One of the most essential parts of a dog grooming routine that pet owners should remember is brushing the hair of their pup.
Maintaining a regular habit of brushing your pup helps keep their coat free from mats and tangles and also helps remove any trapped debris and loose hair. And most of all, it keeps your dog look good.

Health benefits of brushing your pet’s hair

When you regularly brush your pup’s hair, it lets you be aware of the normal state of your pet’s body. It is recommended that you spread the hair apart to check the skin of your dog and feel any bumps, lumps or abrasions while you are brushing him. If you do this as a routine, you will easily notice if something has changed with your pup’s body or if something is out of the ordinary. A lot of insect bites, skin cancers and bacterial infections in dogs start with one or two new bumps.
Brushing your pup’s hair is essential because it helps keep the hair mat free. Mats are a result of allowing your pet’s hair to have tangles. Mats are tight bunches of hair that is difficult to separate. If you don’t remove them, it grows bigger and bigger. Mats also form tightly on your dog’s skin, which makes it painful over time. It can collect insects or debris, become smelly and create several skin problems for your pet. Mats should be removed with care using a mat breaking grooming tool or by cutting it out with a pair of scissors carefully.
Another health benefit of brushing your pet’s hair is relaxation. Most dogs like it most when they are brushed, especially if it is started early and done on a regular basis. Brushing massages the skin, helps loosen up dry skin, and makes your pet feel wonderful. Combining the hair brushing routine with sprays made from essential oils, such as chamomile or lavender, the aroma helps give your dog a more relaxing experience.

Brushing tools

 

Double coated dog breeds have a thick undercoat which sheds out two times in a year. It is essential for pet owners to get all of the undercoat out of the pup, or else it will eventually form a mat. The best grooming tools for double coated pups are a comb, rake and a Furminator de-shedding tool.
Silky coated breeds such as Maltese and Yorkshire terriers have hair, not fur. The hair will continue to grow and have a very silky texture. Dogs with silky coats need combs and pin brushes to keep their hair free from tangle and in top condition.
Terriers and dogs that are wiry coated possess hair that is rough in texture and does not shed in a similar way as a normal pup.Terriers usually have their hair stripped or plucked out to keep their coat texture in good condition. The best grooming tools for this kind of coat are a pin brush, stripping grooming tool and a flea comb. A flea comb has teeth that are tightly set, which helps grab dead hairs and pull them out as you comb your dog.
For breeds that have short coats, such as Labrador retrievers, slick brushes and Furminator de-shedding tools work best, as do hound gloves.

How to brush the hair of your dog

To help your pup feel at ease when you are brushing their hair, it is essential that you introduce the routine and the tools needed at an early stage in their life. With a puppy that has never experienced brushing, you, can combine some treats or toys while you lightly brush. Make your pup focus on the treat while you stroke once or twice using a brush. Do this a few times in the beginning, then slowly build up a routine from there.
Dogs that are not used to having their hair brushed often need to be acquainted to the brush, the same way a puppy does. You can let your dog do some exercise first by walking or playing to wear out the excess energy. After that, you can proceed to a downtime of brushing the hair a few times while letting your pup focus on food or toys.
Make the first session for a few minutes only. Forcing a dog to be brushed when he’s not comfortable leaves a bad impression to your pup. For all kinds of dogs, you can start by using a rubber brush or pin brush as these are the most gentle to the touch and makes your dog feel good. When the initial experience of your pup to brushing is good, he will enjoy it when it becomes a routine.

 read more how to choosing the best dog hair clippers at http://petful101.com/top-5-best-dog-hair-clippers-and-professional-dog-grooming-clippers-reviews/

DOG BREED · dog grooming · hair

Brushing the hair of your dog

One of the most essential parts of a dog grooming routine that pet owners should remember is brushing the hair of their pup.
Maintaining a regular habit of brushing your pup helps keep their coat free from mats and tangles and also helps remove any trapped debris and loose hair. And most of all, it keeps your dog look good.

