Basic Grooming Tips From A Professional
Do you have a new puppy or rescue dog and want to learn some basic grooming? Maybe you’re tired of paying groomers and want to try grooming your dog at home. Whatever the case may be, I was a dog groomer for more than 12 years, and now I’m a writer who grooms her dog at home. I have a lot of experience to share, and I hope to help with just the basics here – the all-important when, why, and how – as well as addressing some of the difficulties faced by most people new to the dog grooming world.
Basic Grooming
The most important thing to remember is that you want your dog to enjoy – or at least not hate – the grooming process.
Start slowly, with one thing at a time, and be sure to give your dog plenty of treats during and after each task. Most entrust this in the hands of a groomer who will use the best groomer pet supplies.
For the part your dog hates the most (usually the blow dryer), I would suggest you save your dog’s favorite treat and ONLY give it to them after you’re done. You will find they have the motivation to tolerate that part of the process because they know their favorite treat is coming and that’s the only time they get to enjoy it.
I just rescued my dog a few months ago, and he hates the entire grooming process, so I break things up into smaller pieces and do everything over several days. On day one, I’ll trim his nails, brush him, and maybe shave his potty areas. The next day, I’ll give him a bath, which he REALLY hates. Then I do the full haircut the next day, leaving just the feet and more difficult to reach places for the following day. Breaking the grooming process up into several different sessions has been a lifesaver; it truly makes it more tolerable for him.
Nails
Nail trimming is one part of grooming that every dog needs. Long nails can cause problems walking, arthritis, and the nail can even curve into the pad of the dog’s foot. Imagine how uncomfortable it must be to have something poking your foot ALL the time and how painful each step must be!
In general, you should plan on trimming your dog’s nails once a month. Some dogs will need more- or less-frequent nail trimming.
Brushing
Every dog needs at least occasional brushing. Yes, even your short-haired dog. Most short-haired dogs shed at least a little bit. Using the right brush can remove loose hair and spread your dog’s natural oils through his coat for a healthy shine.
Teeth
Did you know that 80% of dogs have periodontal disease or other dental problems by the time they’re 3 years old? Gum disease is no small matter – it can lead to teeth falling out, abscesses, a broken jaw, heart disease, or even death. That’s right, the bacteria from your dog’s bad teeth can get into their bloodstream and kill them.
You should aim to brush your dog’s teeth every day. If you’ve never brushed your dog’s teeth before, you need to start slowly. Let them sniff and lick the dog toothpaste first (NEVER use human toothpaste), then put the toothpaste on your finger and rub it on the outside of your dog’s teeth. Work your way up to a finger toothbrush and then a dog toothbrush.
Bath
Some people never wash their dogs, and some people wash them every week. Ideally, you should aim for something in the middle.
Even short-haired dogs benefit from a bath a few times a year to remove dirt, grime, and excess grease from their coats. Most dogs should be bathed at least every 1-3 months.
Generally, you should try not to bathe your dog more than once a month. If you do, be sure to use a very gentle shampoo made specifically for dogs. Hypoallergenic or oatmeal shampoos are great choices. Overwashing can dry out your dog’s skin and coat, so using a conditioner in addition to a gentle shampoo is a good choice.
No matter how often you bathe your dog, you should always use a shampoo made specifically for dogs. Humans have a different pH than dogs, so human shampoo (even baby shampoo) is too harsh for dog skin.
