How to Properly Groom Your Dog

Dogs are great companions for everyone. If you own a dog there are many things that you need to do to care for your pet. You will need to feed, water, play with, and groom them. Grooming is a very easy task when you know what you are doing. There are many ways to groom your dog. These include brushing, bathing, clipping nails, and brushing their teeth. Each of these can and should be done as needed to keep your pet happy and healthy.

First you will need to brush your dog. The frequency of brushing is different depending on what coat your dog has. If your dog has a smooth, short coat they will only need to be brushed weekly. IF your dog has a short dense coat they will need to be groomed weekly too. Whereas, if they have a long coat, they will need to be brushed daily. No matter what type of coat they have you need to take care around all areas. Make sure to gently tease mats out so you do not cause them pain.

Next is bathing. Your pet will need bathed at least every three months. This will be more frequent with the more time they spend outside. In order to bathe your pet there are a few steps that you should take. First you should brush your pet to remove dead hair and mats. Fill the tub with warm water. If you do not have a spray hose you will need a cup to slowly pour water onto the pet. You will first place the pet in the tub, and then you will get their coat completely wet. Do not get water in their eyes, ears, or nose. You will then need to lather them up from head to tail. You will then rinse all of the shampoo out. You can use a cotton ball to clean the inside of the ears, but do not stick it into the ear canal. You will dry your dog with a large towel. You can also dry them with a hair dryer, but take in mind that some pets will be too scared to do this.

The next type of grooming that you need to do is nail clipping. You can do this yourself, or you can take them to a dog groomer or most veterinarians to have it done. I personally do not like clipping my dogs' nails because they squirm and wiggle. Instead my husband uses a Rotozip with a sanding pad to sand their nails down. It doesn't really scare them, and you will not clip into the vein that needs to be avoided. If you choose to clip them you should always use a pair of dog toenail clippers. They work well, but you have to make sure you do not clip into the quick of the nail. Once you clip the nails you will need to file them with an emery board to make them smooth.

The last and final step for grooming is to brush your dog's teeth. You should purchase a toothbrush made for canines or soft gauze. You will need to ask your pet for toothpaste made for them too. You could also make your own by making a paste of baking soda and water. You will need to slowly introduce the toothbrush and toothpaste to the dog. Once they are used to it and comfortable with it, you can actually brush their teeth with the brush and paste made for them.

With each of these you can ensure that your pet is groomed properly. Always take care with your pets grooming needs. If you have any questions about grooming, you should consult your veterinarian.