Dog Grooming Hints

Grooming is a very important part of owning a dog. All owners need to understand the importance of grooming their dogs, to keep them looking good and healthy.

No matter what breed of dog you have they all love that little bit of special attention. Grooming is a very important part of caring for your dog. Some breeds only need bathing and an occasional brush, while others need very detailed grooming.

With the advent of unemployment, dog washing has become a booming new type of business. Most of the dog groomers offer a mobile service, and will come to your home and clients find this service more convenient. Instead of having to carry a large, dog into a car by themselves, some groomers can clip the dogs’ claws at the same time if required. Anyone can bath his or her own dog, which is good, as many people cannot afford this added expense.

Blue Heelers, Kelpies, Labradors

Most short haired dogs need a bath and a brush. It is during this time that you can check more thoroughly on your dogs’ health. Because the skin is wet, it is easier to see if they have any fleas or skin irritations during this process. It is very hard to see fleas on dogs with thick fur normally. These dogs will still love having their fur brushed even though it is short they still love the attention.

Cocker Spaniels& Red Setters

These and many similar long haired dogs need bathing and clipping. Cocker Spaniels are prone to Canker in their ears, you will know if they have it because of the smell. These dogs also need their fur carefully trimmed, especially the ears and the feathers on their legs. Their fur is prone to collecting grass seeds and clover burs. Grass seeds will work their way up and sometimes even embed themselves under the dogs’ skin. If this happens, they have to visit the vet to have it surgically removed. Depending on how bad the infection is.

This is one of many reasons to keep their legs and ears trimmed short. The more often you tend to this the easier it is to keep under control. Do not wait until they have matted knots of fur under their legs and ears. Take very good care when clipping the ears not to cut their skin, as it is hard to see where the fur ends and the skin begins.

Poodles & Shuzitzu

Both these dogs need more clipping than most of the other types. The majority of Poodles are clipped more to make a statement, or a prestige thing. Whereas the Shuzitzu dogs need it to keep cool in summer and their face needs continual clipping to prevent eye infections. Their fur is more like wool than fur and is very soft.

My son has two Shuzitzu dogs, and I shave them every two to three months in the summer and clip it short in the winter. I have made coats for them to wear in the winter, to keep them warm when clipped.

All dogs need their due claws clipped from time to time.

No matter which type of dog you have, they will love that bit of extra attention. So keep them brushed and well groomed, they will love that extra attention from you.

A new pet owner may wonder what the purpose of buying top-grade dog grooming supplies is. You can easily borrow grooming supplies from other pet owners, right? And all brushes, soaps and shampoos are the same anyway. Why the need to be discriminating about the kinds of things you use just to make your pet prettier, if your priority is your pet’s health anyway?
But as all good pet owners know, dog grooming supplies not only make for a prettier pet – they make for a healthier pet as well. The cleaner a dog is, the fewer diseases he is likely to catch, and the fewer pests will be likely to prey on him. This is why you shouldn’t borrow grooming supplies like combs and brushes from other pet owners – though they may LOOK clean, they may still carry fleas, ticks, or random diseases that may be acquired through contact. Just as you wouldn’t borrow other people’s combs or toothbrushes, don’t borrow equipment for your pet, either!
Brushes and combs for dogs aren’t all the same. There are different grooming brushes for dogs with thin fur, and dogs with thick fur. Brushing your dog with the right size and kind of brush regularly will clear your dog’s fur of tangles and burrs, and massage out the oil from the surface of your dog’s skin… this will give the fur a nice healthy sheen.
It may not need to be said that not all shampoos and soaps are created equal. There are bath products just for enhancing the smoothness or richness of your pet’s coat, and then again there are bath products for eliminating pests and skin diseases. Which is your priority? Sometimes even pest-killing soaps and shampoos come with chemicals that are good for your pet’s coat; it doesn’t follow that medicinal bath products also mean a duller coat. Be careful about the strength of the shampoos you use, too – puppies and small dogs will need milder shampoos than large dogs, especially if they need pesticide soaps. It is best not to use pesticide soaps on your pet until your veterinarian has given the word!
A pet needs to be pampered too – not just with treats and praise, but also with careful cleaning and maintenance. Invest in the best grooming supplies and help your pet enjoy being squeaky clean! Good dog grooming supplies are an investment, one that may well last you and your pet a lifetime.

Whether your pet has a short, sleek coat or long, thick fur, grooming will be a part of your normal dog care routine. Since this is a ritual that you will be performing every day or week, dog grooming training will make the process more comfortable and enjoyable for both you and your furry friend. There are a number of steps to keeping your dog looking and feeling his best, from teeth brushing, to toenail clipping, to regular baths and brushings. All of these tasks will go much more smoothly if you and your pet have completed a few dog grooming training sessions together. The main tools that you will require (besides a few basic grooming tools), are patience and rewards, and plenty of them. Are you ready to get your pet looking his best? Read on to find out how to make grooming sessions a positive part of your pet care routine.

Take it Slow

Dog grooming training will incorporate activities like brushing your pets teeth, keeping his nails clipped, and maintaining his shiny, healthy coat. All of these activities will require that you touch your pet in areas that might be sensitive or guarded, making it extremely important for you to take the process slow and pepper it with many rewards. Begin with brushing his teeth, since healthy teeth and gums will lead to the better overall health of your dog. Since many dogs are not comfortable with their owners handling their muzzles, begin with some gentle strokes to the nose that will eventually lead to pulling up the lip and getting the toothbrush where it needs to go. Praise your pet every step of the way and reward him with kind words and an occasional treat as often as necessary. Before you know it, your dog will allow you to brush all of his teeth on a regular basis.

The same process can be used when clipping your dogs nails. Begin by touching his paws, and lightly pressing to expose the nails. With a bit of time and encouragement, your dog will sit calmly as you clip his nails, and you will be able to accomplish this task quickly and frequently. Brushing your dogs coat may not be as traumatic for your pet as clipping and teeth brushing tend to be until you begin to touch sensitive areas like his back end or tail. Wait until the end of your session to begin your dog grooming training in this area. Start by petting the area, praising your dog when he allows you to do so. As your pet gets used to you handling his tail and back side, he will eventually relax as you work a brush through the area. This will keep this very important part of your pet clean and free of mattes.

Dog grooming training takes some time and patience to complete, but it is not difficult and the rewards are far reaching. When your pet allows you to complete the cleaning process, you will both find these sessions to be pleasant and easy.