Many dog owners generally think of clipping as only a mechanical activity. Few understand that clipping a dog is an art. Clipping a coat or nail needs to be carried out in a careful manner to avoid the injuries to the skin or nail. Clipping of the coat is to be taken care of as per the breed characteristics. If the coat is not properly clipped, this may lead to the dust accumulation in the coat and the animal may start showing signs of skin diseases. This is true especially when the grooming activities are not done in a proper manner.

Clipping of coat helps to get rid of the parasitic burden to a greater extent and also, the clipping of your dog is of more useful to expose on the type of parasitic problem that the dog is likely to suffer. Many pet health parlors are available wherein the clipping of dog will be carried out in a more systematic manner.

Always make use of a sharp clipper and in the winter regions, avoid the close clipping. This is due to the fact that the closer clipping in the winter seasons may expose the dog to the environmental stresses like the cold climate. Hence, the dog may become more vulnerable to the frostbite. Avoid the close clipping of coat or nail because this may cause injury to the underlying tissues and may cause bleeding in the concerned animal.

Many pet owners need to avoid any clipping activity when the animal is not in healthy status. Clipping instruments are available to a greater extent in many pet shops. Avoid the blunt instruments because they may not clip well and hence, repetition is required often. Always use modern equipments for clipping activities.

What is a Hot Spot?

In the simplest of terms, a hot spot is an area of skin that has an infection. Typically, dogs with thick, long coats, dogs who swim and dogs who live in moist, humid environments are the most likely to have these localized skin surface infections. In addition, flea or bug bites can bring on these infections as well. Initially, these hot spots occur when an excess amount of moisture remains on the skin changing the environment of the skin and allowing bacteria to be present and grow. The bacteria release toxins which then inflame the skin and cause it to be itchy. As a result the dog will chew, bite and lick the area searching for relief. This action unfortunately causes the infection to get worse. This becomes a vicious cycle that can enlarge the spot quickly. It is amazing to note that these spots can appear quickly, usually within twenty to thirty minutes. As mentioned earlier, flea and bug bites can initiate this process as well.

Hot Spots – What to look for

Identifying a hot spot is fairly easy. In general they are large red, inflamed areas that are hairless and can often be oozing or scabbed over. The general localized location for hot spots is mostly on the hind legs or neck but can also appear anywhere on the body the dog can reach with its claws or teeth. In addition, the irritation of the skin can become so inflamed that is painful when touched.

The Diagnosing of Hot Spots

Diagnosing a hot spot usually only requires a visual inspection or physical examination.

If several hot spots are present, a visit to your veterinarian may be needed for testing. These include:

Skin Scraping – This test will rule out other possibilities such as mange.

Fungal Culture – This will rule out Ringworm as the cause.

Testing of Blood – This test is performed in order to ensure that seasonal or inhalant allergies are not the cause.

Skin and Blood Test – These are performed in order to rule out an allergic reaction to fleas.

Invasive treatment for fleas even if none are present.

Dietary food trials to test for food allergies

Treatment of Hot Spots

Things to remember when providing treatment include:

Ease Itching

Clear up the infection

Keep the dog from chewing or licking at the area

Keep the infected area dry

Initially, the remaining hair on the hot spot and the surrounding hair are clipped. The spot is then cleaned well with an antibacterial soap and dried. Clipping and cleaning can be so painful that a dog may have to be sedated for the procedure. This depends on how bad the hot spot is.

A topical and oral antibiotic are the most common treatments. Each one contains a corticosteroid to stop inflammation and itching. By using these medications, your dog is more comfortable thus ending the itch, chew, infection cycle and speeding the healing process.

If your dog is unable to stop licking the area, an Elizabethan collar or lamp shade like collar may be needed. This is generally only needed for a short period of time as most dogs become comfortable within 24 hours. Within one week, the hot spot is usually healed.

Dog Hot Spot Prevention

There are many things you can do to prevent hot spots. They include:

Using top flea control on your dog and the surrounding environment

Clip long-haired and heavy-coated breeds during the summer

If possible, prevent a dog from swimming

If a dog does swim, dry it well afterwards

Puppies are smart and not difficult to housebreak and you can begin to potty train a puppy as early as three weeks of age. Being new at pet ownership, it is your decision if you prefer to keep your pup in confined quarters.

The method that the majority of puppy owners lean to for accident avoidance or when they are away for an extended amount of time is crating. Some, however, will want to give their puppies access to most areas, with some restrictions and limitations, in the belief this will make them more responsible.

Although this sounds somewhat more difficult than other methods, you can teach your puppy to go outdoors or indoors on news papers. Paper training for a short time is acceptable while your puppy is learning, but he must be taught step by step until he catches on to the routine.

You must pick a particular spot for him to go to the bathroom, be it indoor or outdoor. Have your puppy sniff out the spot you've decided on, wait for it to relieve himself, and then be sure to return to the exact spot each and every time. When it's time for your puppy to do its business, the lingering odor will aid in stimulating it to repeat at the same location.

If your puppy is very young, you should use a leash or carry the puppy in your arms to its "tinkle spot". Make sure that you to do this after a period at least 20 minutes after play time and every meal, and also after naps! However, no matter which method you decide to use for potty training a puppy, consistency remains the key to success. Check for signs that your puppy might have the urge while staying with the same schedule each day.

Be sure to give your puppy the same command every time you want it to do its business." This helps the puppy to link the specific command with its potty break. Do this softly, over and over again until your puppy has become familiarized with it. In this manner, it makes it simpler for your puppy to understand and keep to the same instructions when you give them again.

You are guaranteed mistakes and accidents when you’re potty training a puppy. Puppies, much like babies, are barely even aware of whether or not they need to relieve themselves. Be alert for the puppy's warning signs like sniffing or squatting so that you can immediately distract them by stamping your foot or clapping your hands while you lead them away from the restricted zone.

Finally, be sure to give your puppy encouragement by saying, 'good puppy' if it goes in the correct location. You can let him roam freely within the home once he has become significantly more responsible and dependable.