The way To Read Your Dog's Tail

Your doggie's tale indicates more about your dog's emotions than you might think.

High, stiff, and wagging = “I’m in charge”
A tail that’s upright like a mast doesn’t necessarily mean that a dog is feeling aggressive, but she’s certainly being assertive. Many people get bitten because they misinterpret stiffly wagging tails. A tail held high and wagging stiffly is the sign of a dominant dog, and it could mean that the dog is ready to attack.

Low, fast wags and short sweeps = “I’m no threat”
When a meek dog is approached by a more assertive dog—one with her tail up and stiffly wagging—she has only one reasonable response: to show the bossy dog that she isn’t a threat. Dogs who are fearful or submissive often will respond to another dog’s approach by holding their tails low and wagging them just slightly. This means, “Hey, I’m friendly and no threat at all.”

Low, slow wags and large sweeps = “It’s good to see you”
Sometimes a wag is really just a wag. You’ll know your dog is wagging because she’s happy to see you and wants to play when her tail is low or even with her body and is wagging a little slowly, but in wide sweeps back and forth. Usually, her whole butt will be wiggling as well.

Keep in mind: Some hunting dogs, like spaniels, have been bred to wag their tails constantly while pursuing quarry. To signal that they’ve found their game, they stop wagging and hold their tails stiffly up in the air. On the other hand, herding dogs are bred to have less tail movement so that their wagging tails don’t distract or excite the animals that they’re trying to herd. If you didn’t know that about these animals, you might think one was overly excited while the other was overly staid, when it’s really just the way they were bred.

Decipher What Your Dog Is Saying With His Tail

Ever wish you knew what your dog was thinking? You can — just watch his tail! Instead of using words, your dog uses body language to communicate. While a dog's message can only be fully understood by looking at his entire body, the tail end offers some significant clues to how he is feeling.

Here are some indicators to help you decipher what your pooch may be telling you with his tail.

The Tail's Height

Tail height can offer important insight into a dog's state of mind. In general, a dog who is holding his tail high may be feeling excited, alert or dominant, while a dog holding his tail down low may be afraid or submissive. The more anxious or submissive a dog is feeling, the more tightly he will tuck his tail close to his body.

Sometimes a tail held in a neutral or low position just means the dog is incredibly relaxed — this even happens to dogs with curled tails like Pugs, whose tails unravel and go straight when resting. A dog who carries his tail lower than usual can also be indicating that he is in pain, or exhausted from too much exercise.

It’s important to keep in mind that the normal tail carriage varies for every dog, since tail height is relative to the breed and individual dog. Chow Chows and Chinese Shar-Peis, for instance, naturally have a high, curved tail, while Whippets and Greyhounds have a lower tail carriage. Your knowledge of your dog's personality can help you determine if your dog is feeling happy or threatened, or if he's a little bit scared or just super relaxed.

The Tension in the Tail
A rigid, highly held tail shows a very aroused state; this dog is likely going to react to things around him, whether that’s the squirrel he’s spotted in the tree or a dog across the street. If a dog is agitated, his tail may also “fluff” up, with the hair standing up on end.

When the highly raised tail flicks back and forth rapidly, it’s called “flagging” and may indicate an imminent attack from a dog who is ready to defend his ground. Interfering with a dog in this state is a good way to get bitten.

In Pugs and other breeds with curled tails, a tense tail looks different: The existing curl in the tail simply gets tighter the more aroused the dog gets, eventually curling over itself again. In these dogs, a tensed tail doesn’t always mean aggression, and can simply indicate excitement.

The Way the Tail Wags
Not all wags mean a friendly dog. The type of wag that indicates a happy, relaxed dog is usually a sweeping tail wag that moves from side to side at a height close to the dog’s relaxed tail carriage. An exuberant, joyful reaction would be a tail wag that beats back and forth with gusto at a fairly neutral height, with the dog's hind end often wagging back and forth in unison and the tail possibly even moving in a circular fashion.

