When you have a new dog, you are excited and want to become a friend of the dogs. In this article I share how to become her best friend.

1. Walk your dog daily and buy him/her a good strong leash. Your dog will need plenty of exercise to keep healthy.

2. Make sure to keep your dog entertained and happy. Playing games with him/her often helps to keep them busy. Most dogs like to play fetch or tug of war.

3. Give your dog space, when he/she is tired. Dogs like to be around people, but make sure not to bother them when they're trying to rest.

4. Never hurt your dog. If you do, your dog will probably be afraid of you for a short period of time. It may ruin his/her trust for you for a while.

5. Give your dog some treats once in a while. Don't give them too much because it's unhealthy. Some good times to give your dog a treat is after a walk, a game, after it goes potty, and if it obeys your command.

6. Share the dog with all the other family members. Your dog will enjoy some time away from you too. Even though you may want to keep your dog to yourself, make sure to share him/her with your other friends and family members. Keep in mind that other people may want to be your dog's favorite too.

7. Make sure you don't tease your dog either. Dogs don't enjoy being taken advantage of.

8. Keep your bedroom doors closed so your dog won't do something bad. Also make sure to keep things that you don't want to be chewed up out of their way. That way, you won't have to scold it.

9. Take your dog to the Dog Park. That way, your dog can bond and meet new friends. Your dog will also enjoy being outside and running free.

10. Remember your responsibilities as a pet owner. Make sure to bring your pet to the vet. Keep your dog away from danger and enjoy having a dog!

Tips

When you play with your dog make sure not to play, too aggressive and rough. That way, your dog and you will be safe.

Make your dog to be social. It is very important for you and for others.

Always be a leader, give him training, give some task to do, love him.

Remember dogs only need 3 things:- 1. Exercise 2. Discipline 3. Affection.

Always remember to feed your dog personally. That way, your dog can be more attached to you.

Take your dog to obedience classes. That way, your dog will listen to you more.

Warnings

When you bring your dog to the park, make sure to keep an eye out at your dog and keep close to it. After all, you wouldn't want to be responsible for a dog attack.

Don't always be right next to your dog. It pays to leave them alone for a while, perhaps during sleep.

Don't tease your dog. Some dogs with temperament problems may become hostile.

If you catch your dog staring hard at another dog, be careful - he/she may be trying to dominate the other. Quickly lead your dog away.

This article compiled from my own experience, advice veterinarian and longtime owners of other birds, from books, internet or wherever information.

1. Realize that birds can live a long time, even outliving their owners!  Research into the lifespans of different types of birds when you are deciding which one you'd like to add to your family.  If you are older and worry about your bird outliving you, consider adopting an older bird.  Older birds can still make wonderful pets and there are many out there that need loving homes.  Because having a bird can often be demanding, there are quite a few that get rehomed once a family discovers they took on more than they could handle.  And don't discount a bird that may have special needs or behavior issues.  Birds are incredibly intelligent and can learn new behaviors. Taking some time to get to know your new companion and using some simple training techniques can turn an 'aggressive mean bird' into a sweet loving companion.  For example:  I adopted an African Grey that I was told was incredibly mean.  These people couldn't, or wouldn't, even handle her and used a stick to get her out of her cage rather than risk a bite.  After a couple of months of allowing her to adjust and using simple training hints I obtained from internet research and getting advice from others, I had a sweetheart and I couldn't imagine how anyone could think she was mean.  Yes I suffered a few bites, it comes with the territory! But she became a bird that loved attention and head scritches and was allowed out of her cage most all of the time.

