Care & Grooming Teeth & Gum Care Why is it important to brush my dogs teeth? How often should I brush my dogs teeth? What type of toothpaste should I use? What kind of toothbrush should I use? My dog fights me when I try to brush its teeth, What can I do? Coat Care How often should I give my dog a bath? What kind of shampoo should I use? Do I need to use a cream rinse after I use the shampoo? Do I need to blow dry my dogs coat? How often do I need to brush my dogs coat? Can I shave my dogs coat in the summer to keep him cool? General Care How often should I trim my dogs toenails? Question: Why is it important to brush my dogs teeth? Answer: Some may say, "Why do I need to brush my dogs teeth? Who did it when they were in the wild?" The answer is, They are no longer in the wild and do not eat the things that normally keep a wild dogs teeth clean. Plaque buildup and gum disease could cost you your dog's life in more ways than one. Gum disease and decaying teeth can cause serious health problems like kidney failure & heart failure just to name a few. If your dog must have its teeth cleaned professionally, they must be anesthetized. Any time a dog is anesthetized, you run the risk of the dog not waking up. Don't kid yourself by saying this seldom happens. It happens more often than you think. Besides, it only has to happen once for you to lose your beloved companion. So brush their teeth regularly to avoid unnecessary problems. Return to Top Question: How often should I brush my dogs teeth? Answer: We recommend that you brush your dogs teeth at least twice a week starting when they are a young puppy. Return to Top Question: What type of toothpaste should I use? Answer: Never use toothpaste designed for human use!! You can buy canine toothpaste at most pet store or pet supply warehouses. Most are flavored and are designed specifically for canine use. Return to Top Question: What kind of toothbrush should I use? Answer: You can purchase a toothbrush for you dog at any pet store or pet supply warehouse. Choose a soft bristle brush. Some have a brush on both ends. One end has a smaller brush for puppies and small breeds. The other end is somewhat larger. You could also purchase a childs toothbrush since they are softer. Return to Top Question: My dog fights me when I try to brush its teeth, What can I do? Answer: The trick is to start them when they are young and do it at least twice a week. If you are having problems with your dog resisting or wanting to eat the toothbrush, you need to go about it gradually. Begin by gently handling and stroking your dog's mouth for a few minutes everyday. After a few days, lift its lip on one side with your finger and begin brushing in a circular or back and forward motion on the outer surface of a few teeth. Every time you do it, add more teeth to the motion. The next step is to add canine toothpaste to your finger. Eventually you will be able to use the toothbrush. You might need someone to help you hold the dog for the first couple of times until it realizes it is not a big deal and that the toothpaste is very tasty. It really doesn't take long to get them used to brushing. You just have to let them know you are determined to do this and they will comply. Always end the session on a good note. Reward them with praise, love or a treat. Return to Top Question: How often should I give my dog a bath? Answer: There is no set rule for this one. Generally if the dog is dirty and you feel it needs a bath, give it one. Just don't overdue it which may tend to dry the skin and coat. Every 3 to 6 months would be a rule of thumb for those dogs that are not pig pens. Return to Top Question: What kind of shampoo should I use? Answer: Do not use human shampoos. The pH is not designed for a dogs skin. We use a mild canine shampoo that is non-tearing. Those that show their dog's may use a whitening shampoo that is supposed to whiten the coat. More often than not, they don't work or the ones that do are harsh and damage the coat. Return to Top Question: Do I need to use a cream rinse after I use the shampoo? Answer: We use cream rinse. It helps in getting mats out when drying the dog and it conditions the coat and makes it feel soft. It also smells nice. Return to Top Question: Do I need to blow dry my dogs coat? Answer: We blow-dry all our dogs. It helps to prevent tangles and makes the coat fluffy. We use a professional dryer that most will not want to purchase. You can use a hair dryer but be sure to use it on low heat or hold it far enough from the skin and coat to avoid burning the dog or scorching the hair. Return to Top Question: How often do I need to brush my dogs coat? Answer: We recommend you brush your dog at least once a week during. During certain times when shedding may occur, you should brush more frequent to remove dead hair and help prevent tangles. Return to Top Question: Can I shave my dogs coat in the summer to keep him cool? Answer: We recommend you DO NOT shave your dog's coat. The white coat actually keeps them cooler since it does not absorb heat. A dog sweat by panting not through it's skin. In addition, You will more than likely cause your dog to get severe sunburn and possibly skin cancer. Be kind and keep them in the air conditioning. If you don't have air conditioning, then at least provide shade and lots of fresh water. Lot of fresh water does not mean a 10 gallon bucket once a day. Change the water frequently. Return to Top Question: How often should I trim my dogs toenails? Answer: Check your dogs toenails at least once a month. If your dog walks on concrete, more than likely they will not need trimmed as often as a dog that walks on carpet all day. Leaving toenails unclipped can cause foot problems at the very least. If you trim them yourself, be careful not to cut into the quick. It will bleed heavily and hurt the dog. If you do cut into the quick, use a product to stop the bleeding. You can purchase "Quik-Stop" at most pet stores. Just remember that if you cut the dog, they will more than likely not want you to trim their nails again. We use a small rechargeable dremel with a fine sanding wheel. We start our pups early and they don't seem to mind it as much as clipping. Return to Top [ Index Page ] [ Family & History ] [ Litter Information ] [ Photo Album ] [ Eskies@eskie.com ] [ Main FAQ's ]