Have you been hearing that telltale "click, click, click" for the last few days when your dog walks across the hardwood, tile or linoleum? Have you recently brought home a new puppy or dog and are looking to maintain his or her nails yourself? Either way, here are a few tips to help make at-home pooch pedicures more pleasant for everyone.

photo: dog-supplies-advisor.com

Overly-long nails are detrimental to your dog’s health and comfort. They make walking difficult; in extreme cases they may cause the toes to twist or even grow into the sensitive pads. On a less important note, they can destroy furniture and flooring, as well.

First off, invest in a good pair of dog nail trimmers that are appropriate to your pet’s size and nail thickness. When cared for properly, they will last a lifetime. Cheap trimmers may break or cut unevenly, turning clipping into an ordeal.

Also purchase a styptic powder, pencil or pads in case you cut too short. Within the nail there is a vein, referred to as the "quick" that grows as the nail grows. Therefore, it is especially easy to do in dogs with overgrown nails. Either way, styptic products will quickly and effectively stop the bleeding.

When your dog is standing squarely, his nails should not touch the floor. This is a good guide to proper length.

Try to make pedicure time fun for your dog. Collect your clippers and styptic powder. It is best to trim weekly - doing so will prevent nail overgrowth. If your dog is not used to having his feet handled or his nails trimmed, work gradually. Start by feeling his toes firmly for a few seconds. Do this until he is comfortable with you holding all feet for a few minutes at a time.

When it comes to clipping, grasp one toe at a time and clip very gradually. After each small snip, look at the bottom of the nail for a black dot, which is the bottom of the quick. Once you see this, stop cutting. If a nail starts to bleed, quickly use your styptic product to stop the bleeding. With regular trims, the quick will recess, allowing you to maintain a shorter nail length without bleeding. Don’t forget the dewclaws, which are located on the insides of the legs, above the feet.

Trimming nails should be a main component of your dog’s weekly grooming routine. It is good for them, good for the furniture and floors, and good for you!

by: dog.com

Obamas’ Dog has arrived in white house. The president’s daughters have a much better treat in store this holiday weekend with a new dog. Dog named "Bo", a 6-month-old Portuguese Water Dog. I’m so glad to hear about this news, because the president’s family also loving dog.

First, the name. According to The Washington Post, which published confirmation of the White House dog news Sunday, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, chose the name because their cousins have a cat named Bo and because Mrs. Obama’s father was nicknamed Diddley, as in Bo Diddley. The dog is a gift from Sen. Ted Kennedy, who owns three dogs of the same breed, known for high spirits and said to be a good fit for kids with allergies. Kennedy had been lobbying the Obamas to get a Portuguese Water Dog  for months.

The Portuguese Water Dog, colloquially known as a Portie. It is a water spaniel breed of gun dog. Portuguese Water Dogs once existed all along Portugal’s coast, where they were taught to herd fish into fishermen’s nets, to retrieve lost tackle or broken nets and to act as couriers from ship to ship, or ship to shore.

Portuguese Water Dogs rode in bobbing fishing trawlers as they worked their way from the cold Atlantic waters of Portugal to the frigid fishing waters off the coast of Iceland where the fleets caught cod to bring home. Portuguese water dogs are classified as working dogs. That means the pups seem to enjoy being given jobs that allow them to display their intelligence, strength, and stamina.

Sources: people.com , nationalgeographic.com, wikipedia.org
 

There are things you need to expect from your breeder as well as some things the breeder will expect from you when you shopping for a new dog. If you have found a responsible breeder which can be done through references. It is an exciting time when you get to bring home a new puppy. They quickly become part of your family and you create a bond with lots of cuddling, trips outside and walks in the park. 

Photo: southportcommunities.co.uk

If buying from a breeder, you will want to be sure you choose a responsible breeder versus a backyard breeder. From a responsible breeder you can expect to be asked such things as your work schedule, who lives in the house with you, what your yard layout is like and the kind of friends you have that may be visiting you in your home. Although these seem like personal questions, the breeder cares what kind of home their puppy may be going to.

A breeder who asks no questions and is just looking for the sale won’t be able to offer you the same quality and breed of puppies as the responsible breeder will. Another perk to buying a puppy from a responsible breeder is that you will be told the lineage that the puppy came from. In other words, you’ll be privy to the father’s as well as the mother’s heritage, and will be given the papers to prove it. This can be an important aspect of buying a puppy because personalities, as well as health issues, are generally hereditary, and it’s nice to be certain that your puppy is from good stock.

Most of the time, a backyard breeder or pet store simply won’t offer this type of information. A responsible breeder will also expect the buyer to have questions and concerns of their own. A buyer should not be afraid to ask questions about this new life you will be taking into your home.

The responsible breeders will be able to help you find the puppy that is right for you and will be happy to give you tips on raising and caring for your new bundle of joy. As long as you find a responsible breeder. It is a sure thing that you’ll find the perfect puppy.