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Zootoo Review - 5 Dog Shampoos With Something Extra

by Paw Nation Staff (Subscribe to Paw Nation Staff's posts)
Jan 13th 2012 3:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Product Reviews, Pet Grooming
The New Year can be an ideal time to overhaul any routine - even grooming your dog. Whether your four-legged friend is suffering from dry skin, an itchy scalp, or a lackluster coat, the right shampoo can make a difference in how he both looks and feels.

So if you think your dog could benefit from a change in his usual grooming products, why not try a cleanser that's specially formulated to tackle common skin and coat problems? To help you and your pooch get started on a new beauty regimen, our friends at Zootoo rounded up some of their favorite dog shampoos with something extra.

sturdibag carrierPlanet Petco

Featuring a potent pest-fighting combination of natural ingredients such as cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil, and rosemary oil, Natural Lemongrass Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo from Planet Petco does more than keep unwanted visitors away from your dog's coat. In addition to warding off insects, this sweet-smelling shampoo left our tester dog's fur shiny and soft.


pet carrierSPA

If your pet has a delicate scalp, try Rice Flower and Oatmeal Sensitive Skin Shampoo for Dogs from SPA. In addition to rice flower extract and oatmeal, the formula contains elements derived from coconut to help keep your canine's coat clean while also helping to keep him content during bathtime.


bergan pet carrierPet Head

Help control your dog's scalp irritations and reduce scratching with Life's An Itch Skin Soothing Dog Shampoo from Pet Head. This effective shampoo uses ingredients such as tea tree oil, oatmeal, and aloe vera to nourish your canine's coat and help provide relief from dryness, hot spots, and insect bites.


pet carrierNootie

A fresh-smelling, effective cleanser, Refreshing Sweet Pea & Vanilla Dog Shampoo from Nootie is also formulated to moisturize dry fur, using natural components such as jojoba oil. The shampoo is also free of sulfates and irritating chemicals, and delivered a glossy look and soft feel to our tester pooch's coat.


pet slingEarthbath

For skittish canines who would rather avoid a shampoo altogether, try the Hypo-Allergenic Waterless Grooming Foam for Dogs from Earthbath. This all-natural cleanser features traditional grooming ingredients such as oatmeal and aloe vera, as well as interesting elements such as meadowfoam seed oil to produce a clean, fresh coat without the hassle of a bath.



Pet Product Review - Dyson Groom Tool

by Susan Segrest (Subscribe to Susan Segrest's posts)
Mar 10th 2011 3:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Product Reviews, Pet Grooming

dyson

Dyson, the maker of upscale vacuums -- and commercials featuring the posh voice of its British founder -- has had a series of powerful animal-and-pet-hair-focused vacuums for years. But now the company is trying to keep that hair from hitting the floor in the first place.

For Medium- and Long-Haired Dogs
The $69 attachment (that works with many but not all Dyson vacuums) is a grooming brush for medium- and long-haired adult dogs. You can see how it works in the video below, but basically it is a brush/suck combo. The brush gathers the hair and then you press a button for the vacuum suction to take it away.

I tried it out on my very thick-coated pug and I have to say, I love it.

Normally a pug wouldn't be a good candidate for the groom tool because of its short hair, but my dog Milo has, what one vet described as, "the face of a pug, the coat of an Akita." And, no matter what I do, he leaves tumbleweeds of dog hair throughout my home. Every day. So I was eager to give this a go. He's also completely deaf, so the noise of the vacuum doesn't faze him.

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Zootoo Review - 5 Great Dog Brushes

by Paw Nation Staff (Subscribe to Paw Nation Staff's posts)
Jan 5th 2011 3:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Product Reviews, Pet Grooming
Whether your canine is a pampered lap dog or a rough-and-tumble outdoor lover, its fur can quickly pick up dirt, tangles and knots. (And your furniture and carpet can quickly pick up loose hairs!)

With the wide variety of tools on the market, you can easily maintain your dog's coat and control everyday shedding without hitting the grooming parlor. Our friends at Zootoo rounded up five of their favorite dog brushes to keep your pooch's coat salon-style pristine.