2. Clear your home of potential bird hazards!  There are a LOT of things that can kill a bird, and you would be amazed at the bond that can be created between you and your feathered friend.  It is devastating to lose a friend that you have invested so much time and attention into, and knowing it could have been prevented can be equally as devastating.  Things as simple as burning a candle can kill your bird.  They have very sensitive respiratory systems which is why they were often used (sadly) in mines to detect fumes that humans can't smell.  Anything that can put an odor or gas or chemical into the air can kill your bird.  Air fresheners, cleaning agents, candles, incense, paints, even Teflon cookware can kill your bird.  And don't think that just because you used it once and your bird lived that it is no longer a threat.  These things can build up in your birds lungs before they kill.  And you often won't even be able to see that your bird is sick before they die.  Because any sign of weakness in the wild is dangerous, birds are expert actors at appearing healthy, even when they may be very sick.  We don't even know all the potential hazards that are out there and some people don't even know why their healthy appearing bird suddenly died.  I lost my African Grey (mentioned above) to something that the vet wasn't even sure of.  She appeared completely happy and healthy one day and the next day I came home to her laying on the bottom of her cage, barely breathing.  The vet said she was underweight and may have had a virus, but I couldn't even tell that she had lost weight or was sick at all.  Not everything is preventable, but knowing you did all you could to eliminate potential hazards will go a long way into extending the life of your treasured pet and keeping you from blaming yourself if something does happen.

3. Consider your living situation.  If you live in an apartment or somewhere with close neighbors, you may not be able to keep a loud bird.  Cockatoos are famous for their screams and you may end up having constant trouble with landlords and/or neighbors that complain about the noise your bird(s) make.  Training can make things easier, but you don't want a completely quiet bird either because that in itself is a whole other concern.  Happy birds are noisy birds!  Sometimes you can somewhat 'schedule' noisy times when your neighbors are at work where your bird can get out some of his or her energy and will be quieter and content the rest of the day.  Turning on some music and dancing and singing around your bird can make them noisy and excitable and get them to use up a lot of their pent up energy.  They love action and attention!

4. Consider the size, type and placement of his cage and/or play areas.  You want a cage made of safe and strong enough material to withstand their very strong beaks, big enough for them to spread their wings but also to fit in a space in your house where they can feel like part of the family.  Birds don't want to be locked away from all the action, they like to be where you are. (Although, If you tend to stay up late, you may want to move your bird to a 'quiet room' at night so they can get a good night sleep. Birds can get cranky just like us when we don't get enough sleep!) Make sure the latch isn't too easy for them to open. They can be very smart and destructive so you want to make sure they can't get out when you aren't home.  It's not unheard of to come home to a bird who has discovered how to lift the latch and get out of their cage and chew up an expensive piece of furniture.  Not only is that a hazard in itself, but you can imagine the frustration you will feel in having to toss out something you spent so much money on!

5. Give your bird things to keep himself entertained. Providing plenty of toys and things to chew on to keep him busy while you are away will go a long way into discouraging trouble.  Rotating and or switching his toys out with new ones will keep him from getting bored.  Bored birds have been known to become pluckers, which is a hard habit to break.  If you see your bird starting to pull out their own feathers, you need to get to the cause as soon as possible to stop the behavior.  And often giving your bird a little more to keep entertained is all it takes! You don't have to buy expensive toys either. It isn't hard to learn how to make your own very inexpensive toys. One of my birds can entertain himself for an hour with a plain cardboard box!

6. Consider your birds diet.  You want to feed her the best foods possible to keep her as healthy as you can.  Just like a child, birds will eat junk food over healthy food if given the choice.  Treats are fine, but you want to make sure the majority of their diet is healthy, good quality food.  In my research, it seems a high quality pellet diet supplemented by fresh fruits and veggies is most recommended.  Nuts and seeds are high in fat and many pet stores carry bird food mixed with them.  Birds like to pick through their food and will eat what they like and throw the rest out.  Nuts and seeds can be fed as treats, but shouldn't be provided already mixed in with their regular food.  Otherwise, they will tend to eat a mostly high fat diet, which isn't healthy for anyone.  Vets say that they see many birds come in with health problems related to their diets and will recommend a high quality pellet over a mixed blend any day.  And making sure they get a nice variety of fresh fruits and veggies is great too because no one food can really supply 100% of what your bird needs by itself.  Variety keeps them from getting too bored with their pellets as well.  But be aware that there are some foods that are toxic to birds, so you will want to find a list of those foods and make sure these never get within reach of an avian beak! Don't immediately change your birds diet when you bring them home though. If they haven't been on a good diet, you can gradually add in good food and decrease the bad until they are 100% on the better diet.  You don't want your new bird to resent you for taking all her yummy junk food away right when you bring her home!

