Since it is Spring cleaning time here at Deaf Dogs Rock, I’ve already started washing all the dog beds, dog blankets and throwing dirty old toys left in the yard into the garbage.  Another thing I like to do is get rid of all their old (unstuffed) toys and get them new “stuffies” to play with in the back yard. I don’t spend a lot of money on their stuffed toys because I buy them at local yard sales and at our Goodwill store. Most yard sales will sale their stuffed toys for .25 or .50 cents each and the Goodwill store sells them for a dollar each. I buy medium sized stuffed toys, take all the stuffing out, and then cut the eyes out so all the pups have to play with is the animal skin. The furry lifeless skin of a stuffed animal is by far their favorite part of the toy. All of my dogs run around shaking the skins as hard as they can and playing tug of war with each other.

What have you done to start your Spring dog cleaning?  Here are some great tips from the American Kennel Club. If you have any tips to add to this list, please feel free to add them in our comments section below. Rock on! ~ Christina Lee – Deaf Dogs Rock

 

 

 

Get dogs ready for the spring season

AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB

Spring has arrived which means it’s time to clean up inside and get outside with your dog! To help you and your dog get ready for the new season, the American Kennel Club offers the following spring cleaning tips. Among them:

– Schedule a vet check-up. It’s good to take your dog for a check-up after being cooped up inside all winter. Since symptoms of illness sometimes don’t appear in our four legged friends right away, spring is a great time to make sure your dog’s annual veterinary appointment is scheduled. This will ensure your dog is healthy and ready to get outdoors.

– Brush the coat. Shedding increases in the spring as dogs lose their winter coats and regular brushing will help keep shedding under control. To keep your dog neat and clean, make sure to brush all the way down to the skin which will loosen and remove dead hair and dandruff.

– Keep the feet clean. Springtime is often referred to as “mud season” by dog lovers, as outdoor playtime in the dirt and grass can lead to paw prints all over the floor. To keep your dog and house clean, greet your dog at the door after he’s done playing outside and gently clean each paw with a damp cloth, being sure to get in between the toes to remove mud and debris.

– Regularly wash your dog’s bed. Use a fabric cover that on your dog’s bed that can be easily removed for washing. Vacuum the excess hair and dirt and then wash the lining in a non-scented detergent without fabric softener these can irritate your dog’s skin.

– Get outside and play with your dog. Take advantage of the warmer weather by playing with your dog outside. Take it slowly if your dog hasn’t had much exercise over the winter. Try walking to the local dog park or playing fetch in your yard. You can even begin training for agility by teaching your dog to navigate through weave poles, run through tunnels and over jumps!

For more information on responsible dog ownership, visit the American Kennel Club website at www.akc.org.

(c) 2012, The American Kennel Club, Inc., www.akc.org