Blog For Dog Lovers

My dogs are getting antsy now that winter is here. It's dark and cold outside, so our doggie playdates have been put on hold until Spring. I take my pups outside for walks, but I'm afraid that's not enough to keep them from going stir crazy. Any ideas for cold-weather pet fun to keep my dogs from getting bored in winter?
- Angela in Memphis, Tennessee

Keeping a dog from getting bored during the winter is no small feat. Cold weather can dampen your spirits for going outside, and those early sunsets make a night of Netflix on the couch really appealing.

Luckily, we've come up with five ideas to keep your dogs from going stir crazy until the Spring thaw arrives.

1. "Play Games, All Sorts"

That's more than just a line from Mary Poppins…games are a good way to entertain dogs during the cold, dark days of winter. A rousing round of hide-and-seek or fetch is sure to cure those doggy doldrums. Bonus: It's a chance to practice training your pooch to sit and stay.

2. Visit a Dog Park

Even when it's cold and gray outside, your dogs can enjoy a playful run at the dog park. While some dog parks close after dark, others remain open in the evening. Your dogs can still enjoy some outdoor play, no matter how much daylight we get.

3. Tricky Treats

Those treat-dispensing dog toys are a great way to keep your dog entertained for hours winter, spring, summer or fall. Simply insert your pup's favorite treat or dry food into the treat ball and watch as your furry friends try to solve the puzzle. You can find these at most neighborhood pet stores or online.

4. Hire a Dog Walker

Pets need love and exercise all year, regardless of the weather. If your work schedule keeps you away from the house for long periods of time, hire a dog walker to help your pets get exercise and TLC during the day. They'll love the attention, and you'll feel better knowing they're getting some playtime while you're at work. Just remember to show them a little love when you get home!

5. Schedule an Indoor Puppy Play Date

Okay, hear us out on this one. While the idea of a gaggle of dogs in your house may sound like a carpet-cleaning bill waiting to happen, inviting your doggie friends over gives your pups a chance to socialize and gives you an excuse for a game night with friends. What's not to love about that?

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It gets pretty cold during winter up here in Michigan…does my dog need a winter coat? I know some buy sweaters for dogs, which I’ve always thought was a little silly. Is it safe to take my dog outside in winter without a coat? She’s a Shih Tzu, for what it’s worth.

- Christy in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Brrrr…those Michigan winters are no joke! We give you props for thinking about your dog’s safety in cold weather.

Here’s the skinny: There’s no easy-peasy answer to this one.

It depends on the temperature, it depends on the breed, it depends on the duration, it depends on the…you get the idea.

For most dogs, Mother Nature gives them the coat they need for winter weather. In fact, by buying a winter coat for a dog, you might be conditioning her body to rely too much on the jacket. Dogs’ bodies, like ours, respond to stimuli in our environment – including cold. Cold signals to a dog’s body that it’s time to grow that fur a little thicker.

There are caveats, of course. Shaved breeds have less natural protection against the cold. And even a thick, furry winter coat isn’t enough to safeguard against prolonged exposure to brutally cold temperatures. Never leave a dog outdoors in winter for a prolonged time without shelter.

Just because your dog can go outside in winter without a coat doesn’t mean she will go outside. Anybody who has stood on a snowy porch trying to coax and cajole a dog to step outside and go potty knows that all too well. Dogs are like us…most would rather be curled up with a snuggly down comforter than standing belly-deep in snow amid a swirling wind.

Here’s a pro tip: Don’t forget a towel to dry your dog when she comes in from the snow. A dry dog is a happy dog…and a healthy dog!

My Shar-Pei, Audrey, is obsessed with rolling in damp towels. My pup loves rolling in wet towels I leave on the floor after a shower. Sometimes I even find my dog rolling in my laundry. Why does she do this?

- Maggie in Charlotte, North Carolina

That's a great question, Maggie. Although it might seem like odd behavior, it could actually have some simple explanations.

The Absorber Dog Lover’s Towel has just released their biggest towel in a brand new color. This towel, measuring 22 in x 43 in., is now available in Scarlett.

The Absorber® is made with your dog’s comfort in mind. You can rest easy knowing that when you use The Absorber to dry your dog, the task will be done quickly and efficiently. Our commitment to your dog’s comfort makes Dog Lover’s Towel the leader among super-absorbent towel suppliers for loving pet owners and professional groomers alike.

There's no more need to go through multiple towels, that’s because the Absorber’s natural sponge-like composition goes to work immediately pulling 50% more water out of each dog’s coat than regular cotton or microfiber towels.

Whether you are bathing your dogs at home or running a large doggy daycare, The Absorber will take the dread out of drying. The Absorber is available in 2 different sizes, 27 in. x 17 in. and 22 in. x 43 in., and 4 different colors, Aqua, Blue, Biscuit, and Scarlett. Purchase yours today!

