Million Dollar Dog, Inc. 7206 Wilkinson Blvd., Belmont, NC 28012
(Phone) 704.266.4137
News From The Grooming Table
Click here to see the article about Million Dollar Dog in the Gaston Gazette!!
AKC’s Most Popular Breeds Found in Puppy Mills
The American Kennel Club recently released the 10 most popular dog breeds for 2009, and The Humane Society of the United States has found these very breeds in inhumane puppy mills across the country. The HSUS warns that puppy mills profit on trendy breeds and challenges the AKC to do more to fight puppy mills.
The HSUS and Main Line Animal Rescue have rescued thousands of dogs, including each of the AKC's top breeds, from U.S. puppy mills. Some puppy mills specialize in AKC-registered dogs. The AKC's top 10 breeds for 2009, starting with the most popular, are: Labrador retriever; German shepherd; Yorkshire terrier; golden retriever; beagle; boxer; bulldog; dachshund; poodle; and the Shih Tzu. View photos of these breeds that were rescued from puppy mills on the slider above.
"The HSUS receives complaints every day from consumers who thought they purchased their dog from a reputable source, but instead, the dog came from a puppy mill," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "We invite compassionate breeders, especially those who focus on these highlighted breeds, to work with us to ensure every puppy born comes from a healthy, well cared-for pet, not an abused puppy mill breeding dog."
Sign the pledge to help stop puppy mills »
How to Speak Dog
Exercise How To:
Exercising or walking your pup is one of the most important things you can do for your best friend. Dogs naturally exercise themselves in the wild for up to 10 hours a day. Depending on the breed and energy level of your dog will determine how long you need to walk everyday. Dogs that are not walked in a structured environment generally will start to develop behavioral problems due to pent up energy. It is very easy to get caught up in your day 
to day duties and forget about walking the dog. Unfortunately due to this lack of exercise and development of behavioral problems, too many dogs end up in shelters, and possibly euthanasia, due to over population. It is a simple remedy to provide the leadership and exercise they desire and need. I will give you the tools to start a program to benefit the happiness of you and your pet.
First you will want to make the walk a very calm and controlled process. Silently go and get the leash, if you add a lot of excitement to starting the walk you get off on the wrong foot. Ask your pup to sit quietly while you put on the leash. Initially this may take several tries to establish but be patient and consistent to see results. Once you have the leash on and are ready to get started, you will want to go out of the door first. If you let them barge out in front of you they will continue that way for the remainder of the walk.
Now that you are out of the house you want to get your pup beside you and walking nicely. Do not let them pull you or run out in front or all around you. Remember this is a working and bonding time not a play time. If you have a dog that pulls, try to keep the leash at the top of the neck to maintain control. I recommend a slip leash for your pullers. It is also a great tool for your everyday good pups. I discourage the use of retractable leashes for walking. They were developed for tracking use in Beagles and Bloodhounds and were not originally meant for everyday walking use. After you have been walking for approximately 15 to 20 minutes you can stop and let your dog sniff around and take a potty break. Excessive sniffing during the walk is unneeded. Again this is working time to release energy and establish leadership which are your responsibilities. I recommend a minimum of 45 minutes walking time everyday for your average pup. You may need more due to energy level. The best time of day to walk is morning if you are able. As with any training you do always finish on a positive note with lots of praise and maybe a yummy treat! If you are interested in obtaining a slip lead check out www.gundogsupply.com for a quality leather leash to last you for life. They have many different styles to choose from.
Secrets from the Stylist
Nails:
At home nail care is very important in between grooms. Most owners are terrified of making them bleed therefore they avoid clipping them all together. If this is the case, do not worry – the professionals are here to help! You should schedule a nail trimming in between grooming appointments. MDD offers nail trimming starting at $8 for each pet. If you feel brave and want to learn more, these helpful tips can make the process an easy one.
Exercise your pet thoroughly before you attempt to clip them. A tired pet is less likely to struggle. A 30-minute walk is best.
To help desensitize the nervous pet, sit down and invite your dog to lie beside you. Gently stroke his back, shoulders and neck and slowly Now that your pet is agreeable for his pedicure, the question is how far down do you clip? White nails are the easiest to see the quick (or vein) than are black nails. Regardless of the color of the nail the simple way of telling how far you can trim is to look at the tip of the nail. Start by clipping a small amount off of the tip. You will notice a white round area that may appear to be powdery. You can clip a small amount at a time to be safe until you notice the white area turns dark in appearance. The dark area indicates you are close to the quick and you need to stop. You may follow up with a regular finger nail file at this time to smooth any rough surfaces. What should you do if you quick the nail and make him bleed? First off, do not panic or overreact. The more dramatic you are, the more likely your pet will react dramatically every time you try to trim his nails. The pain they feel is minimal, like a small pinch. Some dogs yelp but most do not even react to it. Treatment is simple. You can use flour, corn starch or a bar of soap to stop the bleeding. Have a towel handy for easy cleanup. Even though you feel bad, quicking the nail actually helps the vein recess back a little so it is not as long. Your pet will be fine within seconds. However, do not walk them on concrete for an hour to minimize the nail from bleeding. Short nails are important in maintaining a healthy pet. If the nails get too long it can make walking a challenge and a dog will change the weight distribution in order to compensate for the long nails. 
feed him small treats. As he relaxes, every 5 or 6 strokes let your hand wander to his feet momentarily, then return to the shoulder. Keep these sessions short. Commercial breaks of your favorite show are the best time to do it. Once you can easily handle his toes, work up to touching his toenail with the clippers then give him a treat and let go. When that’s not scary, clip the tip of one nail. Don’t rush or struggle and add nails with each session. Clipping one nail per day in a rotation will keep them short and healthy. Eventually your pet will be calm for you to do all nails at once!
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