If you haven't already, please take a few moments to read "The Story of 2 Dogs". In it you will find tips written in to their story.

Although they can be a little high priced, get a yearly dental clearning on your dog. If you cannot afford to do, consider getting chicken flavor toothpaste made special for dogs and brush their teeth yourself.

For shorter coated breeds such as German Shepherds (short-medium coated), labs, etc., a curry-comb (like what is used on horses) is an excellent way of getting that extra shedding fur out of them. For longer-haired breeds such as Chow-chows, shelties, boarder collies, pomeranians, etc., use a combination of an undercoat rake and wire slicker brush. For small breeds such as the shih-tzu, maltese, Lhasa-apsos, etc, once your dog has been thouroughly brushed out by your groomer, be sure to brush your dog at home as often as you can. Use a comb and be sure to comb all the way down to skin. Being sure your dog is brushed all the way to the skin is important. If it not, the top layer will look nice, but the body will become matted, not allowing the skin to properly breathe.

If you have a dog who does not like to be brushed, or you just dont have the time, consider a couple of options. Your first option is to take your dog to the groomer as often as they recommend and have them do it for you. Many groomers will give repeat customers a discount if they come in often. If frequent trips to the groomer are not in your budget, considering having your dog shaved. There are blade sizes that can still leave some hair on the dog but not leave it so long that it tangles easy. If youre considered about the dog getting cold, buy a sweater. It is very cruel for a person to not want their dogs hair cut, but to only bring it in 3 times a year (or in some cases, less) then let the dog go thru the pain and discomfort of dematting. If you still think your dog just looks terrible with short hair and frequent trips to the groomer are not in your budget, the last option is learn how to properly brush and spend the time doing it between groomings. This tip would mainly apply for the medium-longer coated breeds.

If you want a breed of dog that is generally low maintanence and does not need frequent trips to a groomer, get something like a fox terrier, labrador, dalmation, etc. Be sure to research your breed of choice beforehand. You will want a dog who has a personality and characteristics that meet yours.

For breeds with floppy ears that hang down, especially spaniels (cockers, springers, etc), golden retrievers, dalmations, bassett hounds and even little dogs like pekingneses and begals, be sure to check and clean the insides of their ears regularly. Buy an ear cleaning solution/deoderizer online or from your local pet store. When the ears hang down, this does not allow the air to get to them. As dirt builds up, painful, smelly infections and even hearing loss can result. Breeds like shepherd, american eskimos, etc., dont generally have these problems but it never hurts to check. Be especially cautious with floppy ear breeds (such as labs and goldens) if they go swimming. Bacteria loves warm places to grow and inside of the ears tends to be a favored spot.

Nail trimming is important. Veteranarins often charge more to clip a dogs nails than a groomer will. Most groomers will cut your dogs nails on a walk in basis for a nominal fee. It never hurts to call ahead and price and find out what time to bring your dog in for a nail clipping is convenient though.

Shedding- Does your dog have a shedding problem? It could be due to his diet. Dogs who eat meals high in protein, and lamb and rice meal do not shed much. Dogs who consume mostly corn and generic discount dog foods tend to shed more. Improving your dogs diet can decrease shedding signifcantly and lower the risk of skin and other problems down the road.

Another tip to reduce shedding and NATURALLY repel fleas: Give your dog "Brewer's Yeast" tablets.

Now for the best kept secret on getting rid of skunk odor. Are you a do it yourselfer who would prefer to wash and groom your own dog? Has your dog been the victim of a skunk? Tomato juice does NOT work. Ive seen groomers use 50/50 vinager/water solution and the dog smells like an easter egg. Heres a guaranteed tip to get rid of skunk odor and leave your dog smelling fresh and clean. First, wash the dog as your would normally until he/she is totally clean. Now its time to get rid of the skunk smell. Mix an industrial strength dog shampoo, some baking soda and a LOT of hydrogen peroxide together. Cover the entire dog and leave on for 10 minutes. Just be careful about the eyes, ears and nose when applying it. Ive done it on customers dogs myself, and this method really does work. The amounts to use will vary on dog size.

