Regular grooming is important for all dogs.It helps them maintain a shiny, tangle-free coat and gives you the chance to improve their overall hygiene. Plus, grooming can be a bonding experience for you and your pet.

Even dogs with short coats need regular brushing, bathing and nail trimming. Dogs with longer coats need additional care. While you are advised to schedule regular appointments with a professional groomer,have a look at these five Grooming Tips for Dogs to establish a home grooming routine.

 

1)Regularly brush your dog’s coat to prevent matting-

Regardless of breed, your dog will need regular brushing to keep its coat shiny and glossy. The amount of brushing per week depends on your dog’s coat length and texture. Long haired breeds like golden retrievers and collies will need more frequent brushing (at least once a week, if not every other day), while shorthaired breeds like greyhounds or labradors may need a good brushing only every other week.

For long haired dogs, matted hair can cause pain. Dogs will lick or bite themselves at the source of irritation, which may result in skin infections. Regularly brushing your long haired dog prevents matting from becoming a problem.Short haired dogs benefit from brushing, too. Brushing removes loose hair, dirt and dander from your dog’s coat, extending the time between baths.

2)Trim your dog’s hair – but use caution-

Most dog owners prefer to take their dog to a groomer to have their dog’s hair cut. That being said,if you proceed carefully you can trim overgrown hair around your dog’s eyes or paws in between professional grooming. Trimming the hair around your dog’s eyes can prevent overgrown hair from blocking its vision and rubbing against and damaging its eyes.

Always wait until your dog is calm and preferably lying down. Move slowly and calmly, and use extra caution when scissor blades are near the skin. Make sure to reward your dog’s calmness with a treat after you’re finished. Trimming the hair inside the ears can improve air movement and help prevent ear infections. However, this is best done by an experienced groomer or at your vet clinic.

3)Safely Trim Your Dog’s Nails-

Trim your dog’s nails when you hear them clicking on the hard floors in your home. This will prevent your dog from experiencing discomfort from overly long nails. However, before you trim your dog’s nails for the first time, you’ll need a few safety tips.

4)Check your dog’s skin as you groom-

Allergic skin diseases are common in dogs, causing itchiness and making them scratch, chew or lick their skin. In addition to making your pet miserable, external parasites like fleas, ticks, lice and mites can transfer diseases or other parasites like the tapeworm.

Make a habit of checking your dog’s skin every time you groom them. Start by running your fingers through your dog’s coat, feeling its skin for unusual lumps or bumps. You can investigate further by parting the coat to examine the skin more closely for sores, redness, rashes, bald spots and evidence of parasitic infestations.

Skin Disease in Dogs

5)Teach your Dog to Enjoy Grooming Sessions-

Many dogs, especially puppies, need encouragement and positive reinforcement when you first introduce them to a grooming routine.These tips will help the first few at-home grooming sessions go smoothly:

  • Spread a little Vegemite on a washable surface and allow your dog or puppy to lick it off while you brush or wash them.
  • Take things slowly and give lots of treats and praise so your pup will look forward to its next pampering session.
  • Before bath time, lay a slip-proof mat in the tub to prevent your dog from sliding around.

 

Here is one video link that you can refer to for a better understanding of how this works.

 

For a more detailed guide on Grooming Tips for Dogs especially during Rainy Season, navigate through the next section under this heading.