Dog Grooming Hints

No matter what breed of dog you plan to purchase there are some grooming tips you will want to know. All dogs need proper grooming for the health and attractiveness of the breed. Read on to find out what you need to do in the grooming process and learn how beneficial it is to not only to your dog but for you as well.

Coat Grooming

All dogs have coats; some are short, long, wire-haired, curly, straight, or wavy. No matter the coat, you will need to invent in a good brush. The brush you decide upon needs to be the type that will get through your dog’s hair without causing harm to skin or pull on the hair. Wire steel brushing are great to use to get loose hair before it falls on your furniture and carpet. You can also purchase wire combs, which are best for smaller breeds since they tend to be a bit smaller.

Choose the size of your brush or comb in accordance with the size of your dog. If you have a large dog, choose a larger brush that will cover more area as you brush. If you have a small dog, a smaller brush will be easier to use to get behind the ears and other small areas. Bathe your dog when he is visibly dirty or has a foul odor. Shampooing dries out a dog’s coat and can rip some dog’s natural oils from its hair. These natural oils protect the dog’s skin and in some breeds, repel water.

Trimming Nails

The frequency of trimming your dog’s nails depends on if your dog goes outdoors often especially on concrete and how fast the nails grow. If your dog runs on concrete then the nails usually file down to an appropriate length. If not, you will have to purchase some nail clippers especially designed for dogs.

When cutting, place the clipper above the wick. The wick is the part of the nail where you see the nerve. You don’t want to clip the nerve because it will bleed and does cause some discomfort to the dog. Sometimes it is hard to see where the wick begins so you may have to take your dog to the vet or professional groomer for clippings.

Ear Cleaning

All dogs need to have their ears cleaned. This is because wax and dirt accumulates in them, which can lead to bacteria growth. You can usually tell when your dog needs an ear cleaning if he is shaking his head often and scratching. However, if after cleaning out his ears, your dog continues to exhibit this behavior, you need to consult with your vet because he may have an ear infection or other health concern.

Tarter Control

Yes, even dogs need their teeth cleaned. They have specially made toothbrushes for dogs that you can purchase at your local pet store. You can train your dog to sit still while you brush his teeth. Some dogs will not allow their owners to do this so you may need a professional groomer help you with this task.

Spending Quality Time

Not only will proper grooming keep your dog looking nice and healthy, but also it will allow you to have one to one time with your pet. Life can get hectic and even dogs can tell that you are busy. Time spent with your dog will keep your pooch happy and will remind you why you love your dog so very much.

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Dog grooming has its own significance in pet care. It not only improves the look of your pet, but also provides it with better health.

All things such as brushing, bathing, and cleaning of the ears need to be carried out regularly, and by doing so, you can keep your pet healthy.

It is important that you brush your pet every day to keep your pet’s hair dirt free. It also spreads natural oil, which in turn prevents tangling of hair and keeps the skin clean and irritation free. If you make grooming a routine, then your pet will eventually begin to enjoy it.

Another important part of your pet that needs cleaning is the nails. It is important that you trim the nails of your pet once a month. Always use a clipper that is specifically designed for the type of pet you have.

To cut the nails, make your pet sit beside you. Next, place one of your pet’s paws in your hand, and then trim the nails gently. Trim carefully, making sure you stop before the quick, which contains nerves and blood vessels. If the quick does get harmed, then use a moist cotton ball with clotting powder and press it for a few minutes to stop the bleeding.

You also need to always keep your pet’s ears clean. Unclean ears may result in infection, which is not only painful but can also cause hearing loss. Infection can be identified by recognizing signs such as redness, scratching, head shaking and odor.

You should check your pet’s ears twice a month. The skin of the ears must be pale pink in color. If you notice a foul odor or change in color, take your pet to a veterinarian.

Use moist cotton balls with lukewarm water or mineral oil to clean the ears.

Cleaning of your pet’s teeth is another important aspect of grooming. Your pet may get cavities in his or her teeth that can develop into periodontal disease. Clean your pet’s teeth twice a week with a soft, small pet toothbrush.

Bathe your pet at least once a month or as required. In order to remove all the matting from your pet’s coat, brush your pet before and after each bath.

Place a rubber mat or a small towel in a bathtub so that it is not slippery for your pet. Use cotton balls to prevent water from going into your pet’s ears, and use warm water to bathe your pet in. You can use a spray nozzle, but be sure that you keep the nozzle close to your pet’s body when spraying, and do not spray your pet in the face.

Use shampoo that is made specifically for pets. Use a small quantity, and wash from head to the tail. Clean the rectum, between the toes, backside of the ears and under the chin. After washing, rinse your pet thoroughly with warm water, and then dry with a drier, or pat dry with a towel.