7. Remember that every bird is different.  Just like people, birds can vary in their habits and personalities like night and day!  You may be completely charmed by a friends bird, only to be disappointed when you bring yours home and they are nothing alike.  Give yourselves time to learn about each other.  Some birds love attention and will beg to be held and scratched and talked to while others are content to just sit close to you.  Remember that you are choosing to bring your bird into your home, your bird really isn't choosing you (although it's very true that some pets and owners do choose each other!).  Its up to you to adapt to your birds likes and dislikes.  Don't rush out to get another bird because your first one isn't making you happy.  It's not fair to your bird and they can get jealous and come to resent you for it.  Talk to other bird owners to see what works for them, or research the internet.  Remember, you are basically choosing to live with a 2 year old toddler that will never grow up!  Birds are demanding, loud, messy, destructive and prone to tantrums.  But they can also be sweet, loving and extremely entertaining as well!

8. And the most important step of all:  Make a lifetime commitment!  It is hard on a bird to be rehomed.  Its traumatic and will make it harder for them to learn to love a new person if they are afraid they aren't going to stay.  Its really not fair to the bird if you decide you can't live with them when it was your decision to bring them home.  Just like you wouldn't rehome your child because he or she has some annoying habits.  If you have a problem, do all you can to solve it.  Consider allergies, moving, important life changes (such as marriage, divorce, job changes, having children, etc.) before you bring your new baby home.  If you are concerned about a possible allergy, spend time around other people's birds first to see if you have a reaction.  If you are a neat freak, you may not want to consider at a bird at all.  They are extremely messy!  If you have a child and are worried about him or her getting bit, take some precautions.  Birds have successfully lived with all kinds of families and there really isn't any situation that can't be fixed.  Take time to educate yourself both before and after you bring your bird home.  It can go a long way to ensuring a happy home!

It is important to take care of your dog is healthy for them to eat well, good quality food. This is not difficult. Always keep their teeth healthy

It is important to take care of your dog is healthy for them to eat well, good quality food. This is not difficult. Always keep their teeth healthy

Steps

1. Feed your dog high-quality, well-balanced dog food and treats. This is your pet's main source of nutrition. A vet may tell you "If you can buy the dog food somewhere other than a pet store or vet's office, then it is probably not the best meal for your pet!" However, keep in mind that few veterinarians have received more than a minimal amount of training in nutrition as part of their veterinary degree. Today, there are numerous high quality pet foods being sold online directly to the consumer, bypassing the vet's office.

Examine the first 5 ingredients listed on the pet food label. These ingredients generally make up the majority of the food. Look for meat and vegetables, rather than meat by-products and grain fillers. Corn, rice, whole wheat, barley, soy and other grains are cheap sources of protein used by many commercial pet food producers as a clever marketing ploy to increase the percentage of protein in their feed. However, these are often difficult for your dog to digest and do not promote optimal health.

2. Be aware that, in the U.S., current pet food regulations allow pet food manufacturers to include materials from dead, dying and diseased animals in their food. Roadkill, diseased animals, as well as animals which have been euthanized are legally used by pet food manufacturers. "By-products" can include chicken and duck beaks, feet, bones and intestines. To learn more about what your dog food is really made of, you can watch an informative video offered online by holistic pet food manufacturer HealthyPetNet.

3. Avoid pet foods that contain chemicals, preservatives (BHA and BHT), artificial colors and flavors. The healthiest food for your pet is made from a proper balance of "human grade" materials.

4. Give your pet "human grade" food. But that doesn't mean you should give your pet every food you would eat. Some food that is good for you may be toxic to your dog (including onions, chocolate, grapes, raisins, and more).