Keep in mind that a friendly dog may not wag his tail, while a tense dog may. An insecure tail wag is usually held low and may tick back and forth slightly or swiftly. The low, insecure tail wag could mean the dog is unsure about a situation; this wag may be a form of submission, or the dog may be conflicted and may bite.

Believe it or not, the direction your dog’s tail is wagging toward you or other family members may indicate the way he feels about you, according to a study from Italy published in Current Biology. The study showed that when dogs were attracted to or wanted to approach a person or stimulus, their tail wagged with bias to the right, while dogs that were fearful or wanted to withdraw from a person or stimulus had their tails wag with bias to the left.

Though it’s fun to try to guess what our dogs are feeling with their tail language, it’s absolutely essential to look at your dog’s overall body language to truly decipher what he may be feeling. One small slice of a dog’s body language will not tell the full story.

Why do dogs have tails?

Dog TailsA dog's tail is an extension of the spine. It helps them to keep balance when they run. Moreover, A dog's tail position and motion is incorporated as a component of a complex system of body language that domestic dogs use to show excitement or agitation. 

In Addition

In mammals a tail appears physically as an extension of the backbone ("Chordata"- zoological classification of animals that have a backbone) is the central upright balancing hanger of adjoined parts of a creature. 

 

If you reduce a tail to a Chordate, the most abstract is an Eel or Snake. 

A tail can be thought of as an extra limb thats' mechanics may or may not be particularly dexterous or manipulative by its usage upon objects(except in Possums and Monkeys though they prefer to do much of and any dexterous manipulations of objects using any of the other limbs they have and sometimes but rarely the limbs adjoined to their pelvis' in preference to the limbs adjoining the neck and shoulders). 

However, as a primitive simple or poorly functioning limb it only tends to commit protection of the sensitive genital area of creatures in land based animals when used as a limb for a function by the actual direct usage for manipulation of its being. 

Definitely in dogs' and cats', emotional expression is abstractly obvious(definitely related to) related their tails manipulation by the tails' manipulator muscles having positioning or posture movements effected upon it deliberately. 

Definitely also it is obvious that the backbone is a jarring(adverb) fastening against the shock waves of movement caused by usage of its adjoined limbs during traversal, of the tail will be sending back more shock waves amplified by the tails' position setting muscles' associate nerves and mechanical effect of gravity relating each shock cycle upon the fulcrum of the tail base. 

The resulting usage of the resultant traversal shock cycle can indicate anything from fatigue to a forced repositioning of the tail by an external or environmental influence, inclusive, how well balance is being maintained in some situations of movement. 

Tails appear to have their best usage in flight(running at top speed) whether as an environmental sensor(wind) or as a defensive sensor when fleeing (enemy touches its tail during running). 

More Input and Opinions:

