Dog Grooming

Dog grooming can improve the psychological well being of your dog. Your dog will appear healthier and your house will look cleaner. Nothing worse than having dog hair all over the place. With proper grooming you drastically reduce the amount of loose hair and moderate airborne allergens. Most grooming can be performed at home which will strengthen the bond you share with your dog.

The 4 Primary Areas of Dog Grooming

• dog coat reflects the health of your dog. Strong hairs, healthy shine and a full coat are the signs of a well cared dog. Dog allergies are often looked as being associated with dog hair and shedding. This is not the case as pet dander is formed from dandruff or dried skin cells under the dog hair.

• Dog ears require cleaning and care. Problem with dog ears are often breed specific but all dogs do require gentle ear cleaning from time to time. Infections can build up in the ear and cause major ailments including permanent hearing loss.

• Dog nails will require trimming. Depending on the active nature of your dog, nails will need to be cut about once a month. Be extremely careful if you chose to cut them yourself as dogs have extremely sensitive blood vessels that run through the nail.

• Dog teeth like people teeth need to stay clean. Dogs will not consume the harsh acids or sugared food that result in faster tooth decay. Dogs will need to remove plaque build up. Brushing your dogs teeth twice a week is often recommended.

Dog Coat Cleaning

Three factors will influence the quality of your dogs coat. Properly bathing your dog with the proper shampoos and conditioners will aid in removing dirt, dander and strengthen the roots of the hair. Brushing out your dog will also strengthen hair, remove knots, spread natural oils and remove loose hair. Nutrition and a proper diet will also produce beautiful, shiny and soft coats.

• Dog Bathing Tips

Dog Brushing Tips

• Select the correct brush for the hair type on the dog.

• When brushing your dog start around the head and work your way back towards the tail.

• Always follow the flow of the hair. Never brush against the natural growth direction of the fur.

• Never press to hard when brushing or you may irritate the skin and cause dog brush burn.

• When you encounter a mat of hair, use the pick end of the brush and work through the mat. Be careful here not to pull to hard. If the mat will not untangle you may need to cut it off.

Dog Brush, Combs and Rakes

• The slicker brush is a flat head brush with tiny angled pins. Often these brushes work best on long haired dogs and work well for removing tangles and mats.

  
  

   

• Bristle brushesare softer with a heavier type of bristles. Used as a finishing brush, it works well at spreading the natural dog oils through out the hair and adds a nice shine to the coat.

  
  

• Pin brush resembles a hair brush with an oval rounded head. Pins are often coated to protect the dogs skin from scraping. Works well on wavy, wiry, curly and long haired dogs.
  

• The combination bristle pin brush takes the best of both worlds and puts them together in one brush. The pin side works well to start, removing mats and tangles while the bristle side provides a nice finish, shining up the coat.

  
  

• Ionic electric brushers provide a soothing vibrating massage while brushing and may help loosen up dirt and grime stuck in the hair.

  
  

   

• Zoom brushesare softer brushes often made out of rubber. They are water proof and work well during bathing.
  

• Combs, often made of metal, are used in many grooming situations. They can help remove dirt, loose undercoat, fleas and untangle mats. There are specific combs used to remove mats and tangles more efficiently.

  
  

• Undercoat rakes are great for use on thick haired dogs. It is specifically designed to reach down through the top coat to the under coat and remove loose hair.

• Shedding combs have long as well as short teeth and work well at grabbing onto the loose hair and strip it from the good hair.
  

• Flea combs have very tiny teeth with little spacing. They run through the coat and grab out fleas and small debris.

Dog Ear Cleaning

Be very gentle when cleaning the inside of your dogs ears. They are very sensitive and if cleaned to deep you risk injuring your dogs hearing. If you smell a foul odor or if the color of the interior skin is red, brown or black you should consult with your veterinarian. Normally the inside of a dogs hear is a light pink color. When cleaning your dog's ears wet a cotton ball, cloth or dog ear wipes. Gently clean the opening leading into the canal. Do not go in to deeply. You should clean your dog's ears at least once a month. Some breeds may require more than once a month.

Dog Nail Clipping

Clipping your dog's nails requires the right tools and precautions. Dogs have nerves and blood vessels that run from the paw into the nail. This is called the quick. When trimming your dog's nails you must be extra careful not to cut into the quick. Trim your dogs nails about once a month. For a list of top rated nail clipping tools click here.

If you start clipping your dogs nails as a puppy you will find it much easier as they get older. Also the quick tends not to run as far in the nail if you trim their nails more often.

Dog Teeth Cleaning

Dog teeth cleaning is just as important as other grooming areas. In fact canine dental complications are quickly becoming the number one health concern for dogs. The process will be difficult at first. The more times you do this at home, the more money you will save, and it will become easier. By cleaning your dog's teeth you will reduce plaque and tartar build up. If you do not, your dog runs the risk of periodontal disease. If untreated, infections will attack the heart, liver and kidneys.

How To Clean Your Dog's Teeth