Who wouldn’t prefer to cuddle up with a freshly scrubbed, perfumed pooch rather than a stinky mutt with matted fur?

Bathing a dog is not always as much fun as it sounds though!

If your dog is less than enthusiastic, like mine, you may need to have some tricks up your sleeve to get him into that shower cubicle. If you have a smaller dog, you probably will find a bath tub easier – I can’t really lift 30+ kilos of Labrador into a tub!

Some dogs hate bath time and prefer swimming in murky waters instead but with these tips you should be able persuade them.

1.     Always use a positive, excited tone when preparing for a bath – like something wonderful is about to happen.

2.      Have some treats, some extra tasty ham or a favourite toy handy.

3.     As soon as he is in, praise him and give some treats.

4.     Make sure that the water is a pleasant temperature, not too hot or cold.

5.     You can give him a relaxing back massage whilst working the shampoo in.

6.     Don’t have the water pressure too high as this can scare a dog.

Dogs with short hair that is easy to keep clean might only need bathing once a month. Use baby wipes to clean them up in between baths. Long haired breeds may need to bathe more often.

Once your dog has had some positive experiences, you can move onto to using the hair dryer. This can be scary for some dogs because of the noise, so again have those treats ready!

And now the fun part! Probably the whole bathroom is covered in dog hair and the walls are splattered with water. Get your spouse to clean it all up! You did all the hard work after all!

Your dog is a social being, just like you! He/she loves walking in the park with you, playing ball or chase with you, and just being with you. Even when he/she’s lying around the house or the garden having a nap, he/she is well aware of your presence, or absence, and appreciates every minute you spend with him/her. Dogs love being part of the family and no doubt has a special relationship with most, if not all, of the family members.

I have two labradors, one of them since he was a puppy, and they’re definitely members of my family. I love them to bits and cannot imagine living without them.

I’ll bet your dog is much like mine when it comes to interacting with you.

I know my dogs are always beside themselves with joy and excitement whenever I come home – regardless of whether I’ve been away for a week, or just popped out for 10 minutes! What human gets that excited to see you? No one? I thought so. I don’t know any human who’s even half that happy to see me.

Spud often wags his tail or rubs against my legs when I walk past or talk to him. And Buddy doesn’t move from his comfy spot on the sofa, but his tail beats like a drum against it. It just goes to show that every dog has his/her own unique personality. Just like us.

Although they love spending time sunbathing in the garden on sunny days, they consider their place is in the house with their pack.

And why not? Dogs really can be a man’s (or a woman’s or a child’s) best friend. They rarely ask for anything. So long as you feed them regularly, and show them some love and attention, (or in Buddy’s case play ball with him!) they’re happy. And a happy dog is the first step to a healthy dog.

Consistency when dealing with your dog is very important. And I’m talking here about both the initial teaching/training of your dog, and also the reinforcement of those teachings throughout your dog’s life.

It’s essential for your dog’s wellbeing for you to be consistent when disciplining, playing with and just simply spending time with, your dog. But it’s also important for other members of the household (and even frequent visitors) to treat your dog in a similar manner where possible. This is particularly so if your dog has any problem behaviours, such as jumping up at people. If you don’t also ask your family and your visitors to make it clear to your dog that this is unacceptable, your dog is unlikely to curb the jumping altogether. And this may simply perpetuate the problem.

Dogs who experience consistency tend to be better behaved dogs, and, guess what? You guessed it – better behaved dogs are happier dogs, and happier dogs are healthier dogs!

So you know what to do – love your dog, spend quality time with your dog, and make sure you’re consistent.

It’s getting cold and wet outside so time to wrap your pooches up! At least the ones who don’t have a lot on them “coat-wise”.

This autumn we have some lovely new designs from Puppy Angel, EzyDog and Danish Design. Puppy Angel manufactures dog clothes mainly for tiny to medium sized dogs but certain designs go up to fit big doggies too. You can find that a Puppy Angel size LARGE will be quite a bit smaller than most other brands.

Whether you have a teeny-tiny dog or a big bear, an essential item for the autumn season is the doggie raincoat. The Pac a Mac has plenty of ventilation from underneath so your dog won’t overheat and is very is easy to pop on. It comes in red and eaily folds into the little pocket on the back.
The Puppy Angel 5th Avenue dog jackets are very stylish and suberb quality. They are available 7 cool colours, so all the mutts can have their pick!

Another firm favourite is the EzyDog Element Jacket. This one comes in 4 colours and it’s lined with polar fleece so very soft and warm.

We have a very cute number from Puppy Angel. This is a reversible jacket-fleece combo that you pup can wear when it’s raining or when it’s simply just tooth-chattering cold. It’s tiny and very cute:

Preparations before becoming the parent of a puppy

Getting a puppy is a life-long commitment that requires careful consideration. It will be one of the most important and fulfilling purchases you will ever make, so finding out as much as possible before committing is paramount. A dog’s average life expectancy is 12 years, so think long-term!

Amongst other things, this is what you need to consider:

1. How would a dog fit into your lifestyle?

If you work full time and there is no one home during the day, getting a dog might not be the best idea. Small pups require lots of attention. Initially they require feeding every 4 hours and they need to have access to a garden every 2-3 hours. Just as their bodies, their bladders are also very small and cannot control themselves effectively. After bringing our first pup, Spud home, I took 2 weeks off work to make sure I could look after him properly. I also have someone at home all day, save a couple of hours here and there.

All dogs require exercise every day, so you must be able to take him out at least once a day. In addition, dogs should have access to a garden where they can run about. If you live in a flat without any open space, a small dog might suit better. In this case, you will obviously need to take him out several times a day.

2. Are you buying from an accredited breeder?

Breeders accredited by the Kennel Club follow recommended breeding guidelines. This is important if you are to make sure that your new pup is healthy and of good temperament. Reputable breeders will let you see the mother and sometimes the father of the puppy, giving you an idea of how your pup might turn out when he/she grows up.

3. Are you prepared to care for a dog?

Apart from regular exercise, a dog also needs training, grooming, bathing. Dog leads and collars, dog treats, dog beds and veterinary bills can add up very quickly even if they don’t seem like a lot individually.