5. Maintain your dog's weight at a healthy level. Obesity in pets is every bit the epidemic that it is in humans today. But the added stress of being overweight will shorten your pet's life.

6. Provide your dog with a constant supply of fresh water.

7. Groom your dog regularly. Brushing your dog's coat encourages good circulation and will help keep your pet's coat shiny and healthy.

8. Clip your dog's nails regularly. Once accustomed to the procedure, most dogs will allow their owners to clip their nails at home with inexpensive clippers available at most pet stores. However, if your dog resists, you may find it better to allow one of the technicians at your Vet's office clip their nails. It is important to clip only the white part, to avoid hitting the "quick" which will result in bleeding.

9. Check and clean your dog's ears on a regular basis. Again, this is easily done at home. There are a number of products readily available to help wash dirt and debris out your pet's ears gently, but avoid any products containing alcohol (too drying).

10. Monitor your dog's dental health and provide appropriate dental care. Give your dog healthy "bones" and chews that will promote healthy teeth and gums. However, make sure to give him a safe, fully digestible product (such as pork hide bones, rather than traditional rawhide) and never give your dog cooked bones of any kind. Your Vet can provide you with instruction on how to brush your dog's teeth if your pet experiences tartar build up.

11 . See a reputable Veterinarian regularly and keep your dog's vaccinations up-to-date.

12. Make sure your dog receives adequate exercise. Depending on the breed, this could be anything from 10-15 minutes per day to a good hour romp in the park. This will cut back on bad behavior, such as tearing things up around the house, and aggression.

13. Socialize your puppy once he has had all his important first vaccinations. Take your puppy to your local library on a Saturday morning, sit on the steps, and let every person who shows interest pet, hold and fuss over your dog. Let your puppy socialize with other (non-aggressive!) dogs. A puppy kindergarten / doggie daycare program is ideal for this. The more unique social situations you expose your pup too when they're young the better.

Tips

Send it to the vet ever other year to make sure they don't have any sickness like bone cancer. Walk daily or when you can, and feed him/her dog food with proteins, last if your awesome pooch is sick, don't ignore him/her in hopes they will recover by a miracle!

Maintain a record of your pet's key information (name, age, breed, description, licence number, vaccinations, etc.) as well as a photo of your dog. Not only is this information helpful to your pet sitter, etc., but it will be vital should your pet ever become lost. You can download an example of a Pet Record here.

Consider having your Vet implant a microchip for identification as well.

NEVER, EVER hit, kick or throw anything at your dog. He will only associate you with punishment and will be disobedient.

Send them to the vet before the sickness becomes a terrifying nightmare and gets way too out of control.

Warnings

- No chocolate!

- Do not give your pet cooked bones! They are hazardous and can give splinters in their throats!

- No matter how right and natural it seems at first, never feed a German Shepherd pork and sauerkraut.

We can learn take care of pets. They will be love us and more intelligent. I have many dogs, cats, birds...and they always happy when sees me. In this article, i will share with you.

It very important because if you're not, your pet won't like you any more. Never hit your pet or punish them for something that is right to do. Here is how to be nice and love your pet instead of being mean to it.

1. Groom your rabbit, dog or cat often. Many pets love to be groomed and scratched, but if they do not like it, don't do it. That will just make them upset. Grooming dogs, cats, and other animals actually helps their skin by adding oils to it.

2. Feed them. Just make sure it's just the right amount. Too little food results in hunger, which may result in your new shoes getting chewed by dogs or other pets. Too much food can cause vomiting and stomach aches. You have to distinguish between the times they're genuinely hungry and the times they're just trying to get food.

3. Clean their food and water bowls at least once a day. It's the same as with us. You wouldn't eat out of the same plate for one whole week, and you wouldn't drink out of the same glass, cup, or mug for a month!

4. Give your pets attention. Pets want as much of your attention as possible, dogs especially. However, this attention should be on your terms. In general, acknowledge your pet's existence; even saying "Hi <pet name>, how are you doing?" Clearly they won't understand what you're saying, but at least it shows that you see them.

