Dog grooming 101
Your family pooch may not need fancy haircuts or ribbon bows, but she can benefit from regular coat, nail and teeth maintenance.
The first step to grooming is recognizing what type of coat maintenance your dog will require.You’ll quickly learn what type of fur your dog has and what kind of care it will require. If you have questions, you can always ask a veterinarian or groomer.
How Much Grooming?
A long-coated dog should have the coat brushed and combed several times each week. A double-coated dog should have dead hair combed from the coat to hasten shedding and prevent furry tumbleweeds from floating throughout the house. Even a short-coated dog should be brushed or rubbed down a couple of times a week to keep the skin and coat healthy.
Shedding
Every dog sheds. Some dogs shed twice a year, others shed constantly. Regular brushings can help limit the amount of fur shed around the house, and also prevent matting and debris buildup in the coat.
About Matting
If left unchecked, matting can become a serious condition. Mats are formed by intertwining hairs, dirt, grit or vegetative matter (leaves, grass, etc.) in the coat. This may eventually cause hot spots or wounds. Infection or insect infestation in wounds may result in extreme cases.
Grooming Equipment
Depending upon how in-depth you want to get with grooming, you will benefit from a few useful tools:
“Pet shampoo and detangler
“Brush and combs designed for your dog’s coat type
“Mat comb
“Nail clippers
“Shears/electric clipper
“Dog toothbrush and paste
Getting Started
“Bathing: Most dogs don’t need frequent bathing. Once every month or two should be fine, ensuring healthy oils remain in the dog’s coat. First remove any matting and then have the dog stand in the tub or basin, and gradually add warm water. Soak the dog to the skin, lather with shampoo and rinse thoroughly. Don’t get water inside of the dog’s eyes and ears. Use a washcloth to reach these areas.
“Drying: Some groomers use dryers to rid the fur of moisture after washing. Doing this frequently may dry out the skin or irritate it. If it is cold or the fur takes a while to dry, you may want to use a hair dryer on a warm or cool setting to help drying along. Otherwise, towel-dry the dog and air-dry.
“Daily inspection: Check your dog’s skin, paws and ears for infestation, cuts, rashes, etc. This can help you identify injury or problems early on.
Beyond the Basics
You can choose to do more in-depth grooming if you feel comfortable.
“Nail clipping: Dogs should have their nails clipped every three weeks or so. It’s best to slowly trim each nail a little at a time. Dog nails have a “quick” (a nerve and blood supply) that can be seen as a darkening of light-colored nails but is invisible on dark nails. Nicking the quick not only hurts the dog, it may cause profuse bleeding, so keep a quick stop product on hand or use flour or cornstarch.
“Trims: You can neaten a dog’s appearance with a pair of shears or even an electric clipper. Areas to focus on include the paws, underbelly and around the dog’s eyes and ears. Trim sparingly around the eyes.
“Oral hygiene: Dogs benefit from regular tooth brushing. Brush using a dog toothbrush and meat-flavored paste.
By following these easy tips for grooming, you’ll have a happier and healthier pet. Not only will your dog be clean and tidy, they’ll develop an even more special bond with you.