Dog Grooming Hints

Dog Grooming

Simple home grooming techniques that will give you a healthier and happier dog
dog grooming

Regularly grooming your dog not only has the added benefit of making him look and smell good; grooming your dog on a regular basis also gives you the opportunity of deepening the bond you have with your pet and for checking his general health.

If you have a puppy, take the time now to help him become accustomed to being groomed. You can do this by simply spending time with your puppy and gently his entire body; examine his tail, paws, ears, and teeth etc. Talk to your puppy in a gentle and positive tone, and have some food treats with you, so as you can reward your puppy for his positive behaviour. If you have an adult dog who is not totally happy with the grooming experience, then go back to the basics, using the plan outlined here.

Although basic grooming procedures are generally the same for all breeds of dogs, the amount of time you will need to devote to grooming your pet and the tools you will use, will depend on the dogs coat quality and it’s length.

Breeds with smooth coats are quite low maintenance, and need only occasional bathing, and brushing. Short coated dogs who have a top coat and a more dense undercoat, for example German Shepherds, will require brushing at least once per day, so as the undercoat does not become matted. Curly coat breeds, for example, the Kerry Blue Terrier, will need to be brushed regularly, along with a bath and coat clipping very couple of months. Breeds that have wiry coats need regular brushing, at lead once per day to prevent matting. The longer coat breeds, such as the Such as Yorkshire Terriers, and Collies, need daily brushing and combing, along with bathing and clipping when needed, in order to keep their coats in good condition.

The tools you will need for grooming will vary depending on your dogs coat, however your dogs grooming kit should include the following:

Natural/organic dog shampoo

You can buy organic dog shampoo from a host of online vendors or large pet supply stores. Using an organic shampoo is much kinder to your dogs skin and fur, as it has the correct ph-balance, and does not contain chemicals, or atrtificial colours or preservative, that can be harmful.

Tweezers

Tick removal implement

Tick removal implements can be purchased from your local pharmacy, however, tweezers work just as well for removing ticks.

Brush, comb and or grooming glove

The brush and comb you choose should be adequate for your dogs coat. For example, for dense coats, use a comb with wider teeth, for smooth coats choose a comb that has closer teeth, alternatively a grooming glove.

Electronic clippers

Nail clippers

]]>

A small pair of blunt nosed scissors for clipping away unwanted hair from between your dogs pads, or around the eyes.

Vitamin E oil for cleaning your dogs ears.

Dog toothpaste and toothbrush

Towels for drying your pet following a bath

Organic wipes, for cleaning around your dogs eyes

Now it’s time to begin grooming your dog, so lets begin with the messy part first, bathing.

You can do this outside or indoors, depending on the size of your dog. If using the bath, first put down a rubber non slip mat in the bath, so as your pet does not slip around. Put a large cotton ball in each of your dogs ears and place him in the bath.

Begin by covering your dogs entire body with warm water, if you are using a shower, keep the shower head close to the dogs body. Next, add small amounts of your dog shampoo to your dogs body, paying attention to his rectum and genital area, and between his paws. Once you have done this you can rinse your dog thoroughly with warm water.

Towel dry your dog to begin with, then if you wish, use a dryer, however, don’t put the dryer to close to your dogs skin, and don’t point the dryer directly into the dogs ears.

Next, let us look at the general grooming procedure you can make on a more regular basis. To begin with, check your dogs coat for dirt, and parasites such as fleas and ticks. Also check the condition of your dogs skin. When you are happy his skin appears healthy, you can move on to combing his coat.

Always comb your dogs coat in the direction the hair grows, combing small section at a time. If you encounter a knot in your pets fur, use the first tooth of the comb to gently tease the knot free. Hold the base of the knot as you do this, so as not to cause your dog any pain.

The next step is to brush your dogs fur gently, but not so vigorously as you will cause ‘brush burn’. Brush your dogs fur in the opposite direction hair growth. Attend to all areas of the body, ie, body, tail, chest, legs and behind the ears. When doing this part check your dogs paws and between his pads for any lodged seeds from grass, grit and dirt etc. Clean and trim any excess fur.