5. Take dogs on walks. Most dogs don't like being holed up in a house or in the same backyard all day long; they like to get out and explore. They can also meet other dogs this way. If you only saw other people when you went on walks, wouldn't you enjoy them too?

6. Physical contact is very important to the socialization of animals and makes them much more friendly. Play with your pet, stroke them, or just sit on the grass and goof around.

7. Never treat a dog like a child. A dog is an animal and needs leadership. Don't pander to insecurity. Instead, be strong and lead by example.

8. Do not do anything to hurt the pet. They are fragile and it will make them dislike you! If you accidentally bump into it or kick it, make sure you apologize by a treat of some sort or a reassuring pat on the head.

9. Do not do anything to hurt the pet. They are fragile and it will make them dislike you! If you accidentally bump into it or kick it, make sure you apologize by a treat of some sort or a reassuring pat on the head.

10. You are the pet's boss. Don't terrorize it by tugging on its leash, slapping him/her as a punishment, etc. But make sure you don't let it get away with everything. Remember: You're in charge, not Fido.

11. You are the pet's boss. Don't terrorize it by tugging on its leash, slapping him/her as a punishment, etc. But make sure you don't let it get away with everything. Remember: You're in charge, not Fido.

Tips

Your tone of voice has a lot to do with how your pet will react. Saying "I love you, you're the best pet in the world!" in a tone that implies you hate it won't exactly convey your message.

Many cats and dog love being scratched on the tummy or chin.

Remember that animals connect unpleasant experiences with the place they experienced them at. If you had to take your dog to the hospital for surgery several times, he might be afraid of riding in cars because he remembers car trips as the beginning of a painful process (having surgery). If this is the case, try to carefully take your pet to the place it is traumatized with for a short period of time, and reward it. In the example with the dog, take very short car rides that lead somewhere pleasant until your dog realizes that not all car rides end at the hospital. This is very important because your pet may refuse to get inside a car, thus making trips to the vet or any other destination even more unpleasant since you'll probably be covered in scratches or claw marks.

Be sure you don't have anything on your fingers that will bother your pet while petting it.

Your pet sometimes just wants attention. Make sure you feed it and give it water, but also give him/her lots of love and attention. It's the love that counts! <3

Warning :

If your pet doesn't like what you are doing to it, then stop right away! However, there are exceptions; if you're doing it for its own good, like giving it a bath, continue doing it, but soothe them as much as you can.

Never, EVER, hit your pet. No matter HOW angry you are at it, hitting or slapping it is possibly the worst thing you could do. This not only makes your pet fear you in a way that is almost cruel, it may lead your pet to believe that you suddenly dislike it very heavily, and it shatters the trust it once had for you. It will take a lot of coaxing and treats to make your pet trust you again.

When you do need to corrects a pet's behavior, you need respect, not fear. Tell them in a firm tone, "No," or "Bad dog/cat/rabbit/whatever animal you have." Use hand gestures that make them realize that they've made a mistake.

This has already been stated, but cannot be stressed enough.

Potty training a puppy is a little trickier when you have an apartment, since you can't install a doggie door or easily let your furry companion outside. The key is to start early and be consistent. Place your dog on a regular feeding schedule so you can predict when she'll need to go outside, and reward her every time she demonstrates good behavior. Before you know it, your puppy will run to the door and wag her tail instead of having indoor accidents. Read on to learn more about how to potty train a puppy in an apartment.

Part 1 of 2: Starting an Outside Routine

1. Take your puppy outside frequently. When your puppy is very young, you'll need to take her outside every few hours. Puppies need to relieve themselves frequently, as they can't physically hold their bladder for more than an hour or two. To avoid accidents, scoop up your puppy and take her outside once an hour like clockwork. This way your puppy will learn to associate going outside with going to the bathroom.