Kong

The rounded bristles of the Zoom Groom Brush by Kong are effective at grooming both long and short coats, making the product ideal for multibreed households. The durable, easy-to-grip rubber brush helps rid coats of loose hair, especially during bath time. Also, the soft design makes pets feel like they're getting a massage instead of a brushing -- a plus for skittish pets.


Martha Stewart Pets

Though curry brushes are useful for tackling all types of dog hair, the Currie Brush by Martha Stewart Pets is specifically designed for short and medium-length coats. Our tester dog's fur showed marked improvement in luster and cleanliness after only a few runs, and the gentle nubs kept him calm and content during grooming. Owners will also appreciate the easy-to-use Velcro handle.

The Doggie Diaries - Pippi Hates Getting Her Nails Done

by Ben Westhoff (Subscribe to Ben Westhoff's posts)
Sep 27th 2010 1:00PM Filed Under: Dogs

The Doggie Diaries dog nails Ben Westhoff

Each week, Ben Westhoff shares the ups and downs of owning Pippi, the dalmatian mix he and his wife Anna adopted as a puppy in late 2009.

Anna wrote this week's column.

We've previously alluded to the difficulties in performing routine grooming and health maintenance on our precious pooch, Pippi. Another thing she loathes is having her nails clipped. While I'm all about the mani-pedi, she wriggles and struggles, sometimes aggressively. Usually, she absolutely refuses to let me hold her paws and get into position to carefully clip them with our little black dog-nail trimmer. Our first, unfortunate trip to the vet didn't go much better, with Pippi panicking during the trimming.

Pippi's dewclaws are intact, and I recently noticed that they were overdue for a clip. But this time around, anticipating an adverse reaction, I tried a new tack. Instead of immediately going to work, I nonchalantly brought the nail clipper to Pippi in the kitchen, and let her see it and smell it. I held it for a while while I did other things. Later, when we were both back in the kitchen, I broke a milkbone into lots of little pieces and then, when I was all set to start the clipping, placed the treat bits on the seat of a kitchen chair.

I Work With Animals! Mobile Dog Groomer

by Dana Roberts (Subscribe to Dana Roberts's posts)
Sep 7th 2010 1:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Grooming, I Work With Animals!

I Work With Animals! Mobile Dog GroomerMichele Zinser grooming Titan

What animal lover hasn't daydreamed about ditching their desk job and applying for a job at the zoo? Or at a doggy daycare? Or tracking gorillas in Africa? We sure have, but since most of us may never actually get to work with the animals we love, we thought we'd introduce you to a few people who do.

Name: Michele Zinser
Age: 53
Job Title: Owner and operator of Sudz 'n Style Mobile Grooming

What kind of training do you need to enter the pet grooming business?
There are two ways to enter the profession. You can start out at the bottom as a bather and learn the trade over time. Or the second way, which is what I did, is to go to a grooming school. I was a full time student at Canine Clippers in Dumfries, Va. for fifteen weeks.

What made you open your own business when you moved to Arizona?
After I graduated, I worked for three years at Annandale Pet Spa in Virginia. That experience and the support of many people made me confident in my knowledge of the grooming business. I liked the idea of working for myself, and working as a mobile groomer gives me a huge amount of flexibility. I like that I get the chance to go into homes and really get to know my clients. Starting my own business was the perfect way to jump into a new environment here in Arizona.

Dog Grooming Challenge: Cassidy Gets a Makeover

by Susan Segrest (Subscribe to Susan Segrest's posts)
Sep 2nd 2010 2:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Grooming
We love all dogs at Paw Nation. Working dogs, show dogs, shaggy dogs and chic dogs. But it's the last two types on the list that you'll find in these "before" and "after" dog-grooming photos.

We took an adorable 10-year-old Pomeranian named Cassidy -- who had gone six months since her last trim -- and sent her to the New York Dog Spa and Hotel for a professional grooming. In an hour and a half, groomer Jacky Luong transformed this cutie from au naturel to clipped down and styled.

