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Grooming your dog performs two functions. It keeps your dog looking and smelling acceptable to you and to other people, and by daily grooming, you are telling your dog that you are in charge. Regular grooming is necessary to maintain your dog's skin and coat in good condition.
Just remember.....grooming should be an enjoyable interaction between you and your dog.
Coat Care
Double Coat
First, brush against the direction of hair growth to make sure you get the undercoat, which has a tendency to mat. Finish by brushing the outer coat in the direction that the hair naturally falls.
Short, Smooth Coat
A dog with a short, smooth coat is easy to brush. A regular brushing with a rubber currycomb is about all these dogs need to develop a healthy sheen . You can also do a damp-cloth brushing, which automatically picks up both excess hair and dirt.
Curly Coat
A curly coat needs a lot of shaping and care. A professional groomed is the best way to help keep this coat clean and healthy.
Bathing
Start your dog early in the tub. Train him to allow you to bathe him and reward him continually while washing him. But remember to keep an eye on him, because he will probably be looking for a way out.
Before you start washing your dog, brush him to remove any mats.
Use vet-prescribed mineral oil or eye ointment to protect his eyes and cotton balls to plug his ears.
Fill the tub with warm water. It should reach past his lower legs.
Work shampoo into fur from head to tail. Keep the warm, soapy water away from his mouth.
Rinse him off, then shampoo again.
Towel him dry.
Don't bathe your dog more than once every once or two, which can lead to a dry, brittle coat and scaly, flaky skin.
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Ears
Swabbing your dog's ears with cotton ball dipped in mineral oil, or baby oil, or a vet-approved ear cleaning solution, keeps your dog's outer ears clean and dry.
Dogs with floppy ears will need more frequent ear cleanings than other dogs with upright ears because air does not circulate as freely. Waxy and bacteria-laden debris tends to build up in the atmosphere under the flap.
Ear swabbing is even more important if your dog loves to go into water.
Eyes
Use a soft cloth dipped in warm water to gently clean the lids and around the eyes.
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Teeth
Brush your dog's teeth using a gentle bristle brush and toothpaste intended for dogs. If your dog does not approve of you using a toothbrush, use your finger wrapped in gauze.
A brushing every few days, should keep his mouth clear of tarter and bacteria build-up, although a daily brushing is ideal.
Brushing less often than every two days is ineffective because this show long it takes for plaque to harden. Before you try to brush your dog's teeth for the first time, make sure your dog is used to his toothpaste. If he seems nervous or uncomfortable, slowly desensitize him by rubbing your finger gently against his gums for a few minutes each day until he is calm with the toothbrush. Praise him after each session. Never use your own toothpaste on your dog. Use a special toothpaste for dogs available at pet-supply stores. If your dog will not let you use a toothbrush or your finger, look into a tarter-combating oral spray. Ask your vet to prescribe a diet for your dog that helps reduce tarter buildup. Also, make sure that your dog gets a yearly dental exam at the vet.
Nails
Nail Clippers come in many shapes and sizes. You need to find one that you can handle easily.
Trim a bit of nail at a time to avoid cutting into the quick. (vein)
Body Scan
Do a quick scan of your dog's body every time you groom him. Check his whole body, from nose to tail, and look for signs of illness, such as matted fur, swelling, or unusual discharge.
Nose secretions should be clear and his pulse (taken by pressing your fingers on the i
inside of his upper thigh.) His pulse should fall Between 50 and 130, depending on the breed. Check for signs of dehydration by twisting the skin of his shoulder. A healthy dog's skin will snap right back.
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Types of Brushes
Rubber currycombs or mitts are ideal for brushing short, smooth coats.
Remove mats and large amounts of dead hair with a slicker brush.
The rake is used to detangle and remove mats, as well as pull of large amounts of hair during the shedding season.
The mat splitter cuts out tangles.
The wire-pin brush is designed for any coat length. Long widely spaced bristles are for long hair, short, closely spaced bristles are for short hair, and stiffer bristles are for coarse hair.
After brushing, use a fine-tooth comb for short or silky hair, or a wide-tooth comb for coarse hair.
Grooming Tools Check-List
Brush
Comb
Shampoo
Conditioner
Nail Clippers
Styptic Powder (stops bleeding if you snip the quick)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
