Bows & Bones Pet Grooming

Crate Training - Some dogs are crate trained and others aren't. Crate training is an important part of your dog's training. Some people feel that it's cruel to keep your dog confined in a crate, but as long as it's not for an extended period of time or used as a punishment, it's very important for your dog to be crate trained, even if you don't have the intention of using it on a regular basis. Crate training your dog as a puppy will not only help with potty training, but also with basic obedience, and gives your dog a sense of security. Things To Keep In Mind With Crate Training: Never use the crate as punishment. Your dog will come to fear it and refuse to enter. A crate is supposed to be a happy, safe place for your dog Don't leave your dog in the crate for too long. A dog that's crated for too long can become very anxious and doesn't get enough exercise.  Puppies under 6 months of age should not stay in a crate for longer than 3-4 hours at

Apartment living can sometimes be inconvenient if you are a dog lover - you have to be worried about noise, exercise needs, space/size, etc. Luckily, if your apartment allows dogs, there are some breeds that are easier to manage with apartment living! Pugs - Even tempered, loyal companions, small. They are curious by nature so may require longer walks to explore, but pugs can easily relax and unwind once they are home. Yorkshire Terrier - Sprightly and affectionate. Small in size, but have big personalities. Their energy can be quelled with daily walks and are relatively low maintenance (does require grooming) English Bulldogs - Calm, courageous, and protective. They don't require much exercise outside of regular walks and occasional play date.  Shih Tzu - Mild temperament and affectionate; requires frequent grooming Chihuahua - Small, sweet, and sassy. They also don't require much exercise Greyhounds - Despite their tall stature, they are considered "mellow house

With allergy season for humans starting to kick into overdrive, lots of people don't realize their dog can also have allergies. If your dog is an obsessive licker or he frequently scratches or scoots across the floor, he may have allergies. Just like humans, dogs can overreact to harmless allergens in the air, sneezing and itching as a result. There are four main types of allergies in dogs: atopy, flea, food, and contact. Atopy refers to enviornmental allergies; a dog's body releases excess histamine when exposed to a higher concentration of pollen in the air. The most common symptoms of atopic allergies are itching, scratching, biting, and chewing. Here are some tips to help prevent or minimize the symptoms of atoptic allergies in dogs: Wipe down your dog to remove allergens after walks Try a hypoallergenic shampoo (or if your dog is allergic to wheat/gluten, then try a wheat and gluten free shampoo) Use appropriate, dog supplements such as biotin or omega-3s (Vet

Ear cropping and tail docking are elective surgical procedures that your dog typically has as a puppy for certain breeds, such as Dobermans, German Shorthair Pointers, and Schnauzers. People sometimes also crop their Cane Corsos, Pitbulls, German Shepherds, and Bulldogs. The reason why people do this is because of the AKC breed standards, which are gradually changing due to cropping and docking being so controversial. American Veterinary Medical Association and American Animal Hospital Association both oppose it. Docking is removing part of, or all of a dog's tail, usually with surgical scissors. Cropping is cutting off the floppy part of the dog's ears. Tail docking is banned in many parts of the world, including Australia and the U.K. In the U.S., these procedures are unregulated.  The only purpose of cropping or docking is to give a dog a "certain look" and it poses unnecessary risks. Docked tails can develop a neuroma, or nerve tumor. This can cause your d