Once you get to know your puppy, you'll be able to watch for signs she needs to relieve herself. As soon as you see her displaying the signs, take her outside.

When you're house training a puppy, it's very important that you be available to meet her needs at all times of the day. If you leave her alone in the apartment all day it might take a very long time for her to understand what she's supposed to do when she needs to go to the bathroom. If you can't be with her all day long, have a friend stay with her.

2. Feed your puppy at the same time every day. This helps to reinforce a routine and allows you to better predict when she may need to go outside. Depending on your puppy's breed and needs, feed her a few times a day. Take your puppy outside after every meal and after she drinks a lot from her water bowl.

3. Pick a designated place for your puppy to relieve herself outside. Going to the same spot every time will help her remember what she's supposed to do. Living in an apartment building, you might have trouble getting all the way to the closest park. Pick a patch of grass close enough to your apartment entrance that your puppy won't have an accident on the way.

Be sure to follow your city's ordinances regarding disposing of dog waste. Pick up after your puppy using a plastic bag.

Dog urine isn't generally good for flowers, so try to find a public spot that isn't being tended by a careful gardener. You might find yourself the subject of a sign warning dog owners to stay away - a common sight near city apartment buildings!

4. Use a command to help your puppy associate the spot with relieving herself. Say something like "go potty" or just "potty" when you set her in the designated spot. Use language to strengthen the puppy's association with the spot. Make sure you don't use the word indoors; just use it in the special spot.

5. Reward your puppy when she relieves herself outside. The best way to train a puppy is to reinforce good behavior and eliminate possibilities for bad behavior. When your puppy relieves herself outside, giving her praise and a treat will make her want to do it again. Say "good girl" or "good boy" in a loving tone and give your puppy some cuddles. You can also give her a small treat each time she goes correctly.

In order for positive reinforcement to work effectively as a training strategy, consistency is key. That means that every single time your puppy relieves herself outside, you should praise her. This is especially important in the first few months, when she's still learning correct behavior.

Part 2 of 2: Starting an Inside Routine

1. Confine your puppy to a certain area in the apartment. You can gate off your kitchen using a child or dog gate or choose a different room. This is necessary during the first few months, since keeping your puppy in one place allows you to keep an eye on her so you can take her outside right away when she shows signs of needing to relieve herself. If she has too much freedom, she'll end up going to the bathroom before you can catch her to take her outside.

Your puppy is ready to spend time in the rest of the apartment after she has learned to signal to you that she needs to go outside, either by moving toward the door or looking at it. You'll also know she's ready when she has very few accidents in the apartment.

2. Consider having an indoor bathroom spot. If your apartment is on a high floor in your building, it might be difficult to get outside in time for your puppy to go to the bathroom. If you have a small dog who makes manageable messes, you can consider paper training your dog instead of taking her outside every time. Line an area of the room with newspapers or special training pads you can buy at the pet store. Use the same training method you'd use for an outdoor bathroom spot, carrying your puppy to the papers each time she has to go. Reward her when she goes successfully.

You can also use a sod box as a place for your puppy to eliminate. Fill a shallow plastic container with sod or dog litter, and place it on top of newspapers.

When you clean up after an accident your puppy has had, you can place the soiled paper towels or rags in the designated area so that your puppy associates the the smell of urine with her bathroom spot.

3. Keep your puppy in a crate at night and while you're away. Puppies actually like the feeling of being in a small, cozy crate - it makes them feel safe and secure. For this reason you should never use a crate as a form of punishment; it should be your puppy's personal safe place. Puppies don't like soiling their living space, so make sure you take your puppy outside so she can go to the bathroom right before you put her in the crate.

Puppies can sleep for about 4 hours before they need to relieve themselves. Very young puppies might wake up barking, though, so you should line the crate with towels just in case your puppy has an accident in the night.

If you hear your puppy barking in the crate, take her outside to relieve herself and place her back in the crate. Be sure you reward her when she relieves herself.

