The Fundamentals of Grooming Your Canine

By Big Oak, Inc.
Even though dogs need to bathe less frequently than people, they still need to maintain their cleanliness and physical appearance. Unfortunately, many owners neglect to groom their pets as often as they should. The reasons are varied, and usually include a lack of time, inadequate tools, and a marked lack of motivation. Beyond maintaining your canine's appearance, however, grooming is an important step for preventing or identifying disorders that affect his ears and skin. If left unaddressed, these disorders can worsen into bigger problems down the road.

With this in mind, we'll provide an overview of the most important grooming tasks your pet needs you to perform. While you can hire a professional groomer to handle each of them, doing them yourself gives you an opportunity to strengthen the bond you share with your dog.

Giving Your Dog A Bath

Many owners have visions of wrestling their uncooperative pets into the bathtub, only to watch them escape - suds-soaked - down the hall. But if you use the right approach consistently, your canine will not only endure his bath peacefully, but may come to look forward to it. Keep in mind your pet enjoys your undivided attention. Once he has become accustomed to being bathed by you on a regular basis, he'll relish the one-on-one time.

The frequency of baths will depend mostly on your pet's hair. If it is long and tends to get dirty quickly, he'll need more frequent bathing. Dogs with shorter hair can be bathed less often.

Two quick notes: first, use a shampoo that does not contain soap. Second, if your pet has a skin condition, ask his veterinarian whether the shampoo you intend to use is appropriate.

Brushing Your Pet's Hair

Most canines enjoy having their coats brushed since it means their owners' attention will be focused on them. That said, brushing your pet's hair is an important part of grooming. Not only will it make his coat appear healthy, but it will also remove tangles and mats.

As you would expect, dogs with longer hair need to be brushed more often than those with shorter hair. Even a short-haired canine, however, will need to be brushed at least once a month. Many owners purposefully brush their pets' hair more often than necessary - sometimes daily - since doing so gives them a chance to spend more time with their dogs.

Giving Him A Trim

Most owners rely on professionals to trim their canines' hair. The job is often difficult, especially if the dog is frightened by the sound of the clippers. A groomer is trained to control the pet while quickly performing the trim. However, because some breeds need to receive frequent trims (i.e. every few weeks) to keep their coats manageable, some owners decide to do it on their own.

The best way to learn is to have a groomer teach you the skill. He or she can also offer tips for controlling your pet while you trim his coat.

Managing Your Canine's Nails

Of all grooming tasks, this is the one most canines dislike. First, they do not like having their paws handled by others. Second, many dogs have experienced pain when their owners have trimmed their nails incorrectly. Here, again, have a groomer teach you the right approach if you intend to do it yourself. In addition to learning the angle of the cut, learn how to position your body over your pet's body to control his movement.

Cleaning Your Pet's Ears

Many canines develop ear problems due to the growth of bacteria. This can happen when their owners neglect to clean their ear canals on a regular basis. It's worth noting that some pets are more susceptible than others because of a genetic predisposition. For example, dogs with longer hair often cope with ear issues because less air is able to flow through the canals.

Whenever you bathe your pet, take the time to examine and clean his ears. If you notice a substantial buildup of material, ask his veterinarian to provide a cleaning solution that will get rid of it.

Grooming is important for helping your canine maintain his health and appearance. It is also an ideal time to enjoy each other's company.
 

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