The process took a while. Cassidy's owner had been in the hospital, so the dog hadn't had her regular grooming and her coat was in bad shape. Because Cassidy's hair was long and severely matted, Luong first completed a rough cut with clippers to make the fur more manageable and the grooming easier for the dog. Then, with the aid of shampoo, clippers and lots of hand scissoring, Luong sculpted the fur into what's called a "slight lion cut."

To see Cassidy's transformation, click on the green arrows on the "before" picture below and, while holding the mouse button down, slide the arrow to the right to the see the "after" shot revealed. Slide it back to the left again to see how Cassidy started out.

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Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts)
Aug 25th 2010 3:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Photo Galleries
Which dog breeds are the most intelligent? And just what makes them so smart?

We took the list of the top ten brainiest breeds and asked dog guru Billy Rafferty, author of "Happy Dog: Caring for Your Dog's Body, Mind and Spirit" to give his perspective. "While most smart dogs have certain traits in common -- loyalty, vigilance, perceptiveness, a caring nature -- "there are many different kinds of intelligence," says Rafferty. "Canine intelligence is more nuanced than people think."

In the photo gallery below, Rafferty explains the pros and cons of owning these clever (but sometimes high maintenance) canines. And to learn more about how the original list was created, check out "The Intelligence of Dogs" by neuropsychologist Stanley Coren, PhD,. Coren based his findings on evaluations of breeds made by over 200 dog obedience judges in the U.S. and Canada.



Learn more about your favorite breeds at Meet the Breeds in New York City on October 16–17. Paw Nation is the official blog for the event, so be sure to check back here for more news and stories.

Ask the AKC Animal Behaviorist - What Should a First-Time Dog Owner Know?

by Paw Nation Staff (Subscribe to Paw Nation Staff's posts)
Aug 18th 2010 1:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Adoption

What Should a First-Time Dog Owner Know jupiterimages

Meet Mary Burch, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Director and Paw Nation's expert columnist addressing your questions on animal behavior. Dr. Burch has over 25 years of experience working with dogs, and she is one of fewer than 50 Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists based in the United States. She is the author of 10 books, including the new official book on the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, "Citizen Canine: 10 Essential Skills Every Well-Mannered Dog Should Know."


Mary, I'm about to get a dog, and I want to be a good owner, but I don't know exactly what that means. When I was growing up, we kept our dogs outside. Other than feeding them, they fended for themselves. You've been around a lot of dogs and owners; what do you think are the most important things for a new owner to do? Also, do you have advice on ways to bond with an older dog? I'm planning on adopting one that's not a puppy.

It's great that you want to start off right with your dog and I understand that it is a big responsibility. I know I'm biased because I work with the AKC but I believe that even though you are planning on adopting an older dog, the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program has a good message for all dog owners as does the Canine Good Citizen responsible dog owner's pledge.

1) AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program
S.T.A.R. is an acronym for Socialization, Training, Activity (exercise) and a Responsible owner. Those are the four main components of what every dog needs to have a good life and by understanding and committing to these, you really will have a strong grounding in being a good pet parent.The key elements to S.T.A.R. are:

Socialization. This means you give your dog plenty of chances to get out and experience the world as he meets new people and other dogs.

Training. This can be done at home if you have the skills and know-how. Every dog, including your older dog, can also benefit from a training class such as agility, obedience, rally, or a therapy-dog class.

Activity. This translates to daily exercise, is a critical component of keeping your dog mentally and physically healthy.

Responsible ownership. This seems to be what you are really asking and the basic obligations of being a conscientious owner are best defined in the AKC Canine Good Citizen Responsible Dog Owner's Pledge that is shown here. Following the pledge will ensure that you've placed yourself in the category of a good (or great!) dog owner.

Should You Shave Your Dog For Summer? Plus Other Grooming Questions Answered

by Gabrielle Linzer (Subscribe to Gabrielle Linzer's posts)
Jul 20th 2010 11:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health, Pet Grooming

pet grooming in summer Although this haircut is certainly eye catching, it might not be the best thing to beat the heat. cindy47452, Flickr

As the summer heat escalates to oven-like temperatures, the thought of donning a fur coat may be unbearable. So how can you help ease your dog's discomfort during sweat-inducing heat spells? Paw Nation spoke with Beth Recchia, Owner and Director of Furry Tails Grooming Salon and School of Pet Grooming and Kathleen White, Owner of The South Carolina School of Dog Grooming about how to groom your dog's fur for optimal coolness.

