Dog Grooming Hints

by Barboni

Brushes, combs, clippers, ribbons and bows: what do we know about grooming our dog? A groomed dog is a happy dog, and just like people, your dog will feel better if they are clean and well groomed.

Grooming your dog yourself can easily be done at home with a little practice. Brushing your dog is a good start. With several different brushes available to the consumer, you will have to choose the one that works best for your dogs hair coat. Brushing your dog removes dirt and loose hair and prevents mats from forming. Unfortunately, sometimes those mats are already there and they need to be removed before bathing the dog. Carefully clean your dogs eyes and gently wipe out your dogs ears, noticing if there is any redness or tenderness to the ears. If there is an odor coming from the ears, or your dog seems to be in pain, seek out a veterinarians advice.

Check your dogs teeth, and again check with your veterinarian for instructions on keeping them clean.

Toenails that grow too long can be painful for a dog, so use a toenail clipper made just for dogs to clip them. You can find these clippers at stores where pet products are sold.

Now your dog is ready for the bath. Be careful not to get water in the dogs ears and eyes. Thoroughly wet its coat and apply shampoo made for dogs. Gently lather the dogs hair coat; once lathered be sure to rinse the shampoo out completely. Dry your dogs coat with an absorbent towel, or if you have a long haired dog, consider using a blow dryer. With a little practice and a lot of patience, grooming can be done at home. For more information on grooming, there are books and videos for teaching the at-home groomer.

Grooming a Yorkshire terrier dog requires trimming the tips of the ears, cutting the face into a square or round shape, trimming between the eyes and keeping the legs round and shaped. Trim nails as short as possible on a Yorkshire terrier with tips from a professional dog groomer in this free video on grooming dogs. Expert: Sammi Roberts Contact: www.utahanimalcare.com Bio: Sammi Roberts has been grooming for the Animal Care Center in Bountiful, Utah for more than two years. Filmmaker: Michael Burton
Video Rating: 3 / 5

Related Dog Grooming Articles

Although it’s often overlooked, grooming is an important part of your dog’s health and wellness program. Here are some of the most frequently asked dog grooming questions our experts at PetPlace.com are asked by their 600,000 visitors per month:

1. When should I start grooming my dog?

Start regular grooming when you first bring your dog home and make it a part of his or her routine. Purchase a good-quality brush and comb and get your dog used to being handled. Praise your dog when he or she holds still and soon he or she will come to enjoy the extra attention. Some breeds have special grooming needs, so ask your vet or a professional groomer for advice on particular grooming equipment necessary for your particular dog.

2. How often should I brush my dog’s hair?

Routine brushing and combing removes dead hair and dirt and prevents matting, while giving your pet a healthier and shinier coat.

Your dog’s skin and hair coat reflects his or her overall health and nutritional status. Many dogs maintain a healthy skin and hair coat with minimal assistance. Some long-haired or curly-haired breeds require regular brushing. For most dogs, a good brushing once or twice a week will do the trick.

3. How often should I bathe my dog?

Your dog’s need for bathing depends on its breed, the skin type and hair coat. It also depends on the owner’s preference and how dirty your dog gets. Bathing your dog every month or two isn’t unreasonable, but some dogs will need more frequent cleanings. A good rule of thumb is to bathe your pet only when the coat gets dirty or begins to smell "doggy."

When bathing your dog, make sure to rinse all the soap out of the coat. If there are persistent problems with scratching or flaky skin, he or she may need a special medicated shampoo or have a skin problem that your veterinarian should examine.

4. What skin problems are common among dogs and what should I look for?

Skin problems – including fleas, ticks and mites or allergies and infections – are common among dogs. Most conditions are manageable with early detection and treatment. If you notice excessive scratching, hair loss or flaky skin, contact your veterinarian. If your pet is continuously exposed to fleas and ticks, speak to your veterinarian about products to minimize the parasite’s impact on your dog’s skin. Remember that consistently poor hair coat with lots of skin flaking may indicate a deeper medical problem.

5. I have problems cleaning my dog’s ears. What’s the best way to clean his ears and how often should it be cleaned.

Ears also require cleaning, especially in dogs with oily skin or allergies. This is a delicate task and is probably best left to your vet. However, if your dog is easy to handle (and there is no chance that you will be bitten), you can learn to do this chore yourself. To remove excessive wax and debris from the ears, consider an ear cleaning every two to four weeks. Ask your veterinarian about products you can use at home, and be sure to ask for a demonstration of proper ear cleaning techniques.

6. I have problems keeping my dog still so I can trim its nails. Do you have any nail trimming advice?

While clipping nails is a painless and simple process, it takes practice and patience to master the skill. When you muster enough courage to trim the nails of your dog, you’ll need a good nail clipper, a nail file to rub any sharp edge away and a styptic stick to stop any subsequent bleeding easily.

