Dog Grooming Hints

Dog Grooming Its Not Just for Poodles Anymore

Dog grooming is not simply an aesthetic bonus for our canine friends. Maintaining a regular grooming schedule will help to keep your dog both happy and healthy. Routine dog grooming will ensure that your dog is free of parasites, has healthy skin and a shiny coat, and has good dental health. Of course, the aesthetic benefits are also a plus. Only a true dog lover wants to be around a dirty, stinky dog with bad breath. Proper dog grooming will bring out the best in mans best friend.

Whats Involved in Dog Grooming?

While dog grooming can be performed at home, the best results can be achieved via a professional dog groomer. A thorough dog grooming session takes care of all the hygienic needs of your dog. The grooming process generally takes a hour or two to accomplish, but the results are well worth the time spent. A typical dog grooming session consists of the following treatments for your dog:

* A thorough bath including flea dip (if applicable)

* A complete coat brushing to eliminate tangles and matted hair

* Styling as requested (can include accessories such as bows, rhinestones and bandannas)

* Nail trimming

* Ear cleaning and examination for parasites

* Teeth cleaning

How Often Should Dog Grooming Take Place?

The frequency with which your should groom your dog is dependent on the breed and coat quality of your dog. Some breeds are considered high maintenance in terms of dog grooming, while others need only periodic care. Before you purchase or adopt a dog, its a good idea to find out how much grooming it will require. A basic guide to dog grooming by coat type is as follows:

* Curly-Coated Dogs such as Poodles have a dense and curly coat that is fairly resistant to water. These dogs will require dog grooming at least once every two months, or six times a year.

* Short-Coated Dogs with short dense coats, such as Corgis and Boxers need a weekly brushing, but do not need to be bathed more than once or twice a year unless a problem arises.

* Long-Coated Long coated dogs, such as Collies and Sheepdogs, require a daily brushing to keep their coats in good condition. Additional dog grooming including regular bathing, should be administered once every other month.

* Silky-Coated Afghans, Cocker Spaniels and Pekinese dogs belong to the silky coated dog group. These dogs require daily brushing and a thorough dog grooming session four times a year.

* Wire-Coated Wire coated dogs require considerable dog grooming. Dogs such as Terriers and Schnauzers should be bathed every three months and have their coat clipped every six to eight weeks.

* Smooth-Coated The smooth-coated class of dogs includes Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers and Dachshunds. These are very low maintenance dogs and require only weekly brushing and bathing as necessary.

Whatever type of dog you own, its important to see that proper grooming is maintained for the health and happiness of your canine companion.

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Everyday more and more money is being spent on pets including the Shih Tzu. The professional Shih Tzu groomer is a rather unique entry in the professional world. Outside the family and the Shih Tzu’s vet, the professional Shih Tzu groomer is the one person closest to the Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu puppy.

If you plan to use a professional Shih Tzu groomer, the groomer will see your Shih Tzu regularly either monthly or bi-monthly. A knowledgeable professional Shih Tzu groomer will be able to supply you with advice on matters of health, breeding, boarding and various Shih Tzu products. The extent to which the professional Shih Tzu groomer fills these roles affects the relationship between the groomer and Shih Tzu owner. A close bond between the family and the professional Shih Tzu groomer is desirable.

The Shih Tzu Grooming Shop:
Many professional Shih Tzu groomers start out in their basements or spare room in their house and then graduate to their own shop on Main streets in towns throughout the country. Although a Shih Tzu groomer should have knowledge of how to groom all breeds of dogs, specializing in the Shih Tzu breed can be a unique opportunity for those who love the Shih Tzu exclusively. The Shih Tzu breed is one of the top 10 favorite family pets. Their popularity continues to grow, therefore, to specialize in Shih Tzu grooming would definitely be a professional groomer’s own unique niche.

Quality training:
Be sure to seek out the best instruction available. This instruction should come from licensed, qualified instructors in state-approved locations with adequate space and facilities. Proper training is the most important part of your investment. Without proper training, there is no business. Good dog grooming instruction means training in grooming all breeds with access to dogs of as many breeds as possible. Specializing in Shih Tzu grooming can come later. The school’s reputation is most significant. Check with your State Education Department, the Better Business Bureau and other consumer agencies to determine the reputation of the schools you choose. Make a personal visit to the school.

Shih Tzu Grooming Shop Site:
Once you are fully trained and/or you have built up a customer base while working out of your home you begin to consider setting up a shop. Go where the action is. Shih Tzu pet owners will like locations in a good part of town, one with good parking. If funds allow, a busy shopping mall would be an excellent location for a Shih Tzu Grooming Salon.

An important factor to consider when deciding on a location for your Shih Tzu grooming shop is the element of competition. Is there already a grooming shop in your chosen location? And how long has the shop been in business? If the grooming shop has been in business for quite some time, you may want to choose another location.

Zoning
Most state laws are loose about zoning requirements for dog grooming shops and so would be the same case for a Shih Tzu grooming shop. Usually a commercial area or on a main street there are no problems with zoning. If you begin your grooming at home, you may have to cope with complaining neighbors if the traffic begins to become congested in the neighborhood, etc. You will need to check your local zoning laws in a case such as this.

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Grooming is something most people take for granted. We primp and preen, bath and strive to maintain a good physical appearance. Good grooming habits contribute not only to appearance but to overall good health. The responsibilities that come with owning a dog are many and our pet dogs rely on us to provide them with all the necessities of life. Food, shelter, proper veterinary care and a lot of love are at heart of what our dogs expect and deserve. Just as important is a grooming routine. Good dog grooming can go a long way towards keeping your canine companion healthy and happy.