Here is the question everyone asks: Should pet owners shave their dogs for the summer?
Some dog owners think their pooch would be more comfortable shaved, but many professionals insist that dogs' coats are already equipped to deal with hot temperatures. "I believe that all dogs should be left in their natural coat if possible," said White. "We sometimes have to give in to what the customer wants, but a dog's coat insulates them for hot and cold weather."

If the owner does prefer to pare down the fur, which type of haircut is best for dogs in the hot weather?
Hair styles do vary by breed, but Recchia recommends a generic "buzz cut" for her furry clients rather than shaving. "It's a very short cut which removes excess fur, thus preventing shedding," she tells us. "[Dogs] are much easier to bathe over the summer with less fur, and it's also great for preventing ticks and fleas. You can spot pests much more easily."

White advises her customers to allow the groomer to leave some fur for sunburn protection and insulation.

Dog Grooming Contests Spark Controversy

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung's posts)
Apr 27th 2010 11:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Pets News, Pet Grooming, Photo Galleries

poodle dog pictureAngela Kumpe

A white poodle is dyed yellow, blue and green, and made to resemble a peacock (photo left). A chow chow's fur is trimmed and carved to look like a lion with a zebra's head emerging from its hind leg (photo below). Have you stumbled upon an alternate universe? Well, kind of.

Welcome to the the world of "creative grooming" competitions, in which professional dog groomers transform mundane-looking canines into fantastical creatures. It's an art form that has its detractors, but with the New York Times interested, and a reality television show in the works, creative dog grooming appears to be gaining in popularity.

We know it strikes a chord with Paw Nation readers because after first running the photo gallery in August 2009, and then running more recent photos last week, you demanded to know even more about this very special kind of dog competition.

The trend began with professional groomer Jerry Schinberg of Des Plaines, Ill. Schinberg held the first-ever "regular" dog grooming competition in 1973, and is credited with introducing the notion of creative grooming in 1980. "I got the idea from going to beauty shows for hairstyling for women," Schinberg tells Paw Nation.

Today, there are more than a dozen different creative grooming contests that are held each year across the country, usually as part of a larger, regular grooming competition. While the prize money for winning a regular grooming contest can be in the tens of thousands, the amount awarded for creative grooming is far less, usually about $1,500. So why do it? "It's fun, and an artistic outlet, and a way of bonding with my dog," groomer Sandra Hartness tells Paw Nation.

How to Groom A Dog

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts)
Nov 2nd 2009 4:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health, Pet Grooming
Learning how to groom a dog is one of the easiest ways to trim money from your dog-care budget. Here's how to get your dog clean and shiny!

Brush Your Dog's Coat
Dogs with different types of fur require different types of brushes. Longhairs require what's called an undercoat rake and should be brushed for at least five minutes, while shorthairs require what's called a slicker brush and can just be given a quick once over.

Give Your Dog a Wet Wash
As most dog owners know, the trickiest part of a bath can be just getting your dog to stay in the tub or under the shower. For larger dogs, you might want to try getting into the shower with your dog and keeping it still between your legs. (Of course, this means you're taking a shower, too!) Also, some self-service grooming parlors have tubs with collars attached to the tub wall by a short cord to prevent the dog from escaping.

If your dog will tolerate it, gently insert cotton balls into its ears beforehand to prevent suds from entering the ear canal. Any gentle pet shampoo should do; dogs who have dry skin should also be given a conditioner. Always rinse very well to prevent itching later on. Towel-dry your dog and brush its coat again. For longhairs, wait until the fur has completely dried before brushing to prevent follicle breakage.

