Hope you and your canines are managing through the “dog days of summer! As many of you know, summer can be filled with both pleasure and pain when it comes to your dog. The warm weather offers lots of opportunities for travel and play, along with the danger of parasites and heat-related issues. So this month’s issue is dedicated to making the most out of the summer with your dog!

For many dog owners, hot spots are a frustrating problem that can be difficult and expensive to treat. Regardless of cause, a little bit of knowledge and a strategy for treatment will go a long way in helping you treat hot spots effectively, and possibly save yourself from a visit to the vet.

What are hot spots? The symptoms are easy to identify. Hot spots are itchy areas on your dog that s/he bites and chews in an effort to relieve the itch. The end result is usually moist, swollen, itchy, raw and sometimes smelly areas with pus – a condition that not only makes our dogs uncomfortable, but owners frantic for relief for the their beloved pets.

There are many causes of hot spots (also called acute moist dermatitis), such as allergies, anxiety and bug bites. The most common source is bacteria, however matted fur, hot climates, mites, swimming in pools and ear/anal gland infections, even grooming can also cause your dog to lick, chew and scratch itself to the point where it develops hot spots.

What is one to do when confronted with this problem? Your first inclination may be to rush to the vet. After all, your dog is miserable! If severe, it is best to bring your dog to the vet. But with the first signs of itching you may be able to treat the issue without the expense of a vet visit, particularly if it is not bacteria related.

First, clean and dry the affected area completely. A clorahexidine shampoo, such as I use in my shop, is probably the best cleanser. Follow up with an over-the-counter medicine to relieve the itching and Benadryl (if you've used before - check with your vet). It will take a little time for it to take effect initially, so if you do not distract your dog from biting and licking the treated area, your efforts will have been for nothing.  Create a plan whereby immediately after treatment you take your dog out for a long walk or play session to give the medicine time to work.  This time will vary from dog to dog, so be on watch and ready to take action as soon as your dog starts licking or biting again so that you can retreat or distract as needed. If you have an Elizabethan collar, you can also use that as a means to keeping your dog away from his/her hot spots.

Try one of these for a day or so to see if the situation resolves itself. If not, then it is not likely allergy, climate or parasite related, and will require more aggressive treatment by your vet. Make sure to communicate what you did and what you used so that your vet can create an effective plan of treatment that minimizes your dog’s discomfort.

For those of you who are blessed with dogs that love to swim, here are a few tips to keeping your dog’s water play safe this summer.

• For those with pools, teach your dog the pool exit points. Whether your dog has been swimming for a while, or is a newbie, the most important skill in pool swimming is knowing where the exit point is, and how to get out of it. Bring your dog in the pool and out of the pool several times. Be sure he/she can find the exit when you are not in it. And never leave your dog unattended in a pool area.
• For ocean goers, be mindful of the tides and currents. Some dogs are just not strong enough to fight a current. Learn about your beaches and avoid the ocean during high tide or when undertows are strong. Most dogs would rather romp and play along the shoreline anyway. Just take care not to send them out into the waves after an errant Frisbee when current warnings are high.
• Keep wading pool water fresh, and be mindful of lake/pond bacteria levels. If you live in an area where the ocean or a pool is not an option, some local lakes and ponds are dog friendly. But the level of bacteria tends to grow as summer advances, so check your local listings for any bacteria warnings. Dogs aren’t as good as we are in keeping their mouths or eyes closed in water, and can ingest harmful bacteria from water with contaminants.

With summer comes vacation travel, and there is nothing better than a trip that allows you to bring your dog along. Many hotels, motels and vacation rentals allow pets (check out Pettravel.com and Letsgopets.com for dog-friendly destinations), so if you’re planning on bringing the pooch on your next trip be sure to outfit him properly for traveling.

Pack a doggie bag (and I’m not talking leftovers!). Remember water and food bowls, waste bags and a favorite blanket or travel bed for sleeping. Diaper or disinfectant wipes can come in handy for quick cleanups. A few tablets of children’s Benadryl are also helpful if your dog doesn’t take car or air travel well. Be sure to consult with your vet for clearance on use and dosage as this may not work for your dog. Alternatively, there are canine travel medications that your vet can offer if Benadryl isn’t an option.

