Having a dog comes with many responsibilities, including keeping it clean. Indeed, grooming your dog prevents the development of skin problems, brushing him regularly will decrease the amount of hair on your furniture and clothes and avoid the appearance of knots.
Grooming salons offer these services, but it is possible to groom your dog in the quiet of your home, without too much cost. Curiosity Insight provides you tips and tricks to groom your dog yourself at home.
1. Before you start grooming your dog
Many dogs do not like to be groomed because they were not used to it at a young age or because they have experienced trauma from previous grooming. If you have a puppy, get him used to be handled from the start: play gently with his paws, ears, etc. Pair these manipulations with something he likes, such as dog candy, or small pieces of dried liver.
Every time you touch any part of her body, offer her a piece of candy. Follow the same principle to get him used to the grooming tools. On the other hand, if your dog has suffered trauma during grooming, it would be best to consult a groomer-behaviorist who will help you gently desensitize your dog.
Never entrust this type of therapy to someone who uses aversive methods that could amplify your dog’s problem with grooming.
The essential grooming accessories
To groom your dog at home, make sure you have some essential accessories on hand. Of course, you will need a good shampoo specifically designed for him and his type of hair, towels to soak it up thoroughly, and a blow dryer. But grooming your dog isn’t just about bathing him! These grooming tools should be part of your kit for complete grooming:
Grooming brush: The grooming brush should be used at least once a week to remove dead hair and loosen knots. Also, it is advisable to brush your dog before the bath; this will prevent you from blocking the drain with tufts of hair. To make it easier for you, get a quality brush that also removes undercoat hairs.
Claw clippers: It will be necessary to trim your dog’s claws at least once a month, maybe more if it’s an indoor dog who doesn’t have the opportunity to wear them down on rough surfaces. Arm yourself with a professional nail clipper that will be more efficient and strong, especially if your dog is large. Also, prefer a model equipped with a stopper, which will avoid a too short cut that could injure and bleed the claw.
Dog Clipper: Although it is not recommended to trim your dog, leaving it without its insulating layer against the sun, cold, and heat, there may be times when you need to do so. Indeed, you may be forced to mow certain areas of its body during the formation of knots that cannot be undone, if thistle balls cling to its coat, etc. Also, some dog breeds have long hairs between the pads of their paws that will need to be trimmed to prevent them from slipping and to prevent the accumulation of debris that could injure them. Purchase a clipper designed for dogs and cats, preferably cordless, to make your job easier.
Dog dental kit: A good quality diet will certainly help your dog to have healthy teeth and gums, but he will still need to have his teeth brushed regularly. This will prevent tartar build-up and gum disease in addition to giving it fresh breath. Choose a brush and toothpaste specially designed for dogs, and a model who’s size is adapted to the dimension of its mouth. Never use toothpaste for humans, as most of them contain products that are toxic to animals.
How to bathe your dog?
Before putting your dog in the bath, make sure you have everything you will need on hand:
- shampoo
- napkins
- curry brush and brush
- dryer
To prevent your dog from slipping into the tub, place a large towel or blanket in it. Also, remember to close the bathroom door so that your dog does not run away and splash the whole house!
- Once your dog is appropriately brushed and installed in the bath:
- Wet his coat with lukewarm water, then apply the shampoo.
- Lather and rub well all over, avoiding the ears and eyes.
- Then rinse with plenty of water to remove all traces of soap.
- Wring out the hair well with a towel.
- Then be sure to blow dry it thoroughly to remove moisture. Indeed, it can cause skin diseases.
Clean your dog’s ears
To avoid the proliferation of bacteria that can cause ear infections, your dog’s ears should be cleaned regularly. To do this,
- Use an otic pet liquid and arm yourself with cotton balls or soft handkerchiefs.
- Gently take your dog’s ear and inject a good stream of the liquid into it.
- Still holding his ear, massage well to lower the product into the canal.
- Then, let your dog shake his head, and when it’s done, wipe the pinna with the tampon or tissue.
Be careful not to push your fingers into the canal, and, if possible, never use a cotton swab to clean a dog’s ears.
Clean your dog’s eyes
Some breeds of dogs tend to have discharge from the eyes that stain the hair under them. You will find products specifically designed for this task at your veterinarian. Also, these products can be used to clean the facial folds of dogs such as Pugs. Apply some cleanser to a soft pad, then rub gently around the eye or in the creases. Then, dry thoroughly to prevent the growth of bacteria caused by humidity.
Leave a Reply