1. Contrary to popular opinion, dogs have tails just because that is how God created them. God made dogs with tails, so they have tails only because of that reason.
2. Dogs have tails for a special reason: To operates mechanically and psychologically (and also behaviorally and emotionally) 
3. In nature, ecosystematics help it survive.While its tail can easily be seen in motion it is not really for emotional expression or attraction of other animals except in nurture of their own young because dogs have a narrow field of vision though wild dogs can see prey in either night light or day light. Neither is it in any direct exacting for balance as is thought of the mechanics of (e.g. kangaroos' tails) as i will explain. While dogs do demonstrate usages of their tails alike communication or balance, there are other animals that demonstrate it is not required to have a tail at levels of predator ability and sizes that dogs are.
4. A dog is a carnivorous predator that is thought to have been evolved from the Grey Wolf over the past 10 million years and as the classification predator implies it hunts game for its food. 
5. However, carnivorous predating game for food requires a set of inbuilt drives psychologically that enable the dog to survive called predatory instinct(a primary directive in Canis), of this has a special part of it called"chase instinct".
6. As you have probably seen both kittens and puppies and even bigger varieties of either Canidae or Felidaechase their own tails and snap their teeth at them and once in a rare time injure their own tail mildly.This"chase instinct" has an extremely valuable point that it is part of the predatory psychological drive, that being itcauses them impulsively to react at sudden movements with a rush of emotion or feeling to attack before it comprehends exactly the cause by recognition of the cause.This is a major part of their ability as a predator to survive.
7. Now, "why its tail relates to chase instinct".
8. Generally predators(quadruped mammal) all point their tail directly out behind them straightened when they start to chase.
9. When predators form groups or are alone to hunt but particularly in predators that catch prey by chasing these predators must move at immense speeds almost always to catch their prey.
10. This could be required in a forest at anything from 45 M.p.h / 70 K.m.h. to 55 M.ph. / 90 K.m.h., so a chase lasting twenty seconds could have the dog rush past deadly solid objects such as boulders or tree trunks up to 100 times(during the chase) or more in a fraction of a second at top speed. 
11. This naturally is extremely dangerous but the final most important point is that because they are moving at top speed they "cannot simply stop or adjust course instantly or quickly if wind strikes side on" "unless they are disturbed enough".Because they are effectively a sail at side on to the wind a strong gust will throw them into a tree if they do not realize to adjust to the sudden mechanical environment change.
12. Something must hit the safety switch and cause their starter motor instinct(chase instinct) to shift its attention to the problem using enough emotion overpowering the initial chase.When the tail is struck by the wind at a particular level(e.g. pushing the tail over sideways on its fulcrum at its base while at top speed) it tells the chase instinct to switch its attention to the danger.This is made easy to cause by wind due to the natural mechanics of the tail being easy to disrupt its position and the fur struck by the wind triggers touch that also assists the chase instinct in being distracted to the problem that it could be thrown off course.
13. When it has finally identified it as wind it will even have adjusted instinctively toward(into the wind) the side the wind is coming from by bending around at its tail(metaphorically). It will not do that completely as a grown experienced high speed animal but will have moved somewhat to that position and adjusted its propulsion directions into the wind a little according its natural reactive dexterity.
14. A contrast of prey chasing technique relating the tail can be found in Bobcats(Lynx Rufus) that have a naturally omitted tail(no tail, or extremely short tail) by their biological mechanics, whereby they take more prey by ambush or stalking(no chase, do not pursue) of requires pouncing(ambush) or prey being inside a circumference of 3 to 6 meters and the prey having less ability to accelerate(ambush, not an actual chase) if it detects the Bobcat before it attempts the attack.
15. A tail would be disastrous on a predator attempting ambush techniques as its primary method because of the reactive nature chase instinct has and the greater warning any movement would be to prey animals from psychologically triggered disruptions upon the predator that are beyond the predators control e.g. wind striking its tail, young following in proximity. 
16. However alike a rabbit on the point of having no tail(a Bobcat or Lynx), they have ears that mechanically will be sensitive to strong wind gusts. 

Halloween Costumes for Pets

I was planning on putting her into a cute pink argyle sweater with a choker collar and saddle shoe booties to make her a sock hop cat for Halloween, but she has other ideas. Maybe if I could get her to come out from under the bed I could make another attempt at getting the sweater on, but right now not even treats can lure her.

If you have a more cooperative pet, there are some outrageously cute and outrageously ridiculous costumes you can buy or make for your four pawed companions. At Pampered Whiskers, a portion of your purchase is donated to shelters and rescue organizations [more info on their site] so you can feel extra good about putting a sombrero or crown on your dog or cat.

Down Under Dog Designs can turn your pooch into the Big Bad Wolf [custom sizing available]!





Ever wondered what your dog or cat would look like with braided hair or an afro or long golden locks? You can buy pet wigs like this “Heidi Hound Hat” at Trixie + Peanut!

