Dog Grooming Tools

If you didn't already know, dogs go through shedding cycles according to changes in environmental temperature as well as exposure to sunlight. Indoor dogs tend to shed pretty much all year, though, because they're not really exposed to drastic temperature changes. Brushing can help in two ways: It decreases the amount of hair that ends up on your clothes or furniture, and it can also prevent skin parasites. (And let's be honest, both of these potential outcomes are pretty gross.) Admittedly, I didn't use to be very good at regularly brushing my dog, but my vet has since reprimanded me. So, I thought I'd include some of my favorite pet grooming tools below in case you're in the market for a new brush.

Image via The Barking Lot

For Long-Haired Dogs:

Bamboo Furbuster comb
Jeffers Pet
$15.99-33.99
This brush has interchangeable stainless steel blades that remove loose hair and undercoat, which will reduce shedding overall.

FURminator
Amazon
$34.99-$59.99
The FURminator has a cult following, for what seems to be good reason: The company claims the product reduces shedding by up to 90 percent. Apparently, it can also reduce "the amount of airborne elements that cause allergic reactions in many people."

For Medium- and Short-Haired Dogs:

GripSoft Pin/Bristle Brush
Doctors Foster and Smith
$9.99
This two-in-one brush helps remove excess/loose hair, minimizes shedding, and is also great for dogs that tend to get matted fur (eg Wheaten terriers, Maltese, Shi Tzus). The pin side helps to stimulate the skin, and the bristle side is gentle for dogs with shorter coats.

Four Paws Love Glove
Petstore.com
$7.19
A one-size-fits-all mitt, this tool removes excess and loose hair while gently massaging your dog. (Riley loves this one, naturally.) Even better, it can also be used to remove hair from furniture.

What's your favorite dog brush?

The Dog Whisperer Launches New Magazine

Despite the fact that glossies around the country are hemorrhaging advertising dollars and readers, Cesar Millan has come out with a new magazine, Cesar’s Way, and it hit newsstands today. The Wall Street Journal had an early look at the publication and said it’s “filled with slick photos of celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton, and Jennifer Aniston with pets in tow. Articles include ‘Can Your Dog Fix Your Marriage? Just Ask Jada Pinkett Smith' and ‘7-Day Doggie Detox.’”

To read the full WSJ article, click here. Cesar’s Way will be bimonthly until 2010. For a subscription, you can go here.

Has anyone seen a copy yet?

Looking for a Dog Trainer?

A few years ago when I was living in the West Village, I met a man walking the most well-behaved dog I’d ever seen down Bank Street. His name was Garry Gross, and he was a dog trainer, he explained. The brindle pit bull at his side was one of his students.

Does your dog have you wrapped around his little paw?

I’d forgotten about Garry until a few weeks ago when I went looking for a NY-based pet photographer and found his name online. (Turns out that Garry is a man of many talents. A former fashion photographer for numerous advertising clients and magazines such as GQ and Cosmopolitan, he also takes gorgeous pictures of dogs. Check out his photography website here.)

Anyway, if you’re looking for a dog trainer, I’d highly recommend Garry. He has your dog stay with him for two weeks and helps rid your pet of behaviors such as separation anxiety or aggression. Not only is Garry amazing at what he does, he’s just a really nice, normal guy, and your pet would definitely be in good hands.

If you’d like more information, check out his dog training website, http://dogtrainersofnewyork.com/. You could also email him at garry@dogtrainersofnewyork.com or call 212-807-7141.

A New Way to Clean Your Dog’s Paws

Let’s be honest, walking your dog around the streets of New York can leave his paws covered in all kinds of grody stuff. I saw this Paw Plunger on the FetchDog site and thought it was genius.

How it works: You fill it with warm water (and a tiny bit dog shampoo if you think it’s necessary) and plunge each paw in, one at a time. The soft cleaning bristles inside the mug work off all the dirt. After rinsing, you simply dry off your dog’s feet with a towel. The PawPlunger is $34. For more information or to buy, click here.

Has anyone tried this? What do you think—cool, or overkill?

Mutts to Represent at Dog Shows

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recently announced that they will allow mixed breed dogs to compete at some AKC events starting this October. Mutts will be able to compete in agility, obedience, and rally events. (Rally events are where the dog and handler compete on a course designed by a judge and proceed through a set of 10-20 “stations”.) The catch is, mixed breed canines will only be allowed to compete against other mutts and will be excluded from events like Westminster and the “best in show” category.

Credit: Time Out Chicago

According to Lisa Peterson, an AKC spokeswoman, "the dog-advocacy group's rule change creates an opportunity for mixed breeds and their owners to demonstrate their skills—training often acquired in AKC-sponsored classes."

Is it wrong that I am thinking of signing Riley up? She would kill it in the agility category. The obedience category, though, could get awkward.

(Thanks to Georgina for sending this in!)