Different dog breeds can have vastly different grooming requirements. The amount of grooming needed is something that a perspective dog owner should consider before choosing a dog. For example, short hair dog breeds may require less coat grooming than their long hair cousins. Certain breeds are more susceptible to skin problems than others.

Dogs deserve a proper grooming and as dog owners we must think of good grooming regimen as part of a nose to tail strategy. In addition to good coat care, care of the eyes, ears, paws and claws is essential to your dogs health and happiness.

Coat Care Kept Simple

Whether you do your own grooming or opt for a professional grooming service, the task of keeping your dog well groomed is essential. Unless you plan on showing your dog, good dog grooming can be a do-it-yourself program.

One of my dogs was rescued from the side of the road, as ten to twelve week old puppy. After a proper vet check, he was given a clean bill of health. We knew he was a mixed breed Akita and as he grew out of his puppy stage, he developed a beautiful coat, with a seasonal undercoat. He is somewhat cat-like in his own grooming habits, and pays special attention to keeping his paws clean. As far as coat care is concerned, I would classify him as a low-maintenance dog. From the day we found him, he has received regular brushing and has learned to love the attention, to the point of bringing the brush to us. A monthly bath combined with regular brushing makes keeping his coat in good condition a relatively easy task.

In contrast to Willie, our Cocker Spaniel could be quite a handful when it comes to coat care. He is not a show dog and we do not feel bound by any given grooming standard. His fur is kept neatly trimmed short which makes regular bathing and brushing a manageable task that we can handle ourselves. The show standard for grooming would take considerably more time and money.

Regular bathing is important, whether performed by a grooming professional or the owner. Certain breeds need special attention when it comes to bathing, especially when it comes to shampoos. A shampoo that is too harsh came dry the dogs skin or exacerbate existing skin conditions. Always consult your veterinary professional for a bathing regimen that is best for your precious pet.

The Brush is a Dogs Best Friend

Regular brushing is one of the easiest ways to promote a healthy coat. Regular brushing stimulates the skin along with removing loose hair and dander. This is true whether your dogs coat is long or short. Brushing gives dog owners a chance to examine the dogs skin, making it easier to spot skin abnormalities and parasite infestations.

A program of regular brushing should be started during the puppy stage, though with older rescue or adopted dogs, this is not always possible. Dogs who have not been accustomed to regular brushing may resist, requiring a greater degree of owner patience.

Dog Diet

A proper diet can go a long way towards keeping your dog healthy, including the skin and coat. Just like humans, a poor dog diet can manifest itself in skin and coat problems. There is a wide variety of diet supplements and dog foods that claim to promote a healthy coat and these certainly cannot hurt. Always consult a veterinary professional before adding a supplement to your dogs diet.

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What do you know about properly grooming your dog? Dog grooming is extremely important and your responsibility as a dog owner. Dogs generally need to be bathed once a month, brushed weekly, have their nails clipped, and some dog breeds need to be taken to the groomer every couple of months to have their coats trimmed. A properly groomed dog is a happier and healthier dog and makes for a happier dog owner!

Many dog breeds do not need regular visits to the groomer. Shorter-haired dogs like Labradors, Boxers, and Bulldogs do not need to have their coats trimmed, but longer-haired dogs such as Collies, Scottish Terriers, and Poodles do need to visit the groomer every 4-6 weeks for a trim. Regular visits ensure that your dogs coat is free of tangles and well-maintained.

Dog grooming also includes brushing your dogs coat, whether he has long or short hair. Regular brushing removes your dogs dead hair. This dead hair is what normally will shed, but with regular brushing you can brush out most of the dead hair and your dog will shed much less as a result. Brushing your dog also distributes the hairs natural oils, which makes the coat shiny and healthy looking. Its amazing what a good brushing can do in making your dogs coat shine. Not to mention, what dog doesnt like a good brushing?!

Proper dog grooming also means trimming your dogs nails. This may seem like a daunting task to some until you and your dog get used to it. You can buy a good nail clipper at any pet store. Make sure to buy one that fits your dog. Some dogs have small nails like Chihuahuas; other breeds like Labradors need a much larger nail clipper. If you dont feel comfortable clipping your own dogs nails, many pet stores offer this service for a reasonable price. Proper exercise of your dog should keep his nails at a good length but they will need to be trimmed occasionally. Be very careful not to trim the nails too short as dogs have a fleshy material inside their nails called quick. If nails are trimmed too short and you cut the quick, it is painful for your dog.

Are you bathing your dog once a month? This is a general rule of thumb. If your dog spends a lot of time outside running around or going to the beach, chances are he will need to be bathed more often than a dog that spends most of his time indoors snuggled up at your feet. Its important to spend a little bit more on dog shampoo, especially if your dog has any kind of skin conditions. Unfortunately, the less expensive brands of dog shampoo have harsher ingredients that can strip away too much of your dogs natural oils, drying the skin and possibly causing skin irritations. You may want to ask your vet for recommendations for the best shampoo for your particular dog.

Dog grooming is of the utmost importance in dog ownership! Most dog owners take pride in having a healthy, well-groomed dog. Bathing your dog, clipping his nails, and brushing him are also good bonding experiences for dog and owner. Take your time in grooming your pooch and enjoy the experience. A happy, healthy, well-groomed dog makes for a happy owner!

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