Dog grooming can be a pleasant moment of great complicity between the animal and its master and its practice is not as complex as it seems. Here are some dog grooming tips to help you do that.
Dog Grooming Tips and Best Practices
Does your dog smell bad or does his coat look dirty? Grooming time has arrived! This obligatory step in the life of the animal is often feared by the masters.
Fear of doing wrong, of not knowing how to deal with a recalcitrant dog, of hurting it, of not washing it enough, of getting it everywhere or even of being bitten: these fears are felt by many dog owners. No worries, you can simply follow our dog grooming tips.
Why Is It Important To Groom Your Dog?
Grooming is essential for the good health of your dog. A lack of hygiene leads to the appearance of bad smells, the invasion of parasites, the formation of gingivitis and/or otitis, etc. Even more, a dog’s poor hygiene affects its morale and physical condition.
If the parasites and the pain caused by otitis or gingivitis can annoy the animal, it is enough for him to have too long nails to no longer want to run and try to reduce his movements. If his hair falls in front of his eyes, he may misperceive his surroundings and thus fear danger more or feel threatened by the slightest noise.
Grooming is also recognized for its educational virtues. Indeed, within the couple formed by the dog and its master, the latter appears as the dominant, because it imposes the grooming time. Dogs need this social connection. Within the group, the dog needs to distinguish a relationship between dominant and dominated; thus, if his master subjects him to grooming, the educational relationship operates naturally.
On the other hand, a master who does not manage to impose on his dog to groom himself, or who does not get involved in this process, will have difficulty in imposing himself as dominant. This explains why some dogs are aggressive towards their master while they are very docile with a groomer. It’s not that the animal refuses grooming.
It is therefore essential to accustom your dog to the ritual of grooming from an early age. He will thus be more docile and obedient towards you. It is also a mark of great trust on the part of the animal. By cleaning him, you show him your love and you restore his trust.
Main Steps of Dog Grooming
It is not necessary to go to a professional grooming salon to take care of your dog. You can totally do it yourself at home, you just need to have the right equipment and do the right things, and follow our simple dog grooming tips here.
Dog Grooming Tip – Before The Bath
Another dog grooming tip is to prepare all your tools beforehand. When grooming, your dog will be patient, but there’s no need to overdo it by looking for what you need. Be prepared, the grooming will go better and will be much more pleasant for the animal.
Brushing Your Dog
Start by brushing your dog all over his body, from his neck to his tail. Brushing should be done regularly for your pet’s well-being. The brush must be adapted to properly remove dead hair from its coat. During this stage, praise and encourage him. If he has been particularly calm and docile, do not hesitate to give him a treat.
Using a pair of blunt scissors, cut the remaining knots in his hair to make him more comfortable. Indeed, these knots can pull on his epidermis or hang dirt. If you find that a skin irritation has formed under a knot and you suspect an infection, take your pet to the vet.
Clean Your Dog’s Eyes
Then clean his eyes with a product suitable for dogs. Some dog breeds have particularly watery and dirty eyes, so give it the time you need. Remove the hair from his eyes with blunt scissors, being very careful not to hurt him.
Clean Your Dog’s Ears
Then clean his ears with a suitable solution that you apply to a cotton ball. Wipe off the dirt that you see on the outside and inside of the ear, gently so as not to hurt or irritate it, and without going too far so as not to push the wax into the internal canal. Reward your dog after this often unpleasant ordeal. If you notice the slightest abnormality in the eyes or ears, consult the veterinarian.
Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
Then brush your dog’s teeth with suitable toothpaste. This step can be difficult. If your dog tries to bite you, let it go. But if he lets himself go, do not hesitate to repeat it regularly to avoid the risk of gingivitis. Put a dab of toothpaste on your finger and apply it to his teeth. Lightly rub his teeth with the tip of your index finger and then brush the toothbrush for a few seconds. Reward him if he was docile.
Trim Your Dog’s Claws
Trim his claws with a dog nail clipper. Remove only the end (about 1.5 mm) to relieve it. Never touch the central pink part where the vein is located, you will make it bleed.
The Dog’s Bath
For this step, equip yourself with everything you need to have everything at hand: shampoo suitable for dogs, several towels, a non-slip mat if the bottom of the tub is slippery and treats.
Fill the tub with lukewarm water so you don’t run the water while he’s in it, which will stress him out more.
Wet your dog thoroughly with the shower head or a small bucket. Apply the shampoo to his body, from his neck to his paws, rubbing gently with your hands. If your shampoo is thick, dilute it in a little water; it will then be easier to apply and rinse off.
Use a damp towel to wash his head. Avoid anything near their eyes, ears and muzzle.
Rinse it until all traces of soap and dirt are removed. Then pat him dry with a dry towel while he’s still in the tub. Put a towel on his back and let him snort. Then use another dry towel to remove the remaining moisture. If your dog accepts it, use a hair dryer for thorough drying. Attention, the hair dryer must be in position of force and minimum heat! If your dog refuses it, don’t force it and let it dry off on its own in a place it won’t get dirty.
Dog Grooming Tip – After The Bath
If your dog’s coat is long, it may be time to trim it. This step is not necessary with every grooming, it all depends on how fast his hair grows.
Wait until its coat is completely dry to trim it. Equip yourself with the appropriate equipment so as not to injure it and learn to do the right things, in particular by questioning a groomer. Your scissors must be very sharp so as not to pull on your dog’s hair.
Go slowly, with simple gestures, in the direction of hair growth. Start with the neck. Go down to the shoulders, throat and chest. Finish with its back and sides. Finally, trim the hair on his paws with caution, as this is a sensitive area. If you feel the scissors getting hot, take a break and let them cool.
Then reward your dog.
Dog Grooming Tips and Best Practices For Perfect Grooming
- Take breaks as soon as your pet expresses the need. If you force him to continue, he risks becoming stressed and not letting himself go, even being aggressive. Go at his pace, grooming is not necessarily a pleasant time for him.
- Do not hesitate to immobilize it with a leash that does not fear water during bathing and cutting the coat. This may help calm him down.
- Seek advice from a professional groomer. He will be able to tell you the right gestures and the necessary care according to the breed of your animal.
- If you use the hair dryer, make sure that its strength and heat are adjustable in order to put them on the minimum.
- Regularly reward your dog if he is docile, but only then!
- If you notice any irritation, wounds or suspicious marks, take him to the vet immediately.
- Get your dog used to the bath from an early age so that it is a pleasant time for both of you.
- Don’t wash your dog too often. Wait until he’s dirty or his fur smells bad. In general, a bath every 2 to 3 months is sufficient.
- Prepare well in advance so that you have everything on hand, it will stress your pet less.
- Use only products and tools suitable for dogs. Human shampoos, care products or scissors are not suitable!