They have a great selection of costumes [like this "Leap Frog Hoodie" - omg!] and tons of pet accessories. If you’re NYC, you can visit their flagship store on E. 20th!





And if you’re up for making something on your own, how about turning your beloved Fido into a Corn Dog?!?! Love it! You can find the instructions at Doggie Stylish, where artist Karen Friesecke and her ‘spokesmodel’ Jersey offer lots of great products and tutorials [check out her blog].



Happy HOWLoween!! XO!

Fake Hair for dogs

KittyWigs -- For cat owners who want to go that extra mile, KittyWigs is here for you with fancy, colored wigs specifically made for cats.

 

Wiggles Dog Wigs -- And finally, for those dog owners that are totally jealous of all the faux hair on cats, Wiggles Dog Wigs can help your pooch attain a whole new look with their custom designs.

 

Dyson answers dog hair problem with the Groom tool

The Dyson Groom tool has been designed to help prevent the mess associated with dog hair loss by sucking any loose hair into the vacuum before it gets the chance to hit the floorImage Gallery (5 images)

Just when you've got the sofa or carpet clean, the dog appears and sheds a few pounds of loose hair all over the place. It's a problem faced by dog lovers the world over and one which the folks at Dyson UK have been considering for the past year. The result is a vacuum attachment for medium to long haired dogs which sucks up loose hair and dead skin before it gets anywhere near your new clean floor or prized upholstery.

While some dogs shed their coats a couple of times a year, others leave a constant stream of discarded hair in their wake. If you're lucky enough to share your home with a white-haired dog then you'll be familiar with the overnight snowfall that can greet you as you enter the front room in the morning. For those living with medium to long haired pooches, brushes with stainless steel bristles will long have been an essential part of the dog grooming arsenal.

Engineers at Dyson have taken this basic brush design and mixed it with a bit of vacuum cleaner know-how to come up with a tool that's said to solve the issue of brushed hair still ending up on the floor during grooming. It's designed to remove loose hair directly from the dog before it gets the chance to fall and will then suck the captured mess from the brush head into the vacuum cleaner. The bristles are angled at 35 degrees and any dead skin cells that get disturbed during the process are captured by a nozzle near the spring-loaded brush adjustment mechanism.

As the dog is groomed using the attachment, the "tool's stainless steel bristles remove loose hair and dead skin. Bristles and air flow are controlled via thumb pressure on a tab. As the thumb is lifted, pressure is reduced and the bristles retract. Simultaneously, air flow is re-directed to suck hair and allergens into the clear bin – hygienically."

The Dyson Groom tool will fit most of the company's vacuum cleaners and is on sale now direct from Dyson UK for GBP40 (US$64). It will be available through UK retailers from next spring.

New Trend in Dog Design

Dog grooming is a part of dogs care. Professional dog grooming service helps to keep the dog healthy and dogs haircut comfortable and attractive. Modern dogs grooming designs require dying pets fur in various colors, creating intricate patterns, inspired by other animal look or abstract art and contemporary design ideas.

Modern dog grooming salons provide a state of the art professional dog grooming services, offering creative dog grooming design ideas to please dogs and pets owners. Dogs enjoy the attention and friendly professional dog grooming services in pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. Safe dog grooming tools and the highest quality shampoos, conditioners and eco friendly dog grooming products are used for taking care of dogs fur and creating modern dogs fur design styles.

Also mobile dog grooming service is offered make dogs appear more beautiful and add more joy to pets owners life. Mobile dog grooming services are a great option for busy professionals. With challenging schedules and hectic lifestyles it is hard to find more time for extra dog grooming service and modern fur design.

Dogs grooming, modern design trends
The giant panda is a beloved animal that lives in China. Painting or dying furry dog fur to create the panda like look is one of most popular modern dog grooming trends. Braids, pony tails, spikes and Mohawk hair design ideas seem came from Hollywood, creating new stars among dogs.

