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A well-groomed dog is a happy and healthy dog. Many owners like
to seek the help of professional groomers while many others do it
by themselves. A proper grooming routine includes combing,
brushing, bathing, trimming nails and a regular inspection of
their ears and fur to check for build-ups or residues of any
kind.Some owner may find these grooming sessions a bit of a
challenge, especially if their dogs are big and energetic. These
boys and girls don't necessarily like to sit still or for that
matter, take a bath. Here are some tips that will be helpful
- Try to use a time when your dog is calm and maybe even a
little exhausted. You can choose the time after a long walk.
- Start with short grooming sessions and then slowly increase
the time so that you can fit in a proper routine.
- Entice him/her with the promise of a treat at the end of each
session. It works wonders as you will see.
Grooming varies greatly with breeds. You will find that breeds
such as Dalmatians, Italian greyhounds, and Whippets do not need
regular grooming while other breeds like retrievers are more
difficult to maintain.
Combing and brushing routines
Short haired breeds such as beagles need to be combed and brushed
only once a week while long haired breeds need to have their fur
taken care of every other day. It also depends on how often and
how badly your dog gets dirty. Be gentle while brushing out
tangles and trim the fur wherever or whenever needed. Use
soft-bristled brushes for loosening dead skin or dirt and a
stiff-bristled brush to remove dead hair. Remember to brush their
tails as well
Bathing your dog
Brush your dog before giving him/her a bath and also once their
fur is dry. Use lukewarm water. Make sure the lather from the
shampoo does not get into their eyes or ears and do a careful
check of their ears. If needed, you can use a hair-dryer at low
setting to dry him/her.
Trimming your dog's nails
This might be bit of a task. You will need to carefully examine
your dog's nails for grime and dirt. While trimming, trim along
the tips of their nails only and avoid cutting into the small
vein within the nail. Use sharp trimmers and make sure that your
dog is calm. You will need to reassure your dog by talking and
petting him/her. If you feel it is too challenging, opt to go to
a vet instead.Take care not to groom too less or too much and
always remember that each dog is different and you may have to
tweak your routine accordingly.
Everything You Need To Know About Grooming Your Dog
As someone who owns a dog, especially the hairy kind, youโre
obviously concerned about grooming him/her. Well, thereโs not
much to be worried about, as long as you follow the suggestions
listed below.
The Right Age
Your dog, or pup, in this case, must be 8 weeks old, at the very
least, for you to consider grooming him/her. There are far more
important things than grooming when youโre dealing with a puppy
that young. The first is to have him/her get used to the new
environment at home and also get used to the people around.Now, 8
weeks is the minimum age most groomers would recommend. However,
we would say 12 weeks is the ideal. There are a few standard
things you can expect when taking your little one for his/her
grooming appointment.The grooming starts off with a bath, which
is then followed by blow drying, nail clipping, and hair
trimming. Full haircuts are reserved for adult dogs. Also, the
pupโs reaction to the trimming will determine if he/she can move
onto haircuts. If the pup is agitated, you will be asked to
repeat the trimming process a few times till the pup us read to
deal with an actual haircut.
Cutting Hair According To
Season
Another thing that pet owners tend to be confused about is
cutting hair according to the season. This is especially true for
those who have hairy breeds.For hairy breeds, in the summer, vets
suggest keeping things cool by providing shade and plenty of
water. However, hairy breeds did not evolve in hot climates and
therefore, a little trimming isnโt bad idea. It actually depends
on your dog. If he/she is visibly frustrated during the summer,
maybe itโs time for a cut.As for winter, thereโs no need to
bother cutting the hair unless it's matted or grown beyond
control.
Brush His/Her Teeth
One key step of grooming that most owners forget is brushing the
dogโs teeth. Brushing your dogโs teeth is necessary because dogs
have dental issues too and itโs your job to prevent them. For
instance, gum disease affects quite a few dogs and it happens due
to the accumulation of tartar. Only brushing can prevent this
accumulation.There are specific tools, such as canine toothpaste
and toothbrushes, to make the job easier. In fact, you get
toothpaste in flavors like peanut butter, chicken, and liver etc.
Human toothpaste isnโt advised as it can cause digestive problems
for your dog.However, if youโve never brushed your dogโs teeth,
start small. Sue your fingers at first and then gradually
transition to using the toothbrush.Use praise and appreciation to
train your dog into liking this practice.
