Dog Grooming Hints

Dog Grooming

Learn to groom dogs in 3 easy steps.

Article by E. Michaels

If you are anything like me, you love your dogs and want to keep them groomed as best as possible. Unfortunately, crating, packing up the car and then traveling to the nearest groomer can be stressful to both yourself and your dog, not to mention costly. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to provide your dog a top quality grooming experience in the comfort of your own home? I am going to share with you 3 easy steps that will allow you to begin dog grooming on your own.

Step 1: Learn to Brush. Brushing is the foundation of proper pet grooming, not only does brushing help your dog’s skin and coat health, it will also create a strong bond between you and your dog. Breed standards and coat will determine how often you should be brushing but a basic guideline is to brush daily for silky or long coated dogs and to brush one to two times a week for a short or curly coated dog.

Step 2: Give your dog a bath. Luckily for us, dogs in general tend to be happy to get into water and this makes bathing a snap compared to other home pets. The rule of thumb is that a dog should be bathed every 2 months or so and definitely no more than once per month. The reason for such long periods between bathing is to protect your dog’s natural oils. These oils are what allow dogs to be such great swimmers and also what allows their fur to keep them warm. In the warmest months of the summer, longer haired dogs may require washing as often as every two weeks but if so, it is important to use high quality pet shampoo’s to protect their natural oils and keep their skin from becoming irritated.

Step 3: Dry out your dog’s coat. When drying a dog most people choose to use a towel however it is perfectly fine to use a blow dryer or even a combination of the two. While keeping a calm tone, remove excess water by commanding the dog to shake or by simply petting the dog in long strokes that push out the excess water from the coat. Once excess water is removed, use towels to hand dry the dog from the head to the back and then from the sides to the underside, chest, legs and tail.

In this article I have shared the three basic steps of successful dog grooming: brushing, washing and drying. As always, consult your dog’s breed standard before grooming to ensure the highest level of care. If you have a knack for dog grooming and are interested in starting your own dog grooming business, I recommend you check out John and Debbie Pelton’s excellent online grooming course. Not only will they teach you all that you need to know, they will also provide you with valuable job assistance and a beautiful certificate.

Click here to view this excellent dog grooming course!

Rescued dogs in need of new 'best friends'
dog grooming
A veterinarian, under the animal act, asked OSPCA investigators to remove the dogs from the home when it was deemed unfit for animals. Dogs were found with severe dental damage, skin issues and fleas. "When they came in they required severe grooming," …
dog grooming question by KharronG: Does anyone know of any dog grooming classes in Escondido?
My friend and I want to take dog grooming classes so we can make some extra money around our neighborhood. she’s 13 and im turning 13 in june. Does anyone know of any dog grooming classes in escondido or near there for people at least the age of 12?

dog grooming best answer:

Answer by The Gooroo
Visit the local vet and ask them. I’m sure they have a list of grooming services.

Poodle Dog Grooming : Poodle Dog Grooming: Clipping the Body

For poodle dog grooming on the body of the dog, you should always clip with the grain of the hair. Learn more about clipping a poodle’s body with tips 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

by Barboni

It is all so tempting when you see that bundle of fluff in the pet shop window, to take him home without thinking of the ongoing maintenance.

They soon grow out of their cotton candy coats and can turn into matted balls of mischief!

Many people don’t realise that a lot of long haired dogs – Poodles, Schihtzu, Bishons and Maltese etc require everyday grooming and a trip to the beauty parlour every 6 weeks just to keep them in a manageable condition. This has to be done from 6 weeks of age so they get used to the process of brushing and clipping and get used to being handled otherwise they can become aggressive and frightened.

Also long haired dogs may be more prone to fleas and it may be harder to find ticks in their coats. This all has to be taken into account when purchasing that cute little puppy with the big brown eyes.

The fancy show clips you see on the Poodles with all the pom poms on their legs heads and tails and the Maltese with silky white coats down to the ground, these are dogs that are bred for showing and breeding, they are used to spending hours a day on a grooming table being clipped and brushed and blow dried, in reality if you work 5 days a week, have children, have hobbies or in fact have any life at all, it is impossible to keep the average family pet like this.

