Caring for long haired dogs can be easy as long as you do simple regular maintenance so their coat can always be easily and beautifully maintained.

If your best friend is a long-haired dog, you know that they require a bit of extra care. You want to ensure that they look their best at all times and that their hair remains tangle and mat-free. If you have a Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Shih Tzu, or Terrier (just to name a few), you may struggle with keeping your dog’s long hair looking fabulous all of the time. Following are some tips for caring for long haired dogs so their coat can always be easily and beautifully maintained.

Regular Grooming

A regular visit to the groomers is the best way to ensure your dog’s coat remains as clean and tangle free as possible. This is especially important for long haired dogs. A good groomer has special techniques to clean the fur and work out every possible issue with long hair.

Bathing

In between trips to the groomer, regular bathing is important. Dirt and debris can weigh down your dog’s coat and create tangles. A high-quality dog shampoo free of soap will leave your dog’s coat clean every single time. Follow this up with a good dog conditioner or creme rinse to ensure a silky smooth coat that is free of tangles. When you are going through the process of bathing your dog, make sure to work the shampoo, conditioner, and water in well with your fingers, so the entire coat is cleaned.

Brushing

Caring for long haired dogs can be easy as long as you do simple regular maintenance. Long haired dogs need to be brushed every single day with a high-quality brush that works well with their particular hair and coat. Taking just a few minutes daily to brush will keep fur mat-free and looking fantastic. If you do find a mat, you can immediately use our emergency mat brush (link), which has been specifically designed to get out even tough mats of hair from your dog’s coat.

We have dedicated the work of our company to ensuring you have the best products to have what you need to maintain your dog’s long hair. Should you need anything or have a question, please let us know.

Following is some info about dog perfume that you may not know about.

When you have a posh pet, you want them smelling fresh, clean, and luxurious every single day. You may be tempted to spray your favorite fragrance on your best friend and have them match you! However, that is probably not a good idea. The perfume you use was specially formulated for human skin — both in terms of odor and safety.  Dog perfume is specially formulated to interact with a dog’s skin and natural smells, much in the same way.

Our team of perfumers, chemists, and pet industry professionals created our safe dog perfume to give your dog days’ worth of fresh scent.

The scent you get from a perfume or fragrance might not smell the same as when you whiff it from the bottle.  When you spray a perfume onto skin, clothing, or fur, it mixes with the oils, dust, and lotions, which may alter the scent.  The same is true for how scents work with a dog’s fur, as well as its skin, and natural odors.

When you want your dog smelling luxurious, you need a  perfume formulated by pet experts

Here at Les Poochs, all of our products are formulated with only dogs in mind.  When it comes to dog perfume, don’t forget that your dog’s nose needs to be considered, as well.  With dogs’ magnified sense of smell, you want to ensure that the fragrance is pleasant to them, as well.

Our dog perfume’s creators took great care to ensure quality ingredients correctly balanced for safety, and are the perfect scent.  They boast light scents that ensure that your pooch remains smelling fresh and pleasant.  We know not every owner wants their dog smelling the same way, so we have a variety of choices of dog perfume (for females and males, as well as for puppies).

Choosing the dog perfume is not just about smell 

It is also about making sure that the highest quality ingredients are used to ensure their skin, coat and nose are all protected.  Your best friend deserves the very best.

Handling tear staining for your dog can be a struggle

Handling dog tear stains can be a struggle.  You want your pet looking his or her best, but also want to make sure you are using specially formulated products to handle the problem safely.  A few years ago, the FDA shut down the distribution of tear stain removal products due to unsafe ingredients.

When your dog has tear staining, it means that they have overactive tear production, which causes the spots under your dog’s eyes.  Certain breeds of dogs such as Shih Tzus are more prone to the condition, and it can be more obvious when dogs have light-colored fur around their eyes.

A good first step to safely combat the problem is to discuss the situation with your vet and pet groomer.  These trained professionals can ensure that the tear production is normal, not harmful, and not the result of an underlying medical issue that needs further investigation.  Diet, exercise, and even certain medications can help alleviate any problems.

How long does it take for tear staining to clear?  Usually about three weeks.

Can you prevent tear staining?  Carefully and gently washing under your pet’s eyes with a damp soft cloth each morning is a good way to start.  Your groomer and veterinarian may have other safe suggestions for keeping the area clean.