Having done the hardest work, brushing and combing. The next part to concentrate upon is nail clipping. Most dog owners avoid clipping their dogs nails, many leaving it to their vet, but with a bit of practice, trimming your dogs nails will become a routine procedure.

Check to begin with to see if your dogs nails need trimming. Dogs usually wear down their nails by walking on the pavement, however, they still may need a trim every several weeks or so.

To begin with, identify the quick in each nail; the quick is the blood vessel inside the nail. It can be seen quite easily in light coloured nails as a red coloured line, but impossible to see in dark nails. Care must be taken not to cut into the blood vessel, as this will obviously be painful for your dog, and will also cause some bleeding.

Cut the nail in one stroke below the blood vessel. In darker nails, make several vey small cuts. If your not sure how much nail to cut if you have a dog with black nails, less is better than more.

It’s now time to move on to your dogs ears. Wax, dirt and fungus can build up in a dogs, especially in the case of floppy eared breeds. During the grooming process check your dogs ears for signs of wax and dirt etc. Smell inside your dogs ears, a foul odour, could mean your pet has an infection, especially id he has been scratching his ears, or shaking his head a lot. To clean your dogs ears, use a natural cleanser, such as an essential oil blend. You can use the following blend to clean your dogs ears, and keep them free from wax build up and infection.Put a little of the blend on a cotton ball and clean each ear.

2 drops Roman Chamomile

2 drops tee tree

4 drops lavender

Mix with 20 mls of Sweet Almond or Jojoba oil. Pour into a dark bottle and keep out of sunlight or in the refrigerator. This will last several moths. Use the blend to clean your dogs ears each time you groom him.

Finally, let us look at cleaning your dogs eyes. It is important to clean your pets eyes regularly, in most breeds this can be done during the normal grooming session, however, with breeds who’s tear ducts can become blocked easily, cleaning around the eyes will need to be done more regularly.

Check your pets eyes for signs of discharge, especially in the corner of the eye. Use your blunt nose scissors to gently clip away unwanted hair, especially at the corner of each eye. When this is done, gently clean around each eye with a wet cloth or an organic baby wipe. These type of wipes are especially good for cleaning your dogs sensitive areas, such as around the eyes, as they contain no alcohol, or other ingredient that is harmful to the dog.

Job done. The more often you groom your dog, the quicker it will seem to become. Having said this, your dogs physical and emotional well being depends on being kept clean and healthy, so make grooming an extra special and fun time for you and your dog.

FURminator Large Yellow deShedding Tool with 4-Inch Edge

• Innovative grooming tool for long- and short-haired dogs and cats
• 4-inch stainless-steel edge quickly and easily removes loose undercoat hair
• Decreases shedding up to 90 percent for about 4 to 6 weeks
• Leaves a shiny and healthy topcoat; comfortable, ergonomic grip handle
• Measures 6 by 1 by 4-1/8 inches

FURminator Large Yellow deShedding Tool with 4-Inch Edge

dog grooming question by arirch: What are the benefits of dog grooming?
Someone asked me today why I spend so much time grooming my dog. I want to keep him clean because I like being clean. It also helps with the shedding, but I was wondering if there are any other benefits/reasons to do it?

dog grooming best answer:

Answer by rcharia1
Grooming is an important part of your dog’s health, with regular brushing and combing helping to remove dead hair and dirt and prevent matting. Dogs who are regularly groomed tend to have a healthier and shinier coat because it stimulates the blood supply to the skin.

Grooming your dog can also be a good way to bond with your dog, and it’s important to get him used to it from an early age. Many dogs learn to see their routine brushing as an alternate petting, another source of affection and attention. A good quality brush and comb will help you with your dog’s coat, but also remember that your dog’s eyes, ears, and nails require attention as well.

