Dirty Dog? How To Make Your Own Dry Shampoo

How to Make Your Own Dry Shampoo for Fido

With winter still going strong, I promise I see spring just around the corner. Have you ever had the problem that your beloved dog just stinks? I have and when it is too cold outside and too cold inside for me to bathe them and do not have the time to blow dry all three of my boys, then I make this wonderful DRY SHAMPOO.

What I like about this is it can help put off a real bath for a few weeks until you can get your dog to the groomer or you can bathe them at home. Another wonderful thing about the dry shampoo is that you can use this when you just need to freshen up your dog in between your regular grooming trips. Say it has been raining for days and now your dog just has that “wet dog” smell, this dry shampoo will work wonders.

There are so many different ways to use this homemade dry shampoo that I keep a bottle of it in my refrigerator all year long. Summer it works wonders when I do not have time to bath them and guest are coming over in 20 minutes I have great smelling dogs. Winter month this will not only freshen your dog but it will help to prolong your trip to the groomer and keep them from getting a chill when bathing at home.
If you are the type of person who goes to flea markets keep your eyes open for a pretty shaker container to keep your dry shampoo in but if you do not have the time or just want to make it now then use an old Parma cheese type of shaker, with the holes on the top so you can shake just the right amount out to use on your dog Big or Small.

Ingredients:

Container with a solid cover and an inside cover with holes for sprinkling
1 box corn starch
1 ½ cups corn meal
10 drops of the essential oils you like. I use Tea Tree, Lemon Grass and Citronella

I use tea tree for its healing properties, as it heals “hot spots” and other itching problems
I use lemon grass because it has a wonderful smell
I use citronella which will help retard the fleas
You can also use lavender oil to help with calming issues


Directions:

Note: If you have flour sifter, use it to sift all your dry ingredients. This will make all the difference, as it will ensure you don’t have any lumps when making your dry shampoo.
1. In a large bowl place all your ingredients add your oil then mix well.
2. After well mixed, take about ½ cup at a time and run it through the flour sifter this will make it very fine with no lumps.
3. Now put your dry shampoo into the container and fill to top. If you have any leftover shampoo, you can make another container.

Or to store the extra shampoo, just place it into an airtight bag and store in the freezer. When you are ready to use it, take it out of the freezer the night before you need it. Let it come to room temperature then re-sift the bagged batch to make it fine again. If any moisture has occurred, then just let it sit out in a bowl for a few hours in a warm kitchen and this will get rid of any moisture that may have occurred during the time in the freezer.

How to apply your dry shampoo:

BATH TIME- It is a good idea to do this in an area you can vacuum up easily and if your dog shakes the dust will not get on all your living room stuff. I like to do this in my garage or the bathroom. I also place a very large bath towel under my dog; this helps the cleanup process also.

Have your dog stand quietly then sprinkle the shampoo all over their body. Use a good curry comb or brush to rub into the fur deeply. I sometimes use my hands and make this a mini massage, they love this. Let the shampoo sit for about 5 minutes then brush out until they are shining and smelling wonderful.

NOTE: If your dog has very dry skin, after the dry shampoo but before the last big brush; take about a tablespoon of olive oil and rub well into the fur then brush well. This will not only help with dry skin but make them shine like never before. Don’t forget to have a treat waiting to reward them as you also want this to be a pleasant experience for both of you. Remember to use your loving voice and soon they will know bath time is fun time.

Remember, the animals in your life are not just your pets; they're your friends. WNR

How to Make Your Own Dry Dog Shampoo

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

How to Make Your Own Dry Shampoo for Fido

With winter still going strong, I promise I see spring just around the corner. Have you ever had the problem that your beloved dog just stinks? I have and when it is too cold outside and too cold inside for me to bathe them and do not have the time to blow dry all three of my boys, then I make this wonderful DRY SHAMPOO.

