Brushes, combs, clippers, ribbons and bows: what do we know about grooming our dog? A groomed dog is a happy dog, and just like people, your dog will feel better if they are clean and well groomed.
Grooming your dog yourself can easily be done at home with a little practice. Brushing your dog is a good start. With several different brushes available to the consumer, you will have to choose the one that works best for your dog’s hair coat. Brushing your dog removes dirt and loose hair and prevents mats from forming. Unfortunately, sometimes those mats are already there and they need to be removed before bathing the dog. Carefully clean your dog’s eyes and gently wipe out your dogs ears, noticing if there is any redness or tenderness to the ears. If there is an odor coming from the ears, or your dog seems to be in pain, seek out a veterinarian’s advice.
Check your dog’s teeth, and again check with your veterinarian for instructions on keeping them clean.
Toenails that grow too long can be painful for a dog, so use a toenail clipper made just for dogs to clip them. You can find these clippers at stores where pet products are sold.
Now your dog is ready for the bath. Be careful not to get water in the dog’s ears and eyes. Thoroughly wet its coat and apply shampoo made for dogs. Gently lather the dog’s hair coat; once lathered be sure to rinse the shampoo out completely. Dry your dog’s coat with an absorbent towel, or if you have a long haired dog, consider using a blow dryer. With a little practice and a lot of patience, grooming can be done at home. For more information on grooming, there are books and videos for teaching the at-home groomer.