It is far more practical to keep your dog clipped and comfortable so you only have to do a once a week brush through and a regular visit to the beauty parlour.

You can learn to clip your own dog, this will save an awful lot of money throughout the life of your dog, and you just need a few basic tools and a good pair of animal clippers to start out, and if maintained these should last you the life of your best friend.

A good quality shampoo is important in the care of your dog, I recommend only buying shampoo from a Veterinary Surgery or good quality Pet Shop. Washing any pet in human shampoo or soap can lead to skin irritations and problems, they have a completely different ph balance in their skin than we do, so fo a few cents more it can end up saving you a lot of money in the long term. http//www.doggroominglessons.net

The English Bulldog is a breed, that to look at, you wouldn’t think would need much grooming, but in fact there are a few key areas that need regular attention in order to keep your dog healthy and happy.

Coat-Bulldogs, although having short hair, need to be brushed regularly to help loosen the dead coat and keep the skin vital. Often prone to skin problems, the Bulldog will benefit from a weekly brushing to stimulate healthy oil production and blood flow. The best brush suited to their short hair is a rubber curry comb, that is held in the palm of the hand. It is made of a stiff rubber and usually oval in shape with two oval rows of teeth running around the inside. Always brush with the lay of the hair, never against the grain. To get around the neck, you may have to gently stretch the skin before running the brush over it.

Nails- All dogs, including the Bulldog will need to have thier nails trimmed every 6-8 weeks. If neglected, the nails can curve around and back into the paw, or it can cause the foot to change position, causing the dog to walk funny or even in severe cases, lameness. To trim the nails you will need a good quality pet nail clipper. If you dog has white nails, this will make the process easier. Looking at the profile of the nail, you can see a pink vein inside. You’ll want to clip just below this vein. If your dog has black nails, you’ll have to guess where the vein is. There are two ways to do this. You can start by taking off the tips of the nail and work your way up until you can view the end of the vein by looking at the cross section of the nail. You can also find approximately where it is by viewing the profile of the nail. Longer nails will have a point where the nail goes from being solid at the base to having a hook. If you clip up to this hook you are guarenteed not to come into contact with the quick- or vein. However, often the vein sits up higher than where the hook is, so if you stop there, you might not be cutting the nails short enough. If you are still unsure, you might want to take your dog to the groomer and watch how he or she does it. You should probably visit your pet store before attempting to trim the nails and pick up something called Kwik-stop. This will stop the bleeding if you accidently trim the nail too far. Just press some of the powder to the nail and hold it there for a minute. Don’t feel bad if you accidently clip the vein, it is a minor pain to the dog, much like a paper cut to us.

Ears- Bulldogs

While acquiring a pet dog is easy, taking proper care of them requires some effort. Feeding and exercising the dog are aspects that most dog owners take good care of. However, one aspect that is no less crucial to the appearance and health of a dog is its grooming. Grooming keeps a dog fresh and in a happy mood.

There are some essential dog grooming tips and procedures that you must keep in mind if you own a dog.

Bathing your dog – we all know the importance of bathing dogs. Since it is important to bathe your dog quite frequently, the first essential dog grooming tip suggests making the experience an enjoyable one. Whereas some dogs have fun while bathing, most abhor water. So, you need to take adequate precautions to ensure that your dog does not hurt himself in an attempt to get away from the bath or while being fidgety in the bath. Keep an old towel on the floor of the bathtub to ensure that he does not slip and hurt himself if he has a tendency to get agitated in the bath.

Brushing your dog : A very essential dog grooming tip is to brush the coat of your dog on a daily basis. Do not be under the impression that your dog does not need to be brushed if he has short hair. Brushing the coat not only keeps it shiny and clean by removing dirt and other foreign matter but also helps prevents ticks and infections. However, ensure that you use a good quality dog grooming brush for the purpose.