There’s more to teaching a dog how to swim than just throwing it in the water and waiting for instinct to kick into gear. When you want to empower your pet to enjoy the water as well as to be safe in it, you need to understand a few basics about how to teach your dog to swim.

Whether your dog has just gone for a walk on one of those notoriously muddy spring days or wakes up with that unmistakable dog smell, you'll know when it's time to bathe your own dog. Some dogs love the bath and others prefer to stay dry and cozy, but no matter what, it's important to regularly bathe your dog.

This step-by-step guide will help you give your dog the best, most comfortable bath ever:

Westmont, IL – In 2017, The Absorber team launched their revolutionary drying towel to the pet industry at the SuperZoo trade show in Las Vegas, NV. Now in just the team’s second year, they are bringing to market a new size that can serve multiple purposes for both professional and recreational dog lovers.

The new size (22 in. x 43 in.) will allow professional groomers to completely cover their tabletops to catch any excess water, provide comfort for the dogs while standing, and prevent them from slipping. Perfect for dog owners as well, this size is also designed to wrap 100+ lb. dogs to speed up their drying process.

The Absorber is composed of a highly absorbent yet soft material designed to dry your tail-wagger faster and easier. Its ability to absorb water on contact allows it to dry faster than any cotton or microfiber towels. It is easily wrung out and continues to dry, so no matter if your pooch is big or small, 1 towel dries all. Machine washable, The Absorber provides both ease and convenience for dogs and their owners.

When you’re in the business of keeping dogs clean, groomed, and looking gorgeous, having a basic dog grooming kit on hand is a wonderful tool. With a dog grooming kit, you have all your grooming gear in one easy-to-access place. You can find brushes, soaps, towels, and oils quickly and easily because you know where to look.

How do you create a dog grooming bag that works for you? What tools and supplies are must-haves when setting up your grooming kit? To help answer these questions, here’s a look at how to create a dog grooming kit that works for you.

Pick a Place to Keep Your Kit

Whether you want a mobile kit that can travel with you to pet appointments or a stationary kit that sits in a cupboard or drawer in your home, pick a place where you’ll store all your gear. Choose a location that’s spacious enough for all your supplies, easy to carry or access, durable and convenient. Likewise, look for a spot that will put all your grooming products within reach when grooming your clients’ pets.

Gather All Your Gear

Setting up your grooming kit starts with knowing the products and tools you use when you’re grooming dogs. Essentially, put them all together so that they’re easily accessible while you work. This will help in bringing together the best dog grooming kits for your pets.

Some of the typical dog grooming tools and supplies you may want include the following:

• A grooming table

  If you’re setting up a mobile grooming kit, think about including some sort of grooming table that will allow you to create a workspace wherever you go. This could be a folding table, an electric table or something else.

• Hair clippers

  When you’re trimming pet hair, you’ll probably need both small and large clippers to groom dogs properly. Dog grooming shears can be useful for cutting fur and cutting mats in tangled fur. Decide whether you need straight, curved, blending or other types in your grooming kit.

• Shampoo, conditioner and soap

  It doesn’t get more basic for bath time than shampoo, conditioner and soap. These are the products you probably use to clean dogs’ hair and bodies.

• Eye drops and oils

  If you use some sort of eye drops or mineral oil to protect dogs’ eyes during grooming, add this to your basic dog grooming kit.

• Ear cleaners

  Useful for loosening wax and cleaning the ear canal, ear cleaners come in handy when grooming dogs.

• Toothbrushes

  If you’ll be brushing dogs’ teeth, keep a toothbrush in your grooming kit.

• Flea spray

  Pets prone to fleas may require flea spray or flea spot treatments to stay bug-free.

• Cotton balls and swabs

  Many groomers will use cotton balls, placed in dogs’ ears, to protect delicate ear tissues from getting water or soap inside them during a bath. Additionally, cotton swabs can be useful for gently cleaning around the ears and eyes.

• Nail clippers

  Regular nail clipping is a must for pets — especially if their nails aren’t naturally whittled through walking on pavement. Most groomers need at least two pairs of dog nail clippers — a regular pair for smaller dogs and a large one for bigger dogs.

• Towels

  A good, absorbent towel is a must for after bath time. Pack one like The Absorber from Dog Lover’s Towel in your kit so you’ll have a fast, effective way to dry pets.

• Brushes

  Different dogs require different brushes, depending on their fur type and coat length. Keep all your various brushes and combs stocked in your kit, too.

Adjust, As Needed

After you’ve assembled your grooming kit, give it a go on a pet you’re treating. Pay attention to how accessible your tools were: Did you need items you didn’t pack? Did you have extraneous tools? How could your kit work better for you? Adjust your kit, as needed, to create a working toolbox that serves you and your dogs well on the job. This will help prepare the best grooming kits for your dogs.

To ensure your kit is properly set up from the start, invest in the perfect pet-grooming towel with The Absorber. Order yours today. Or, get in touch with Dog Lover’s Towel to learn more!