Color trends for dogs grooming design
Bright modern color design trends bring yellow-green and wine color tones everywhere from interior design to stylish dog grooming products, accessories and dogs grooming design ideas.

Following the color design trends, vibrant purple-reds and citrus yellow-green hues, lime and orange will be used for creating dog grooming products and modern fur design.

Money saving tip
Modern design trends in dogs grooming with actual dying dogs fur and creating other animals look seem too extreme to many. Dogs are not little people in fur coats and have mo ability to appreciate expensive fur designs in modern colors and beautiful patterns. Dogs work on instincts, and they appreciate friendly attention.

Dogs do not care about modern grooming designs and high dog grooming prices. What they do is understand every nuance of their owners body language and try to make them happy. A dog wants to please and will be happy when the owner happy.

There is no cheap dog grooming service, except do it yourself dog grooming, which is great for dogs, pet owners and their relationships. Do it yourself dogs grooming is a pleasant way to spend more time with a family dog, saving money on professional dog grooming services.

Hair Loss in Dogs

Caused due to multiple reasons, hair loss or canine alopecia is a common problem affecting many dogs. Here is a rundown of the causes of hair loss in dogs.

How many times have you come home to find tufts of dog hair lying around your carpet? In the majority of the cases pet owners do not even notice the hair loss until there is considerable thinning of their dog's coat. However, canine alopecia or hair loss is one of the most common veterinary condition, faced by pets around the world. It is normal for some pet dogs to lose hair on a regular basis or have seasonal hair loss, also known as "shedding" or "blowing coat". This is especially true for the double coated breeds, like German Shepherd, Welsh and Husky. However, a significant loss of hair might indicate major underlying problems.


Hair loss in dogs, may be caused by anything from external allergies to hormonal changes. While some may be considered normal, there are others which might be indicative of a more fatal problem. Usually, when there is a symmetrical hair loss on both sides of the body, it indicates some kind of hormonal disorder, on the other hand when there are patches of hair loss, it usually denotes some kind of skin allergy in dogs.

Causes of Hair Loss in Dogs
Allergic and Irritant Contact Dermatitis: In case, you observe your dog scratching a lot and losing patches of hair, then it is plausible that some kind of skin allergy may be the cause. Your dog can have an allergic reaction to antibiotics applied to the skin, metals such as nickel, materials such as rubber, wool, plastic and chemical dyes and carpet deodorizers. With multiple exposure to the irritant substances, the dog may develop small bumps and blisters on the skin, accompanied by hair loss and itching. The best way to control dog allergies is to remove the allergens from the dog's environment.

Atopy: An allergic reaction to something that the dog inhales such as, pollen, house mites and mold atopy causes hair loss and itching in dogs. Usually, these symptoms are accompanied by development of infection or hot spots.

Callus: A condition which causes hair loss in the large breed dogs, callus is the result of chronic pressure. The presence of thickened, hairless raised areas, over bony pressure points such as elbows, is symptomatic of the disease. The best way to treat this condition is, to provide softer bedding and padding around affected area, for your dog.

Cushing's Disease: Caused due to the excessive hormonal production of the adrenal glands, Cushing's disease is a condition affecting older dogs. They are usually the result of benign tumor in the pituitary gland or caused by the tumor in one of the adrenal glands. Hair loss is a common symptom of the disease and it usually starts over the areas of wear, such as the elbows and progresses to the flanks and abdomen, until eventually only the head and extremities retain the hair.

Demodectic Mange: An infection caused by the demodex mite, demodectic mange in dogs can cause hair loss accompanied by scaly, dark skin with red pustules.

Flea Bite Hypersensitivity: Some dogs are extremely sensitive to flea bite and usually end up scratching themselves, until patches of hair fall off. To check your dog for fleas, inspect the base of stomach and tail and consult a veterinarian for flea control.