If you only have one dog and are away from a lot or need to board him/her, consider looking for a similar sized pal for your dog. Dogs by nature are pack animals and like to be in groups. While for most families, more than 2 dogs isnt practical, having at least 2 may keep both of them at ease when youre away.

For dogs that love to chew and EAT their toys, get something very strong and sturdy such a Kong Toy. If a dog shreds a toy down to small pieces, throw the small pieces away to prevent them from being ingested. Toys will help serve as a distraction from items they should not chew on.

Dog by nature are den animals and will often feel secure in an enclosed area. Putting their bedding in a crate (with the door removed if no longer used for training) will provide a secure place for them to sleep.

Be careful with training aids such as choke or pinch collars. I prefer pinch collars on a dog that pulls over a choke not only due to the effectiveness, but a pinch collar is not as likely to collapse the trachea, cut off arteries in the neck, etc., if the dog constantly tugs. Different dogs respond to different techniques. Not all of them will respond to a pinch, whereas others who are strong willed, may not respond to anything but. Be sure to use training aids and collars that match your dogs personality most closely.

Most behavioral problems CAN be corrected with proper training and dedication. Because each dog is unique, a professional, licensed trainer can help you iron out those tough issues.

My dogs respond to praise due to their eagerness to please. Some respond to balls or toys. Others only will respond for treats. Use a training technique your dog responds most well to.

Last, NEVER EVER strike, hit or abuse any animal. Verbal scolding will be most effective. Physically harming an animal will cause him/her to become distrustful of you. Losing your temper is never appropriate, they just wont understand. There is a difference between a swat on the muzzle for growling or some inappropriate behavior as that, compared to a rolled up newspaper striking a dog repetitively. For the best relationship with your dog, one with lots of love, praise and rules and boundries set will be most effective.

Foods with Lamb and Rice meal are best. Dont be fooled by fancy brand names sold at the vets or the store. READ THE INGREDIENTS and AVOID dog foods where corn meal and soy products are the primary ingredients.

For those on a budget, I would suggest getting a bag of lamb and rice, then going to WalMart for a bag of OlRoy. Mix the two together. Your dog will get his/her nutritional needs, but the quality food will not disappear quite as fast if mixed in with a cheaper brand.

Hot Spots on a dogs skin can be a very annoying problem. They often look like a dark patch of dry skin where the hair is not growing. This is often due to too much corn in your dogs diet which causes the skin to dry out. Before a trip to the vet, you may want make some diet modifications first and see if that helps.

If your dog appears to be overweight, and flakey, oily or just really disgusting skin in general, they may have a thyroid problem. Another sign of a thyroid problems can include the insides of the ears looking very wrinkly and swollen almost. Please take the dog in for a blood test if they are showing these signs. There are very effective pet medications.

Getting heartworm tests are also important. This will help insure your dogs long-term health. Especially if there are heartworms. They can be caught early on and treated.

A yearly veteranarian exam is highly recommended. There are owners who just cannot afford this however. At a minimum, always keep your dog up on their vaccinations. PetSmart and even many shelters will often times have a vaccination clinic once a month, where they will give vaccinations anywhere from $5 - $15 on average depending on where you go. I just buy the vaccinations my dogs need yearly at the feed store and do it myself now,but I would NOT recommend this unless you know what you are doing.

Do you have a large breed dog who is prone to or has hip problems? If they enjoy swimming, take them to where they can swim as often as possible. Swimming is excellent therapy for sore joints and hips.

Most human foods should be AVOIDED. There are exceptions such as my favorites of cooked rice and plain yogurt which are excellent for their skin. Many human foods, however, contain ingredients that dogs cannot digest. Some substances such as items with caffine or chocolate are very toxic and could kill your dog if enough is ingested. If youre like me and give in to rovers eyes and have to feed him/her scraps, be careful what you feed them and do it in moderation.

