Dog Grooming Hints

by windygig

As you walk into your local pet store, you notice that the selection of dog grooming tools can be quite overwhelming. When you ask a simple question on what makes up a standard kit, the store staff rattles off a list of gadgets. Ranging from clippers, blades, rakes, shears and many more, you develop a sudden rush of confusion as they sound more like gardening equipment than something you would use to make your dog look decent. Upon further research, a light bulb goes off and you realize these are indeed part and parcel of grooming needs.

Depending on your dog’s breed, its grooming requirements may range from simple and easy on the budget to complex and costly. Whichever the case, it is recommended to select correct dog grooming tools without going overboard. Opting for cheap tools may be detrimental to your pet’s well-being. Improper materials and methods used in manufacturing cheap brushes or combs can worsen your pet’s allergies as well as hurt your pet as its hair or fur is dealt with. It is possible to source quality tools without compromising the animal’s safety. Sales and promotions help groomers save time by shopping according to season or dog breed. Some online sites offer wholesale prices due to bulk purchases from manufacturers. As such, they offer better prices to end users as compared to regular retail outlets such as local pet stores. Used tools are good alternatives for consideration. It is advisable to properly check them before purchase to avoid cross contamination from prior use as well as additional costs to service the tools into proper working condition.

Development of more efficient tools is also a welcome addition to the grooming world as it is laborious work to care for the animals. By helping groomers save time as well as lessen muscle fatigue, these tools allow the same job to be completed whilst still producing quality results. Snap-on combs are excellent examples to complement conventional finishing by scissors. Although most tools are specialized in nature, there are the few which can be built on your own. With the correct materials and design, building a dog grooming table is an achievable task which will save you a hefty sum.

Related Dog Grooming Articles

Related Posts:

• Tips for Acquiring the Right Dog Grooming Tools
• 5 Grooming Tools You Cant Live Without
• Andis 60105 12-Piece Easy Clip Grooming Kit
• Master Grooming Tools Dematting Comb Rake For Small Dogs Small Reviews
• Dog Grooming Tools ? The Curved Shears

How to Bathe Your Dog in Three Not So Easy Steps

I have owned and operated a dog grooming shop for the past 15 years. And of all the services I provide, do-it-yourself is one of the most popular. Do-it-yourself means just that. Our customers bathe their own dogs, using our facilities and equipment. My tubs are elevated so the job is much gentler to the back and the customers have access to professional strength grooming products and tools. In short, they do all the work and I clean up the mess. This service has opened the eyes of virtually every customer who uses my facility. After the first visit, I get the same reply from every customer, “I never dreamed that I could make my dog look this good!” They learn that there is a technique to bathing a dog and just because their dog is wet, does not mean that it’s clean. They also learn that having the proper tools and knowledge makes all the difference in the world.

Tools of the Trade

Any profession has its own tools that make the job easier, and pet grooming is no different. Some of the basic tools groomers use are:

– a slicker brush

– a metal Greyhound comb

– an undercoat rake

– a rubber curry brush

– a dematting comb

– access to warm water

– professional size blow dryer or a hand held dryer

– a good, quality shampoo

– creme rinse

Don’t be afraid to invest in good quality tools because most likely the tools will outlast several pets. You may possibly have a tool that you like to use. If so, go right ahead. Any tool will do as long as it gets the job done. The point is, these tools, and others like them, are only effective if the person using them knows the proper way to use them. So learn how to use them correctly. Ask your groomer to show you. He or she probably won’t mind. In fact, your groomer will probably be tickled that you are taking an interest in keeping your pet’s coat in mint condition. I know I’m always thrilled when my customers ask me to show them how to use certain tools.

Things You Need to Know Before You Start

Mats and Tangles: They cause more problems than just a difficult brush out. If not dealt with, they can result in serious skin problems and expensive vet bills. Tangles are easy to deal with. Most of them brush and comb right out. But mats are different.

Related Posts:

• Toy poodle grooming
• How to bathe and groom Silky Terriers
• How to groom a Pomeranian – Part 3
• Opening A Shih Tzu Grooming Shop
• Shetland sheepdog grooming – Part 1

Poodle grooming can be a daunting task, but a necessary part of owning this particular breed. Well-groomed poodles have healthier skin and coats and grooming also helps prevent health problems.

A poodle’s hair never stops growing, so a full clipping is necessary every six to eight weeks. If you can afford it, it may be best to pay someone else to groom your poodle. The steps involved can be labor intensive and it is sometimes best left to a professional.

Choose your groomer carefully and take advice from other poodle owners in your area. You might want to consider scooping out different breeders in the area. Visit their shops without your dog and pay attention to how the facility is managed. Look for a clean shop and a groomer with a gentle hand and manner.

If money is an issue, you can use a professional groomer every second time. You can maintain your poodles grooming yourself in between visits and save money.

To maintain your poodle’s cut between visits, you will need some quality dog grooming tools. Your groomer can often purchase professional tools for you at a discount, or you can find quality tools at a good pet store or at a dog show.

You will need a high quality pair of clippers and scissors. Keep your clippers in top working condition by cleaning the blades and oiling them regularly. Dull blades can scrape the skin of your poodle and cause clipper burn. Look for a pair of clippers that have a many blades, this way you can rotate the blades during the grooming session if need be.

You will also need quality brushes and combs to maintain your poodle’s cut between grooming sessions. Your dog should be well brushed at least twice a week, if not daily.

Even though poodles don’t shed as much as other dogs, they do lose hair. That hair remains in the dog’s coat until you brush it out. Brushing will also keep your poodle’s coat shiny by distributing the skin’s natural oils.

Ask your groomer for brush recommendations, as the right brush will depend on what type of cut your poodle has. Bi-weekly brushing sessions can be a great way to bond with your dog. Gentle but vigorous brushing will make your dog feel good and increase circulation in the skin.

You can bathe your poodle as often as once a week. Using a raised tub with a non-slip mat will make the experience more pleasurable for you both. To start, use warm water to soak your dog’s coat to the skin.

Since poodles are water dogs they naturally shed water so it might take some effort to get the coat completely wet. You can use a mild dog shampoo to bathe your poodle.

Make sure to rinse the shampoo out of the dog’s coat thoroughly. Any leftover residue can be irritating to the dog’s skin. After your poodle’s bath you can let the dog air dry for a curly look, or brush out the hair while blow-drying to give the coat a smooth and fluffy look.

Related Posts:

• Toy poodle grooming – Part 1
• Grooming your dog
• Dog Grooming – Part 1
• Dogs that dont shed – Part 3
• Toy poodle grooming