Health benefits of brushing your pet’s hair

When you regularly brush your pup’s hair, it lets you be aware of the normal state of your pet’s body. It is recommended that you spread the hair apart to check the skin of your dog and feel any bumps, lumps or abrasions while you are brushing him. If you do this as a routine, you will easily notice if something has changed with your pup’s body or if something is out of the ordinary. A lot of insect bites, skin cancers and bacterial infections in dogs start with one or two new bumps.
Brushing your pup’s hair is essential because it helps keep the hair mat free. Mats are a result of allowing your pet’s hair to have tangles. Mats are tight bunches of hair that is difficult to separate. If you don’t remove them, it grows bigger and bigger. Mats also form tightly on your dog’s skin, which makes it painful over time. It can collect insects or debris, become smelly and create several skin problems for your pet. Mats should be removed with care using a mat breaking grooming tool or by cutting it out with a pair of scissors carefully.
Another health benefit of brushing your pet’s hair is relaxation. Most dogs like it most when they are brushed, especially if it is started early and done on a regular basis. Brushing massages the skin, helps loosen up dry skin, and makes your pet feel wonderful. Combining the hair brushing routine with sprays made from essential oils, such as chamomile or lavender, the aroma helps give your dog a more relaxing experience.

Brushing tools

 

Double coated dog breeds have a thick undercoat which sheds out two times in a year. It is essential for pet owners to get all of the undercoat out of the pup, or else it will eventually form a mat. The best grooming tools for double coated pups are a comb, rake and a Furminator de-shedding tool.
Silky coated breeds such as Maltese and Yorkshire terriers have hair, not fur. The hair will continue to grow and have a very silky texture. Dogs with silky coats need combs and pin brushes to keep their hair free from tangle and in top condition.
Terriers and dogs that are wiry coated possess hair that is rough in texture and does not shed in a similar way as a normal pup.Terriers usually have their hair stripped or plucked out to keep their coat texture in good condition. The best grooming tools for this kind of coat are a pin brush, stripping grooming tool and a flea comb. A flea comb has teeth that are tightly set, which helps grab dead hairs and pull them out as you comb your dog.
For breeds that have short coats, such as Labrador retrievers, slick brushes and Furminator de-shedding tools work best, as do hound gloves.

How to brush the hair of your dog

To help your pup feel at ease when you are brushing their hair, it is essential that you introduce the routine and the tools needed at an early stage in their life. With a puppy that has never experienced brushing, you, can combine some treats or toys while you lightly brush. Make your pup focus on the treat while you stroke once or twice using a brush. Do this a few times in the beginning, then slowly build up a routine from there.
Dogs that are not used to having their hair brushed often need to be acquainted to the brush, the same way a puppy does. You can let your dog do some exercise first by walking or playing to wear out the excess energy. After that, you can proceed to a downtime of brushing the hair a few times while letting your pup focus on food or toys.
Make the first session for a few minutes only. Forcing a dog to be brushed when he’s not comfortable leaves a bad impression to your pup. For all kinds of dogs, you can start by using a rubber brush or pin brush as these are the most gentle to the touch and makes your dog feel good. When the initial experience of your pup to brushing is good, he will enjoy it when it becomes a routine.

 read more how to choosing the best dog hair clippers at http://petful101.com/top-5-best-dog-hair-clippers-and-professional-dog-grooming-clippers-reviews/

July 26--People lined up Wednesday near Banbury Place as the smell of grilled chicken floated around them in the parking lot.

A clown wandered among the folding tables where people sat and ate as he twisted colored balloons into birds, dogs and swords for children outside Positive Avenues east of downtown Eau Claire. Hair clippers buzzed as those finished with their meal sat down for a quick haircut.

Before people could eat, though, they had to fill out a quick survey asking for their name and age, among other questions. It also asked if they had a place to sleep Wednesday night.

Kristi Malec, a lead staff member at Sojourner House, an overnight shelter, said the survey and the dinner were part of an effort Wednesday night to count the number of homeless people in Eau Claire County. She said the results are important because they raise awareness about the issue.

"Not everyone knows that we have this growing problem in Eau Claire ... more and more people sleeping on the street," she said. "There's a real problem here."

'There is a need'

By about halfway through the event, more than 60 people had filled out surveys; of those, at least eight people didn't know where they were going to spend Wednesday night. Others had plans to stay with friends or in an area shelter. After the dinner volunteers headed out for a street count conducted by the Eau Claire Continuum of Care, which Malec expected would last until at least 10 p.m.

Karen Smith, a homeless case manager at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency -- which assists disadvantaged residents -- said area shelters are full, turning people away and putting them on waiting lists.

"We know that the services we provide are very important," Smith said. "But we also know that maybe we need more services provided to meet the needs in our community."

Wednesday's count is part of a statewide tally required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It's meant to collect data on the number, characteristics and needs of homeless people. That information helps determine funding needed for services for the homeless, Smith said.

Smith said she hopes this year's information will mean an increase in future funding.

"There is a need," she said.

