Dog fleas are one of the most irritating aspects of dog ownership. Dog fleas not only annoy your Bull Terrier, but can cause health problems. Fleas feed on your dog's blood and can cause skin irritation, allergies, anemia and even death. Fleas also carry tapeworms and diseases such as Lyme Disease.

Check your dog for fleas every day, especially after going outdoors. Use a flea comb to find fleas. Put a little petroleum jelly on the tines; the fleas will stick to it. Use a cotton ball and some rubbing alcohol to disinfect your dog's flea bites. Remember to look for dog fleas between the toes, in and around the ears, in the armpits, on the tail and on the head. Look for flea droppings, which appear as small black specks, in your dog's fur.

Talk to your vet before using a chemical flea remedy on your dog. Over-the-counter flea treatments usually carry some risk of side effects, or they may trigger an allergy in your dog. Your vet can recommend the best flea treatment, and prescription flea treatments are usually more effective than over-the-counter remedies anyway. It's also a good idea to talk to your vet about treatments you can use on your carpets and furniture at home. Fleas love to lay eggs in these places and you may have problems controlling dog fleas if you fail to regularly treat carpets, curtains and upholstered furniture.

To cut your Bull Terriers nails is simple, but it must be done safely. Nail trimming may be done at a veterinary clinic, a pet care salon or simply at home.

Trimming Your Dog's Nails at Home

If you decide on doing it at home, make sure you are all set for the task.

Get the Right Equipment

Have everything you need, especially equipments like dog nail clippers, styptic clippers and paper towels, in the event you clip your dog's nails too short and there is bleeding.

Putting Him at Ease

Find a cozy place and position for you and your dog. You may have him lay down on his side or if he's a small one, you may hold him on your lap. To make it easier for you, you may also have someone hold him.

The Actual Clipping

Gently grasp your dog's paw in one hand and keep it steady. Position the nail clipper under the nail by slipping the opening of the clipper over the tip of the toe nail. Be sure to stay on the white part, the pink part is the quick (where his blood vessels are).

Hold the clipper steady and squeeze firmly to make a 45 degree angle cut. The cut has to be made from the underneath of your dog's claw upwards. Do not twist your wrist. If your dog has dark or black nails, it is difficult to see the quick. It would be best to snip bit by bit until you see a black dot surrounded by white in the center of the nail. The black dot is the quick, so you should stop right there.

Safety Precautions

Bleeding may occur if the nail is cut too short. Keep the paper towel pressed against the nail for a few minutes then apply styptic powder to stop the bleeding should it occur. Your dog's nails tend to be sharp after they have been clipped. If your dog is still lying comfortably you may use a small file to file down jagged edges or you could take the dog on a walk on the pavement.

Some dogs may find clipping their nails a stressful experience and the grooming may cause them to behave differently. You may need to coax them into the grooming by giving them a treat. If your dog is too big and too difficult for you to handle, it might be best to leave the nail clipping to professionals.

 Other Tips

If is best to clip your dog's nails little by little and as often as you can. This will be easier for both you and your dog. He may even see it as a routine and be easier to handle the next time you manicure. The point of clipping is to remove the part of the claw that juts over your dog's pad. When your dog stands, his nails should not be touching the ground. Trim slowly to ensure trimming without bleeding.