Let’s Get Grooming
Dog grooming can be a difficult task, especially when you have no idea what you’re doing. But just like we have to bath, your dog needs to be bathed and groomed as well.
When you take the time to make sure your pooch is clean and happy, you create a bond with them. When it comes to grooming, you need to make the process as comfortable as possible for you and your little buddy. Some grooming treatments are not needed as often as others. The treatments that are needed more frequently will be covered in this post.
Here are some of the grooming tools that you will need along the way:
- Nail clippers.
- Toothbrush.
- Cotton balls.
- Shampoo and Conditioner.
- Water absorbent towel or Hairdryer.
- A Comb or Brush.
- Scissors.
Dogs need Mani-Pedi’s too.
When your dog exercises and walks around outside, their nails trim down naturally. In some cases, if your dog is not as active, then their nails will not trim down naturally. When their nails get too long, it can cause discomfort when walking and lead to an injury. Clipping their nails at least once a month will prevent any issues.
When trimming their nails, make sure that you have positioned yourself comfortably. You need to make sure that you can see the underside of their paw. Once you are comfortable, have a good look at the area you need to clip. If you cut the nail too short, you will cause bleeding. If your dog has clear or transparent nails, the blood vessels are easier to see. You want to make sure you clip the nails just before the blood vessel. If your dog has brown or black nails, there is usually a little dot that is surrounded by white lines or markings. When you have spotted this, make sure you cut the nails before the markings to prevent cutting the nail too short.
Get My Hairstylist, ASAP!
No matter what coat your dog has, they all benefit from having their hair brushed. When you brush your dog often, you remove all the loose hair, and by grooming the hair regularly, you allow the natural oils that their hair produces to spread evenly on their coat, resulting in healthier and shinier hair. It is vital to allow your dog to become comfortable with you brushing their hair. Brushing their hair will allow you to form a bond with them in the process.
Allow your dog to slowly get used to you brushing different parts of the body, let this process be relaxing for them.
You get 3 main types of brushes:
- Slicker Brushes
- Bristle Brushes
- Rakes
Slicker Brushes are used on medium-haired, long-haired and curly-haired dogs to help remove matting. These brushes have short, thin wires, closely packed together.
Bristle Brushes are used on short-haired and smooth-haired dogs, coats that shed frequently. Their densely packed bristles help remove loose hairs and stimulate the skin.
Rakes are used on thick-haired dogs. The brush is designed to penetrate the coat and remove loose hair and tangles. They look similar to a razor blade, and they usually have one or two rows of pins.
Scrub-A-Dub-Dub
To prevent any build-up of dirt and odor, bathing your dog is the most important thing you can do.
Depending on how active your dog is, you might need to bath them once a week or once a month. To bath your furry friend, you will need a dog-safe shampoo. If your dog has long hair, then consider adding conditioner to their hair to avoid any knots and tangles. When bathing your dog, apply some shampoo to your hand. Using circular motions, start from the back and work your way to the neck. To prevent any water from going into your dog’s ears, put some cotton-wool into their ears, and remove them after. Once you reach their neck, you can make use of a wet cloth to clean their face gently. Once you have scrubbed them with the shampoo, rinse their coat thoroughly to prevent skin irritation from leftover shampoo. Apply conditioner if your dog needs it.
To Air Dry or Not to Air Dry.
If you want to make use of a hairdryer or let them air-dry is really up to you. Once you have bathed your pampered pooch, grab a water-absorbent towel, and dab all the excess water off. If you have a short-haired dog, then there is no need to make use of a hairdryer. Letting your dog’s hair air-dry naturally will work just as well. If, however, you have a long-haired dog, you can make use of a hairdryer. If you are going to use a hairdryer, put your hairdryer on a colder setting. Make sure that you do not bring the hair dryer too close to their skin. You might burn their skin if you do.
Pearly whites.
Dogs are very prone to dental problems like gum disease. If their teeth are not taken care of, it could lead to more serious health issues. Regularly taking care of your dog’s teeth can help prevent the overgrowth of bacteria on the teeth and gums. There are a few ways that you can keep your dog’s teeth as healthy as possible. Make use of a toothbrush and toothpaste. Gently move the toothbrush in circular motions on their teeth. If your dog hates a toothbrush, then try applying dog-friendly toothpaste to your finger. Rub the paste on their teeth and gums. Do not use human toothpaste as this can damage their teeth. If it is impossible to use a toothbrush or your finger, try getting your hands on a dog-friendly dental spray to keep their teeth healthy.
Taking care of your dog does not have to be so hard. By making use of our tips, you can make the most out of their grooming time. The most important thing is that your dog is happy and healthy in this process. Keeping your pampered pooch clean and fresh is a great way to maintain or create a bond with your dog.
