Bath Time....

A cold bath is no way to win your dog over, forget outside with the hose. So the bathtub is the best place to start. You can purchase a restraint with a suction cup on it to attach to the tub or wall. Some dogs are initially fearful of the spray if you have an attachment or hand held shower. Try a gallon jug or pitcher if this is the case. Nice warm to hot water is very relaxing, we all know that. I start with the water at the back end of the dog, stroking the back as I go. You want to be firm because we ARE going to do this. But you also need to be calm and non-confrontational. Sometimes they use that route to go ahead and put up a fight. A good bit of massage in the mix will help the situation, also some "atta boys". If the head is a huge problem, use a warm, wet washcloth with a bit of shampoo on it and then rinse with same method, a clean wet cloth. Be upbeat and happy with your dog not angry. You may find yourself making some progress. Always reward a job well done, makes it easier the next time......

RVA Strength Fest

EWWW...Anal Gland Expression! A tip from the groomer...

Ahhh, the expression of the anal glands, could there be a more unpleasant task. This is really a hands on task, but I will try to explain it to the best of my ability. There are two main reasons that your dog scoots his bottom across your carpet. One he has tapeworms, which means he has ingested a flea and two, or the sacs are full and causing discomfort. If it is reason 1, you need to treat for fleas and you can by an OTC tapeworm treatment or get some Drocit from your vet. The telltale sign here is mini-rice stuck around your dogs anus. Dried up if dead and looking like cooked moving rice if alive. Now back to the topic at hand. The anal glands are your dogs signature of identification. Ideally, every time he has a bowel movement he deposits a small amount of scent from the glands. Every dog in his path can read that signature and tell a great deal about who has traveled before him. Sometimes due to diet or who knows what the glands will get full and sometimes impacted and can also become infected. The consistency ranges from watery to a thick paste. The color can be a very pale yellow to almost black, there is no normal. Blood however would be a cause for concern and your dog should be seen by a veterinarian. The odor is most foul so you dont want to have your face in the trojectary range. It can be so thick it just sits there or so thin it will shoot across the room. Now, for the hands on part. You will place your thumb and index finger between four and five o'clock and seven and eight o'clock (if the anus were a clock). Holding the base of the tail with the other hand you will squeeze in and up at the same time with the two fingers. If the sacs are empty there will be no resistance at all. If they are full, you can feel a roundness and a tightness. Use a slow constant pressure, when you are successful you will know it. Have a paper towel or washcloth handy. This takes practice and it is not for the faint of heart. GOOD LUCK ,your dog will appreciate it.