How to Groom Your Dog

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 7:01 am

Dog grooming is an important part of looking after a dog.

Even if you have a short-haired breed, grooming is still essential. Dog grooming does not only involve brushing your dog once day, there are other tasks that need to be performed such as nail clipping, examining ears and checking for fleas and ticks.

Grooming your dog on a regular basis will help you get to know your dog and the signs to look for if your dog is unwell or suffering from some sort of irritation.

This short article will provide you with some tips and hints to help with grooming your dog.

Get into the habit of brushing your dog’s coat at least once a day. This is especially important if you have a long haired breed. This will not only prevent tangling and matting of the fur but also provides a time to spend with your dog. Short-haired breeds should also be brushed to remove dirt and fleas.
Ensure that you purchase the correct brush for your dog. Long-haired breeds require a completely different brush to short-haired breeds. The slicker brush type is more suitable for dogs with a long coat. This type of brush would be too harsh on a short-haired dog.
If you think your dog has a problem with fleas then use a flea comb regularly. These combs are designed specifically to remove fleas from your dog. Used in conjunction with other flea control products it is an effective way of removing fleas.
When washing your dog, use a good dog shampoo or soap. Some dogs can be highly sensitive to inferior soaps. If your dog has skin problems use a sensitive skin shampoo and ensure that your rinse your dog thoroughly of all soap suds. Brush your dog before washing to remove mats, tangles and dirt.
If your dog requires professional dog grooming try and choose a company that specialises in your dog breed. You will find that your dog will look so much better if you find someone who knows their job.
Check your dogs ears weekly to ensure that they are free of problems. Dogs with long ears such as Cocker Spaniels are prone to ear infections so check often. Don’t pour anything into your dog’s ears without the advice of a vet.