–from http://aboutdogsonly.com

Basic Dog Grooming : Filing a Dog’s Nails with a Dremel

A dremel is a great tool for filing a dog’s nail to a smooth edge so the nails are not as sharp. Learn how to file dog nails using a dremel withtips from a dog groomer in this free pet care video. Expert: Marie Jackson Contact: www.bubblesandbowsmobilegrooming.com Bio: Marie Jackson has owned and operated Bubbles and Bows Mobile Pet Spa, in Pinellas County Florida for 4 years. Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz
dog grooming Video Rating: 4 / 5

Related Posts:

• Dog Grooming – Simple Techniques For Keeping Your Dog’s Coat Clean
• Save Money and Groom Your Own Dog With These Top Dog Grooming Techniques
• In Home Dog Grooming Tips
• Puppy Grooming Like A Professional – Can Anyone Manage It?
• Oster Professional Care Lucky Dog Home Grooming Clipper Kit

by Barboni

Article by Paolo Basauri

Dog Grooming – It’s 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 man’s best friend.

What’s 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, it’s 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, it’s important to see that proper grooming is maintained for the health and happiness of your canine companion.

A dog groomers day. Grooming a Lhasa good vs, hyde. A great example of how to handle a bad dog. Fetching fur pet salon
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Related Posts:

• Dog Grooming Tips – How Often You Should Bathe a Dog
• Dog Grooming Brush – Make Your Dog Look Smart And Dapper
• Dog Grooming Take Patience
• Don?t Forget This Vital Dog Grooming Step
• Dog Grooming Made Easy – Quick and Simple Tips for Hair Brushing Your Pet

Grooming your dog is very important for several reasons.

1.) It is a bonding experience between owner and dog. The more you care for your dog the more dependant they become upon you. You will establish the pecking order where you are number one.

2.) Brushing is very good for a dog.(and wonderful for your home, should you have a heavy shedder!) It removes dead hair and distributes natural oils evenly throughout the coat, while applying routine maintenance for mats and tangles.

3.) You can keep an eye out for fleas, ticks and other infestations. The nasty buggers can pop up without a moment’s notice. So daily inspections should be mandatory.

4.)A clean dog is a happy dog. Think of how you would feel if your hair was tangled, you smelled rotten and fleas ran rampant. Not very good, huh? So treat your dog kindly.

5.)A clean dog is a loved dog. And very lovable at that. (although personally I would love a dirty dog as well) But out in public, where a pet should be for prime socialization, your dog will receive praise through petting, scratching and hugging. Strangers judge by appearance. They won’t handle a mangy beast that looks sickly.

6.)A clean dog is a healthy dog. A matted dog can develop serious wounds, especially in the heat of summer. Moist areas can easily turn into raw spots where fleas will lay their eggs, and in an awful circumstance maggot infestation will develop.

Often grooming is overlooked but it is an important aspect in the healthcare of you dog. It will help you keep an eye on their shedding pattern, dry skin, and other issues, such as fleas and ticks, that might be lurking through a curly coat. So treat your dog with respect, praise often and take the bonding experiences as they come. Your dog will thank you through love and adoration.

Related Posts:

• How to groom a Norwegian elkhound
• Dogs that dont shed – Part 1
• Basset hound grooming
• Importance of Dog Grooming
• Basic Dog Grooming Tips You Need To Know

This might come as a big surprise, but dogs shed. Birds gotta fly, fish gotta swim and dogs gotta shed. All dogs shed (even the mostly hairless ones). But some breeds of dog shed a lot less than others. These tend to be dogs with a harsh feeling or curly coat.

Poodle Types

Any breed or half-breed that leans heavily on Poodle ancestry will not shed very much. However, the dead hair just stays on the dog. If not clipped every one to two months, their coats will become horrifying. They get so matted and tangled that the dog can get sick from dirty coats. These breeds are, thankfully, very trainable and eager to please.

Breeds include all three types of Poodles, the Bichon Frise, the Bedlington Terrier,the Irish Water Spaniel and the Portugese Water Dog. Designer or hybrid dog types include Chi-poo, Cockapoo, Malti-Poo, Pekeapoo, Labradoodle and the Schnoodle.