Ask your vet to show you the correct technique, and then get started by getting your pet used to having his or her paws handled. Once you start using the clippers, go slowly. Try clipping just a few nails in one sitting. Maintain a regular schedule and be persistent. Your pet will eventually develop patience and learn to cooperate.

7. What is the most important thing to include in my dog grooming kit?

The most important thing required in your grooming kit is your own confidence. It will form and take shape within you and grow in time.

So, go ahead and start grooming your dog. If you can overcome your hesitation, beautiful and rewarding experiences are waiting for you. Grooming your dog properly helps to keep him or her healthy while building an important bond between you and your pet.

For some of you dog owners, this article will simply be common sense. For other owners, however, this information might just be a real eye-opener. If you really want your dog to be as healthy as possible, than take a few minutes to make sure you’re really doing all you can to ensure your dog’s good health by reading this article.

Of course, proper nutrition is essential to your dog’s health. Making sure your dog has the necessary vaccinations, heart worm tests and preventatives and fecal tests done annually is also imperative for your dog’s very survival. But what about grooming your dog? Isn’t that just something that people who show their dogs or people with long-haired dogs need to be concerned about? Absolutely not! Dog grooming is something that every conscientious dog owner should concerned with.

So what’s the big deal about dog grooming? Let’s take a look and see. First, the obvious: it makes your dog look good and healthy. But it also makes him feel good too. Brushing your dog makes the skin and hair coat healthy by bringing up the natural oils in the skin that nourish and protect your dog’s coat.

Grooming your dog serves other important purposes as well. It keeps the shedding problem down, which is a big concern for the indoor dog. Grooming on a regular basis (which means more than a couple of times a month) will also keep snarls and tangles out of your dog’s coat, which is a big problem on the legs and tails of dog breeds like Golden Retrievers (like mine), spaniels, Pomeranians and scads more.

Regular brushing also gives you a chance to closely examine your dog’s skin for possible problems. Some examples are flea and tick problems, hot spots, rashes, cuts or lumps. Catching some of these problems early may prevent disease or infection or even be the difference between life and death.

When you’re through brushing, don’t forget to check their ears (some breeds require cleaning more often than others) and their toenails (more for inside dogs…my two outside dogs keep their toenails trimmed down just fine all by themselves just running around.) The eyes and teeth are important too, but your vet will examine them on your annual visits.

And what about those who just don’t have the time or desire to make dog grooming a priority? Ever heard of a professional dog groomer? Take the time to find a reputable groomer, or get a recommendation from a trusted dog owning friend. A seasoned dog groomer can give you some great tips for grooming in between visits, and are often a great source for tips on keeping your dog healthy.

Will grooming alone ensure good health for your dog? Of course not. But done regularly in conjunction with good nutrition and proper vet care, grooming your dog sure will give your dog a better chance at a long and healthy life.

Although it’s often overlooked, grooming is an important part of your dog’s health and wellness program. Here are some of the most frequently asked dog grooming questions our experts at PetPlace.com are asked by their 600,000 visitors per month:

1. When should I start grooming my dog?

Start regular grooming when you first bring your dog home and make it a part of his or her routine. Purchase a good-quality brush and comb and get your dog used to being handled. Praise your dog when he or she holds still and soon he or she will come to enjoy the extra attention. Some breeds have special grooming needs, so ask your vet or a professional groomer for advice on particular grooming equipment necessary for your particular dog.

2. How often should I brush my dogs hair?

Routine brushing and combing removes dead hair and dirt and prevents matting, while giving your pet a healthier and shinier coat.

Your dog’s skin and hair coat reflects his or her overall health and nutritional status. Many dogs maintain a healthy skin and hair coat with minimal assistance. Some long-haired or curly-haired breeds require regular brushing. For most dogs, a good brushing once or twice a week will do the trick.

3. How often should I bathe my dog?

Your dogs need for bathing depends on its breed, the skin type and hair coat. It also depends on the owners preference and how dirty your dog gets. Bathing your dog every month or two isn’t unreasonable, but some dogs will need more frequent cleanings. A good rule of thumb is to bathe your pet only when the coat gets dirty or begins to smell doggy.

When bathing your dog, make sure to rinse all the soap out of the coat. If there are persistent problems with scratching or flaky skin, he or she may need a special medicated shampoo or have a skin problem that your veterinarian should examine.

4. What skin problems are common among dogs and what should I look for?

Skin problems including fleas, ticks and mites or allergies and infections are common among dogs. Most conditions are manageable with early detection and treatment. If you notice excessive scratching, hair loss or flaky skin, contact your veterinarian. If your pet is continuously exposed to fleas and ticks, speak to your veterinarian about products to minimize the parasites impact on your dogs skin. Remember that consistently poor hair coat with lots of skin flaking may indicate a deeper medical problem.