What I like about this is it can help put off a real bath for a few weeks until you can get your dog to the groomer or you can bathe them at home. Another wonderful thing about the dry shampoo is that you can use this when you just need to freshen up your dog in between your regular grooming trips. Say it has been raining for days and now your dog just has that “wet dog” smell, this dry shampoo will work wonders.

There are so many different ways to use this homemade dry shampoo that I keep a bottle of it in my refrigerator all year long. Summer it works wonders when I do not have time to bath them and guest are coming over in 20 minutes I have great smelling dogs. Winter month this will not only freshen your dog but it will help to prolong your trip to the groomer and keep them from getting a chill when bathing at home.
If you are the type of person who goes to flea markets keep your eyes open for a pretty shaker container to keep your dry shampoo in but if you do not have the time or just want to make it now then use an old Parma cheese type of shaker, with the holes on the top so you can shake just the right amount out to use on your dog Big or Small.

Ingredients:

Container with a solid cover and an inside cover with holes for sprinkling
1 box corn starch
1 ½ cups corn meal
10 drops of the essential oils you like. I use Tea Tree, Lemon Grass and Citronella

I use tea tree for its healing properties, as it heals “hot spots” and other itching problems
I use lemon grass because it has a wonderful smell
I use citronella which will help retard the fleas
You can also use lavender oil to help with calming issues


Directions:

Note: If you have flour sifter, use it to sift all your dry ingredients. This will make all the difference, as it will ensure you don’t have any lumps when making your dry shampoo.
1. In a large bowl place all your ingredients add your oil then mix well.
2. After well mixed, take about ½ cup at a time and run it through the flour sifter this will make it very fine with no lumps.
3. Now put your dry shampoo into the container and fill to top. If you have any leftover shampoo, you can make another container.

Or to store the extra shampoo, just place it into an airtight bag and store in the freezer. When you are ready to use it, take it out of the freezer the night before you need it. Let it come to room temperature then re-sift the bagged batch to make it fine again. If any moisture has occurred, then just let it sit out in a bowl for a few hours in a warm kitchen and this will get rid of any moisture that may have occurred during the time in the freezer.

How to apply your dry shampoo:

BATH TIME- It is a good idea to do this in an area you can vacuum up easily and if your dog shakes the dust will not get on all your living room stuff. I like to do this in my garage or the bathroom. I also place a very large bath towel under my dog; this helps the cleanup process also.

Have your dog stand quietly then sprinkle the shampoo all over their body. Use a good curry comb or brush to rub into the fur deeply. I sometimes use my hands and make this a mini massage, they love this. Let the shampoo sit for about 5 minutes then brush out until they are shining and smelling wonderful.

NOTE: If your dog has very dry skin, after the dry shampoo but before the last big brush; take about a tablespoon of olive oil and rub well into the fur then brush well. This will not only help with dry skin but make them shine like never before. Don’t forget to have a treat waiting to reward them as you also want this to be a pleasant experience for both of you. Remember to use your loving voice and soon they will know bath time is fun time.

Remember, the animals in your life are not just your pets; they're your friends. WNR

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Did you know today is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day?

FEB 23 2009
Did you know today is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day?
I just found out myself!!

How very cool is it that we have a day just for our four legged companions! Of course in my household everyday is my dogs’ special day! I thought since today Feb 23 2009 is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day I would post one of my old time most favorite recipes for my Boys, for all of you to make for your Boys & Girls.What could be any more international for Fido than my:

Belgium Italian Biscotti

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup dark rye flour
1 ¼ cup whole wheat flour
½ cup each: oats, buckwheat flour and barley flakes
¼ cup plain wheat germ
1/3 cup sunflower seeds, shelled
2 tablespoons dark molasses
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp baking powder
2 tablespoons olive oil (Note: do not use extra virgin oil for this, as it has a lower burn temperature than regular olive oil, and is not as good for baking. Regular olive oil is wonderful for this recipe and less expensive to boot.)
2 tablespoons water
1 large egg (extra large is fine also)
2 tsp vanilla
½ cup chopped dried apple
½ cup dried banana, chopped (fresh banana should be chopped & frozen before using)
½ cup of fresh carrots, shredded (make sure they are slim shreds)
¼ cup flax seed
Non-stick spray for cookie sheet