No breed of dog is completely immune to tear staining, so don’t worry too much that there is something wrong with your dog.  A bit of preventive care and close attention to the under eye area will keep your best friend looking their absolute best!  

During the summer months, it is fun to go on a vacation with your pet. Many of us head to the beach for a day trip or an extended stay.  If you visit a dog-friendly beach, your dog is going to love running in the sand, chasing seagulls, and might even charge right into the waves.

Salt water safety for your dog – Is salt water safe for their fur and skin?

We always recommending checking with your groomer and veterinarian before exposing your dog’s skin and fur to a new experience. Generally, salt water can be safe for your dog’s fur and skin.  But before you let your dog play in the water, make sure to bring towels and shampoo with you to ensure you remove any salt water and sand, which can be irritating.

Additionally, as a precaution, be very careful not to allow your dog to play in the water too long.  As with humans, salt water is dangerous for a dog to consume, and can result in dehydration and ingestion of other substances that are toxic to their internal systems.  Make sure your dog is well-hydrated before entering the water and watch closely to make sure they are not swallowing the salt water as they play.

You may also find yourself spending time poolside this summer, and wondering if it is safe to let your dog swim in chlorinated water.  Check with your vet and groomer for your dog, and if you get the OK, then they will probably love a dip in the pool.  However, be sure to rinse them off immediately after swimming, and also give them a good brushing.

We know that for some breeds of dogs, there is a never-ending shedding problem.

If you have a breed of Husky, Retriever, Pyrenees, or Saint Bernard, dog shedding may seem like a constant problem.  Both summer and winter coats need to be shed to make way for the upcoming season leaving fur to clean up.  You can get a jump on dog shedding by regular grooming and brushing, in between visits.

Regular grooming of your pet with baths and brushing can establish a deep bond with your best friend.  Once your pet is accustomed to the routine, he/she will come to love the closeness with you and appreciate the one-on-one time, much like a child would.

We recommend some basic care techniques for pet owners who want to manage their dog’s shedding.

1. Brush your dog regularly:

A high-quality brush is your best defense against dog hair.  Regular brushing, even daily for some coats, can be soothing and a bonding experience for you and your pet.  Select a brush that is designed to move with the contour of your pet’s body and gently removes all shedding hair.  Using a soft or firm finishing brush will give your pooch the shine you desire.

2. Give your dog a regular bath:

Bathing your dog is a great way to loosen hair and control shedding in your home.  A soapy bath with the right shampoo will not only keep your dog’s coat clean and shiny, but all take away some of the hair before it sheds onto your floors.

3. Regular Grooming:

Depending on the breed of dog, frequent trips to the groomers can be a great help to shedding.  Dogs that receive frequent haircuts, blowouts, and de-shedding treatments will create less of a mess in your home.

While your dog will always shed, you can take a proactive role to ensure shedding does not take over your life.  Keep your home vacuumed, and have a lint roller nearby.  Taking a slightly damp washcloth to surfaces in your home will quickly remove pet fur.

Taking care of your best friend can provide both you and your pet with an incredible bonding experience.  While your goal is to control dog shedding, you also add the extra benefit of spending close one-on-one time!

Snow white-colored dog hair is absolutely beautiful.  Keeping your best friend’s coat this pure color may not be an easy grooming task.  Grooming a white haired dog to maintain his/her beautiful color takes dedication and a bit of know-how.

Brushing your Dog

Frequently brushing your dog is a great way to keep white fur looking its best.  This loosens up any dirt before it has a chance to stain. Experts agree that when you have a white dog, a quick daily brushing is one of the best defenses against grime.

Bathe Your Dog

Many white haired dog owners believe that the key to snow white fur is frequent bathing.  However, you do not want to bathe any dog too often, so be careful not to schedule a dog bath or grooming appointment more than once per month, unless necessary.  Frequent baths can lead to problems.  Then, about once per month, use a high quality shampoo.

Carefully take care of your white dog’s mouth and eye area

Be careful of bleaching techniques that can be harmful to sensitive skin.  Instead, have a few soft washcloths dedicated to this cause that you keep in a specific spot so you remember to gently clean the eyes in the morning, as well as the beard/muzzle area after meals or trips outside.

Here at LesPoochs, we want to help you provide The Best Care for Your Best Friend.  We know how important your pooch is to your life.  All dogs require a bit of extra care based on breed and size, and we are here to help you keep your pet looking its best at all times.