What your dog isn’t telling you

If I have short hair, use a brush, not a comb, to groom my coat. Don’t forget the tail and legs. Use a fine comb through feathery hair on the legs and tail.

For a long coat, hold the hair down at the roots so you don’t tug the skin. Just like you, I don’t like it when you yank at the knots. Be patient.

Brush and comb me before you try the bath thing. And only bathe me when I’m dirty or need a flea bath. Too much bathing leaves skin dry and flaky.

Put a rubber mat in the tub so I don’t slip, please. Use lukewarm water to wet me from head to tail. Shampoo hind legs, tail and rear end, then the body, chest and front legs. After that, carefully wet my head and shampoo. Cover ears and eyes so no soap gets in.

Nails are softer after a bath, so that’s the time to trim them if necessary. Don’t cut them down to the “quick,” the pink area inside the nail. That’s living tissue with blood supply and nerves. (And yes, I’ll complain about that.)

Reward me for good behavior, rather than punishing me when I do the wrong thing.

Apply the same rules at all time, using the same commands and the same rewards.

If I have lots of energy and you’re trying to teach me something, let me burn off a bit of that energy in the backyard before going for a walk.

Here’s how to teach us: Face the dog with a treat in your hand and, as the dog trots toward you, hold it over the dog’s head. Keeping the eyes on the treat, the dog will back up and sit down. As they do, say, “Sit!” Reward with the treat.

To stop me from jumping up, don’t make eye contact and don’t touch or talk to the dog. If a dog is ignored, he learns that this isn’t the way to get attention and that it’s calm behavior that wins rewards.

Kathy Diamond Davis, author of Therapy Dogs, has some recommendations: Some dogs like to be cuddled; they may really fear being left alone as it thunders. For other dogs, distraction works.

If they’re having fun, they’re less likely to focus on the storm. And lots of background noise can help, so try turning on a fan. If your pet is so frantic that she tries to escape or is destructive, keep her in a crate or other confined space, if that calms her.

I like a little background noise while you’re gone. If you leave the radio on, I’ll be a lot happier when you’re out picking up biscuits for me. 

Dogs love music, read more fantastic dog facts

Having my own safe spot makes me feel better when I’m stressed. A crate is like a cave for me, and I love it. My own little bed is another thing I’m thrilled to have.

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