Dog Grooming 101: Tips for Newbie Dog Owners

What better way to show your dog your love and care than giving him the best grooming he deserves? Dog grooming not only enhances your pet’s look, but also improves his hygiene and overall health.

The steps involved in dog grooming depend on your dog’s coat type, size, temperament, and condition. For instance, longhaired dogs with double coats require more grooming than shorthaired dogs with single coats. Grooming your dog can be tedious and time consuming, but it’s worth your time and effort given the benefits it gives you and your pet.

Here are some tips that are applicable to most dogs to help you make your dog grooming tasks a breeze.

· Gather all dog grooming supplies. This is the first and most important step in grooming your pet. To make the task easier, prepare all the grooming tools you need: soap, shampoo, brush, clipper, trimmer, among others.

· Brush your dog thoroughly. Do it before you bathe your pet so that it will be easier to remove loose fur during bathing. Also, it’s better to trim the fur while it’s dry because trimmed fur looks different when it dries after bathing the dog.

· Clean the eyes carefully. This will take out any discharge or stain that has built up in the corner of each eye. Use a moist towel to clean your dog’s eyes.

· Clean the ears regularly. To avoid ear infection and irritation, make sure that your pet’s ears are always clean. Apply a little cleaning solution to remove wax or dirt buildup.

· Brush your pet’s teeth. Of course, dogs need dental care just as humans do. Use only toothpaste made particularly for dogs because they tend to swallow the toothpaste. Also, use brushes designed only for dogs that are gentle on dog teeth.

· Trim the dog’s nails. Regular trimming prevents the nails from growing too long, which can make walking difficult. Cut only a small part of the end of the nail at one time and avoid the pink mass under the nail’s surface so that it won’t bleed.

· Bathe your pet. Slowly put your dog in the tub and secure him if needed. Bathing a dog is easier if he is tolerant of it. Otherwise, you will need to use restraint methods to be able to bathe your nervous dog. In bathing your canine friend, wet him thoroughly and apply a mild dog shampoo. Gently apply the soap all over your dog’s coat and then rinse him thoroughly. Make sure no soap suds are left on your pet’s skin, as these will lead to itchiness.

· Dry your dog. It depends on your preference on what method to use to dry your dog after bathing. You can allow him to dry naturally in the air. A number of dog owners towel dry their pets and use a hair dryer to dry the entire body. This will give dogs a better look after bathing sessions.

So, are you ready for dog grooming? Grooming your dog, though it’s difficult, can be an enjoyable bonding time between you and your pet.