Article Title: Learn How To Groom Your Dog At Home
Author: Randy Hemsley
Properly grooming your pet goes beyond mere aesthetics and good
looks; routine grooming care also affects your dog's health and
personal behavior. Ongoing health issues can stem from dirt or
matted hair tangles, while general grooming makes your dog feel
better and healthier and helps to develop a bond with you, its
owner.
When to Start Grooming
It's best to start grooming your dog at an early age. You want
him to become accustomed to the routine and all the activity
that goes along with grooming. The younger you start, the more
accepting he will be of the brush, comb, bath, and nail
clippers. If you plan to use a professional, try to find one
whom you like, and stick with him or her as long as is
practical. You want your dog to know, trust, and be comfortable
with the grooming professional you choose.
Daily Grooming
There's usually no need to groom your dog on a daily basis, but
it is a good idea to at least give him a daily inspection. Give
your dog a "once over" every day, checking for bumps, sores,
irritation, and nasty fleas or ticks. Ticks can be squeezed off
with tweezers and fleas can be scraped out using a fine-toothed
comb.
Check your dog's ears for any potential infections or dirt that
can cause infection. Also, examine their paws for dirt, pebbles,
splinters, or chemicals that can cause irritations or sores.
Finally, clean out their eyes tenderly and gently with a soft,
warm washcloth. Your dog may initially resist you washing around
his eyes and face, so you will need to hold him steady until
there is a general comfort with the process.
Weekly Grooming
It's a good idea to brush your dog at least once a week.
Brushing will not only work out tangles and mats, but also
remove dead hair and reduce shedding around the house. If you're
sick of seeing dog hair everywhere, try brushing your dog on a
regular basis with a wet brush. When you encounter a difficult
tangle or mat, be gentle with your dog and try to be as soothing
as possible. Just like in humans, tangled hair pulled with a
brush can be painful.
Don't forget to also brush your dog's teeth. Dog toothpaste and
special toothbrushes are available at most pet stores. Though
this step may seem trivial for a dog, dental health is very
important and dental issues are one of the most common
veterinarian procedures, so keep your dog's teeth healthy.
Monthly Grooming
Your dog's nails should be trimmed roughly every month or every
other month. If you're not comfortable doing this, consider
bringing your dog to a professional. Avoid cutting the nails too
low as dogs have blood vessels in their nails; cutting them too
close to the paw can hurt the dog and cause it to bleed.
When it comes to overall cleanliness, the basic formula for
bathing your dog is to do so as the need arises. Use a gentle
soap or special dog shampoo and bathe your furry friend on an
as-needed basis. If you dog smells bad, don't blame him - he's
only being a dog. Give him a bath.
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