Dog Grooming Hints

The gentle giant, majestic, proud, loyal and friendly all describe the Great Dane. Great Dane’s are truly a joy to have as pets. They love people, are easy going and easy to care for. These massive creatures require little in the way of grooming. Your Great Dane will reward the time you spend on grooming them with more love and devotion than you could have imagined.

Great Dane’s are a short haired breed so their coat requires little maintenance. They do shed but it is far less than longer haired breeds. Maintaining their coat requires only a simple brushing. Some recommend a daily brushing but every few days will work just as well. The Great Dane usually enjoys this time because of the physical contact with their owner. Brushing with a firm bristle or body brush will help to loosen dirt and dead hairs and help keep the coat shiny and smooth.

Bathing a Great Dane can be quite a challenge given their size. Fortunately Great Danes should not be bathed very often due to their affinity for dry skin. Bathing too often will strip their coats of essential oils necessary for healthy hair and skin. When you do bathe a Great Dane, do not use human shampoo as this will irritate their skin and leave them with a dry itchy coat. A dry shampoo works well for Great Danes and is a lot easier on the owner.

Cleaning a Great Dane’s ears is an important part of the weekly grooming. Special cleansers are available but Tree Tea Oil works well too. Once a week squirt a little of the cleanser down into the ear canal then gently massage the area just below the ears for a minute or so. Most dogs will shake as soon as you are done massaging so be prepared because some of the cleanser will escape the ear canal. After massaging, take a soft cloth and gently wipe the inside of the ear and down into the canal to remove dirt and debris. Cleaning the ears weekly will reduce the risk of infection and because you are watching the ears regularly, you will immediately notice if redness or irritation is present.

Taking care of the Great Dane’s teeth is simple and will reduce the chances of developing tooth or gum disease. You can literally brush your dog’s teeth but it is much simpler to give him a bone 2 or 3 times a week. The action of gnawing on the bone helps to scour the teeth removing plaque and tarter build up. If you do not want to give your dog raw bones then brushing the teeth is really the only way you can ensure the dental health of your dog.

The final aspect

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There is a difference between the smell of a dog and a “smelly” dog. Here we will examine the smelly dog syndrome and a few reasons(and cures)for this odorous effect.

All animals have distinctive odors. Animals lovers recognize those particular smells. Horse people love the smell of horses; as do dog people, know the smell of dogs.

Have you ever been sitting in your living room and wafting through the air comes a smell? “What the heck?” And there at our feet is Fido looking up at you, wagging his tail, so innocent. Right!

It may not be his fault. But what is causing this smell?

Digestive problems: A dogs digestive system works differently from humans and when given human food may react in a gaseous manner, here are a few foods that cause gas.

-Dairy products may cause gas in dogs, milk in particular: Lactose, or milk sugars do not set well with our canine pals.

-Bread products: The yeast can expand in the stomach and cause digestive distress.

-Table scraps: Feeding your dog table scraps can lead to digestive problems. Cooked meats, potatoes and gravy all sound good, smell good, but may not be a great idea as dog food. Too much fat and seasonings could distress your dog.

Problem: Glands on your dog. All dogs have anal glands that can be drained if there is an odor. Your dog groomer should be doing this as part of the monthly grooming routine. But you can do it too. It is a gland that is located close to the anus of your dog. Ask your groomer or your veterinarian to show you where it is located. After you know where this gland is then, its a simple matter to drain it.

Method: Using a paper towel (or two!) gently squeeze this gland, a cloudy substance will ooze out and you simply wipe it away with your trusty paper toweling! Repeat this until no more comes out. Gently clean the area with a soft cloth and dry, no more anal gland odors!

Ear problems: Your dogs ears may need attention. Sometimes odor comes from your dogs ears if they have been wet or there is moisture trapped inide them. This is especially true in long eared dogs such as Cocker Spaniels, and Bassett Hounds, however it can happen to all dogs.

This ear cleaning can and should be done by a dog groomer, however you can clean your dogs ears quite easily.

