Grooming your dog

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Monday, May 21st, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Proper grooming for your dog is essential, even if he has a short coat.

It is best to train your dog to be groomed at an early age. But, an untrained dog can still be taught to accept grooming. Train your pet to get used to his body parts being handled and brushed. You need not go to a professional groomer, but if you donít have the time or the interest to groom your dog, be sure to select a groomer that handles the animals gently.

Make a daily examination of your dog. Look out for bumps, hot spots, inflammation, irritation, vegetative matter, and parasites like fleas and ticks. Get rid of fleas by using a fine-toothed comb while ticks can be tweezed off. Ears should be checked, as should his nails and paw pads.

Brushing doesn’t only remove mats, it also takes away dead hair, thus eliminating animal odor. Tangles can also be very painful for your dog that may lead to skin inflammation. Grooming during shedding encourages growth of new coat, so brush especially after physical exercise.

Nails should be trimmed every month, especially if your dog has a hard time walking. Dental hygiene is maintained by using dog toothpaste and toothbrush with soft bristles twice a week. A damp cotton cloth is used to remove mucus from your dog’s eyes and a coarse rag is appropriate in cleaning your dog’s face.

When bathing your pet, make sure that you brush away dead hairs first to clear all the mats in his coat. Soak your pet in warm water. Apply a pet shampoo in small amounts. Avoid getting soapy water in his eyes and ears. You also have an option to apply coat conditioner after bathing. Different breeds require varying bath frequency; consult the local pet grooming shop if youíre not sure how many times you should bath your dog.

You should have a home grooming kit. A good kit includes a grooming brush, clippers for dog toenails, combs, dog shampoo, coat conditioner, and a couple of brushes.