Greetings, dog lovers!

Welcome to Dog Forum’s newsletter.

This Week's Dog-Centric News and Tips are in: 

• Exercise ideas for every age of the dog

• How often should you wash your dog?

• Thread: Looking for advice regarding itching, scooting, and biting her fur

• Video: Man finds missing pet husky using a drone, finds it hanging out with a family of bears

Bark Bulletin of the Week

Join some of the most buzzing discussions of our forum!

DOG HEALTH

Exercise Ideas for Every Age of the Dog

Keeping your dog active is more than just a routine, it's the key to maintaining good health.

Regular exercise keeps your dog healthy, agile, and alert while warding off behavioral issues. It also plays a critical role in managing weight, strengthening the cardiovascular system, and maintaining muscle tone.

Plus, it's a fantastic way for both you and your furry friend to stay physically and mentally sharp.

Exercise by Age Group

Puppies

• Agility circuits: Build coordination and agility without overexertion.

• Puzzle games: Engage their minds and stave off boredom.

• Basic obedience training: Lay the foundation for good behavior.

• Tug-of-war (with rules): Teach them to follow commands like "drop it," ensuring play remains controlled and safe.

Puppies are bundles of energy, and while they need lots of activity, it's crucial to avoid overdoing physical tasks that might harm their developing bodies.

Mature Dogs

• Cycling: A brisk way to help them burn energy efficiently. Just ensure they are safely tethered and accustomed to running alongside a bike.

• Structured play circuits: Incorporate fetch and agility tasks within a controlled environment to stimulate both their minds and bodies.

• Regular hikes or jogs: Tailor the intensity to match your dog’s breed and physical condition.

Mature dogs will enjoy and benefit from more vigorous activities that match their peak physical capabilities.

Senior Dogs

• Gentle stretching and mobility exercises: Like adapted yoga, to keep them limber without straining their joints.

• Swimming: Offers excellent low-impact exercise that eases pressure on aging joints.

• Short walks or light fetch games: Keep them active without overexertion.

For older dogs, maintaining activity is crucial, but it’s equally important to adjust the intensity to align with their aging bodies. This can help manage or slow the progression of chronic conditions such as arthritis.

Source: FitBark

Playful Picks

1.Man finds missing pet husky using a drone, finds it hanging out with a family of bears

sailorjerrithedogtrainer

View more on Instagram

2.

3.

@tracystahl2

DOG TIPS

How Often Should You Wash Your Dog?

The question of how frequently to bathe your dog really depends on their individual needs, says Jess Rona, a renowned dog groomer in Los Angeles.

Known as "the Vidal Sassoon of dog beauty," Rona has clients who prefer everything from weekly washes for that extra fluff to bi-monthly visits for a more laid-back approach. The key is balancing how clean you want your pet with their health and comfort.

The Ideal Bathing Schedule

Varied Needs: Whether you have a fluffy Lhasa Apso or a sleek Pit Bull, all dogs benefit from regular grooming, which not only keeps them clean but also provides an opportunity for a professional to check on their overall health.

Monthly Grooming: Rona suggests a routine grooming appointment about once a month for all dogs. This frequency helps maintain their hygiene and allows for regular health checks to spot any emerging issues early.

Factors Influencing Bathing Frequency

1. Budget Concerns: If you're watching your finances, alternating between full grooming and simple bath-and-tidy sessions can be a cost-effective strategy. Each visit should still include basic care like nail trimming and teeth brushing.

2. Coat Type: The nature of your dog's coat plays a significant role. Long-haired and curly-haired breeds might need more frequent baths to prevent matting, while hairless breeds like the Chinese Crested require weekly attention to maintain skin health.

3. Skin Conditions: Dogs with specific skin conditions may need baths multiple times a week with medicated shampoos as prescribed by a veterinarian.

4. Lifestyle: Active dogs that love to play outdoors may require more frequent baths, while homebodies might not need as many.

5. Puppy Care: For puppies, frequent grooming sessions are crucial to get them used to the process, starting with about twice a month and gradually adjusting as they grow.

Home Grooming Tips

For those times when professional grooming isn't an option, here are some tips for handling bath time at home:

• Brush First: Always start by thoroughly brushing your dog to remove any mats or tangles.

• Bathing and Conditioning: Use a dog-specific shampoo and follow up with a conditioner to keep their coat soft and manageable.

• Dry and Brush Again: Make sure your dog is completely dry before a final brush-through. Never brush a wet coat as it can damage the skin and fur.

When to Wash?

Ultimately, your judgment plays a big part. A muddy playdate in the park might necessitate a bath, while other times, a quick wipe-down could suffice. Observing your dog's condition and behavior is key to maintaining their cleanliness without overdoing it.

Source: The Wildest

Quiz Answers

True! Dogs are such clever cookies!

They can learn commands in any language, as long as you're consistent with your training.

So whether you're saying "Sit" in English, "Sitz" in German, or "Siedi" in Italian, your furry friend can become a polyglot pup with a bit of practice.

Isn't that just pawsome?

That’s it for this edition of Dog Forum’s newsletter.

Please let me know what you think about this release in the poll below (Feel free to leave any recommendations. I take into consideration every comment).