You wouldnt feed a child tons of candy and cookies, so have the same respect for your dog and also give them their treats in moderation.

There is no 911 number for pets. Activating the 911 emergency system is a big NO. There have been distraught pet owners who have called saying nothing more than my baby is not breathing. Ambulance crews who show up may or may not try to help (depending on their protocol and if the crew are pet lovers or not, having a slow/busy night, etc). Generally in these cases, the person is often fined and gets in to very big trouble. Since 911 on pet emergencies is not allowed, be sure to locate the nearest 24 hour vet and keep their phone number handy on the fridge or somewhere accessible. Since most of us medical personnel are not trained on pet emergencies, the average paramedic or EMT will not be able to help you. Plan ahead. Your vet will be of more help than anyone.

Trouble breathing. There are endless causes that can cause a dog to have labored or hard breathing. All causes can range from trauma to medical conditions. Heart failure, cancers, collapsed trachea and choking are just a a couple of possibilities. If your dog has trouble breathing, this is among the highest priority of emergencies. If a dog (or person) does not get enough oxygenation, cardiac arrest(heart attack) and death will follow. Another sign to try and determine your dogs level of distress is the color of their gums and tongue. If they are purpleish and not their normal pink, this is an extreme sign of distress and the dog will die if not treat.

Pale gums and tongue. Two of the most likely possibilites for this can be either shock or anemia. There may be other other causes I am not aware, but that sign would be a good indication to go in.

Obvious trauma such as being hit by a car, falling off a roof, being trampled by a horse, etc. If your dog has been involved in any type of trauma, take him in as soon as possible. Even if nothing appears too bad at first, life threatening conditions and shock can set in very quickly.

Anti-freeze ingestion. The green glowing substance can drip from cars and for some reason, tastes very sweet and delicious to animals. Because most all anti-freeze solutions contain Ethylene Glycol, it is toxic and fatal to any mammal that ingests it. The Ethylene Glycol causes the kidneys to crystalize, and eventually, hepato-renal failure takes place. The pets body can no longer rid natural toxins from its body. Euthanasia is often the only choice if ingestion goes untreated. If your dog has ingested anti-freeze, force him to drink (even if you need to forcefully pour it) hydrogen peroxide. This will cause them to vomit. Next, take the to the vet immediately. They do make an anti-toxin which can reverse the poisoning effects of anti-freeze if given within 6 hours.

As with any foreign body or poison ingestion, most vets will tell you that Hydrogen Peroxide ~or~ baking soda mixed in water and given to the dog will cause them to vomit. The sooner after something has been swallowed, the better it is to try and get the substance back. Then please take your dog in to the vet where they can do blood tests and examine the dog for any further toxic effects or give any necessary anti-toxins to save their life.

For a pet who has been excessively drooling, there are many causes. Poisoning or Diabetes are two of many possibilities. A blood test can often let your vet know if its that or something more serious. If it is diabetes, there are insulin shots, medications and therapies to allow your pet to have a long healthy life.

Environmental Emergencies. Dogs can die of heat stroke (being too hot) or hypothermia (being too cold). If you suspect your dog has the possibility of suffering from either, always allow him/her to drink plenty of fluid and take him in to be checked out.

Dog not eating, acting unusual, etc. Like I said at the beginning, if you dont know why something doesnt seem right, get a professional to help figure it out. From Arthritis to Bloat to Cancer to Trauma, there are so many variables that can cause an animal to be ill, that its impossible to list them all here on a short web site. Infected sores, bloody stools, frequent vomiting (not induced by the owner) are also emergent. Conditions as dehydration may require IV re-hydration, and just letting your dog drink may not be enough. Dont just go by whats on the list and if in doubt, you know what to do.

If you like the tips Ive listed, feel free to use them at your discretion. If youve found my site through a web search and wish to use content for school research papers and whatever purpose, youre more than welcome. Just let email me to let me know what parts youre using so I can let you know if anything should be changed or could be expanded on, etc. Any questions of course, Ill be happy to try and answer.