Free Dog Grooming Tips: The Basics

The best time to begin proper grooming habits is as soon as you bring your puppy of adult dog home. The earlier you begin, the better adjusted to grooming your dog will be. If a puppy is young, baths might not be necessary; however, there are other things you can do to begin conditioning your dog to future grooming. Dogs who are never handled or groomed at home will fight the process until they get used to it. To get your dog adjusted try handling him regularly. Rub his ears, move his gums to examine his teeth, move his legs, hold his paws and engage in other activities that mimic a visit to the Vet or the groomer. The more you handle your dog in this way the better off he will be when the time for grooming has arrived.

Grooming basics include brushing, baths and teeth brushing. Try establishing a regular routine so you can stay on top of your regimen. Brushing your dogs coat is the most basic grooming step and its requirements vary widely depending on your dog. Some short haired dogs require no brushing while certain long haired toy breeds require almost daily brushing. If you dog’s coat is really short you can try a brush made entirely of soft rubber. This will provide follicle stimulation and remove excess hair, but will not hurt the skin. If your dog has a longer coat, consider a bristled brush or a slicker brush with curved metal teeth. This will ensure that the hair is detangled, as shorter rubber bristles will not comb through this type of coat.

When you are ready for bath time, try using a removable shower head to wet your pet. Your dog will be much more comfortable if you sit beside him on the edge of the tub and keep the water stream close to his body and away from his face. When shampooing your pooch, consider turning the water off. The lack of water combined with the gentle massage of the shampoo through the coat should relax your dog. Rubber mats placed inside the tub might also alleviate stress in that they provide a more stable footing for your dog than the slippery bottom of the tub. When rinsing the face make sure to avoid getting water in the ears. Water can accidentally enter the ear canal and cause an unpleasant reaction from your dog. If this concerns you, try placing a cotton ball in each ear before bath time. When the bath is finished reward your dog with a treat or a walk around the block to dry off. The more pleasant the bath experience, the less your dog will fight them in the future.

The most difficult grooming basic for some owners is teeth brushing, but it is a necessity to avoid dental problems. At home teeth brushings are also much less expensive than professional cleanings or dental treatments resulting from infection.

Other grooming requirements include fur trims or shaves, ear cleanings an nail trimmings. These are often best left to professionals unless you have built a grooming rapport with your dog and he is comfortable with you doing so. In the long run, grooming makes your dog look and feel his best while providing an opportunity for the two of you to bond and strengthen your relationship.