Introduction to Dog grooming – tips on grooming and supplies
Dog
Grooming Supplies and articles
No
matter what kind of dog you have, he will need regular grooming
in order to stay healthy�and smell good. Just like you feel fresh
and comfortable when you’re clean and healthy, so will your dog.
By properly grooming your dog, he will be kept happy and healthy.
If
you can, begin when your dog is still a puppy, so it becomes a normal
and fun activity. Always praise your dog as he is being groomed,
so that it is an enjoyable experience for you both.
There
are some easy grooming actions that you can take to make sure that
your dog remains healthy and clean. These are:
Brushing
Bathing
Toenail clipping
Brushing teeth
Brushing
your dog is one of the most basic and practical steps that you can
take to keep him or her clean and healthy.
Using
a soft brush – one that has been made especially for dogs, since
it will be the proper design for dog hair and skin – begin by brushing
in the direction of hair growth.
If
your dog sheds heavily, you may want to change directions once you’ve
worked out all the knots and snarls, and brush your dog’s fur opposite
the direction of growth. Do this very gently, as many dogs don’t
feel comfortable when their hair is being pushed in the wrong direction.
This will allow you to brush out any of the loose under hairs –
those that usually fall out during shedding.
Finish
by brushing your dog back in the right direction again. Don’t forget
to brush everywhere, paying special attention to the area behind
the dog’s ears, on his or her belly, and his back legs and tail.
When
it comes to bathing your dog, many people choose to take their dogs
to professional groomers. If you live in an apartment, or if you’re
simply too busy, this is a perfect solution. However, if you have
the time and resources, there’s no reason that you can’t bathe your
dog yourself, either in your bathtub, or in a tub in the backyard
with the hose.
Many
people find that bathing their dogs is a fun and often therapeutic
experience. And once your dog is used to it, and knows what to expect,
it can be fun for him or her, too.
Learning
to clip your dog’s nails can seem daunting, but it’s really not
half as bad as you might think as long as you know what you’re doing,
and you let both you and your dog get used to it gradually.
No
matter if it’s you, your vet, or a dog groomer who clips your dog’s
nails, it’s vital that it does get done. If you let them grow too
long, they will begin to curl under, making it difficult – and sometimes
painful – to walk. Moreover, the longer you let the dog’s nails
grow between clippings, the longer the quick will get, making it
more of a challenge. Therefore, it’s simply easier to keep on top
of them, and keep them trimmed.
Your
dog’s teeth are very important to his or her health, as oral problems
can lead to very bad breath, as well as problems with the heart,
liver, kidney, and even brain. To brush your dog’s teeth, get a
kit from the pet store, including a doggie toothbrush, and special
doggy toothpaste. Most dogs like the taste of this special toothpaste,
which is usually beef or peanut butter flavored.
Gradually
build up to a regular brushing routine, starting with only a few
teeth at a time, to get you both used to it. Bring it to the point
where you’re brushing about twice per week.
All
of these things are quite easy to build into your routine, and will
give you some real quality time with your pooch.