Folliculitis: Sometimes, due to the infection of the hair follicles because of staph bacteria, your dog might lose hair. This usually appears on the skin with less hair, such as the abdomen and is more common in the short coated breeds.

Food Allergies: An allergic reaction to something in the diet, may trigger hair loss in dogs. Food allergies in dogs may also cause itching and other skin problems.

Hypothyroidism: One of the most common hormonal disease affecting the skin in dogs, hypothyroidism in dogs is the result of the decreased production of the thyroid hormone. The symptoms of this disease are hair loss or dry and brittle hair.

Ringworm: Ringworm in dogs is caused by several types of fungus and usually results in hair loss and crusty, scaly skin.

Sarcoptic Mange: The sarcoptic mange in dogs is an infection caused sarcoptes mite results in hair loss and intense itching in dogs.

Seborrhea: Characterized by extremely dry skin and hair loss, seborrhea may be the result of some injury to skin, nutritional disorders or it may also be genetic based.


In addition to this, there are several other causes for excessive hair loss in dogs. Other than diseases and allergies, stressful situations can also be a triggering factor. Hair loss after pregnancy or post surgery, is a common occurrence. Remember, that extreme hair loss is not a normal condition for your pet. So, make sure that you consult and work closely with the veterinarian, in order to work on the problem of hair loss, in your dog.

Skin Diseases with Hair Loss in Dogs

These two tables list diseases characterized by hair loss with few if any other signs. Hair loss can mean impaired growth of new hair. It may involve the entire coat, or you may see patches of hair loss on certain parts of the body. In general, hair loss caused by hormonal diseases is symmetric (the same on both sides of the body), while that caused by parasites and other causes is asymmetric.

Hormone-Related Diseases with Hair Loss

• Cortisone excess: Symmetric hair loss over trunk and body. Abdomen is pot-bellied and pendulous. Seen with Cushing’s syndrome. In some cases, the dog is taking steroids.
• Growth hormone-responsive alopecia: Bilaterally symmetric hair loss, mainly in male dogs. Begins around puberty. More prevalent in certain breeds, including ChowChows, Keeshonds, Pomeranians, Miniature Poodles, Airedales, and Boxers.
• Hyperestrogenism (estrogen excess):Occurs in females and males. Bilateral symmetric hair loss in perineum and around genitals. Enlarged vulva and clitoris; in males, pendulous prepuce.
• Hypoestrogenism (estrogen deficiency):Occurs in older spayed females. Scanty hair growth and thinning coat, initially around vulva and later over entire body.Skin is smooth and soft, like a baby’s.
• Hypothyroidism: Most common cause of bilaterally symmetric hair loss withoutitching. Coat is thin, scanty, and falls out easily. Involves the neck beneath the chin to the brisket, sides of body, backs of thighs, and top of tail.

Other Diseases with Hair Loss

• Acanthosis nigrans: Mainly in Dachshunds. Hair loss begins in armpit folds and on ears. Black, thick, greasy, rancid-smelling skin.
• Color mutant alopecia (blue Doberman syndrome):Loss of hair over the body, giving a moth-eaten look. Papules and pustules may appear in areas of hair loss. Also affects other breeds.
• Demodectic mange: Localized-Occursin puppies. Hair loss around eyelids, lips, and corners of mouth, occasionally on the legs or trunk, giving a moth-eaten look. Fewer than five patches, up to 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter. Generalized-Numerous patches that enlarge and coalesce. Severe skin problem complicated by pyoderma. Primarily affects young adults. Generalized form is associated with immune deficiencies.
• Nasal solar dermatitis (Collie nose):Loss of hair at junction of nose and muzzle. Can lead to severe ulceration. Affects dogs with lightly pigmented noses. May be part of an autoimmune problem.
• Pressure sore (Callus):Gray, hairless, thickened pad of wrinkled skin, usually over elbows but may involve other pressure points. Caused by lying on hard surfaces. Mostly seen in large and giant breeds.
• Ringworm: A fungal infection. Scaly, crusty circular patches 1⁄2 to 2 inches (12 to 50 mm) across. Patches show central hair loss with a red ring at the periphery. Some cases show widespread involvement.
• Sebaceous adenitis: Seen mainly in Standard Poodles, but does occur in other breeds, including Akitas. Symmetrical loss of hair over face, head, neck, and back. Dandrufflike scales and hair follicle infection can develop.
• Seborrhea: Dry type-Similar to heavy dandruff. Greasy type-Yellow-brown greasy scales that adhere to hair shafts; rancid odor. May occur secondary to other skin problems.
• Vitiligo: Some hair loss, but mostly pigment loss that causes hair to change color. Mostly seen on the face and head. Seen most often in Rottweilers and Belgian Tervuren.
• Zinc-responsive dermatosis: Crusty, scaly skin with hair loss over the face, nose, elbows, and hocks. Cracked feet. Caused by zinc deficiency. Arctic or Northern breeds are most susceptible.