Clipping the nails : While the nails of dogs are naturally filed to a certain extent when they walk on the road or pavement, even then it is an essential dog grooming tip to keep a watch on their nails. Clipping the nails of your dog once every month is sufficient to keep it in good condition. Use good quality pet nail clippers and trim the nails taking care not to cut back too far or you could end up causing injury, which is a potent source of infection. If you are not certain of the extent to which you should cut the nail, stick to cutting it at the point the nail begins to curl and you cannot go wrong. If you are not comfortable doing this, take the help of a professional instead of making a botched up effort.

Caring for the teeth : Dental health is very important in case of dogs too. While you may be providing regular dental care to your pet during the visits to the vet, it is also advisable to carry out this procedure on a smaller scale at home too. You can use either pet toothbrush or an old one that you may have discarded. An essential pet grooming tip in his respect is to use special pet toothpaste as dogs do not like the taste of the regular toothpastes and may try to avoid having their teeth brushed.

Pampering your dog with clothes : Many dogs like to preen in their doggie clothes so, treat them to cute sweaters or hats. However, an essential dog grooming tip in this respect is to do up your dog in clothing and accessories only if he enjoys it. If you force it upon him they may bite them off or become annoyed and snappy.

Remember that dog grooming is an essential part of your pets life. Though he may not like every grooming procedure, you must strive to make it as enjoyable as possible for him. Also know where to draw the line when it comes to dog grooming. In your zeal to groom your dog do not ignore his discomfort. There are professional dog grooming services available that could be of immense value in case you find grooming your dog on your own a troublesome task.

Dog grooming refers to the practice of maintaining the appearance of a dog for public showing or personal hygiene reasons. Grooming dogs includes things like shampooing, hair clipping, hair styling, powdering, nail clipping and teeth cleaning. Grooming is healthy for your dog and can be somewhat pleasing to the owner. It also helps reduce shedding and odor. Grooming further serves to reduce allergies for both the dog and their owner.

The health benefits derived from regular grooming are numerous. It keeps the dog’s coat glossy and the skin healthy. It also serves to improve circulation and helps keep the their coat free from fleas, ticks and other parasites.

The first step in grooming dogs is to find a clean and comfortable area with adequate lighting to use as a workspace. Being groomed must not be a traumatic experience for your dog. It’s also very important to purchase high quality pet grooming equipment and supplies.

Dog grooming and dog health go hand in hand. If you have a dogs that sheds a lot, regular grooming will speed up the shedding cycle and stop all those floating hair tufts. Dog grooming is not only healthy, it helps you to create a bond of trust and love with your dog. Pet grooming is an expression of your affection and if started early in your dog’s life will server to establish a regular routine that will contribute greatly to the future health and well-being of your pet.

Here’s a dog grooming tip; when trimming your dog’s coat, don’t forget about the hair around legs, ears and eyes. However, these areas are important to remember. Dogs should be bathed about once a week. Be sure to remove any tangles before starting a bath and don’t get water and soap in their ears or eyes. You can clean the ears with a damp cloth or use a dog ear cleaner that can be purchased at any pet store.

Clipping your dog’s nails once every month is enough to keep them in fine condition. However, be sure to use only good quality nail clippers. Trim each nail while be careful you don’t cut back too far as this may result in pain and potential infection. If you’re uncertain how far back to cut, just cut back to the point where the nail starts to curl and you should be okay.

Dental health is very important for dogs as well as humans. Even though you are having your dog’s teeth look at on your regular vet visits, you still need to take care of their teeth at home also. You should brush your dog’s teeth once a week with one of your old discarded toothbrushes. You can find special dog toothpaste at your local pet store. Don’t use your toothpaste because dogs do like the taste and will fight having their teeth brushed.

Regular dog grooming can become a integral and relaxing part of your life and your pet will love the extra attention. Regular grooming provides many positive health benefits and helps the dog to understand its place within the family social order. This leads to a healthy, happy and well adjusted pet who will appreciate your affection.