Method: Again using paper towels or a soft cloth, put a small amount on hydrogen peroxide on the towel over your fingertip. Gently fold back the dogs ear and then place that finger tip over

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Ear cleaning is one of the most overlooked aspects of dog grooming, therefore its no surprise that many dogs will develop ear infections over the course of their lives. Some breeds are particularly prone to this, such as the cocker spaniel or any of the breeds that have long hanging ears. One of the main reasons for this is that there is poor air flow under the ear flap, causing moisture and bacteria to cultivate. Conversely, dogs with small ears can be prone to swimmer’s ear, when water all to easily flows into the ear canal. It is very important to pay attention to the ears as part of the regular grooming process.

In order to clean the ears, have the following items on hand.

1. A sturdy table with a bathmat or other rubber matting placed on top.

2. Cotton balls- Q-tips or cotton swabs will NOT do.

3. Ear cleaning solution from a pet store or groomers.

4. A soft cloth such as a microfibre cloth

5. Some organic dog treats.

Steady the dog

Place your dog on a sturdy table with a bathmat on it that won’t slip. This is an important step as you do not want to groom your dog on the floor and risk strain and injury to your back. When a dog is groomed on the floor, it has all the power to move away from you and this can also cause injury to the dog, if it tries to move away while you are swabbing out the ear you could accidently slip and injure the eardrum so always put the dog on a table where he is less likely to struggle. If your dog is big and can’t be lifted, you can place his paws on the table and lift his back end up. He should move his legs forward as you hoist him up. Or you can enlist the help of a friend. If he is unable to be lifted then your only option may be the floor. Put his leash on and attach it to a fixed object. Put your dog up against a wall and pull up a chair to his other side. This should hold him steady so you can work on him.

Assess the ear condition

Gently open the ear flap and assess what you see. Smell the inside of the ear. Does it smell yeasty or sour? Is it oozing yellow green or brown matter? Is the ear inflamed? If so this could indicate an ear infection. If there is a black tar like substance, that can indicate ear mites. If you discover anything amiss, consult a vet before proceeding with the cleaning. If the ear looks dirty without an offensive smell then this is a healthy ear and is ready to be cleaned by you.

Hair in the Ear Canal

While cleaning your dog’s ears you may notice that he has a lot

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There are a few tricks of the trade that all professional groomers use to give your dog that great look when they leave the shop. These simple little steps help your dog feel more comfortable and look better until the next trip to the groomer. If you are not squeamish it is possible to complete these grooming extras at home so that you can give your pooch that just from the groomers polished look.

Eyes often with dogs there is a tearing or staining effect at the corner of the dogs eyes. This can be a serious medical condition and should be checked by the vet, however there are other dogs, and some breeds, that are just prone to tearing. To remove discoloration on white and light colored dogs add a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to warm water. Using a soft cloth, and being extremely careful to not get too close to the eye itself, apply the dampened cloth to the stained area, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you do this on a regular basis you will minimize the staining. Darker colored dogs will not show tearing and just a soft cloth moistened with plain water is all that is needed to remove debris and dirt that may collect.

Ears long hairs in the ears can collect wax and ultimately dirt. By taking the time to look in the dogs ear and pull out the long hair in the outside of the ear canal you can eliminate the source of the wax build-up. Do this by firmly grasping the hair at the base and pulling outwards. Pet stores sell stripping fingers, which are small, rough sleeves that can be placed on the fingers to provide more grip on the hair. Never use scissors in a dogs ear or push your fingers into the ear canal itself as this can cause permanent damage.

Toenails unclipped toenails are both a safety hazards to dogs and humans. Long claws can damage furniture and carpets even with just walking or jumping. Long toenails can also cause painful welts and even cut skin on humans or other pets.

To properly trim toenails buy a good quality dog nail trimmer either in the guillotine style or a slotted scissor style. The guillotine style is usually much easier to work with for most people. Never use human nail clippers or regular scissors as they will shatter the nail and possibly cause the dog pain or at the very least leave ragged nails that will catch on fabrics and surfaces. Hold the dogs paw still in one hand, and insert the end of the toenail into the hole on the guillotine style trimmer. Be careful to cut below the quick, the pinky looking protrusion seen in light colored nails. The quick contains blood vessels and nerves and is very sensitive, like the cuticle on a human nail. Cut at a 90-degree angle so that the nail will be parallel to the surface of the floor. If the dog has dark nails and you cannot see the quick only remove the very end of the nail and do not cut if the dog begins to show agitation or try to pull the paw away when you apply pressure.

