Dog Grooming

Proper grooming is an important part of dog care. It not only makes a companion animal look better, but contributes to his or her physiological and psychological health.

Coat

Brush your dog’s coat thoroughly at least every week. This helps keep their hair in good condition by removing dirt, spreading the natural oils throughout the coat, preventing tangles from forming and keeping the skin clean and free from irritation.

It is best to start brushing your dog when they’re a puppy, but do not despair if they are an older animal. It is possible to train both dogs and puppies to enjoy grooming. Proceed slowly, and be sure to use treats and plenty of praise to make the experience fun! For some people, grooming their dog is a nightmare, so here are some suggestions:

• Use a soft bristle human brush.
• Spread peanut butter, margarine or chicken broth on a section of clean flooring.
• Bring your dog in on a short leash.
• As they stand there licking the floor, brush softly
• If your dog gets agitated tug the leash downward and say “shhh” without staring at them or getting too tense.

Eventually work towards using the brush of your choice. Talk to a groomer to see which is best for your dog.

Nails

Trim your dog’s nails about once per month. You’ll need a clipper designed specifically for the size of dog you have. Either a scissor- or guillotine-style clipper can be used. You should also purchase a small bottle of blood-clotting powder.

How to cut your dog’s nails

• Have your dog sit beside you. Then place one of his or her paws in your hand and gently pull it forward. If your pet dislikes being handled this way, slowly accustom them to it by offering treats and praise.
• Gradually shorten one nail. Be sure to stop before you reach the quick, which is the part of the nail that contains nerves and blood vessels. If you cannot see the quick clearly, stop cutting just behind the point at which the nail begins to curve downward.
• If you cut into the quick, do not panic. Put some clotting powder on a moist cotton swab and press it firmly against the nail for several seconds.
• Repeat the process until all of your dog’s nails have been trimmed.
• Do not forget to trim the dewclaw, which is located on the inside of each front leg just above the paw. (Some dogs do not have dewclaws.)

Ears

Ear care is an important part of grooming. Ear infections cannot only be painful, but lead to permanent hearing loss. The signs of a problem with a dog’s ears include redness, constant scratching, head shaking and odor.

How to clean your dog’s ears

• Check your companion animal’s ears twice per month. The skin inside and on the flaps should be pale pink. If there is a foul odor and/or any red, brown or black skin, have a veterinarian examine your pet’s ears.
• Moisten a cotton ball with warm water or a little mineral oil and use it to clean the opening into the canal and the flaps. Do not probe too deeply into the canal.

Bathing

Bathe your dog once every two months or as often as needed. Be sure to brush them before each bath in order to get all of the mats out of their coat.

Just about any gentle, tearless dog shampoo will do unless your dog has fleas or a skin conditions. If your dog has either, use a shampoo made for the specific problem, or one recommended by your vet. When using a regular dog shampoo, it’s usually best to dilute it. (Don’t dilute flea shampoo or medicated shampoo because you’d also be diluting the active ingredients!) Most dog shampoos are way too thick which makes it difficult to work up a good lather. It can usually be diluted with 25% to 50% water.

You can pour some shampoo into an empty bottle and add small amounts of water until it reaches the right consistency. Don’t use ‘people’ shampoo or dishwashing liquid. Both are much too harsh for your dog’s skin and can cause skin and coat problems in the future. In the long-run, it’s cheaper to buy a good dog shampoo and dilute it as described above.

How to bathe your pet

• Place a rubber mat in your bathtub, or a towel in your sink, for secure footing. Then place a cotton ball in each of your dog’s ears to prevent water from entering.
• Rinse your dog with warm water. Use a spray hose if one is available, but be sure to keep the nozzle very close to your companion animal’s body. Never spray him or her in the face.
• Apply a shampoo designed especially for dogs in small amounts, working from the head to the tail. Be sure to clean the rectum, between the toes, behind the ears and under the chin. Try to avoid getting shampoo in your dog’s eyes.
• Thoroughly rinse your dog with warm water.
• Dry your dog with a towel and/or hair dryer.

Source: Sarah Hodgeson, “Choosing, Training and Raising a Dog”, Alpha Books, 1996