Hope for the future

Lisa Wood, 50, and her family stopped by the event for dinner and haircuts.

Originally from Chicago, Wood and her family are staying at one of Western Dairyland's shelters. They moved to Eau Claire in February after not being able to find jobs in Rice Lake.

Wood's husband found work through temporary job services in Eau Claire, and the family stayed in motels until they were out of money. Wood then applied to stay in one of Western Dairyland's shelters in late June, but didn't get in until about a week ago.

"We just pitched a tent and stayed where we could until we got in Western Dairyland because of the wait," she said.

Wood said her family has had a good experience at the shelter and they hope to stay in the area and rent. She was pleased by the event.

"I think it's pretty good that they provided this," she said. "I come downtown a lot ... so I run into a lot of homeless people. It's kind of sad that even we're in that position."

The count occurs at the end of January and July, with volunteers searching the community for homeless people. In July 2011 the total was in the lower 20s. In January 2012 none was counted. Malec said it was a very cold night and groups that went out couldn't find anyone, but that didn't mean the homeless weren't out there.

Malec also hoped Wednesday's dinner would be a great social opportunity for the homeless. Free haircuts and massages were available, and resource services were present to answer questions.

"I'm really hoping ... they can forget their situation and become hopeful for their future," Malec said.

Schossow can be reached at 715-830-5832, 800-236-7077 or breann.schossow@ecpc.com.

___

(c)2012 the Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.)

hair · new

Meals, haircuts provided in effort to count the homeless

July 26--People lined up Wednesday near Banbury Place as the smell of grilled chicken floated around them in the parking lot.

A clown wandered among the folding tables where people sat and ate as he twisted colored balloons into birds, dogs and swords for children outside Positive Avenues east of downtown Eau Claire. Hair clippers buzzed as those finished with their meal sat down for a quick haircut.

Before people could eat, though, they had to fill out a quick survey asking for their name and age, among other questions. It also asked if they had a place to sleep Wednesday night.

Kristi Malec, a lead staff member at Sojourner House, an overnight shelter, said the survey and the dinner were part of an effort Wednesday night to count the number of homeless people in Eau Claire County. She said the results are important because they raise awareness about the issue.

"Not everyone knows that we have this growing problem in Eau Claire ... more and more people sleeping on the street," she said. "There's a real problem here."

'There is a need'

By about halfway through the event, more than 60 people had filled out surveys; of those, at least eight people didn't know where they were going to spend Wednesday night. Others had plans to stay with friends or in an area shelter. After the dinner volunteers headed out for a street count conducted by the Eau Claire Continuum of Care, which Malec expected would last until at least 10 p.m.

Karen Smith, a homeless case manager at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency -- which assists disadvantaged residents -- said area shelters are full, turning people away and putting them on waiting lists.

"We know that the services we provide are very important," Smith said. "But we also know that maybe we need more services provided to meet the needs in our community."

Wednesday's count is part of a statewide tally required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It's meant to collect data on the number, characteristics and needs of homeless people. That information helps determine funding needed for services for the homeless, Smith said.

Smith said she hopes this year's information will mean an increase in future funding.

"There is a need," she said.

Hope for the future

Lisa Wood, 50, and her family stopped by the event for dinner and haircuts.

Originally from Chicago, Wood and her family are staying at one of Western Dairyland's shelters. They moved to Eau Claire in February after not being able to find jobs in Rice Lake.

Wood's husband found work through temporary job services in Eau Claire, and the family stayed in motels until they were out of money. Wood then applied to stay in one of Western Dairyland's shelters in late June, but didn't get in until about a week ago.

"We just pitched a tent and stayed where we could until we got in Western Dairyland because of the wait," she said.

Wood said her family has had a good experience at the shelter and they hope to stay in the area and rent. She was pleased by the event.

"I think it's pretty good that they provided this," she said. "I come downtown a lot ... so I run into a lot of homeless people. It's kind of sad that even we're in that position."

The count occurs at the end of January and July, with volunteers searching the community for homeless people. In July 2011 the total was in the lower 20s. In January 2012 none was counted. Malec said it was a very cold night and groups that went out couldn't find anyone, but that didn't mean the homeless weren't out there.

Malec also hoped Wednesday's dinner would be a great social opportunity for the homeless. Free haircuts and massages were available, and resource services were present to answer questions.

"I'm really hoping ... they can forget their situation and become hopeful for their future," Malec said.

Schossow can be reached at 715-830-5832, 800-236-7077 or breann.schossow@ecpc.com.

___

(c)2012 the Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.)