Dog Grooming

Many pet owners are discovering that it is far more convenient to do their own dog grooming at home. Not only do you save on grooming fees and gas, which is a big expense these days, but you save time, as well, not having to commute to take your dog to the groomers. DIY grooming has several other benefits, as well. You`ll get to bond with your dog and get to know him better through the grooming process.

Having everything you need on hand is very important since you want to be able to do each grooming step after the other, avoiding distractions. This is easier on the dog and will keep you organized, as well. Here are the things you will need.

Tub: If you are planning to do your own dog grooming long term, it really is worth it to have a raised tub for your dog. Rather than bending over a tub, you`ll be able to wash and groom your dog at an easy height. Smaller dogs can be bathed in a baby bath set on a table (be sure it`s very stable).

Nail Clippers: Important for clipping those overgrown toenails that click on the floor as your dog walks. Just be sure to clip far enough back that you don`t get the quick, which can cause bleeding and pain for your pet. A good set of nail clippers combined with proper lighting can make nail clipping a breeze.

Brushes: A good brushing should be a regular thing. It stimulates the skin and helps to remove loose hair, so you can keep the house relatively fur-free. There are plenty of different brushes available on the market, but you should look for one that is appropriate for the size of your dog and that has rubber tipped bristles to protect the skin. A soft brush in a smaller size is also useful for ears and face.

Rake: These are stiffer tools meant to get rid of matted hair that tends to form on dogs with longer hair. It can really help ease the entire grooming process if you remove matted hair before it has the chance to get worse. A proper dematting rake will make the entire thing easier. You can also use a comb, but it tends to be more painful for the dog and take longer.

Natural Shampoo and Conditioner: Bathing your dog should definitely be a regular part of the grooming process, but human shampoos and conditioners aren`t meant for pets and can cause allergies and dry skin. Instead, look for specially formulated hair products that contain all natural ingredients and are meant for dogs.

Towels: Set aside some towels specifically for your pet. These are invaluable when it comes to drying him after a bath or a romp in the rain, but chances are you won`t want to use the same ones, so be sure to mark them.

Power Clippers: While you can certainly trim your dog`s coat with regular trimmers, it will take a long time and tends to be less accurate. A good set of power clippers will allow you to trim that hair quickly and easily to get the look you want for your pet. Power clippers will make this a lot easier, too, for the inexperienced home groomer.

DIY dog grooming can be a very rewarding experience. It definitely helps strengthen the bond between you and your canine friend. Not to mention the amount of time and money saved just by doing this relatively simple process at home.

Making a choice for a dog groomer is something that needs some careful thinking. I have had first hand experience working with groomers that were both good and bad. Groomers take on a lot of responsibility and many times the dogs are not exactly cooperative. If the dogs move around a lot then they can get cut pretty bad so it is important that the groomer is able to keep the dog still.

When a dog is irritated and doesn’t want to be cut and clipped they tend to move a lot. Ask the groomer how they handle a dog that keeps moving on them. Some groomers may have an assistant that will help hold a dog which is probably the best technique. However, I have seen groomers actually hit the dog to get them to do what they want. A good groomer will advise the owner that the dog needs to start going to the groomers at a young age. If they begin going to the groomers as an adult then they may have a harder time being cooperative.

A groomer tends to have the dogs bathed and dried before cutting their hair. They should have a staff that bathes and dries instead of the groomer doing it all themselves. The groomer will get too stressed if they have to do all of the work themselves. Always check and make sure that they are well staffed. Also check to see where they keep the dogs while they dry. The cages they have them in needs to be clean.

Check with friends and neighbors to see which groomers they use or recommend. You want to be sure that the groomer you select has a good amount of customers that are very pleased with their work. Some other things you want to be certain about is how good they are in cutting the dogs hair. You also want to make sure the groomer knows how to cut various styles for specific breeds.

Selecting a good dog groomer is important for your dog. You don’t want your pet to be all cut up and upset when you pick them up. You want only the best for your dog and when choosing a groomer that knows how to handle dogs, knows how to cut in various styles, and has a high ratio of returning customers then you and your dog will be able to rest easy. Remember if your dog is happy then everyone is happy.