For The Love of Schnauzers

Orijen Food and a Riley Update

Hello blog world!  Things have been busy around our household.  Riley is growing, growing, growing.  When we got him a few weeks ago, he weighed 2.2 lbs.  Last week he weighed in at 4.3 lbs.  That's a big difference!  He's sleeping longer at night but we're still up a couple times of night with him.  His bladder just can't hold it until morning.  We will be really happy when he can go all night without a bathroom break!  It's like having a new baby!

Riley had his photo made this past week.  Karen Powell took family photos and Riley did great.  We should have some proofs to look at soon.  I'll make sure and post a link.

We also decided to try a different feed called Orijen.  It comes highly recommended (albeit not cheap).  I'll let you know how Riley does on it.  He's probably eating better than we are.

That's the news for now. Stay tuned!

More Grooming Tips for Your Miniature Schnauzer

On the last post, I shared a bit about finding a good groomer for your miniature schnauzer (or any other dog). I thought it might be helpful to share a few tips on how to care for your schnauzer in-between grooming appointments.

Our dog Zack went to the groomer every six weeks like clockwork. We learned along the way that he would be ready for a good shampoo and grooming by then. However, Zack had his challenges being a schnauzer. For instance, have you noticed those beards? They are beautiful and my favorite feature of a schnauzer but they also serve as traps for all kinds of foreign objects: leaves, dirt, left over dog food, dust (you get the idea). You just can’t let that beard go for six weeks! No, in order to keep your schnauzer looking great and healthy, a regular brushing is required.

Brushing: Make It a Habit
Give your dog a regular brushing. When Riley comes home, we hope to brush him daily to get him used to the idea. Brushing will help keep his coat tangle free and remove any knots or rats that may have developed. Your groomer will love you if you take a few minutes each day and pay attention to your dog in this way. It’s a good idea to make this part of the regular routine with you and your pet.

Tools of the Trade
You’ll need a few good tools to make this process the most productive for you and your dog. We’ve always used a slicker brush to keep our dog’s coat in good shape. It’s also handy in remove knots in the dog’s furnishings or in hard to reach places like the inside of his legs.

Cornstarch is recommended to help get those pesky knots/tangles out. The cornstarch helps the hair slide over top of itself and makes the brushing process a tad easier. Give it a try.

Of course, your dog will appreciate getting a yummy treat after his daily brushing. Keep treats on hand that your dog will love!

Finding a Groomer for Your Dog

Owning a miniature schnauzer is a real blessing. However, although they have a lot of things going for them, they are not maintenance free dogs. One of the more expensive parts of owning a dog like the miniature schnauzer is the frequent grooming that is necessary to keep these dogs looking their best.  Some owners opt to learn how to groom themselves but the majority of owners tend to take their dog to a groomer.

How do you find a groomer? I’d like to offer a few suggestions.

Get Recommendations
Not all groomers are created equal. Heather and I learned this lesson the hard way. You want to find a groomer that cares about the animals they groom. The best way to find a good groomer is to get recommendations from friends or maybe your vet or other trusted professional.

Take A Look Around
Visit the groomer and check out the grooming area. Are you comfortable with what you see? Is the groomer friendly and willing to show you around and answer any questions you may have? If not, keep looking for a groomer that you’re comfortable leaving your animal with.

Pay Attention
During one visit to a groomer, Heather walked in and began to talk to the groomer. The dogs that were there that day being groomed were barking. The groomer responded by turning around and screaming at the dogs. One has to wonder how the animals were treated when no one was looking. Pay attention to how the groomer interacts with the animals in her care.

If you’re fortunate to find a good groomer, recommend them to your friends. I can’t count the number of people we’ve told about our groomer, Soft Paws Salon here in Lexington. They do a wonderful job and truly care about the animal and its experience. I hope you too can find a caring, professional groomer! If you have additional tips about locating a groomer, feel free to share them in the comments below!