
Hello Spring! Well I hope so, it’s still kinda chilly and it snowed last week. However, I do feel it’s right around the corner and I can’t wait!
It’s my favorite time of year; not too hot and not too cold, just warmer temperatures and more sunshine that feels great on my back. There are also usually new dogs or puppies in the neighbourhood. And heading to the commons gets even more exciting, with new bunnies roaming around and lush muddy fields to roll in.
Spring – Get Ready
The beginning of Spring is the perfect time to get yourself and your dog ready for a wonderful season.
So here are some of my springtime tips!
First, let’s scrub up the Dog
Everyone loves a fresh clean dog and any owner will tell you it feels really good showing off your squeaky clean and fluffy Dog. Also, every dog owner will tell you it doesn’t last long. But don’t despair, there are still things that are worth doing to keeping things springtime fresh.
Brushes, combs, and clips: A great time to sterilize your dog’s beauty tools, give them a soak in hot water and a mild soap.
Speaking of beauty: This is a great time to give to visit your groomer. He will give your dog the full Spring treatment. Getting rid of that winter coat with a full brush out and a loving scrub in the bath. This will help release your dog’s undercoat. He’ll also check your dog’s ears and give them a good clean. Longear dogs need this a lot, especially in the summer months. Finishing off with a nice nail clip and paw trim. This is also a good time to get your pups pearly whites, white with a good tooth scrubbing from either your groomer or vet.
Protection:
This is the perfect time to make sure that your dog has the proper protection for all those pesky bugs that seem to flourish in spring. Make sure he has his flea collar or medication to keep the nasty pests away. Also when outdoors, note that some plants and fertilizers are toxic to dogs when swallowed. Do a survey of the area to see if there are spots your dog should avoid for his safety and keep an eye out that we do not eat anything we shouldn’t.
My Belongings
This is a great time to throw out the old and bring in the new, or at least a good cleaning so that everything is fresh again. Freshen up by washing your dog’s bedding, blankets, and soft toys. Wipe down the rubber toys with a mixture of water and vinegar. Throw out anything that is ragged, torn or in bad shape.
Replace my collar
If it has been awhile, it might be the time to check how your dog’s collar looks and behaves. It might be too tight, wearing thin or stretched beyond use. A nice spring collar could just be the answer. If the collar looks good then a good hand washing, or leather cleaner and conditioner, might do the trick.
Dog’s Dinner
You should be cleaning these every time your dog eats anyways…No one likes eating out of dirty bowls, including you. However, this is the time to see how Fido’s bowls are holding up. Are they in one piece or has the rubber gone loose? Are their chips in the china? Are there grooves and chinks around the plastic bowls that could hold bacteria? If so replacing these could be a good idea.
Cleaning the Garden
Fluffy is going to start spending more time out here enjoying the new warmer weather, so this could be a good time for you to collect the debris that has been lying around all winter. Pick up those small rocks that could get stuck in your dog’s paws, old twigs that I might that Fido might start chewing and any other junk that has blown in your garden.
Now that spring is here and our dog and his gear are in tip-top shape. We look forward to finding the best Spring muddy dog ever!
What are your Springtime tips?