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

People often mistakenly believe that declawing their cats is a harmless "quick fix" for unwanted scratching. They don't realize that declawing your cat is actually a surgical amputation of the first joint of the cat's toes. If performed on a human being, declawing would be like cutting off each finger at the last knuckle. Declawed cats are often chronically painful, and may develop aggression or litter box problems. Declawing can also lead to lasting physical problems for your cat. Claws are a physically, socially, and emotionally vital part of every cat. Scratching, for a cat, is not only a natural act, but a necessary one as well. It isn't done to destroy a favorite chair or to get even. Cats scratch to remove the dead husks from their claws, mark territory, and stretch their muscles. If you have a cat that scratches unwanted areas, there are things you can do to help redirect them. Here is a link to some suggestions from cat behaviorist, Jackson Galaxy:  How To

Some dogs are more affectionate than others. Some pups practically tackle you to the ground when you walk through the door and want to lick your face until they can't lick anymore. Others prefer to keep their distance and express their love in more subtle ways. Similarly, dogs can have mood swings like humans can. But the happiest dog breeds have gained a reputation as the most consistently cheerful members of the household. Every dog can get stressed but generally, these are some easy going pups. Here are some of the dog breeds who have gained a reputation as a happy pup: Labrador Retriever - Known for their friendliness, outgoing nature, and welcoming expression Bichon Frise - Curious, cheerful, and quite charismatic. They are typically quite tolerant of attention (but also require frequent grooming) Golden Retriever - They love to work and are very intelligent. They are eager to please their owners, enjoy treats and lots of affection Italian Greyhound - For their small si

Despite the fact that it is now 2018, unfortunately, some companies are still testing their products on animals. Not only is animal testing inhumane, but it is not an effective way to test the reaction on what it would be for humans. Essentially it's unethical, bad science, wasteful, archaic, and unnecessary. Sadly, this blog would be extremely long to list all of the companies that still test on animals, so here are a few links where you can find some lists: Companies That Test On Animals  or  PETA . There is also a long list of cruelty-free companies which you can find here:  Cruelty-Free  but here are some popular drug store brands that do not test on animals: Elf Milani Wet N Wild Jordana Physicians Formula Pixi Jane MUA Pacifica Mineral Fusion Alba Botanica Ecotools Jason Avalon Organics Desert Essence Yes To Kiss My Face Queen Helene Aubrey Organics Nourish Organic NIP + FAB Andalou Naturals Acure Organics Desert Essence