Schnauzer Types

In this case, Schnauzer type dogs have coats that have the same characteristics of the Standard and Miniature Schnauzer harsh topcoat and a dense undercoat and very little shedding. You don’t have to clip Schnauzer types, but their coats need to be stripped twice a year (preferably in spring and fall). You need a professional dog groomer to do this or you will have one angry doggy.

Breeds include (of course) the Schnauzers, the Brussels Griffon, the Airedale Terrier and the Affenpinscher.

Hairless Types

There’s hardly any hair at all on these dogs, but they often grow fine hair on their heads and tails that does minor shedding. Still, there’s not that much to shed. Breeds include the Chinese Crested Hairless, the Mexican Hairless (officially known as the Xoloitzcuintle) and the American Hairless Terrier. A controversial designer dog breed that seems to be gaining in popularity is crossing Chihuahuas with Chinese Cresteds (which can often result in deformed mouths).

Dreadlock Types

The coats on these dogs don’t shed onto your clothes or furniture, because they stay on the dog. They grow coats of very long dreadlocks (which look identical to human dreadlocks). Breeds include the Hungarian Puli and the Komondor.

Terrier Types

There are a lot of little terriers who shed very little, and not just because there’s less body area to grow hair. Their coats usually grow extremely long and should be clipped annually (unless their being showed). They sometimes have a double layered coat. People with allergies to dog dander tend to do well with these types of dogs.

Breeds include the Cairn Terrier, the Lowchen, the West Highland White Terrier, the Tibetan Terrier, the Lhasa Apso, the Shih-Tzu, the Yorkshire Terrier, the Silky Terrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

Related Posts:

• Dogs that dont shed – Part 2
• Why grooming your dog is important – Part 4
• Many things which you should know before getting a new dog
• Dealing with a smelly dog – Part 1
• Why the miniature schnauzer is a popular dog in the USA

There are many different types of dog breeds that have a wide difference in the texture of fur. The fur may be short, long, curly, fluffy or even wiry. Some dog breeds can even be hairless.

Let’s take a look at the American Eskimo dog. Its fur is long and extremely fluffy on this medium size dog. Though with the long fluffy hair it possesses it only requires a low grooming schedule. This type of dog breed falls within the category of high shedding.

The Bernese Mountain dog has long hair as well. It’s fur can be quiet fluffy but not as much as the American Eskimo dog. While shedding only stays in the medium to high range; this type of large breed still requires a low grooming schedule.

The Chow Chow dog has very fluffy coat. This medium size type of dog breed falls within the high shedding category and doesn’t require lots of grooming.

The Pomeranian dog is a small type breed that possesses long hair that requires a low to medium grooming schedule. This particular type of breed falls within the high shedding category.

The Alaskan Malamute dog is a large type breed that has a fluffy coat. Shedding can be high at times for this type of breed during certain seasons. A low amount of grooming is needed for this type of dog breed.

The Akita dog is a large breed that has short to medium length of fur that can be quiet fluffy. Shedding is high for this type of dog breed and requires a low amount of grooming.

The Great Pyrenees dog is a giant type, long coated breed that thats falls into the class of high shedding but only requires a low grooming schedule.

The Samoyed dog is a medium to large type of dog breed that possesses a fluffy coat with long hair. This particular type of dog breed sheds at a high level and requires a low to medium grooming schedule.

The Curly Coated Retriever dog is large type of dog breed that has an unusual curly coat. Its fur resembles the Poodle dog breed. This breed sheds at a medium level and only needs low grooming maintenance.

The Bedlington Terrier dog is a small type of dog breed that has a wiry textured coat. This breed sheds at a medium level and only needs a low grooming schedule.

The Puli dog is small to medium type of dog breed that has one of the most unusual coats ever found. Its coat is extremely long while its fur hangs from the body in forms of thick hair locks. Though this dog sheds at a low level; it requires high maintenance due to the long locks of hair it possesses.

Related Posts:

• Dog grooming: The differences in dog coats
• Dog breed: Bernese mountain dog
• German Shepherd Book – German Shepherd Training Tips
• Dog Grooming Supplies Reviews
• Why grooming your dog is important – Part 4