To keep a dog in excellent condition, properly grooming them is necessary. A coat that is both shiny and healthy is a good indicator that a dog is healthy on the inside and outside. Learning how to groom properly can be critical to its overall well being.
To be able to properly groom, many important things must be remembered
When grooming, it is very important to pay close attention to the eyes, ears, teeth and nails. Some breeds require more maintenance in some areas than others.
Eyes
A healthy eye needs to be clear without any irritation or discharge with the hair trimmed back. Most dogs do not like for their eyes to be cleaned out. Make sure to warm any solution that is used for the ear; cold is very painful in the canal.
Ears
Cleaning of the ears can simply be performed by using a cotton ball soaked in alcohol and then gently rubbed inside of the ear to clean it out. It is also important not to get water inside the ears when bathing. Water in the ear can easily lead to an infection.
Teeth
Dogs typically prefer their teeth to be cleaned by with a human touch instead of a hard brush. Human toothpaste cannot be used; it can be swallowed and may make a dog sick. There are pet toothpaste products available just for pets.
Nails
If a dog's nails are left uncared for, they can grow very long, twist and eventually cause a lot of pain. If nails are left for too long they can sometimes grow into the paw pad and eventually lead to infection. It is important to clip nails regularly to keep them short.
To be able to properly groom, many important things must be remembered
- Introduce grooming at a very young age. Not all dogs enjoy a bath or behave will being bathed. To properly groom, the idea of a bath must be slowly introduced and on a regular basis to allow for it be enjoyed. By the time it is a year old, the bath will either continue to be hated or loved.
- Be adequately prepared with everything needed before starting to bathe. Get all equipment and products together such as shampoo, conditioner, brush, comb, washcloth, cotton balls and towels.
- Always brush thoroughly before bathing. Any mats left in the hair become larger and unmanageable after they are wet. Short-hair may only need a regular brush; whereas, long-hair may need special tools to be brushed completely. An animal usually looks better when it is groomed after being bathed and brushed out.
- Clip anything necessary before bathing. This includes mats and large pieces or hair sticking together. This makes the bathing and grooming much easier.
- A sick dog cannot be bathed. Only bath when it is really necessary; too many baths remove natural, essential oils from the coat and skin and can lead to itchiness, dryness and less bathes provide resistance to infection.
When grooming, it is very important to pay close attention to the eyes, ears, teeth and nails. Some breeds require more maintenance in some areas than others.
Eyes
A healthy eye needs to be clear without any irritation or discharge with the hair trimmed back. Most dogs do not like for their eyes to be cleaned out. Make sure to warm any solution that is used for the ear; cold is very painful in the canal.
Ears
Cleaning of the ears can simply be performed by using a cotton ball soaked in alcohol and then gently rubbed inside of the ear to clean it out. It is also important not to get water inside the ears when bathing. Water in the ear can easily lead to an infection.
Teeth
Dogs typically prefer their teeth to be cleaned by with a human touch instead of a hard brush. Human toothpaste cannot be used; it can be swallowed and may make a dog sick. There are pet toothpaste products available just for pets.
Nails
If a dog's nails are left uncared for, they can grow very long, twist and eventually cause a lot of pain. If nails are left for too long they can sometimes grow into the paw pad and eventually lead to infection. It is important to clip nails regularly to keep them short.