My family run an animal sanctuary in Birmingham, England. There at times when we feel like tearing our hair out as some of the owners really could do with one hell of a shake; they certainly are not fit to look after a dog and some are just so uncaring it defies belief. They should not be seen as just a bit of fun which they can then get rid of when they get bored.

I personally do not become too involved with it all as it can be rather upsetting at times. I work in other sectors including upvc doors, offering a how to stop stuttering course and advising people about medical negligence claims.

Many people arrive at the animal sanctuary with their pets, which are mainly dogs, with many excuses as to why they are no longer able to look after or care for them. I am sure many of their reasons are valid but am also aware that many others are just an excuse to offload them.

The excuses they give are varied:

I have recently divorced from my husband and can no longer afford to keep this dog as a pet.

The dog has started to bite my children

The dog is too difficult to handle and is destroying my furniture

We are no longer living in a house; we are now living in a top floor flat. One of their rules is that no animals can live in these flats

The dog barks to much and it is upsetting the neighbours

Our other animals do not like the dog

I am starting to become ill due to this dog

I am too ill to look after my dog

As well as the dogs in the sanctuary we also have a few of our own “pet dogs”. These tend to be the waifs and straifs that other people tend not to choose. I would have to say that my favourite out of all of these dogs is a dog called Cassie. She is full of life and has been ill treated it seems when she was a puppy. Half of her left ear is missing and she is seemingly quite afraid of men.

At the outset Cassie had to be treated with a lot of love and sincerity as she had a real lack of trust in human beings. She can be too lively at times which is possibly why three people who attempted to re-home her, have bought her back. She is not aggressive in any way but does tend to jump up at people.

Cassie is turning into a wonderful dog to have around the house and now feels for the first time as part of a family.

With a little more patience most other dogs can turn out this way. This is why we want more people to take more responsibility and to give their animals more of a chance to settle into their homes, and to get used to a new set of rules.

We love dogs for a reason. Having a loyal friend and playmate that will love you forever and never run out of energy? Perfect. Getting close to a dog is harder for some people than others, however. Certain dog allergies can rear their ugly heads and cause unexpected problems. A significant minority of the population suffers from dog and pet allergies. Some are even forced to find a new home for their dog because of intensified allergies. This wouldn’t be the most desired solution, of course, and it can be heartbreaking. Fortunately, there are other ways.

The allergens that dogs produce come from the proteins in three sources; Dander (shed skin cells,) saliva, and urine. People with supersensitive immune systems react to these proteins and this is what causes the symptoms. A common misconception is that hairless dogs will not produce allergens. Although hairless dogs produce less allergen, they still produce saliva and urine, making such a claim untrue. The symptoms of these allergies are very similar to those of other minor allergies. People with dog allergies may suffer from itchy eyes, runny nose, asthma symptoms, red itchy skin or a rash. These allergies can prove to be quite a nuisance, but there are lots of ways to reduce the effects of the symptoms that Fido just may decide to leave behind.

A clean home is the best defense against dog allergies and allergens. Making a point to vacuum regularly helps, as does using furniture that is upholstered in leather. Changing your air filter to your AC unit will help reduce dander floating around in your house. And since fur can retain allergens, regular bathing is a good idea. Be sure to remember to wash your dog’s bedding or cushions, or else anything you gained from giving the dog a bath will be lost quickly.

A much simpler way is to purchase allergen reduction products. Allerpet D for Dogs is an example of a shampoo that reduces the amount of dander in a dog without causing dryness of the skin. Decreasing dog allergies is as easy as adopting good management strategies!

An allergy specialist can give you additional advice as well. They can provide you with certain prescriptions and over the counter, that can mitigate the runny noses and itchy eyes. For reactions that are really bad, they can recommend and perform allergy shots, which are a good idea if you have bad allergies in general. Getting rid of your dog and sending it to another home should not be your first option.

Visit the Hypoallergenic Dog Food Guide for more info on allergies that can occur within dogs.

Owning a dog requires more than only feeding and walking him. Dog owners must provide a grooming regimen to help keep their pet healthy and happy. Your dog’s healthy lifestyle requires frequent grooming, both at home and with a professional. A complete dog grooming kit should have brushes, shears, a nail trimmer, and a good shampoo for your pet specifically.

At the moment, we’ll be concentrating on the dog clipper. There are numerous models to pick from, which range in price. As a professional groomer, I can tell you that the lower priced clippers will only lead to disappointment in the short term. A mid-range clipper manufactured by a pet industry leader such as Oster, Wahl, or Andis will provide you with a much better product, a sharper blade system, and a longer life for the investment. Remember to just use groomers that are created specifically for use on dogs.

Caring for your pet’s coat can be a daunting task. If you need help with how to properly clip, brush or clean your pet’s coat, ask your professional groomer or your veterinarian. Your groomer will be more than happy to show you the proper way to maintain your pet’s coat in between regular appointments. This helps make the grooming experience — both at home and at the groomer’s — a pleasant one.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A PET TRIMMER * Price range that suits your budget * A product made by a well-known manufacturer * Variable speed options * RPM’s – the higher the RPM, the cleaner the cut * How much the trimmer weighs * blade options and interchangeable blades by manufacturer * Battery operated or standard electric corded pet trimmer

A pet clipper needs to be of superior quality, lightweight and relatively silent. The right handling of the pet trimmer will provide an even trim and a calming experience for your pet. Should you need assistance in how to manage the dog clipper on your pet, ask your groomer for a short instructional appointment. We would rather help you maintain your pet’s coat than for you delay too long until it needs to be totally removed.

When you find a great pet groomer, it will make the job of grooming much easier and it will be a tool that lasts for a long time.

Want to find out more about dog clippers, then visit Babette Woodhouse’s site on how to choose the best dog clippers for your needs.