DIRECTIONS:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350°
2. Spray one large cookie sheet with non-stick spray
3. In large bowl combine all dry ingredients: flours, wheat germ, sunflower seeds,
baking soda and baking powder, set aside.
4. In a blender or food processor puree the egg, vanilla and olive oil to emulsify.
5. Add all other ingredients to blender and blend well, until they are almost the size
of small chunks, then add the fruit and mix well.
6. Now add all the wet ingredients into the bowl of flours and other ingredients.
7. Knead dough until it will hold together well, just do not over knead.
8. Cut the dough in half so you have equal amounts.
9. Shape into a “meatloaf” shape, without the loaf pan.
10. Place both dough loaves on the greased cookie sheet.
11. Flatten the loaves a bit (keeping in mind that you want them to look like a
biscotti).
12. Now take a slim fork to poke holes on top of your loaves. I poke a few holes on the
sides too. Also do not place them too closely to each other when baking, as you want
to have a bit of room between the loaves. (see picture below)
13. Bake the loaves in the oven for 40 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch.
Do not let them burn.
14. Remove them from oven and let cool for at least 1 hour. Turn your oven down to 300°,
but do not turn off, as you still have more baking to do.
15. Once loaves are cool, get a bread knife and slice the Biscotti into ¼ inch thick slices
(see picture below).
16. Place sliced biscotti on cookie sheet and bake again. It should take about 30 minutes,
until they are golden brown and hard. If you are at a high altitude it may take a bit
longer. If you are at sea level, it may take only 20 minutes.
17. Turn off your oven to let them dry out longer, but make sure they do not burn. You
want them to dry out as this will give them more flavor and harden for your dogs to
give them more crunch. This also helps remove the moisture, which is one of the
reasons homemade cookies don’t last as long. The trick is to get them dried out enough.

I like to store them in an airtight container and my favorite thing to use is my Reynolds Handi-Vac® storage system that takes all the air out. This will allow them to keep for up to 6 months in the freezer. Just take out what you want to use for the day, and they will return to room temperature quickly.

I love to give them to my boys on a summer day when they are fresh out of the freezer. They make a great treat on a hot summer day.

With this Biscotti recipe you can add any ingredients you want, from dried meats to veggies; just keep the dry ingredients the same and create away.

I hope you and your four-legged kids enjoy these treats as much as my Boys love them. I always use this recipe for gift giving, as they are easy to make, look beautiful and most of all they taste great!

“Remember the animals in your life are not just your pets, they’re your friends.”

Did you know today is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day?

FEB 23 2009
Did you know today is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day?
I just found out myself!!

How very cool is it that we have a day just for our four legged companions! Of course in my household everyday is my dogs’ special day! I thought since today Feb 23 2009 is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day I would post one of my old time most favorite recipes for my Boys, for all of you to make for your Boys & Girls.What could be any more international for Fido than my:

Belgium Italian Biscotti

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup dark rye flour
1 ¼ cup whole wheat flour
½ cup each: oats, buckwheat flour and barley flakes
¼ cup plain wheat germ
1/3 cup sunflower seeds, shelled
2 tablespoons dark molasses
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp baking powder
2 tablespoons olive oil (Note: do not use extra virgin oil for this, as it has a lower burn temperature than regular olive oil, and is not as good for baking. Regular olive oil is wonderful for this recipe and less expensive to boot.)
2 tablespoons water
1 large egg (extra large is fine also)
2 tsp vanilla
½ cup chopped dried apple
½ cup dried banana, chopped (fresh banana should be chopped & frozen before using)
½ cup of fresh carrots, shredded (make sure they are slim shreds)
¼ cup flax seed
Non-stick spray for cookie sheet

