All dogs need exercise and grooming to maintain perfect health and some more than others. Runs and long walks are essential for all energetic breeds, whether they be large or small varieties. Fox terriers need just as much exercise as a Rottweiler. Most terrier breeds are very active and energetic and need exercise on a daily basis to prevent them from becoming bored and destructive. Should you find you dog is being destructive, increase its level of daily exercise.
Dog Exercise
Exercise should be controlled and in various locations. Once your dog obeys your commands and is a sociable dog, there are many dog parks where you can let your dog off the leash and run with other dogs. If your dog does not respond to your commands, it is not acceptable to put other dogs at risk and you should not use these facilities.
When walking your dog, make sure you are in command and your dog walks obediently beside you on a loose leash. If your dog pulls you along, your dog is in control and it is time for you to consider obedience training.
There are many collars and leashes and an ordinary leather collar and leash will be sufficient if your dog walks beside you. A short pull on the leash should automatically stop your dog from going ahead of you. Two walks a day is excellent exercise for both you and your dog.
Dog Grooming
Grooming is an essential part of dog care and it provides an ideal opportunity to share a pleasant experience for yourself and your dog, if you start when the pup is young and it gets used to being brushed. All dogs shed hair and longhaired breeds more than others. Regular brushing stops knots and tangles from forming and eliminates a dog’s coat from matting. When grooming your dog you can check for fleas, cuts and general health of your pet.
A dog does not need to be bathed unless its coat gets very dirty, or you are going to show your dog. There are several types of brushes made for different types of coat. Wire and slicker brushes are used on medium to longhaired dogs and hairbrushes for shorthaired dogs. There is also a hound glove for grooming smooth haired coats. A metal comb can be used on shorthaired dogs and for undercoats. Brush backwards against the coat to remove the hair underneath.
Bathing your dog is easier with two people, with one holding the dog on a leash and the other to wash. Depending on the size of the dog, you can use a bath, sink or basin.
There are special shampoos made for dogs and it is not advisable to use detergent, soap or your own shampoo. Dogs can have sensitive skin and you want to avoid irritation.
Nail clipping should not be necessary, if your dog gets regular exercise on hard ground, bitumen or similar surface. If your dog’s nails get to long they will need to be clipped as they curve inward and can cause sores or become deformed. Your vet will do this for you, or you can do it yourself as long as you do not cut the vein. Only clip 3mm off the tip to be safe.
Coat clipping is necessary for Poodles and some other breeds and very heavily coated dogs like the Old English Sheepdog, may benefit from a clipping in summer. With all grooming, make it a pleasant experience for your dog and it will benefit from your care.
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