Tips for Grooming Your Dog

No matter what type of dog breed you own, proper grooming care is very important to the health and well being of your pet. Some are very simple to keep up and some are more complicated. Some shed and others don't but will require more attention in other areas. Grooming a dog includes, brushing, removing tangles and mats, trimming the ear hair, trimming the nails, caring for the teeth, bathing and sometimes using pet clippers to trim or cut the coat.

I cannot stress enough, the importance of beginning grooming from a very young age. I recommend starting to brush, bathe and clip the coat at no later than 4-5 weeks old. Some dogs will never calm down during grooming if not groomed from 4-8 weeks of age. Brushing should be done several times a day to get the puppy accustomed to it. A dog that has been properly and gently groomed from a young age on a regular basis will not struggle when you need to remove burrs, tangles, or use the pet clippers. You might need to check for an injury, ticks or illness which will be so much easier with a dog that's used to you grooming him. If you have ever tried to shave or cut a dog's hair that has not been groomed much, you know what I mean. It is not something you want to deal with! Always remain very calm and gentle. If you get upset and frustrated it will only make the dog more afraid and he will struggle even more. Don't raise your voice or use a tone that is not completely calm, as your pet can and will pick up on it. Give praise constantly. For some of my toy poodles I give treats whenever we finish a section and then continue. Again, most dogs that have been groomed from the start will not give you a hard time at all but a few will always be a bit nervous at the sound of the clippers. Use a professional groomer for clipping if possible. If not possible then please invest in a good pair of pet clippers. Cheap ones rust and cut your pet. People clippers will cut your pet also. The type of clippers depends on the type of dog or the coat type. A dog that is repeatedly cut is not going to sit still for it. Of course, the occasional nick will happen, even to the pro's.

For dogs with dual, or double coats, you will need a slicker brush. Start with the lower layers and work up towards the upper coat. Any tangles or mats that can't be removed should be cut with round ended scissors. Be sure to guard the dogs skin with your fingers under the scissors. The round end is just so if the dog jerks and hits the scissors It is less likely to break the skin and injure the dog. Trimming the ear hair is just good doggy hygiene that can prevent moisture build up that causes many ear problems.

Bathing is another routine to be started very early. Make sure the first few experiences are fun and safe for your pup. There are plenty of dog shampoos on the market, but again, You might want to consider the dog's coat type. Myself, I use Baby shampoo and occasionally whitener shampoo. Baby shampoo is gentle and inexpensive. Whitener shampoo is only for white and creme colored dogs and you see quite a difference even using the cheaper brands.

Trimming tour pets nails is the part you might want to leave to your vet. It is just as important. Nails left too grow can be not only very painful to the dog and you but they can get caught in things and be torn off or injured. They will eventually grow in a curve and right back into the dog's foot. There is a vien in the dog's nail. If it is cut there can be lots of blood and pain. If his nails are black this will be especially hard to see and not hard to accidentally cut too far and injure. If you choose to do this yourself, be very careful not to cut too far. Make sure your nail clippers are safe and sharp enough not to tear or pull at the nail. A clean,well groomed and cared for dog is a happy dog. Regular brushing and grooming can be very harry or, if done correctly, it can help create a strong bonded relationship with your dog along with making him easier to handle and care for.