Dog Grooming

Your dog will require bathing from time to time. Dogs do clean themselves to the best of their ability. Regardless of if the pet is kept indoors or outdoors, it will need a bath!

To determine how often to bath your dog, do a little research on the breed. I have a beagle and a redbone. My beagle should have a bath once a month. This in addition to regular brushing and possibly a dry bath. However, my redbone can be bathed less often. His coat is always beautiful, and he smells good, it sounds funny but we call him the ” Pumpkin Pie Puppy”, as he smells sweet, spicy and like pumpkin always.

It is easy to clean a small dog in your kitchen sink. Medium sized dogs can be placed in a bath tub with little effort. Large breeds are a lot more difficult to bath. If you have a large dog, you will want help to safely place your dog in your bath tub. Your dog will be fine, it is the act of getting him in the bath that is difficult. If you are assertive, calm and in control your dog will cooperate with you. If you find the bathing process to be too difficult, enlist the service of a professional groomer.

You must keep in mind that your dog will not need a hot bath. Some breeds can suffer skin damage from hot water. Dog shampoo is fine to use. Don’t use soap on your dog! Soap will dry out the dogs coat. Bubble bath is great as an alternative to soap, as bubble bath does not contain soap. Bubble bath is available in so many fantastic scents, you can have a uniquely scented dog! I love Avon bubble bath for my dogs.

Also pay attention to not get anything in the dogs eyes, and gently clean his ears. As you are finished with the bath, place your dog on a towel, or assist the dog from the bath tub. Make sure you get your dog really dry, and you probably won’t want to go for a walk immediately, as your dog will want to roll around and get dirty again. Chances are after the bath, you will have a happy, frisky dog. Be prepare for lots of running and playing. After your dog has exhausted himself from running around, you might be able to trim the nails easily. You must be careful not to cut the quick, or where the veins in the nail are. You should either pick up the clippers designed for a dogs nail, pay a groomer , or your vet to clip the nails safely. If you cut too far, your dog will bleed from his nail. In some instances, dogs have bled to death from this kind of injury.

If you maintain a regular grooming schedule, your dog will not fight you. Bathtime should be a fun event, not torture.

Rubba Dub Dub a dog in a tub

Keeping my dogs clean is not my favorite chore, but as they are all three indoor dogs, regular baths for each of them is a must. Knowing this was always going to be the case, one of the first things I requested when we built our house ten years ago was a utility sink in the garage. For years I hunched, sore shoulders and back over a bath tub to wash the dogs, or when desperate, even brought them in the shower with me. Bathing the dogs in the utility sink in the garage, though still a pain in the neck, is much more bearable for all of us.

I’ve bathed hundreds of dogs over the years, be it my own, my friends and families, or shelter dogs. Though I wouldn’t classify myself as a professional dog groomer, I have learned a few tricks over the years.

First, try to make it a positive experience for your dog. Give him a good brushing first to remove any foreign objects from his fur. Use lukewarm water and be sure to keep the water from out of his eyes and talk in soothing tones to him during the bath. If he struggles, tell him No!” firmly but not in a mean tone. It’s best to have everything ready and in easy reach and of course, don’t forget a fluffy towel to dry him off! I use flea and tick shampoo year round because we live in a warmer client. I also keep a conditioner on hand which keeps their fur soft and shiny. It also helps to keep their skin from getting dry. If your dog has chronic skin infections or dry skin, you can buy medicated shampoo from your veterinarian. Only use shampoos and conditioners made for dogs as human shampoos can be too acidic. If your dog really hates a bath, try giving him a treat before and after. Then he’ll associate it with something nice.

Once the bath is over it’s play time. Our dogs love to run around the house and shaking themselves like an agitator in a washing machine. I like to play with them because they are so full of joy and excitement. As soon as they’ve settled and are a bit dryer, I let them outside to do their business if they need to. If it’s a sunny and warm day, they often like to stay out and sun bathe for awhile.

In the warm months I try to wash the dogs every week, but when it’s cold I found that if I keep them brushed we can go a month or so without a bath. Another trick I’ve used over the years is to take a Bounce dryer sheet and wipe their fur down with it. It keeps them smelling like fresh laundry. Don’t forget to wipe down the pads of their feet but stay away from their eyes. Also, if you keep what I’ll call their “nether regions” clipped and clean your dog will stay smelling nice a lot longer. You can also buy wet wipes at pet stores that will help keep your dog’s face clean and wipe off mud or whatever nasty thing they get into when you don’t have the time to bathe them.

If your dog continues to smell it could be associated with an ear, skin or anal infection. Please consult your veterinarian immediately for proper treatment.

Dogs love to roll in any stinky thing they can find from animal droppings, to rubbish, to smelly fish or decaying animal carcasses. The more they stink the better they smell in their opinion. But since they have to coexist with us, I’m afraid we’re all going to have to get used to regular baths, like it or not.

No matter how cute your dog is every dog succumbs to stinky dog syndrome at one time or another. Dogs need to follow proper hygiene practices similar to humans and you are the one to help them do this. It is important to engage in pet grooming so that your dog does not end up having the infamous dog odor and matted, dirty fur. You need to keep them in tip top shape.

Pet grooming entails a depth of grooming services that you need to do perform on your dog often. The most basic pet grooming service that you should do is to give your dog a bath. This pet grooming necessity often makes your dog run for the hills, so following are tips to help you bathe your dog successfully.

You want to make your dogs bathing experience a pleasant one so they dont shake in terror the moment you show them the bathtub. Therefore, make sure the bathroom is comfortably warm. Gather pet grooming bath supplies together before bringing the dog into the bathroom. You dont want them to cower in fear while you stumble around searching for their doggy shampoo. Path grooming bath supplies include dog shampoo, bucket, towels, and hair dryer.

