Making your Dog look Good The first goal of grooming is to make your dog look good. When people see your dog they should immediately be able to tell that he is a happy, healthy, well-cared-for companion. Taking just an hour or two a week to care for your pet can ensure that not only will your dog look good, he will feel good too. Here are a few things that you can do to make your dog look good. Keep Your Pet Clean Like humans, dogs only get one chance to make a first impression. Your dog will make a better first impression if his coat is clean and shiny. Bathe your dog as frequently as he needs it, when he is dirty or has a "doggy" odor. Companion dogs who spend the majority of their time indoors may need a bath as infrequently as once or twice a month. Active dogs that spend a lot of time outside or dogs with skin conditions may need to be bathed more frequently. If your dog has a dirty area on his coat but is otherwise clean, spot cleaning with a waterless shampoo can make your dog look good. Spray bottles of this invaluable cleaning aid are available at most pet supply stores. Keep Your Pet Free from Debris Any dog that goes outside will almost inevitably interact with plants. Even if you live in a desert, there are plants to be found. Burrs and seed pods--even pollen and flowers--can weave their way into your dog's coat, creating mats and tears. An otherwise well-cared-for dog can look like a stray if its ears or tail are matted with burrs or other debris. Dealing with debris is not difficult if your dog has been trained to be groomed. Remove debris by spraying a solution of coat conditioner on the tangled area and let it soak in. Starting from the outside of the tangle, use the wide teeth on your steel comb to gently loosen the debris. Exercise with Your Dog Believe it or not, exercise is vital for making your dog look good. A fat or flabby dog is an unattractive dog. Yes, pudgy little puppies are adorable, but your Labrador should weigh 60 pounds, not 100 pounds. Your Chihuahua should probably weigh in at no more than 4 or 5 pounds. The amount of exercise your dog requires depends a lot on his age and breed. A Border collie puppy will require far more exercise than an adult Rottweiler to satisfy his mental needs. However, that sedentary adult will require more scheduled activity than that puppy will in order to get thin or stay thin. Why? Because an older dog's metabolism has slowed from its puppyhood level. A sedentary dog has an even slower metabolism because it has adjusted to its slower pace over time. Even two half-hour-long walks or an hour-long romp in the yard is enough to keep most dogs in good condition. Herding or sporting breeds might need more and certain toy breeds may need less. Use your dog's exercise time to bond with him and to show him off. He looks great, so you both deserve it! Feed Your Dog Well Controlling your dog's food is a prime component to keeping your dog at his proper weight. However, food can do more than make your dog fat or thin. Food can also affect the texture and appearance of your dog's coat. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and similar advisory committees in other countries have devised a recommended daily requirement for certain nutrients in dog food. Most pet food companies adhere to these requirements, although not all do. The AAFCO name or logo should appear on the bag from which you feed your dog. In addition, the ingredients that go into your dog's food make a difference in how he appears. A dog who eats food that has its first three ingredients listed as corn or some similar carbohydrate will not be as healthy as those who eat foods that list fish or meat in those positions. In addition, the complete form of a meat is better than meat meals, digests, or byproducts. Try to be aware of your dog's nutrition needs outside of these basic standards. If your dog's coat is dry or oily or if his skin is flaking, he may need a different diet. Have a Happy Dog The best-looking dog is a happy dog. If your dog is clean, exercised, and fed right, then you are well on your way to having a good-looking dog. Challenge your dog by keeping his mind active by giving him toys and tasks to keep him occupied. A challenged dog is a happy dog. A happy dog is a good-looking dog and makes a darn good companion, too!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you are a business owner get listed at Best Dog Care Site, part of Localwin Network.