Anal glands probably the least favorite task in grooming a dog, anal gland emptying can be a bit messy and smelly, but certainly helps the comfort of the dog. Dogs that scoot or slide their bottom along the ground or carpet usually have impacted anal glands, not worms as many people believe.

To empty the anal glands you will need rubber gloves, surgical gloves are the best, a soft cloth and warm water. The steps are:

Have someone hold the dog facing away from you. Grasp the tail close the bottom and expose the anus.

Using the cloth and warm water heat up the area by holding the warm, wet cloth against the dogs bottom.

Remove the cloth and place your index finger and thumb against the very outside and bottom edges of the anus, about of the way from the top on either side.

Apply gentle pressure in an upward and inward fashion. You should feel two hard balls or glands under the surface of the skin and close to the anal opening. These are the anal glands.

If they do not release a thick, smelly substance try the warm water compress again and repeat the process.

If the glands do not empty it is important to get your dog to the vets as soon as possible. Impacted glands are very painful for the dog and cause tissue damage if not treated.

Providing these extra steps in your home grooming routine is a great way to have your dog looking like they just came from the professional groomers. If you have any questions or want specific information on grooming consider taking a class or doing some research on dog grooming practices.

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Most people wouldn’t think to go a day or two without out combing their hair, let alone a week or two. Whether your dog has short or long hair, he still requires grooming to maintain a healthy, shiny coat.

It is important to comb or brush his hair, inspect his coat and bathe him as required. This will prevent his hair from tangling and becoming matted. Tangled and matted hair will be uncomfortable for your pet, and in a worse case scenario, affect his health adversely. They can create sores, making it hurt for your pet to be touched. Regular grooming will keep your pet looking good and feeling good.

In addition to preventing tangling, brushing a dog’s coat is an ideal way to distribute the animal’s natural oils. In doing so, it also removes loose hair, stimulates the skin, loosens dirt and dander, as well as, any other materials which may have become stuck in it. When grooming, you should also check the dog’s skin for any signs of inflammation, infection, irritation or parasite infestation.

Dogs with shorter haired coats require less grooming than dogs with longer haired coats but they do require some attention. Many shorthaired dogs have a dandruff problem from frequent shedding. They require daily brushing. You should use a soft bristled brush on shorthaired dogs, or a hound glove with short wire bristles in the palm. This will remove the dead hair and dirt. Follow up with a soft cloth to wipe any remaining loose hair. If using a comb, choose a fine toothed one. Begin with the head and work your way down the dog’s body to its tail and legs.

Dogs with longer hair will require more frequent grooming sessions. A short time every day to accomplish this will make the task easier. Once again, start at the head and brush or comb the direction of the dog’s hair. For dogs with a thick undercoat, lift the hair and brush under the coat to remove dead hair. Wire pin or slicker brushes are ideal for longer coats, as the brush should have long firm bristles to pull the dead hair. And if using a comb after the brushing, a wide toothed comb is the better option.

As a general rule, dogs should not be bathed more than three or four times a year unless excessively dirty. More frequent bathing will remove their protective natural oils and cause a dandruff problem. Those with long silky coats may require weekly bathing. Before bathing a dog, it is important to brush its coat well to remove dead, loose hair, as well as, loosen tangles or mattes. You can use any gentle, tearless dog shampoo. If your dog has skin conditions or fleas you may need to use a special shampoo. Make sure you don’t get shampoo in his eyes and to rinse thoroughly. It is important to remove all shampoo so as to not cause itching, flaking and skin problems. Then, wrap the dog in a towel and dry. You can blow dry on the lowest setting possible with the blow dryer far enough away from the dog, so it won’t get burned.

Another part of the grooming process is to clip the dog’s toenails. Use clippers and be careful not to cut to the quick, which is where the blood supply ends. Make sure you have some styptic powder on hand in case you do cut into the quick. This will stop the bleeding. Also, make sure you brush your dog’s teeth. Use soft bristled toothbrush and dog toothpaste.

This is also a good time to inspect and clean your dog’s ears. Slightly wet a cotton ball, with an ear cleaner, and wipe the folds of the skin. If you notice a foul smell or wax buildup, then you should have your veterinarian check for possible infection.

The grooming process may seem like a chore, but it can be a positive experience for both you and your pet. It is an ideal way to keep your companion healthy. The interaction that comes with this will turn this chore into an enjoyable and bonding experience for you both.

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