DIRECTIONS:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350°
2. Spray one large cookie sheet with non-stick spray
3. In large bowl combine all dry ingredients: flours, wheat germ, sunflower seeds,
baking soda and baking powder, set aside.
4. In a blender or food processor puree the egg, vanilla and olive oil to emulsify.
5. Add all other ingredients to blender and blend well, until they are almost the size
of small chunks, then add the fruit and mix well.
6. Now add all the wet ingredients into the bowl of flours and other ingredients.
7. Knead dough until it will hold together well, just do not over knead.
8. Cut the dough in half so you have equal amounts.
9. Shape into a “meatloaf” shape, without the loaf pan.
10. Place both dough loaves on the greased cookie sheet.
11. Flatten the loaves a bit (keeping in mind that you want them to look like a
biscotti).
12. Now take a slim fork to poke holes on top of your loaves. I poke a few holes on the
sides too. Also do not place them too closely to each other when baking, as you want
to have a bit of room between the loaves. (see picture below)
13. Bake the loaves in the oven for 40 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch.
Do not let them burn.
14. Remove them from oven and let cool for at least 1 hour. Turn your oven down to 300°,
but do not turn off, as you still have more baking to do.
15. Once loaves are cool, get a bread knife and slice the Biscotti into ¼ inch thick slices
(see picture below).
16. Place sliced biscotti on cookie sheet and bake again. It should take about 30 minutes,
until they are golden brown and hard. If you are at a high altitude it may take a bit
longer. If you are at sea level, it may take only 20 minutes.
17. Turn off your oven to let them dry out longer, but make sure they do not burn. You
want them to dry out as this will give them more flavor and harden for your dogs to
give them more crunch. This also helps remove the moisture, which is one of the
reasons homemade cookies don’t last as long. The trick is to get them dried out enough.

I like to store them in an airtight container and my favorite thing to use is my Reynolds Handi-Vac® storage system that takes all the air out. This will allow them to keep for up to 6 months in the freezer. Just take out what you want to use for the day, and they will return to room temperature quickly.

I love to give them to my boys on a summer day when they are fresh out of the freezer. They make a great treat on a hot summer day.

With this Biscotti recipe you can add any ingredients you want, from dried meats to veggies; just keep the dry ingredients the same and create away.

I hope you and your four-legged kids enjoy these treats as much as my Boys love them. I always use this recipe for gift giving, as they are easy to make, look beautiful and most of all they taste great!

“Remember the animals in your life are not just your pets, they’re your friends.”

Please lets help If we can?

5051 Colfax Ave., Valley Village, CA 91601 Paul: 818-720-3812 Colette: 818-795-1034
treekingtrees@yahoo.com texanlotus@yahoo.com
Paul Pondella & Colette Duvall

February 14, 2009

To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Colette Duvall and I am writing for my boyfriend Paul Pondella the owner of two magnificent Alaskan Timber Wolves, Shadow (black) and Allie (short for Alaska and she is beige). They were born in dens 4 years ago, hand raised and trained for film and educational programs for children.
On September 16th Shadow was diagnosed with cancer and given one to two months to live. We were told it was untreatable. We implemented an alternative treatment and she is still alive 5 months later, but there is more to do. Dr. Steven Withrow at Colorado State University, the grandfather of oncological study for animals, thinks he can help her. They have a state of the art SRS radiation machine, the only one in the country. We are trying to raise the money to get there.
We believe Shadow's courage would be a great inspiration for others suffering from cancer and the education of the true nature of this endangered species to children is her calling, leaving the fate of their survival in the capable loving hands of the next generation.
You may view and read about the "girls" on Paul's website, treekingtrees.com under the tab, "more about us". We also have over 10 hours of footage documenting the process.
Thank you for your help and consideration,



Colette, Paul, Shadow and Allie




5051 Colfax Ave., Valley Village, CA 91601 Paul: 818-720-3812 Colette: 818-795-1034 treekingtrees@yahoo.com texanlotus@yahoo.com