When you hear the telltale "click-click-click" as your dog walks across the tile floor, you know it's that time again – time to trim the toenails. Trimming your dog's nails is not just a part of grooming; it's important for your pet's health as well. You should remember that untrimmed nails can cause a variety of problems including broken nails, which are painful and bleed profusely.
While some dogs don't seem to mind when you're trimming their nails, others just plain don't like it. Make trimming time fun and not a struggle. If your pet is not used to having his nails trimmed, start slowly and work up to it gradually. Following these suggestions for a proper nail trim might help you give your dog a more pleasant pedicure.
Start young. The earlier you start clipping your dog's claws, the better used to it he will be. Frequent trims when your dog is young will help diminish any fear. Have your veterinarian show you how to do it the first time.
Learn the anatomy. Within the center of each toenail is the blood and nerve supply for the nail called the quick. In clear white nails you can see the quick, a pinkish area in the middle of the nail. Unfortunately, the common black nails do not allow an easy view. Cutting into the quick will result in pain and bleeding. You cannot see the quick on dark colored nails, making them more difficult to trim without cutting into the quick. Cut dark colored nails in several small cuts to reduce the chance of cutting into the quick.
Use the proper instruments – be sure to use only nail trimmers that are designed for dogs. There are a variety of nail trimmers available at pet stores or your veterinarian's office.

A Clip or An Overhaul
Before you start clipping, determine how much needs to be trimmed. The basic rule of thumb is that the nail, which curls downward, should be even with the paw pad. Whatever hangs over must be clipped.
Procedure
Some dogs will happily sit in your lap or on a table while you trim their nails but many require some form of restraint. You may want to sit on the floor with your pet, hold your pet in your lap, or have someone hold your pet on a table. If your dog has light colored nails, eyeball the quick and aim a few millimeters away from it. If you cut into the quick, referred to as “quicking,” it will hurt your dog and the nail will bleed.
Using a nail trimmer for pets, cut the nail below the quick on a 45-degree angle, with the cutting end of the nail clipper toward the end of the nail. In dogs with dark nails, make several small nips with the clippers instead of one larger one. Trim very thin slices off the end of the nail until you see a black dot appear towards the center when you look at it head on. This is the start of the quick that you want to avoid. The good news is that the more diligent you are about trimming, the more the quick will regress into the nail, allowing you to cut shorter each time. Trim nails so that when the animal steps down, nails do not touch the floor.
Although you will take great care not to hurt your pet, sometimes accidents happen and you will cut into the quick. Have silver nitrate products on hand – you can get them at your veterinarian's office or pet store. You can also use flour or cornstarch to stop the bleeding. If that doesn't work, apply a light bandage for about 15 minutes. If the bleeding continues, call your veterinarian
Start off slow and trim a little at a time until both your pet and you get used to the procedure. Soon you will be able to do it routinely whenever you bathe your baby.
I find that clipping the nails after a bath is the easiest time as the warm water softens the nails and my babies are calm from the warm bath.
Of course you can always have a groomer or your vet do this for you.

If you've been to a "Pupperware Party", you probably know that dog perfume and aromatherapy for the discerning canine are all the rage. Although you can get perfume for your pooch just about anywhere these days, a Tupperware style party for pet lovers is a great way to mingle. The independent distributor Shure Pets has representatives all over the country now running such parties and plenty of aromatherapy products to choose from in their "Aromamutt Therapy Spritzer" line. Basically, it's dog cologne perfect for a sweet smelling pooch in between baths. Shure Pets isn't the only producer of doggie cologne though. The possibilities are endless.
Aromatherapy
Why not find a smell that is soothing to your dog as well as your own nose? Studies show that lavender has a soothing effect on pooches. Dogs are relaxed and better behaved when they smelled lavender oil. Deborah Wells, a senior lecturer at Queen's University of Belfast, Ireland reported these findings in the September 2006 issue of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Lavender has been helpful to dogs in rescue situations as well as with traveling dogs that get antsy in the car.
There are other scents that work well for dogs too. Cedar wood is great for dogs who will "roll" in mud or worse after being bathed with a floral scent. Lemongrass and peppermint are both great deodorizing scents! It's also good to know that peppermint is also a coat brightener, perfect for white dogs!
Pick a Scent
So how do you decide on a dog cologne? The best dog cologne has ingredients that do more than freshen up smelly fur. A good cologne may contain ingredients that are also excellent for your dog's coat and skin. Look for dog cologne that is free of alcohol too. Although perfumes generally have high levels of alcohol as a rule, your dog's skin could be irritated by a product with high alcohol content. Keep in mind that many artificial ingredients may contain irritating chemicals; dog colognes with all natural ingredients are best.
Be sure to cover your dog's eyes when spraying on the cologne. Spraying directly into the eyes or other mucous membranes may cause irritation or damage. Watch out for any sore spots or broken skin as well and avoid spraying cologne in those areas.
Of course cologne should never take the place of regular bathing, but used as an in-between to keep your pooch smelling fresh.

If you're a pet crazy party animal you might be thinking about letting your next party go to the dogs. Why not? There's no better time to celebrate than the day your best friend came into the world. So find few other party animals to have a wild time. Here are some tips and ideas to get you started.
All the party favors and extras you need can all be found on the Internet. Check out sites like www.funstufffordogs.com for decorations, cakes and gift bags.
Start with a fun invitation. You can make your own or purchase party invitations with a canine flair. Maybe sign them with your dog's paw print. Be sure to invite all your friends with friendly pooches for an afternoon in your garden. Request their attire be their favorite leash and that all dogs bring their favorite human companions.
Find fun decorations and dog theme music to set the mood. Paw print balloons, bone-shaped candles and a velvet gift bag with paw prints are a great way to start. Put some fun and tasty treats or appropriate toys in the gift bag so that no pooch is left out of the festivities and has something to take home from the party. Perhaps even consider some doggie shampoo or perfume.
There must of course be food. You can find some wonderful birthday cakes that look just like a standard birthday confection, but are specifically meant for the canine connoisseur of delectable treats. You can get made-to-order pet cakes from online dog specialty stores like www.ruff-life.org
. To avoid confusion between people food and dog food, set up separate tables. Consider presenting even the people food with a canine flair. Perhaps mini- hot dogs or tea sandwiches that have been cut out as dog prints or bones would add to the decor. Your doggie buffet could have an assortment of real dog bones and other canine treats, such as those found in our recipes this month. This way the human folk can make sure their dog gets an appropriate treat that doesn't conflict with their normal diet.
Consider coming up with some fun games that all the dogs can play. Maybe even have tennis balls monogrammed with the name of the birthday dog for everyone to enjoy.
Don't forget to have plenty of water available to the four-legged party goers. After all, it's hard work to party hardy. And have scoops, bags and pails available so that messes can be cleaned up quickly.
Lastly don't forget to have a photographer on hand. Whether they are professional or designated, you can bet all your guests are going to want to have something to remember the party by.

Birthday Cake for Pups

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup soft butter
• 1/2 cup corn oil
• 1 jar baby food, meat, beef, strained
• 4 eggs
• 2 strips dog beef jerky -- (2 to 3)

• 1 package Dry yeast
• 1/4 cup Warm water(110-115F.)
• 1 1/2 cups Whole wheat flour
• 1 cup All-Purpose flour
• 1 package Unflavored gelatin
• 1 cup Non-fat dry milk powder
• 1/4 cup Corn oil
• 1 Egg
• 1 Can ground dog food -- (6 to 8 oz)
• 1/4 cup Water