5. I have problems cleaning my dogs ears. Whats the best way to clean his ears and how often should it be cleaned.

Ears also require cleaning, especially in dogs with oily skin or allergies. This is a delicate task and is probably best left to your vet. However, if your dog is easy to handle (and there is no chance that you will be bitten), you can learn to do this chore yourself. To remove excessive wax and debris from the ears, consider an ear cleaning every two to four weeks. Ask your veterinarian about products you can use at home, and be sure to ask for a demonstration of proper ear cleaning techniques.

6. I have problems keeping my dog still so I can trim its nails. Do you have any nail trimming advice?

While clipping nails is a painless and simple process, it takes practice and patience to master the skill. When you muster enough courage to trim the nails of your dog, youll need a good nail clipper, a nail file to rub any sharp edge away and a styptic stick to stop any subsequent bleeding easily.

Ask your vet to show you the correct technique, and then get started by getting your pet used to having his or her paws handled. Once you start using the clippers, go slowly. Try clipping just a few nails in one sitting. Maintain a regular schedule and be persistent. Your pet will eventually develop patience and learn to cooperate.

7. What is the most important thing to include in my dog grooming kit?

The most important thing required in your grooming kit is your own confidence. It will form and take shape within you and grow in time.

So, go ahead and start grooming your dog. If you can overcome your hesitation, beautiful and rewarding experiences are waiting for you. Grooming your dog properly helps to keep him or her healthy while building an important bond between you and your pet.

Although it’s often overlooked, grooming is an important part of your dog’s health and wellness program. Here are some of the most frequently asked dog grooming questions our experts at PetPlace.com are asked by their 600,000 visitors per month:

1. When should I start grooming my dog?

Start regular grooming when you first bring your dog home and make it a part of his or her routine. Purchase a good-quality brush and comb and get your dog used to being handled. Praise your dog when he or she holds still and soon he or she will come to enjoy the extra attention. Some breeds have special grooming needs, so ask your vet or a professional groomer for advice on particular grooming equipment necessary for your particular dog.

2. How often should I brush my dogs hair?

Routine brushing and combing removes dead hair and dirt and prevents matting, while giving your pet a healthier and shinier coat.

Your dog’s skin and hair coat reflects his or her overall health and nutritional status. Many dogs maintain a healthy skin and hair coat with minimal assistance. Some long-haired or curly-haired breeds require regular brushing. For most dogs, a good brushing once or twice a week will do the trick.

3. How often should I bathe my dog?

Your dogs need for bathing depends on its breed, the skin type and hair coat. It also depends on the owners preference and how dirty your dog gets. Bathing your dog every month or two isn’t unreasonable, but some dogs will need more frequent cleanings. A good rule of thumb is to bathe your pet only when the coat gets dirty or begins to smell doggy.

When bathing your dog, make sure to rinse all the soap out of the coat. If there are persistent problems with scratching or flaky skin, he or she may need a special medicated shampoo or have a skin problem that your veterinarian should examine.

4. What skin problems are common among dogs and what should I look for?

Skin problems including fleas, ticks and mites or allergies and infections are common among dogs. Most conditions are manageable with early detection and treatment. If you notice excessive scratching, hair loss or flaky skin, contact your veterinarian. If your pet is continuously exposed to fleas and ticks, speak to your veterinarian about products to minimize the parasites impact on your dogs skin. Remember that consistently poor hair coat with lots of skin flaking may indicate a deeper medical problem.

5. I have problems cleaning my dogs ears. Whats the best way to clean his ears and how often should it be cleaned.

Ears also require cleaning, especially in dogs with oily skin or allergies. This is a delicate task and is probably best left to your vet. However, if your dog is easy to handle (and there is no chance that you will be bitten), you can learn to do this chore yourself. To remove excessive wax and debris from the ears, consider an ear cleaning every two to four weeks. Ask your veterinarian about products you can use at home, and be sure to ask for a demonstration of proper ear cleaning techniques.

6. I have problems keeping my dog still so I can trim its nails. Do you have any nail trimming advice?

While clipping nails is a painless and simple process, it takes practice and patience to master the skill. When you muster enough courage to trim the nails of your dog, youll need a good nail clipper, a nail file to rub any sharp edge away and a styptic stick to stop any subsequent bleeding easily.

Ask your vet to show you the correct technique, and then get started by getting your pet used to having his or her paws handled. Once you start using the clippers, go slowly. Try clipping just a few nails in one sitting. Maintain a regular schedule and be persistent. Your pet will eventually develop patience and learn to cooperate.

7. What is the most important thing to include in my dog grooming kit?

The most important thing required in your grooming kit is your own confidence. It will form and take shape within you and grow in time.

So, go ahead and start grooming your dog. If you can overcome your hesitation, beautiful and rewarding experiences are waiting for you. Grooming your dog properly helps to keep him or her healthy while building an important bond between you and your pet.