Nosing out trouble

On occasion, you'll hear or read the question "how often do I clean a modern shotgun?"  While the technical answer is "not as often as you'd think," the answer should be "Why not after you use it?"  Put that gun away clean & oiled, waxed, and smelling good, and ready to go next time.

The same goes for the mutt.  Giving your dog a bath is an inconvenience of sorts, but it is really a nice way to unwind from a long weekend of hiking through muddy fields; humping up and down hills; pulling sticks, dummies, and maybe a bird from the lake; and just getting into and out of trouble.

Done right, both of you can relax after dinner, fat, happy, tired, and smelling good after the day's escapades.

But what if some doggy-like odor remains?  Don't ignore it.  A funny smell can indicate something that needs some attention - - maybe some oral hygiene or even a staph infection.

Here's a short and interesting article on checking your little dog out from stem to stern.

You gave him the his first going over after the day's activities with the tailgate check.  You checked his ears, paws, mouth, and up and down the line for burrs, ticks, and seeds.  Now that he's cleaned up, use your nose as well as your eyes and fingers to check him for the little infections that can cause trouble down the line.