It is important that you regularly give proper attention towards the grooming of your pet. It will keep your pet healthy and active, both physically and psychologically.

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If anyone told you that all hair stylists or barbers were alike, you’d probably laugh in disbelief. If you think that not all hair stylists or barbers are alike, then you should also realize that not all dog groomers are alike. Your dog might not mind so much if he or she has a bad hair day, but you sure will. You need to take the time to find the best groomer for your dog that you can afford.

Before You Look

First of all, does your dog really need a groomer? Short haired dogs do not need a groomer in order to maintain good health and a clean coat if you are willing to do all of the brushing, bathing and claw-clipping yourself. Some dogs will only need a trim once a year, mainly to keep the hair out of their eyes and their anal region. Some dogs like Schnauzers need their coats stripped once a year in order to maintain prime health.

And then there are dogs like Poodles and Bichon Frises that need their coats dealt with every five or six weeks. Their coats not only grow incredibly fast, but they also matt very easily. Having a dirty clump of hair not only is unsightly, but leads to sores and general misery for the dog.

If your dog’s coat commands constant attention, you need to find a groomer. You can’t just cut the coat with scissors or an electric trimmer, as the coat needs to be washed first (Same as with your hair).

People To Ask

The best people to ask for recommendations about a great local dog groomer come from your veterinarian, your boarding kennel (if you have one), your dog trainer (if you have one), from friends and family who own dogs or from a neighbor at the local dog park who has a dog with a high-maintenance coat.

Perhaps your vet offers grooming services. This can be a time saver only if your dog is okay with going to the vet. If your dog falls to pieces every time you go to the vet’s, then you need to find another groomer.

If no one you know knows of a good groomer, then go to the website of the National Dog Groomers Association of America, with the Yellow Pages and your pet supply store for names. Many pet stores now offer affordable grooming services. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau’s website to see if your dog groomer candidates have been in any trouble recently.

What To Look For

A good dog groomer will have a clean, orderly, brightly lit salon and will clearly be able to get along with dogs. It will also smell nice. Don’t be afraid to ask for references or to ask if the groomer is familiar with grooming your dog’s breed. Also check to see that the dogs are regularly monitored when they are under a blow dryer.

Your dog will most likely make the final decision. If they pull on the lead to go to the groomer, then you have found the right groomer.

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Going into a big box pet care store and looking for dog grooming tools can be overwhelming. There are so many choices. What dog grooming tools do you really need?

The basics that every dog owner needs are relatively few. Your first step is to get a shoebox, or basket to hold all the tools and stash them conveniently in one place. A portable makeup box with a closeable lid makes an ideal container.

Nail clippers are a necessary tool. Get the size that fits your dog. A Great Dane needs larger and stronger clippers than a miniature poodle because their nails are bigger. That just makes common sense. Some clippers come with a guard that prevents you from clipping too much nail at one time and exposing the quick. The quick is a small blood vessel that runs down the nail but not to the end of the nail. In addition to the nail clippers, styptic powder should be in your dog grooming tool kit. Styptic powder very quickly stops the bleeding if you’ve cut into the nail quick.

Tweezers are useful for removing stickers, debris and splinters. Dip them in alcohol before and after each use to sanitize the tweezers. A small bottle of alcohol should be in your kit for this purpose.

Small blunt ended scissors can cut out mats, tangles, and plant material, such as thorns, from your dog’s coat. Manicure scissors could be used but you have to be careful with their sharp pointed ends. If your dog moves suddenly you could end up jabbing him.

A soft brush and a wire brush are both necessary. The wire brush detangles long fur and rakes out dead hair. The soft brush is used to finish the coat after the wire brush. Even if your dog is short haired like a Jack Russell Terrier he will still need brushing to remove dead hair, dust, and dirt from his coat.

Most dogs need their teeth brushed several times a week so a good dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste are in order. Don’t use people toothpaste, it’s not meant to be swallowed and that’s what your dog will do. Dog toothpaste comes in flavors so dogs love the taste. It contains enzymes that help break down tarter and freshen breath.
Sterile eye cleaner should be included with your dog grooming tools to clean your puppy pal’s eyes and flush them out if they’ve got that green gooey gunk.

Ear cleaner is a must if you have a long eared dog but is useful for any dog.

Cotton pads to wipe out the ears and eyes after they’ve been cleaned are useful. Use a clean pad for each eye. Squares of old terry cloth wash clothes can be used to clean the ears, but don’t use them on the eyes, they’re too rough and may end up scratching the eye.

Once a year go through your dog grooming tools and see what needs to be replaced. Dump eye cleaner, ear cleaner, and toothpaste that are more than six months old.

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