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

Sun Jan 15 00:22:18 UTC 2012

When I was in class and we were going over grooming needs for our dogs they instructed us that your dog will probably only need a bath every 3-4 months (basically every season change). Additionally, they stressed the importance of combing and brushing your dog. Not only does this provide some relief and "di-stressing" after a day of work, but it helps to spread the dogs natural oils from their skin. 

I try to brush and comb Alexa every day or every other day, and I've found that in doing this I really do only have  to bathe her every several months. Because I am a student, we too are always on the go in the midst of class rooms and all that a university's campus entails. People are regularly commenting on how she has such a beautiful coat, and I think this is due to her healthy diet and regular grooming.

Abigail

On Jan 14, 2012, at 7:11 PM, Nicole B. Torcolini at Home wrote:

> I think that the only real tried and true way to watch your dog's weight is to feel their ribs and hips. You should be able to feel their ribs, and there should be a dip at their hips. As long as everything feels alright, we should not be alarmed at a slight weight fluctuation. Most of the time, when we receive our dogs, they are less than 2 years old, and they still have a little of growing to do. Yes, there was a time when Lexia looked a little over weight, but I think that it was more from her growing into her body than from being over weight.
> 
>   I agree that it is important to not over bathe a dog, but some of us have to consider the other side of the story as well. Some of us, such as myself, are around other people in tight spaces, such as dorms and classrooms.
> 
> Nicole and Lexia
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 4:03 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Bailey's Latest--bathing, weight, etc.
> 
> 
>> On the other hand, I got my pup at 20 months and 95 lbs. He is now 42 months at 110 pounds. I actually expect him to top out at about 115 - 120 pounds.
>> 
>> Marion
>> 
>> 
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steven Johnson" <blinddog3 at charter.net>
>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 2:58 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Bailey's Latest--bathing, weight, etc.
>> 
>> 
>>> Although what you say is true, I did notice that a friend of mine, who was
>>> just issued a guide back in late May, was gaining weight.  I don't see them
>>> everyday, but did notice that I was no longer to feel the ribs as easily.
>>> The dog was issued at 48 lbs, and about 2 weeks ago, had a weigh-in at about
>>> 55.  I honestly believe that having an outside perspective may sometimes be
>>> valuable.
>>> Now on the other hand, I have my guide's diet down just right.  She was
>>> issued at 55, and is at 52 now, and has not gained or lost significant
>>> weight since issue which will be 4 years coming up in a few months.
>>> 
>>> JMO,
>>> 
>>> Steve
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
>>> Of Tracy Carcione
>>> Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 8:06 AM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Bailey's Latest--bathing, weight, etc.
>>> 
>>> Hi Robert.
>>> Like Julie J, I wondered if the vet's scale was off.  Not all scales are the
>>> same.  The scale at TSE says Ben weighs 5 pounds more than my vet's scale
>>> says he does.
>>> 
>>> I use the same method as Julie J, only I use the shower, and use a large cup
>>> to get the places the shower doesn't reach.  But I am a strong believer in
>>> not washing the dog unless there's a good reason to do it.
>>> It's just not that much fun.  If he's not dirty or smelly, no bath required,
>>> IMO.  Ben hasn't had a bath in years, and he's clean and odor-free.
>>> The part I hate most about bathing the dog is the fur that gets in the tub.
>>> I worry about clogging up the drain, which isn't so great.
>>> HTH.
>>> Tracy
>>> 
>>>> 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 solut  ion. 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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>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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