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It’s Never Too Late to Learn!

Your dog’s good health largely depends on you. Part of the regimen of maintaining the health of your favorite pooch includes regular dog grooming. But in these tough economic times, a grooming by a professional groomer may not be in your budget.  So rather than deprive your dog of this essential healthy

"Oscar," a well-groomed dog.

ritual, perhaps you should learn how to do it yourself. It’s really not hard, and it allows you to bond with your furry family member in a satisfying way that only hands-on caring for your pooch can bring.

Below are some tips for maintaining your dog’s coat, nails and teeth at home.

Brushing

Brushing your dog keeps its coat healthy and lush, stimulates circulation, gets rid of loose hair and keeps mats at bay. Dogs shed more as the seasons change, and brushing every few days may be a good idea at those times. Otherwise, every week or two is sufficient. If your dog is averse to brushing, we recommend carrying on a calm conversation with your canine companion as you work. “If you’re tense, the dog can feel it,” says one grooming expert. “Take it slow. Tell it to relax. Give your dog a massage while you brush.”

The best way to groom at home is to elevate your dog, putting it up high, such as on a table. This takes the dog’s power away, letting him know you’re in charge. The trick to getting rid of excess fuzz is to take off the loose coat first with a brush and then to follow that up with combing, which takes the mats out.

Bamboo Furbuster

A deep penetrating Dog De-shedding Tool & Blade will accomplish this task in one gentle step. The Bamboo FurBuster Dog De-Shedding Tool & Blade removes loose hair and undercoat effortlessly and is less expensive than the Furminator.

Washing

Bathe your dog every four to six weeks, and always after a good brushing. A wet coat glues to the skin, so you want to be sure to groom first, then wash.  It may also be a good idea to put cotton in your dog’s ears before bathing to keep the water out. Dogs are afraid of cold water, so never just take them outside and hose them down. Always bathe them in warm water.

Lay out your bathing supplies in advance to streamline the process. These should include a showerhead or pitcher, a diluted commercial shampoo — to make rinsing easier — and a towel or blow-dryer for drying. We recommend shampooing your dog two times per bath and a post-bath comb-out to really finish the look.

Pedicuring

While dogs that spend a lot of time playing in yards and walking along sidewalks may not need regular nail trimming, less-active pooches should have their nails clipped about once a month to avoid overgrowth and even infection. You can buy special dog nail clippers, since human clippers are generally not sharp enough for canines. You may also want to check out the automatic nail filers on the market such as Peticure Elite

Peticure Petite

and Peticure Petite, available at many pet supply stores and online businesses.

Choose a time when your dog tends to be relaxed. If you use a clipper, trim only nail tips to avoid cutting into the quick — the vein that runs into your dog’s nails. Avoiding the quick can be hard to do if your dog has black nails, which makes it all the more important to trim only the edge. If you hit the vein, baking powder or cornstarch should stop the bleeding.

Tooth Cleaning

Dogs need their teeth professionally cleaned twice a year to prevent bacteria travelling from tooth tartar to their hearts. In between professional cleanings, you should also brush at home once or twice a week using a toothbrush and toothpaste formulated specially for dogs. Tooth brushes such as the Petrodex Finger Toothbrush Gloves

Finder Toothbrush

helps you clean hard to reach pet teeth much easier than with toothbrushes.

When your dog is sitting on an elevated surface like a table, hold its head firmly and open its mouth with one hand. Move the toothbrush in circular motions, starting in the back and making sure to brush at the gum line. Give your dog a crunchy and delicious treat when you finish, to reward for cooperation and to get that toothpaste taste out of its mouth.

Rules for Good Grooming

• Keep grooming fun Approach your dog when you are relaxed and in a good mood. Don’t get frustrated. Talk sweetly to your dog throughout.

• Tread lightly Learn from the mistakes professional groomers have made. Be gentle with your hands, keep water at a comfortable temperature and don’t force your dog to remain in an uncomfortable position for long.

• Stop sooner rather than later If your dog begins to resist you during a brushing or filing session, let it go. Finish another day.

• Ask for help If your dog is being uncooperative or has mats and tartar you can’t tackle, consider visiting a local groomer. Most groomers will be happy to demonstrate good techniques for you if you’re having trouble. You and your best canine bud can then enjoy the togetherness of grooming time for years to come!