Dogs Training Series First Steps in Dog Grooming
Before proceeding with clipping your dog, take care of the basic grooming needs. These important activities are essential to ensure your dog stays health on the outside. An un-groomed dog is at risk of harbouring various disease that can cause skin irritation. Dogs that are constantly uncomfortable will become irritable. Some dogs become so sensitive that they will snap or bite their owners where otherwise they would not.
Keep your dog well groomed will also help prevent your dog from getting some serious diseases like Lyme Disease.
The first steps to dog grooming are aimed at maintaining your dog’s luxurious coat, keeping the ears clean to prevent infections, and clipping the toe nails to keep them at a healthy length and in good condition.
Coat maintenance mainly consists of proper bathing to remove dirt, harmful bacteria and parasites from the dog’s skin. Combing and brushing brings the natural oils down into the hair to give it strength and shine as well as protection. A good healthy coat protects the dog’s skin from exposure to the elements as it provides an insulation that keeps out rain and cold as well as heat. Properly maintained, a dog’s coat allows air flow to the skin. This dries any moisture and dampness which can make the skin susceptible to skin eruptions and rashes.
Always use soaps that are designed for dogs as they are less likely to trigger allergies or skin irritations that are common with scented human products.
Brushing and combing can be a pleasurable time for you and your dog. It gives you a chance to interact in a non-threatening and non-disruptive manner. This personal touch helps you and your dog to bond to one another. This will prove beneficial when you are training your dog.
Use a soft brush that is designed for your particular type of dog. Thick, long-haired dogs need a brush with stronger bristles that will penetrate into the fur, whereas dogs with thin and fine hair are better with a softer brush. Be careful when brushing fine-haired dogs as heavy brushing can scratch the dog’s skin and make it sore and irritated.
It’s best to brush your dog every day for about 20 minutes each time. How long will be determined by the type of hair your dog has. Naturally, short haired dogs can be done in about 10 minutes while hair with a thick undercoat, such as the Chow or Husky will take longer. Yet other breeds can take as much as 30 minutes if the hair is quite long and tends to mat easily.
Some owners use a hair dryer after they bathe their dogs, but this will depend on whether it makes your dog nervous. Many dogs do not like the sound of a hair dryer. If you do use one, keep the setting on cool or cold as dogs cannot tolerate the hot settings.
Take care when clipping the dog’s claws. Be careful not to catch the nerve end inside the nail which can cause bleeding and stinging. Use proper sharp dog nail clippers. This will create a clean cut, unlike dull clippers that can splinter the nail, leaving rough edges. If a dog scratches himself, the sharp edges can cause injuries to the skin.
Nail clipping and brushing are best done on a raised surface to make it easier for you.
Clean out your dog’s ears with a cotton swab to remove built-up wax, dirt and any other foreign material. Check to see if any parasites or infection are present. If they are, see your vet for proper treatment.
Make grooming a priority and do it regularly and you will avoid many unnecessary problems for you and your dog.
About the Author
For more great tips and resources to help you train your dog, or puppy, visit Dogs Training Tips at http://DogsTrainingMadeEasy.com .
How to Groom a Dog : How to Express a Dog’s Anal Gland
|
|
6.5 Caucasian Couple Tender Moment Figurine Cake Topper $25.19 This beautiful wedding figurine depicts a bride and groom in tender embrace on the most important day of their lives, their wedding day…. |
|
|
Westland Giftware Aye Chihuahua Magnetic Wedding Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, 3-3/4-Inch $9.43 You may be looking for shakers to help spice up your dinners, but this pair of Chihuahua salt and pepper shakers is nothing but pure sweetness. These precious pups attach at the lips to keep your shaker set readily handy. Perfect as a wedding gift for your favorite Chihuahua lover ! Or use them as a fun wedding cake topper. Brand new, set of two |
|
|
Westland Giftware Hot Diggity Magnetic Bride and Groom Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, 2-1/2-Inch $10.88 You may be looking for shakers to help spice up your dinners, but this pair of Dachshund salt and pepper shakers is nothing but pure sweetness. These precious pups attach at the lips to keep your shaker set readily handy. Perfect for entertaining or as a wedding gift for the dachshund lover–your guests are sure to “ooh” and “aww” over these cuties. Better yet, try them as a unique wedding cake to… |
|
|
Music for Pets (Ocrd) $7.46 Pets and horses can benefit from the healing sounds of music in a similar way to humans. Studies with animals and music have shown that some types of sound can be unsettling for animals, while other types of music can be calming for them. The music on this CD has been especially composed as suitable for playing to all animals. The senses of animals are much more sensitive than those of humans and … |
|
|
Grooming Your Dog BASIC HAIRCUTS [VHS] $26.99 Grooming your dog just became easier, more convenient and more economical! Here is a practical guide to BASIC GROOMING for your dog that demonstrates BASIC HAIRCUTS and BASIC TRAINING for grooming. This video offers an exceptional approach to grooming a dog at home. The program details essential grooming and simple, basic haircuts that can be adapted to suit a variety of breeds and breed types…. |
|
|
Evriholder 100IA-FR FURemover $3.39 Evriholder 100IA-FR FURemoverEvriholder 100IA-FR FURemover Features:; 100% natural rubber brush; Ideal for removing hair, lint, and dust, from pets, clothing, upholstery, carpets and rugs; Can also be used wet to clean cars, boats and caravans; Built in squeegee will wipe clean glass, countertops, and other flat surfaces; One piece construction prevents bacteria build-up; Fully washable and hygien… |
|
|
Shop-Vac 9190400 1.25-Inch Dog Grooming Tool $8.30 … |
|
|
Dremel 761-03 Cordless Pet Nail Grooming Rotary Tool $18.27 It’s a rare human who actually enjoys clipping a dog’s nails; and rarer still, the dog who enjoys it. Enter Dremel’s cordless groomer, a quiet, battery-powered rotary tool that gently grinds down your pet’s nails without cutting. We happen to know a particular hound named Sophie who’s endured more than her share of cracked nails and bleeding nail beds, the result of the standard guillotine-type na… |
|
|
Doggie Cuts $24.95 DOGGIE CUTS was the FIRST dog grooming video available on DVD, following the original, bestselling VHS format. It is an easy-to-follow and entertaining instructional DVD for dog owners who want to learn how to SAFELY cut and groom their own dog’s hair at home, saving valuable TIME and MONEY!The DOGGIE CUTS Master Dog Groomer featured in the DVD provides simple, personalized, expert instruction dem… |
|
|
Grooming Your Dog BASIC HAIRCUTS $29.95 Grooming your dog just became easier, more convenient and more economical! Here is a practical guide to BASIC GROOMING for your dog that demonstrates BASIC HAIRCUTS and BASIC TRAINING for grooming. This video offers an ideal approach to grooming a dog at home. The program details essential grooming and simple, basic haircuts that can be adapted to suit a variety of breeds and breed types. Rath… |
