I have a black labradoodle...like all my pets, she's mine after a breakup (oh joy). When I got her, she was FILTHY, because the ex didn't groom her like she really needs. My problem is that I've never been a dog person, and don't know what the heck I am doing half the time. I never had a dog growing up. I want to make sure that Jemma gets everything she needs and I think I could use some help here.

It looks like she has some dermatitis going on (dry flaking skin) and has a little hair loss around her hind quarters, and I want to know the best way to take care of it. Can anybody give me any pointers here?

She'll be going to the vet as soon as payday rolls around, but I want to help her out as much as possible in the meantime.

2/21/2010 2:21:52 PM

I don't know much about grooming but just wanted to say....good man.

2/21/2010 5:00:42 PM

brush her - dogs typically love this, too
try an oatmeal shampoo for her; failing that, ask your vet for some sort of moisturizing/soothing shampoo. Don't bathe her too often. You'll at least want the vet to find out the source of the hair loss when you do fo.

2/21/2010 5:04:55 PM

The most common causes are fleas or food allergies. If there's not fleas try putting her on a super low ingredient diet like california natural and maybe adding in some fish oil.

2/21/2010 5:16:50 PM

PM Wheezer, she grooms dogs for a living

2/21/2010 5:58:44 PM

^ second.
I can vouch for Wheezer as well.

2/22/2010 5:47:02 PM

Thanks for the input. I'm gonna check with Wheezer come payday.

2/22/2010 8:53:03 PM

if her butt raw she prolly need u to squeeze the funk out of her anal glands. All carnivores except like bears and raccoons have two little mini buttholes on the sides of the main butthole. When dog start biting back there and dragging their asses, it's because one or both of those two glands is impacted and needs to be "expressed". Enjoy ur dog, I no liking teh dog either. Let dezidelight borrow ur dog to companionship.

2/23/2010 8:44:42 PM