DOG GROOMING BASICS

Many people mistakenly think that when you groom a dog, you need to bring him to a posh dog salon to have his hair shampooed, blow dried and brushed until it shines. Other people think that dog grooming is only for dogs with exceptionally long hair (afghan hounds or poodles) and for dogs that regularly participate in dog shows. These people could not be more wrong. Dog grooming is an essential maintenance procedure for all dogs, irregardless of breed and lineage. It need not cost you an arm and a leg as it could be done in the comforts of your own home. Grooming your dog is one of the ways you can ensure the health of your pet.

Proper dog grooming is actually composed of several tasks. It’s not just hair brushing (as other people like to believe). It’s just about everything. But don’t let that sentence scare you as, chances are, you already are doing these grooming activities without you knowing it. Check out the dog grooming tasks below and be surprised at how easy it really is to groom your pet.

Brush his hair (or fur)

Brushing or combing the coat of your pet regularly is part of the entire grooming routine. Brushing removes small debris from his fur and reduces tangles. It also stimulates the dog’s oil glands thus reducing the “doggie smell”.

Dogs of different breeds have different hair brushing needs. Long haired dogs need to have their hair brushed several times a week. Double-coated dogs (Siberian Huskies) shed their fur and brushing (or combing) hastens the shedding process. If your dog has tangled hair, brush the coat carefully and start from the tips moving gradually to the roots.

When you’re brushing his hair, take this time to examine his skin as well. If you find any ticks or lice, or notice any unusual redness or skin flaking, bring the matter up with your veterinarian.

Give him a bath

After brushing your dog’s luscious locks, the next logical step is for him to take a bath. Dogs should be bathed once every two months or as often as it is recommended by your veterinarian. Remember to use only dog shampoo as this is mild enough for his skin and hair, and to rinse the entire body (including the areas between his toes) thoroughly. Shampoo residue may irritate your dog’s skin and make him itch. After his bath, dry him thoroughly with a towel and brush his mane again.

Trim his nails

Humans normally trim their nails after bathing as the water tends to soften these. The same is true for dogs. Having trimmed nails will prevent him from having any unusual injuries. Broken nails hurt a lot and a very long nail may curl around and puncture the skin it hits. Walking around with curled nails may also be painful for the dog.

When trimming dog nails, do not use human nail cutters. Dogs need special clippers (guillotine-style or scissor-style) for their claws. Consult your local groomer or veterinarian for the kind that is best suited for your pet.

Clean the ears

After you’re done giving your dog a much needed foot treatment, you should now pay attention to the ears. Dog ears are very sensitive and must be kept clean at all times. Unclean ears could be the breeding ground of bacteria or fungi and may be the cause of debilitating infections. If your dog shakes his head constantly and his ears emit a foul smelling odor, chances are he already has a slight infection.

Dog’s ears should be cleaned at least twice a month. Ear cleaning is fairly simple as it only involves cotton balls, water (or mineral oil) and ear cleaning solution (ask your veterinarian about this). When cleaning dog ears, do not probe too deeply as you may puncture is eardrums. Just wipe the skin underneath the flaps and check the insides for any odor or unusual redness.

Check his eyes

Though it may sound odd, checking his eyes is still part of the grooming process. You have to make sure that foreign particles do not enter his eyes; and these particles include soap suds and his own hair. If you notice any stray hair strands on his eyes, you may have to give your pet a little hair cut. Use blunt scissors to snip away a few centimeters of his hair. If you’re scared to handle scissors, bring your pet to a groomer and have his hair professionally trimmed.

Brush his teeth

An often overlooked task, teeth care is also very important to the health of your dog, and one of the tasks involved in general dog grooming. A dog’s teeth should be brushed (or wiped as some dogs do not like to be brushed) at least three times a week to prevent the build up of tartar which could lead to gum diseases.

When brushing your dog’s teeth; do not use human toothpastes or baking soda as these may irritate his gums, and remember to only use a soft-bristled brush, similar to the ones used for babies or young children.

Now that you know what’s involved in grooming, aren’t you surprised to find out that you’ve been doing these all along? If you have missed out on a task or two, it’s never too late to incorporate these activities into your usual grooming routine. If you’re just starting on a new activity, expect some resistance from your pet; but with patience, determination, and a lot of treats and encouraging words, your dog would gradually get used to the extra attention and the entire dog grooming process would not seem so insurmountable.

If you have a new puppy, then don’t think that he’s too young to be groomed. Actually, it’s the best time to teach him how to behave during grooming sessions. Teach him to stay still, lie down, and not allow his paws, tails, and ears to be held. Soon, your puppy will enjoy the extra attention and dog grooming in his later years would be a breeze.

Grooming is essential in more ways than one. Not only does grooming benefit you, as because you’ll get to spend quality time and bond with your pet; it shall benefit your dog as well because he will be healthier and his general disposition would be better.

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