How To Properly Groom Your Dog!
A lot of things have changed since 2020: we don’t see people as much, we definitely don’t high-five anyone, and now, we’re expected to know how to be a professional dog groomer!. Good grooming will help your dog look and feel his best. Routine grooming sessions also allow you to examine your dog’s coat, teeth, eyes, ears, and nails for signs of problems. How often you need to groom your dog depends on his size, breed, and type of coat.
Why is it important to groom your dog?
Grooming your dog regularly is vital to ensure they stay clean, healthy and comfortable. Clipping their nails, cleaning around the eyes and trimming their coats helps to remove dead hair, skin, dandruff and dirt.
Every dog breed is different and has different needs when it comes to the methodology and frequency of grooming so it is important to do your research on your dog first. One of the best sources of information for grooming can be your dog’s breeder. A responsible breeder will often have a wealth of knowledge on all topics related to their breed, including grooming tips and equipment needed to do a good job.
Other option if in doubt, call a local groomer or vet and ask for their advice on how regularly you should groom your dog and if there are any hazardous areas to be aware of for their breed.
Where should you groom your dog?
You need to be able to see what you’re doing, and you also want a safe, nonslip surface so that Fido and Bella do not slip and fall. Do not tether your dogs during grooming—that can lead to terrible accidents. Of course, if they love being brushed, brush them anywhere and as often as possible—this can be a great bonding experience. You can even use brushing as a reward after a grooming procedure that they are not so fond of.
Several brushing sessions a week will keep the average dog neat and clean; daily attention is even better. Brush all the way down to the skin, areas that should be focused on are the chest, and behind the ears and legs, letting the massaging action stimulate blood circulation and loosen and remove flakes of dandruff.
When brushing, always check for burrs and other stubborn plant material; mats, which most frequently form behind the ears and under the legs; and any cuts or scrapes on the skin itself. Matted hair should always be addressed immediately if you notice it. Matting reduces air circulation and can lead to severe medical problems for pups of all ages, from skin irritation and infected lesions to insufficient blood supply and strangulating wounds.
Use appropriate dog-grooming equipment.
When it comes to trimming your dog's coat at home, the most important factor is the grooming tools you might use to do so. The kind of equipment you need depends on your dog’s coat texture and length. Longhaired dogs need pin brushes, which have long, round-ended stainless-steel or chrome-plated pins. Short-, medium-, and some long-coated breeds need bristle brushes. There are also slicker brushes for removing mats and dead hair; rubber curry combs to polish smooth coats and remove dead hair; clippers, stripping knives, rakes, hairdryers, and other grooming tools.
This can become an ordeal when checking which product is right or wrong for your pup, at dogcare we have the perfect tool that embraces every specific tool in one. The dogcare dog grooming clipper . Be mindful that long-haired or double-coated breeds require extensive maintenance.
Some grooming considerations to bare in mind!
A rule of thumb when grooming your dog's hair is to start from the neck and move down to the tail. Groom your pup’s coat in the direction their hair flows. Going against the normal flow of hair creates lines on their coat. After the neck, move to the back and abdomen. Be very careful about sensitive areas like the underbelly, underarm, and hock. If shaving these areas with a clipper irritates your dog, switch to a pair of scissors.
Dogs can sense your stress, so make sure that you’re calm and relaxed, too, and you’ve set aside plenty of time for the grooming session. Go slowly and pay close attention to what you’re doing and your dog’s reaction. Watch for signs of stress, such as trembling, whining, or panting that’s not heat-related, and take a break if needed. Be extra cautious when going through sensible areas. If your dog tends to panic and won’t stand still, try grooming more often, like once a week, and just do a little bit at a time. And be sure to give lots of praise, petting, and treats. Make it a positive experience. With kindness and patience, your dog will eventually get accustomed to the process and feel more comfortable.
Use a damp towel to wipe any dirt, mud, sand, pine needles, or other outdoor debris from your dog’s coat as needed.During your grooming session, check your dog daily for ticks, or more than once per day during tick season. Ask your veterinarian to train you on the safest method for tick removal. Your groomer may also be able to help you. The more quickly a tick is removed from a dog, the better.
Check your dog’s pads regularly. Not just for cleanliness but to ensure that they are not dry, cracked, or injured in any way. Excessive hair may grow between your dog’s toes. It can become matted or cause other problems. It should be trimmed to be even with the paw pads or slightly shorter. This must be done carefully to prevent cutting your dog.
When you combine home grooming and hygiene with regular professional grooming visits, your dog’s coat, nails, teeth, ears, eyes, and paws will be clean, healthy, and odor free — making everyone in the household happy!
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