4. Clean up accidents right away. If your puppy has an accident in her crate or elsewhere inside, be sure to clean it up and sanitize the spot so it no longer smells like urine. If an area smells like urine the puppy will instinctively want to relieve herself in the same spot again.

5. Don't scold your puppy for having an accident.[4] Puppies don't respond well to negative reinforcement; it only makes them afraid. If your puppy is relieving herself in your apartment, pick her up and immediately take her outside to the designated bathroom spot. When she successfully finishes doing her business there, reward her before taking her back inside.

Never yell at your puppy or spank her when you see her having an accident. You will teach your puppy to be afraid of you, and it won't help her learn what to do when she needs to relieve herself.

If you find a mess in your apartment after the deed has been done, don't ever rub your puppy's nose in it or try to discipline her. It doesn't work; it just confuses the puppy. Simply clean up the mess and take the puppy outside more often to continue her training.

Tips

Be consistent. If you change from paper training to house training half way through, it will confuse your puppy, and make it more difficult, but done consistently potty training your puppy can

When cleaning up the mess use an odor neutralizer, or vinegar can do the job as well. Nothing with ammonia in it, as that smells like urine to puppies, and they'll try to go in that spot again, what you don't want to happen.

Never get angry and hit your dog. Do not reward the bad behaviors and reward the good behaviors.

Tips for Successfully & Conveniently Bathing Your Dog -- At Home, Indoors

Now that most of us are spending more time indoors with our pets, keeping them clean is a priority. But how do you bathe your dog inside without the dreaded trips to the do-it-yourself dog wash or groomer, or the mess of juggling super-size cups and buckets to rinse in your bathtub or shower?

“Bath time doesn’t have to be unpleasant for you or your dog,” states Patty Mueller, CEO of Idea Factory, Inc., manufacturer of RINSE ACE® Brand pet bathing products. “Bathing your pet at home can be easy as long as you know how to do it and have a few key items available.”

How often does a dog need to be bathed? It depends on your dog’s lifestyle and breed. Bathing too often can be irritating to the skin so a good guideline is to bathe your dog only when the coat gets dirty or begins smelling “doggy.”

Mueller recommends having these items on hand before you start: brush, comb or rake; shampoo, conditioner, shampoo mitt, bathing tethers, bath mat, drain cover, shower hose with sprayer and towel.

Here are a few tips on how to make indoor pet bathing easier:

1. Gather all the things you need without your pet present (to reduce the pet’s anxiety.)

2. Place a bath mat at the bottom of the sink or tub so your pet will not slip and the surface will be protected from nail scratches.

3. Place a bath mat at the bottom of the sink or tub so your pet will not slip and the surface will be protected from nail scratches.

4. Brush or comb the entire coat. Remove mats and tangles (some areas may need to be trimmed with clippers or scissors.)

5. Place your pet in the sink, tub or shower then attach bathing tethers to the collar to hold your pet in place and minimize its movement as well as free up both your hands.

6. Use a shower hose with sprayer and hold it close to the pet’s coat to allow water to saturate the pet’s coat and skin. (Dumping cups or buckets of water on the coat typically will not thoroughly wet a pet, not to mention how difficult it is to reach the underside.

7. Apply shampoo to a shampoo mitt for better distribution throughout the coat. Work the shampoo lather deep down to the skin. Rinse thoroughly with shower hose until water runs clear. Apply conditioner then rinse until water runs clear. Shampoo or conditioner residue left on the skin may cause irritation.

8. Let your pet shake off the excess water. Then squeeze out excess water by running your hands over the pet’s coat.

9. Finish by towel drying. Keep your pet indoors and away from drafts until the coat is completely dry. Comb or brush, then admire your job well done and appreciate the clean-dog smell.

10. Gather all the bathing and grooming items and place them in a caddy for convenient storage and ease of use for the next bath.

11. Mueller recommends bathing your pet on a regular basis and starting early. “Get your puppy used to a bath and you won’t have any problems when the dog gets older.”Tips for Successfully & Conveniently Bathing Your Dog -- At Home, Indoors