Dog Grooming
Dog Articles and Personal Stuff
Dog Author: Champi
It’s very important to groom your Dog. Your Doggie looks better, gets a better condition and feels him / herself physical better. Good grooming starts with puppies. They have to learn that someone checks their body and inspects them. Every Owner has his own breed and style of Dog so things could be done different. If you are not sure, always visit or ask your veterinarian.
How to Groom your Dog?
- Dog Grooming Tools
You first need some Dog grooming tools or kit. A Universal Brushe, slicker brush, a comb for tangles and removing loose hairs, nail clipper, grinders or nail file and a oil-based conditioner. You need different tools depending on the coat / breed.
- Coat / Skin
You should brush your Doggie weekly. This way you can keep your dog’s hair in good condition. By brushing you remove dirt, prevent tangles from forming, keep the skin clean and prevent irritation. Important to mention is that you spread the natural oils throughout the coat by brushing your Doggie.
- Bathing
You need to bathe your Doggie once every two months or as often as needed. Only use puppy shampoo for the first year. He / She feels him / herself better and you can prevent skin disease. If you bathe too often it will only harm your Doggie, it can dry the natural oils. Dogs need their natural oils in their skin. Some Dogs get an ear infection if water is left in the ears. Dry out those ears after an adventure in water. You could place some cotton balls in the ears before you bathe him. This will prevent water infections or shampoo ears.
Bathe Your Pet
Use a bathtub or sink. It’s easy to slip when things are wet so you could put a rubber mat or towel in it. Groom your Dog’s coat before bathing to remove loose dirt, mats and snarls. Tangles in your Doggies coat is much harder to remove if the coat is wet. Use warm water with a spray hose if you have one. Never spray in the face. Apply special shampoo for pets available at pet stores in small amounts. Work from the head to the tail. Be sure to clean the rectum, between the toes, behind the ears and under the chin. Keep it away from the eyes. Use warm water all the time. When your Dog gets out of the bath, dry him / her with a towel and / or hair dryer.
- Nails / Feet
Trim nails at least once a month. This depends on much you walk with your Doggie outside on cement sidewalks. Dewclaws (located about one third up his leg, some Dogs don’t have dewclaws) must be trimmed or they can curl around and grow into the flesh. Keep long hair between the toes always trimmed short. It collects just dirt. Use Scissor- or guillotine-style clipper, grinders or nail file.
Cut Your Pet’s Nails
Shorten one nail a time. Be sure to stop before you reach the quick, which is the part of the nail that contains nerves and blood vessels. If you cannot see the quick clearly, stop cutting just behind the point at which the nail begins to curve downward. If you cut into the quick, do not panic. Put some clotting powder on a moist cotton swab and press it against the nail for some seconds. If you have trimmed all nails, don’t forget to trim the dewclaw.
- Eyes
Your Dog’s eyes should be bright and clean. No sign of redness or excessive discharge. Wipe with a clean damp cloth once a week to remove dirt. If the discharge is thick or mucous-like, call your vet immediately.
- Nose
The nose leather should be soft and pliable. It does not have to be fully wet but a dry nose or one covered with mucous could mean that your Doggie is sick. If your dog has a light colored nose it is at higher risk of sunburn. You should use sunscreen when your dog is outside in the sun.
- Ears
Look inside the ears once a week. The ear should never smell bad and the ears should be pale pink. Trim ear hair when needed and wipe with a clean damp cloth with warm water or a little mineral oil and use it to clean the opening into the canal and the flaps when you see any dirt. Do not go to deep inside. If you see dark, brown stuff, or if the ears are red and inflamed, please visit your veterinarian. Signs of problems ears includes like told redness, bad smell but also scratching and head shaking.
- Dental Care
Dogs can suffer from tartar, gum disease, and tooth decay. You should check your Doggies teeth with a pet toothpaste at least once per week if you want to do it good, or have the veterinarian do it once in a while, to prevent dental problems. See also Dog Health - Dog Dental Care Issues.
These are just basic grooming tips. Every Owner has his own Methods. If you are not sure what to do, ask your veterinarian.
Woef, Champi...
