There is no such thing as a no-maintenance dog, and any breeder or pet store that tells you such is in essence lying, to say the least. Every breed does require some type of grooming. While not every dog will be as high-maintenance as a Shih-Tzu or Poodle, for example, all dogs minimally need to have their teeth brushed/cleaned, nails clipped and coats brushed.
I compiled this list of tips that I’ve learned over the years to make grooming time go more smoothly.
Start Early! If you begin grooming early on in your dogs life you will be thankful in the years to come. It is critical for any dog owner to get their dog used to being touched al over, this will help build trust between you and will make grooming and subsequent vet visits a lot more manageable. It is also important to have your vet check your dogs ears and paws for foxtails, and teeth for plaque.
Basic Ear Maintenance! Check your dogs ears weekly for parasites, and gently clean ears with a dog earwash
using a cotton ball (no Q-Tips). Doing this weekly eliminates ear wax, odors, prevents infections and heals abrasions, promoting healthy new cell formation. Also, certain dog breeds, like Shih-Tzus need to have the hair growing in their ears plucked. Please consult your vet to find out if you should pluck your dogs ear hair.
Basic Nail Clipping! Start out with a sharp nail clipper
. They come in various sizes to accommodate your dog. I replace mine every year to make sure they're always sharp because it pinches the nail less during the cut.
Now, nail-clipping time can be a nightmare. I’ve always found it easier to do on a table with an assistant, and to give lots of praise and treats the entire time.
I start with the right rear foot first by standing at the dog's side, and firmly grasping the dog's ankle from the front. I then lift the foot and turn the paw backward so that the pads are facing up. With the dog's ankle cradled in my palm and pads facing up I use my fingers to spread the toes and push the nail I want to clip upward into view.
It is important to note that most dogs have black toenails that make it impossible to see where it is safe to cut. Quick trick - Along the bottom side of the nail, you'll see a groove. It begins at the tip of the toenail, where its outline is very sharp, deep and distinct. The groove continues toward the toe, becoming wider and shallower until its outline blends in with the rest of the nail and seems to disappear. The part of the toenail with a deep, distinct groove is the dead area. There is no nerve or blood vein in that section and you may safely cut it off without harming the dog.
Front feet are done similarly to the rear ones: standing at the dog's shoulder and looking toward his tail, pick up the forefoot at the ankle and turn the foot so the pads are facing up.
We are human and accidents can happen. Unfortunately, dog nails can bleed heavily, and it's wise to have something on hand to stop it like Kwik Stop Styptic Powder
that is designed especially for that purpose.
De-tangle! It is important that your dog is tangle-free before heading into the tub. The brushes and combs that you use should be determined by the type of coat your dog has. You should check packaging at local pet supply stores before selecting a brush or comb for their reccomendations. Regularly brushing your dog gives you the opportunity to check your dogs body for ticks and growths, and is also a great way to show love and affection to your dog.
Bath Time is FUN Time! This is the message you should be sending to your pet. Bathing can be traumatic for your dog at first. It is your responsibility to make the process as simple and pain-free as possible. That is why you should never, ever use human shampoo as it is ALWAYS too harsh for your dog, and could lead to skin conditions. Selecting the right shampoo is important as well. You should consider the following when making a decision, coat type, dogs age, fleas present, and the breed.
Now where you decide to wash your dog is a matter of preference. I prefer to wash my dog in the bathtub with a hand-held shower attachment. To make things easier on my dogs I use a rubber bath mat
which prevents my dog from slipping and protects my tub from scratches. I also like to use bathing tethers
with my Shih Tzu because it helps keep him in place (he’s a frisky one) and leaves both my hands free to work through all his hair.
I also really like using the a rubber grooming glove
to work shampoo through my dogs hair because it stimulates their skin (like a spa massage!) and removes loose hair. It also helps greatly in the rinsing process.
Getting Dry! After I am done rinsing I gently squeeze as much water as possible from my dogs coat. I then use a very soft cotton towel. And, I BLOT, BLOT, BLOT. Rubbing can tangle up your dogs coat.
Once I’ve gotten my dog as dry as possible with the towel, I move onto blow-drying. I can’t stress enough how important it is to never use a human hair dryer. It’s too hot and will damage your dogs coat. Always use a good pet dryer preferably one that has a stand to keep your hands free.
Using a Grooming table can bring you further ease in the grooming process. I personally use the a grooming table
with the grooming arm and security loop. This keeps my dog elevated and in place so that I’m not bending over trying to hold him with one hand as I dry or clip.
Getting Trimmed! I will begin by honestly telling you that clipping and trimming takes practice and patience. The first time I was brave enough to give my Shih-Tzu a trim he wound up looking liking Mo from The Three Stooges. Along the way I got smarter and learned some things that I will share with you.
Before attempting any cutting or trimming buy a How-To video or DVD. View it several times before commencing with the haircut. Begin slowly and with great caution while learning. Make sure you use dog grooming scissors. You should select either a 7" thinning scissor to thin out thick fur or blend edges, and a 7" Straight Scissor for cutting the hair to the correct length, or both. Blunt-end scissors are the safest to use and are excellent for delicate areas like foot pads and around the eyes. If you want to give your long-haired dog a serious trim, or buzz cut, your best bet is to purchase a buzz clipper specifically designed for pets
.
Never attempt to cut your dogs hair unless he/she is washed and fully dried first. Remember, your dog won’t know if they are having a bad hair day. You will make mistakes at first. This does take practice!
While I’m sure you found these grooming tips useful, it may still be necessary to take your dog to a local groomer.
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