Woman Hits $20,000 Vegas Jackpot In Grooming Contest

by Steve Friess (Subscribe to Steve Friess's posts)
Sep 23rd 2009 3:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Grooming
Tammy Colbert with Cece picture

Tammy Colbert with Cece moments after winning $20K in a grooming competition on Thursday at SuperZoo in Las Vegas. Photo: Steve Friess/Paw Nation

Forget the slot machines! Tammy Colbert hit the jackpot by perfectly grooming a miniature schnauzer named Cece. The California resident bested 35 other expert groomers in the two-hour competition at the pet goods trade show SuperZoo, taking home $20,000 -- the world's largest prize in the history of dog grooming contests.

Colbert, who runs Wildwynd, a mobile grooming business in Huntington Beach, Calif., told Paw Nation, "They kept reading off the names and when they got down to fifth, [I] started crying. And then I won and it was just surreal that it even happened."

The prize money, furnished by the World Wide Pet Industry Association, is a long way from Colbert's first grooming competitions back in the mid-1980s. Back then, she said, winners received prizes like a gallon of shampoo and a plaque.

"People could hardly believe it that there was going to be this much money," event coordinator Janice Fehn told Paw Nation. "This is the biggest money ever, ever, ever offered."

Top Pet Groomers Answer Our Questions

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung's posts)
Aug 31st 2009 1:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Grooming, Pet Clothes
Top Pet Groomers picture

Groomers Have It Photos (clockwise): Jorge Bendersky, Shirlee Kalstone, Joey Villani, and Jonathan David

Do you like your kitty extra pretty? How about a little poof on your pooch? For all our readers out there who like to groom their pets, Paw Nation asked four of the nation's top pet groomers our burning questions -- what to look for in a good pet groomer, how pet owners can save money, and of course, which celebrity pup they'd love to groom! Meet our panel:

Joey Villani is a judge on Animal Planet's "Groomer Has It" with decades of experience as a professional groomer and former owner of a pet grooming school. Shirlee Kalstone is an author of numerous books on the subject and an internationally recognized pet expert. Jorge Bendersky is a celebrity groomer based at the New York Dog Spa who has appeared on the "Today Show" and "Nightline". Manhattan-based celebrity groomer Jonathan David was the first runner-up during the first season of "Groomer Has It".

All four pet groomers will be showing off their skills this October in New York at Meet the Breeds, hosted by the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers' Association.


WHAT CELEBRITY DOGS HAVE YOU GROOMED?

Jorge: Gisele Bundchen's dog Vida, Tatum O'Neal's Lena, John Leguizamo's Chulo, P. Diddy's dogs Sophi and Chacha, Alan Cumming's Honey. I've been grooming dogs in New York City for 16 years, so the list continues...

Shirlee: I groomed Grace Kelly's (Princess Grace of Monaco) brown toy poodle, Oliver, when I worked at a salon called Poodletown in New York years ago. Elizabeth Taylor was also a customer there, and I groomed her dog.

Jonathan: I've had the pleasure of grooming the dogs of some of my favorite celebrities, including Mariah Carey, Ivana Trump, Kevin Kline and Pheobe Cates, Julie Andrews, Louise Lasser, John O'Hurley, Debi Mazar and Betsy Johnson. But when it comes down to it, they're just owners that love their pets like anyone else.


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF DYEING DOGS IN BRIGHT COLORS -- FUN OR TRAGIC?

Jorge: Most dogs love getting attention, so adding color will do nothing but increase the amount of attention your fancy pooch gets everywhere! So as long as you use dog-safe products, I don't see anything wrong with it.

Shirlee: Aside from competing in a creative styling class, or participating in Pet Fashion Week or other runway show, I think it's a little sad that people would do this for no special reason. Even if they use color that's safe, it's impossible to remove in one shampoo and it takes months for the hair to grow out. For special occasions, it's better to use a little spray glitter that can be washed out with one shampoo.

Jonathan: The colors I don't mind so much; it's kind of fun. I used to color my Maltese when she was getting on in years and I swear the attention she got brought out the puppy in her again!


WHY GO TO A PROFESSIONAL GROOMER? CAN'T WE JUST BATHE OUR DOGS AND CUT THEIR NAILS AT HOME?

Read our groomers' responses on the next page.


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