

Having a dog is great most of the time, but you must be prepared for the occasional inconveniences. They can be fantastic pets and wonderful companions but as an owner you must be willing to accept responsibility for the dog – through good and bad times.

The crate is like a room for your pet and he sees it as a security blanket. In fact once the pet gets used to the crate he will feel safe and at home inside it.

For us the crate may look like confinement, but the dog will take it to be his den and will feel comfortable as long as you never use it as a punishment. It is quite simple to make a small puppy feel that the crate is a very pleasant place. Here are the basics of crate training:

1. First of all, make the crate comfortable by adding bedding, a toy and perhaps even a bowl of water. You want your dog to feel as relaxed as possible within the crate.
2. Next, leave the door of the crate open for a while and just let your dog get used to it naturally. Don’t force the dog inside.
3. Now place a treat at the door and wait for the dog to go and get it. When it does, later on put one a little way inside and so on until the dog is fully inside. Don’t shut the door yet, but let the dog get used to it.
4. When you feel the dog is comfortable, try shutting the door. Stay in the same room as the dog to start with, and only keep it confined for short amounts of time. Gradually increase the amount of time, and then start leaving the room. Gradually build your dogs confidence until it can be left there for sometime.

Crate training is often simple when the puppy is very small but can be a little more tricky got older dogs. You will have to spend more time as well as effort for crate training an adult dog that has never been in a crate before. It is definitely possible though!

The most important points to remember are:

• Never use the crate as punishment. Just by doing this a few times can destroy all your previous work.
• Always allow the dog to stretch itself regularly. If possible, don’t leave the dog confined in the crate for more than a few hours at a time. Even less when first training.

The reality, of course, isn’t quite as rosy. But for a dedicated individual becoming a dog groomer can be a sensible career choice. You should always ask yourself the following questions before becoming a dog groomer though:

1. What skills do you have with regards to grooming and looking after dogs? If you don’t have any, you’ll need to get some sort of training.

2. How much time can you dedicate to starting a grooming business? Like any business venture, you’ll get out what you put in.

3. How much competition is there in your area? In some places – especially rural areas – you’ll find that there is literally no competition. This is perfect if you are thinking of becoming a dog groomer. If you are in areas where there is competition, do you think there is enough business to accommodate another groomer? (i.e. you) If not, can you offer a different service that people might be interested in?

There are plenty of other things to consider. For example, the amount of hair that you’ll find deposited around your working area will be incredible. Because of this, working from home might not be such a good idea. Having a store or rented work room also has the benefits of appearing more professional.

Anyone can learn to become a good dog groomer, and make a healthy business out of it. The best groomers will be able to handle the dogs, owners and their business effectively as well as giving a top quality service. Some people will find it easier to become groomers than others though, and it is a good idea to try it out to see whether you enjoy it and how quickly the skills come to you. If you feel confident around dogs and know that you can do a high quality job, you can almost be certain that there will be people in your area who’ll pay for your services. Of course, whether there is enough demand to sustain you and your competition is something you’ll have to look into in your particular area.

For more information on dog grooming, I highly recommend “Dog Grooming For Dummies“. You can get it fairly cheap at Amazon I believe, try this link.

What’s Involved in Dog Grooming?

While dog grooming can be performed at home, the best results can be achieved via a professional dog groomer. A thorough dog grooming session takes care of all the hygienic needs of your dog. The grooming process generally takes a hour or two to accomplish, but the results are well worth the time spent. A typical dog grooming session consists of the following treatments for your dog:

* A thorough bath including flea dip (if applicable)
* A complete coat brushing to eliminate tangles and matted hair
* Styling as requested (can include accessories such as bows, rhinestones and bandannas)
* Nail trimming
* Ear cleaning and examination for parasites
* Teeth cleaning

How Often Should Dog Grooming Take Place?

The frequency with which your should groom your dog is dependent on the breed and coat quality of your dog. Some breeds are considered high maintenance in terms of dog grooming, while others need only periodic care. Before you purchase or adopt a dog, it’s a good idea to find out how much grooming it will require. A basic guide to dog grooming by coat type is as follows:

* Curly-Coated – Dogs such as Poodles have a dense and curly coat that is fairly resistant to water. These dogs will require dog grooming at least once every two months, or six times a year.

* Short-Coated – Dogs with short dense coats, such as Corgis and Boxers need a weekly brushing, but do not need to be bathed more than once or twice a year unless a problem arises.

* Long-Coated – Long coated dogs, such as Collies and Sheepdogs, require a daily brushing to keep their coats in good condition. Additional dog grooming including regular bathing, should be administered once every other month.

* Silky-Coated – Afghans, Cocker Spaniels and Pekinese dogs belong to the silky coated dog group. These dogs require daily brushing and a thorough dog grooming session four times a year.

* Wire-Coated – Wire coated dogs require considerable dog grooming. Dogs such as Terriers and Schnauzers should be bathed every three months and have their coat clipped every six to eight weeks.

* Smooth-Coated – The smooth-coated class of dogs includes Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers and Dachshunds. These are very low maintenance dogs and require only weekly brushing and bathing as necessary.

Whatever type of dog you own, it’s important to see that proper grooming is maintained for the health and happiness of your canine companion.

By: Paolo Basauri

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Paolo Parodi is an expert author who writes for www.dog-grooming-supply.com