Dogs with long hair must be combed out everyday. If you dont comb out the long hair it invariable tangles and you have to spend more time untangling the knots. If the tangle or knot grows it gets more twisted and thick causing the knot to pull up against the dogs skin. That pulling sensation is irritating and even painful to a dog. Youll often see a dog licking its coat/hair where its hair is knotted or tangled and thats because that area hurts the dog.
Our dog just got her nails cut. Make sure you take your dog to the groomer regularly for a nail-cutting. Overgrown nails start to curl under causing the dogs paw to twist unnaturally which can result in hurting the paw. Make sure you know where the quick is on the nail. If you cut too much of the nail youll cut the quick and cause bleeding. If your dog has dew claws make sure theyre cut back also.
Best not to let water get into your dogs ear, the bacteria in water can cause an infection.
California is infamous for its "Foxtails" which are tall thin weeds with very pointed ends. These pointy ends invariably end up in a dogs paw, legs, back and even ears during a walk. Always check those areas on your dog when coming back from a walk. Our dog has suffered from ear infections ever since a small point of a Foxtail got stuck in her eardrum. Paw infections are also common. Foxtails are as nasty an enemy as your dog can have in California-always check your dog for them!
Heres the article on grooming your dog at The Seattle Times.