Bring a dog harness. If you don’t already have one, a dog harness is a must have for any kind of travel. You can easily keep your dog safe and secure during car rides by running your seat belt through the back of the harness. Not only does a harness come in handy for car travel, it’s great for any kind of excursion where you might need instant control over your dog. Collars are fine around your home and in familiar environments, but if you have to pull your dog to you quickly for some reason, a harness is less likely to risk a neck injury as collars can.

I have been DYING to do an article on dressing up terrier dogs. Why? Because most terrier grooming styles require a tight cut around the neck, back and upper chest (Yorkies and Staffers being a few exceptions) and a gradual shift to longer hair on the body and legs. This grooming style draws attention to the neckline and shoulders, making a terrier the perfect backdrop to a stunning collar or harness. And the most wonderful part is that a terrier collar or terrier harness doesn’t have to be loud or bright! You can pick beautiful fabrics, and so long as they compliment your dog’s coat color, they will look fabulous!

You’ve probably noticed that I use my Mini-Schnauzers, Max & Tilde, for many of my product images. Why? For the very reason I noted above. They were the inspiration for my Charming dog collars, because the tab for the charm holder sits nicely against the neck so that the charm really pops! Believe me, if I had a Kerry Blue, Wheaton, Westie or Scottish Terrier, I would have been equally inspired, because all of them are groomed in a similar manner.

A plaid dog collar is the eternal favorite for terriers. Why? Well, I guess it’s their heritage. Most terriers hail from the highlands, of which plaid fabrics are a perennial favorite. Most folks with Scottish Terriers look specifically for plaids, and it is not uncommon Scottish terrier owners to shop for “Scottie dog collars” because of the popularity of plaid on this breed.  Plaid dog collars look great on nearly any terrier, for the reasons cited above. They are smart, stylish, and will stand out from your everyday department store dog collar.

Congratulations are in order for our May collar & leash sweeps winner, Cynthia M. and her Scottish Terrier Sir Alford MacTavish. Sir Alford is a 7-month-old pup, and is looking fine in his Menzies Plaid Dog Collar and Leash set, deep in the heart of (Dallas) Texas!

Our June Sweeps winners, Dave & Renee T. and their 2-year-old Westie Brodie. Dave & Renee chose our Plaid Dog Collar & Leash in the Royal Stewart Tartan, and now proudly strut Brodies’s stuff on their neighborhood walks in Waterford, Michigan.

Common Triggers for Dog Aggression

As a dog groomer, I encounter many forms of aggression/ This article on Dogster does a great job of explaining the different types of aggression dogs display. (Read More)

Dogs Imitate Humans

The National Canine Research Institute has just published an interested result on the study of dogs imitating humans. Seems when it comes to us, they just can’t help themselves! ( Read more)

Paws Park is coming – and sooner than planned!

I recently met with Bill Ward, Manager of North Port’s Parks and Recreation Department about Paws Park, the new dog park on 6700 Appomattox Drive that was originally slated to open in October. It appears that the park’s development is ahead of schedule, and will open on September 4th at 10AM– great news for those looking for a place to take their dogs during the “dog days of summer!”

The Artful Groomer is planning to sponsor some fun dog events once the park is open. These events will offer everything from competitions and parades to shopping and local fundraising – so stay tuned.  The City's Parks Department has similar plans as well. We will email event notices as they become available for the North Port dog owners, so share this email with local friends and family!

In Memory of Sarah

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of little Sarah Yadao. Sarah, a miniature poodle, was one of my first clients and the lifelong companion of her Mum Sandy Yadao. Sarah lived a very full life of 17 years and was fun-loving little girl until the end. Sarah will be missed by all.

Venice Dog Show

The Venice Dog show is joining forces with Arcadia Dog Club and will be hosting its annual AKC Sanctioned Dog Show this October 9th & 10th at the Turner Agricultural Center in Arcadia. The Artful Canine will be participating as a vendor at this show, and looks forward to seeing all its dog-loving friends there! For further info feel free to visit the Venice Dog Club website.