How do you maintain your dog?

Dog maintenance vary from dog to dog. My dog being a Pomeranian, may require more maintenance like any other dogs, that shed as much. Maintaining a dog is not all fun and laughter, it can get very tiring at times and it requires patience too. Maintaining a dog isn't only for the aesthetics, it is also for the health of the dog!

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Daily basis - combing

On a daily basis, I harass my dog (in an absolutely respectful manner!!) to feel for bumps, parasites like ticks, or any growth. There are several times I get too worried about certain bumps, and would ask around or google for some information. It's good to feel your dog from head to toe so that you are aware if anything is growing on him/her!

Also, I comb my dog's hair daily as Pomeranians are known for mats - tangled hair that becomes a "ball". In the past when I did not know the severity of the mats, I combed my dog's hair only on alternate days. Believe it or not, it only took 1 day of NOT combing to cause a mat! It took me forever to comb out the mat, and of course, it is very distressing for both the dog and the owner. Poms are double-coated and together with their shedding, mats are easily formed and hence, making it even more crucial to comb daily!

Now that I am so done with his fluffy and long hair (that looks like a floor mop), I chopped it off, and made it shorter, which allows me to maintain it easily!

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Weekly/Bi-weekly Basis - shower & trimming of nails

I used to shower Burger weekly until he started having some form of skin reaction due to dryness and I decided to shower him bi-weekly instead. Surprisingly, Burger doesn't stink and his shampoo's smell can last for almost a week! I am currently using the Aloveen's Oatmeal shampoo and conditioner for Burger. Not only does it smell nice and doesn't have any chemicals, it is also very gentle on the skin, leaving the fur smooth and soft!

On a weekly basis, I also trim Burger's nails! It is important to trim your dog's nails frequently to prevent the quick aka the vein in the nails from extending. By trimming the nails on a weekly/bi-weekly basis, the nails are kept short! Long nails can hurt the dog as well!

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Monthly Basis

On a monthly basis, I trim my dog's fur on my own, to keep it short and neat! His fur tend to grow very quickly and if I do not trim it to be shorter, he truly looks very unkempt!

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Yearly Basis

On a yearly basis, I send my dog to June's Pethouse for full grooming and she does an amazing job in making my baby a cutie!!!!! Burger never fails to enjoy going to grooming and it also helps that she has a huge space for dogs to run around and Burger usually plays there while waiting for me to pick him up!

Let the pictures do the talking! Pictures courtesy of June :)