Grooming Your Dog at Home - Tips That Make Bathing a Breeze

Unless you have a show dog, then professional grooming can be uneconomical and expensive. It is a good idea to have your dog professionally groomed here and there, but what about the rest of the time? At-home grooming can be fun for the both of you, allowing you to develop a stronger bond. Here are a few tips that can kick start your own doggy parlor.
1. Estimating the jobGrooming is more than just brushing and shampooing your dog, and the two should not be confused. Grooming can be done without shampoo and water. Professional groomers clip nails, trim and thin hair, take care of unwanted hair, and even perform dental work. Determine your pet's needs:Teeth brushing is recommended once or twice a week; although, plaque buildup should be removed by a professionalBrushing daily is essential. It gets rid of unwanted hair and can help keep your pooch cooler in the summer. It can also take the place of bathing by removing dirt, making your pet's coat shiny.Trimming and thinning are often seasonal. If your dog has a thick coat and lives in a hot area, then his coat may need to be thinned at the beginning of summer.Nail clipping and getting rid of unwanted hair are usually performed on an as-needed basis. As your pet's nails grow long, you will need to cut them. If his hair has grown out and is covering his eyes, then it is time to cut it.2. Choosing the tools
There is a huge variety of tools, depending on the needs of your pooch.Comb and brush: A comb is used to get rid of unwanted tangles, while a brush gets rid of extra hair. Soft brushes are often used with short-haired dogs, because the bristles will come in contact with the skin. Thick or double-layers coats require coarser brushes that dig down deep into that fur. Either way, the experience should be pleasant, not painful, for your pooch.Scissors and clippers: To trim your dog's hair, you will need a pair of sharp dog-grooming scissors. Many groomers recommend curved scissors, because it is easier to shape the dog's hair. A pair of small scissors is also needed for areas around the eyes, ears and nose. Thinning shears can also be used on dogs with thick coats, since they thin out his thick mane. If you are shaving a poodle (or similar breed), then you may also need dog clippers.Toothbrush and toothpaste: You can buy the two items at your local pet store. If you do not want to purchase the items, then you can use things found at home, such as a child's soft bristle tooth brush or a gauze pad. For paste, you can mix baking soda and water. Don't use human toothpaste, because some ingredients can make your pup sick. Never use a brush or paste that will hurt or irritate your pooch's teeth or gums.Nail clippers: Like all grooming tools, there are clippers made especially for your dog. 3. Choosing a placeGrooming should be a good experience for you and your dog. It's important that you choose an area where your dog feels comfortable, since you will be handling him in unfamiliar ways. If he enjoys the peacefulness of being outside, then set up a table or relaxing place in your backyard. If he prefers the sound of a television, then make a grooming area in your living room. There will be lots of hair floating around, so make sure you prepare an area that you can be easily cleaned.4. Choosing the timeYou don't want to try to groom your pet when he is angry, hungry or highly energetic. A good time to try grooming is right after mealtime or exercise. Your pet will be happy and relaxed.Before you start any type of grooming session, do adequate research. There are rules and guidelines that you should follow. For instance, if you cut your dog's nails too short they will bleed and be very painful for him. Talk to your veterinarian or groomer about things you can do at home. It's always a good idea to ease your pooch into the process!
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