[nagdu] Bailey's Latest--bathing, weight, etc.

[Marion Gwizdala]

Robert,
    First of all, let me say that it certainly seems as if you had a little 
too much time on your hands! (grin) As for all that talk of kilograms and 
such, you really confused those of us south of the border! (smile) I 
thought, therefore, I would share this link with you in the hope that you 
might be a little more considerate of those of us metrically challenged!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QTj45cTB4U

As for your request about bathing techniques, this is what i have been 
taught - or at least always believed I was taught! Begin bathing the dog at 
the neck, but do not wash its head to avoid getting soap in their eyes and 
water in their ears. This also creates a barrier for fleas to run up to the 
head for safe haven. Continue washing the dog from front to back, washing 
the anal areas last so as to not bring that stuff onto the rest of the dog. 
let the soap sit on the dog for about 5 minutes. (Yous guys still use 
minutes up there, eh?) Rinse the dog completely.
    One product I was told is very effective and safe to use for washing a 
dog is Dawn dish dtergent, the original stuff, not the ones with flowery 
scents and the like, don't ya know! (Trying to build rapport here!) In fact, 
Dawn even puts cute little puppies on their labels of this product from time 
to time.
    Another thing I have been told is great for the dogs coat and skin while 
deterring fleas is Avon's Skin So Soft. Smells pretty good, too!
    I am still trying to get some authoritative information on the frequency 
of bathing a dog for my advocacy of a group of guide dog users working for a 
sheltered workshop that has a policy that guide dog users must bathe their 
dogs every Friday. Not on Thursday and not on Saturday, but Friday! Can we 
all say "Paternalistic!"? Once I have that info, I will send it on to this 
list!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Hooper" <hooper.90 at buckeyemail.osu.edu>
To: "NFB-NAGDU" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2012 6:05 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Bailey's Latest--bathing, weight, etc.


> Hello all:
>
> I recently returned from a vet visit and was hoping to share the results 
> of my relentless inquiries. It seems as though Bailey's weight jumped from 
> around 31 kg to about 35 KG since the last visit two months ago. This 
> despite my frequent checks of his body condition. The vet didn't seem to 
> notice any overt physical changes in his appearance, but we both thought 
> it a good idea to cut back on the food. Annova Evo is very calorie-dense 
> and dispenses with many ingredients that might hinder or stop the 
> processing of certain nutrients. I was told to start by removing ten 
> percent of his food intake. So, instead of a cup and a half, I half to 
> find a way to remove 3/20 of a cup of food from his daily meals. After 
> doing the math, I came to the conclusion that instead of his usual 90/60 
> cups of food a meal, he would need 81/60 cups. If I gave him 1-1/3 cups of 
> food per meal, this would equal 80/60 of a cup, thus closest (to within 
> 1/60 of a cup) I can get to a perfect mathematical solution.
> Note that I am not that invested in the numbers-I just had a long time to 
> wait in the lobby before being checked out.
> Another topic I discussed was dog bathing-this is something to which I 
> have never been a party. Many family members encouraged me to find a place 
> that would do it for me. I object to this for many reasons (all of which 
> my vet supported and understood). Firstly, many such places are prone to 
> outbreaks of kennel cough, skin infections, improper technique, etc. 
> Secondly, Bailey is a service animal, so I require a higher degree of 
> control-that is, I am loathed to give up my dog to anyone else who does 
> not know how to handle, treat, etc. him. Thirdly, I am one of those 
> "annoying dog Nazis"-that is, I allow very limited interaction between 
> others and my dog. I do not want Bailey to trust others or form bonds with 
> others as he does me. Furthermore, I do not want him to see people as 
> giant petting machines worthy of his attention and thus potential 
> distraction. So, that desire in itself rules out taking him anywhere for 
> bathing purposes.
> Fourthly, I heartily dislike paying for a service that I could just as 
> easily perform myself. Bathing him at home would lessen my inconvenience 
> of having to find transportation to and from a facility, would save me 
> money, etc.
> Now comes my questions regarding bathing. I have done some research about 
> properly bathing dogs at home. I am most worried about the complete 
> rinsing of shampoo-is dog bathing a very daunting task? Bailey hasn't been 
> bathed since I received him in July and he continues not to smell. I 
> regularly groom him, so that should cut down on his odor and dirtiness. I 
> guess my main concern (as it is with most things) is that I'm afraid of 
> not doing it right. If anybody has any assurances, techniques, detailed 
> instructions with schematics and diagrams, etc. to share, I would welcome 
> such.
> I also discussed heart and flea preventatives with my veterinarian, dog 
> anatomy and behavior, and various other such topics. I welcome feedback on 
> all aspects of this message-from its grammatical style to critiques about 
> my personal objections toward taking Bailey to a Dogwash. I look forward 
> to everyone's thoughts and I hope I have provided some brain food on which 
> we can all munch.
> Sincerely,
> Robert Hooper
> Hooper.90 at buckeyemail.osu.edu<mailto:Hooper.90 at buckeyemail.osu.edu>
> The Ohio State University
> 0653 Buckeye-Cuyahoga CT
> 653 Cuyahoga Court
> Columbus, Ohio 43210
> (740) 856-8195
>
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