10 tips shed busting for a cleaner home

One of the biggest nuisances faced by pet owners is unwanted hair in their homes. Nearly every dog and cat - regardless of their age or breed - sheds. Some breeds have more hair or thicker undercoats and will shed in higher quantities, but virtually all dogs and cats will shed hair. While we cannot stop a dog or cat from shedding, we can help reduce the amount of loose hair, and also effectively remove the hair so it doesn't create a problem in our homes.

Animals shed to get rid of old, damaged, or extra hair. Animals grow a heavy coat in the winter to help insulate themselves and then shed the extra hair in the summer. However, dogs will also shed broken or damaged hair, and if their skin is irritated from conditions such as allergies, they will also shed excessively. This article will give tips for keeping your dog's skin and hair healthy to reduce shedding as well as effectively removing the hair.

Brush your pet! Regular, even daily, brushing is the best thing you can do to keep your home free of hair. Brushing will also make your pet's coat softer, cleaner, and less likely to shed. 

Feed an appropriate pet food. A pet's coat is often a reflection of what they eat. Feed a high quality food with good digestible protein sources.

Feed a fatty acid supplement like Vitacoat® Plus. Giving Vitacoat® Plus to your dog keeps his coat healthy.

Cover your furniture and car seats. Upholstery is a magnet for pet hair, and removing pet hair from furniture or car seats can be a tedious task. If you allow pets on your furniture or bed, you would be wise to invest in a few furniture throws. Throws will keep your furniture looking (and smelling) better, and make your home more inviting to guests. Car seat covers are also an excellent investment and are highly recommended.

Control allergies and fleas. See your veterinarian to make sure your pet is getting proper allergy relief. To prevent itching and scratching from fleas, use Bio Spot® Defense Spot On® orAdvantage® II to prevent and control infestations.

Vacuum often. Be diligent in your vacuuming efforts. Frequent vacuuming is the best way to keep your home hair free.

Bathe your dog occasionally during the summer. A clean dog will have a healthier coat. A gentle oatmeal shampoo once a week or so will clean without drying the skin and rejuvenate a lackluster haircoat.

Have regular checkups. Many diseases can affect the skin and haircoat. Regular visits to your veterinarian will help identify problems early, and provide more effective treatment.

Use the right brush. Slicker Brushes, Shedding Blades, Matbreakers and Love Gloves each have a specific function and work best on the type of coat they are designed for. Most pets need more than one type of brush to remove all of the dead hair. 

Remove hair from upholstery and your dog's bed as soon as possible. Hair that is newly shed is easier to remove before it works its way into upholstery fabric. A Tape Roller is one of the best tools for removing hair.

Remember that routine brushing and grooming are an important part of every pet's care. By paying attention to your pet's diet and following these tips, you can significantly reduce the amount of pet hair in your home, on your furniture, and in your car.