Once you have your pet grooming supplies ready then go find your dog. Bring them into the bathroom first and then turn on the water. Pet them and comfort them while you are waiting for the water to become a warm, soothing temperature. Keep smiling and make a bath sound like it is the best thing since sliced bread.

You can bathe your dog in the bath tub by using a bucket to splash water over their body. You can also find a hose with a sprayer at the end at your grocery or home supply store. This can be very helpful as it speeds up the washing process.

You can wash your dog with your hands, but there are also rubber textured mittens available on the market. These pet grooming gloves work well to gently scrub your dog clean while giving them a massage at the same time. This massage technique will help your dog to not only take the bath without problems, but actually enjoy it.

There are several pet grooming dog shampoos to choose from. Some pet grooming shampoos are medicated against fleas and ticks. You can also find scented shampoos and shampoos that are made for dogs with sensitive skin. The type of shampoo you will use in your pet grooming can depend on the time of year.

For example, some dogs have allergies in the late fall or spring that prompt them to need hypoallergenic shampoo while in the winter they need a more moisture rich shampoo. The important thing is to use shampoo that is specifically created for dogs. Never use dish soap or your own shampoo as this can likely plague your dog with painful skin irritation. Consult your veterinarian and dog groomer for shampoo recommendations.

Once your dog is in the tub you need to make sure to wash water over their entire body. Place a small amount of shampoo in your hands and start by washing the top of their head. Do this with extreme care as you do not want shampoo to seep into their eyes. You can cover their eyes with your hands and rinse in the direction away from their eyes. You can also use eye drops prescribed by your vet that will ward against any shampoo that has accidentally snuck into their eyes.

Continue this process by massage in a small amount of shampoo on their back working your way around their entire body. It is critical to rinse thoroughly so that you dont have any shampoo build up that can be an itchy situation for your dog.

Dry them first with a towel as they shake their entire body as well. Dont forget to gently wipe the inside of their ears and paws with the towel to remove an excess water or moisture. Moisture left in their ears can lead to wax and bacteria build up which leaves them prone to ear infections in the future.

Next you need to continue your pet grooming by drying your dog with a hair dryer. Use the medium setting that is not too hot and test it on yourself first to ensure you wont burn your dog. Hold the hair dryer at least six inches from your dogs fur and work your way from the dense fur on your dogs back to their legs and face. Continue pet grooming until your dogs fur is almost dry, but not completely. You dont want to risk burning their precious skin by drying their hair for too long. You can brush through their hair as you dry it to give it body and style.

It is a good idea to give your dog praise and encouragement during and after this pet grooming session. This will help to improve their behavior during the bath which could save you from being drenched in their splashing water. Bathe your pet as often as necessary. Some dogs require more frequent pet grooming while others can go a longer period of time. Consult your veterinarian and pet groomer for advice about your particular dog.

Bathing your pet can also be a great time to bond with your canine companion while removing their stinky dog smell in the process!

Dog grooming is essential in maintaining your dog’s health which include routines involving regular brushing, combing for dead hair removal, bathing and nail removal.

Dog grooming provides dogs with shinier and healthier lifestyle plus the opportunity to spend some time with your dog. It is essential that you train your pet with dog grooming in his earlier years with mild approach. Some dogs may view the routine as another way of petting him. Combing and brushing will care for your dog’s coat but it is equally important that you attend to his other body parts, like the ears, toes, eyes and the mouth.

Additionally, dog grooming will significantly contribute to your dog’s over well-being, both in physiological and psychological aspects.

Dog grooming applies differently for the many varieties of dog breeds thus it is essential that you know the different treatments for each dog. But listed below is the general dog grooming methods that you may use as your basis.

Bathing

Bathing is an substantial part of dog grooming. It is wise to bathe your pet once in two months are as frequently as needed. Brush you pet’s coat before each bathe as to eliminate the mats out of his coat.

To bathe your dog:
For secure footing, provide a rubber mat or a bath towel to be placed in your bath tub or sink. Then secure the dog’s ears and with cotton balls as to prevent the water from entering these openings.
Use warm water to rinse your dog. If a spray hose is available it is best to use it but make use the nozzle of the hose is kept close to your pet’s body. Never spray the animal directly on his face, this may irritate or scare him.
Use shampoos that are only made for dogs. With small amounts, start from head to tail but avoid getting the shampoo on your dog’s eyes. Be sure to clear from dirt the dog’s rectum, and other body parts like those under the chin, behind the ears and between the dog’s toes.
Then rinse your dog with warm water, make sure that no shampoo is left on his coat.
Lastly, pat your animal dry with a bath towel or a hair dryer.

Coat
It is essential that your dog’s coat is kept clean. Assure that with your dog’s daily dog grooming routine, his coat is thoroughly brushed. This assures that his coat is kept from dirt. also, a dog grooming procedure like that of brushing may spread the dog’s natural skin oils all through the coat. This may also keep the dog’s skin form irritation and may further prevent his coat from tangling. This does not only apply with dogs having long coats but with short-haired dogs as well.

Nail trimming

For once a month, your dog’s nails must be trimmed. Use a specially designed nail trimmer or clipper for your dog breed, also provide a blood-clotting powder in case his skin tissue is cut. You may also use scissors for this form of dog grooming.

Ear care

Is an important aspect of dog grooming. If not properly address, your pet may develop an ear infection, which in turn may result to permanent hearing loss. The symptoms for an ear infection are constant scratching, ear redness and head shaking. You dog grooming specialist or veterinarian must address sever cases of dog infections.