Grooming

Socialization to Grooming
Grooming sessions should always be fun, so be sure to schedule them when your dog’s relaxed, especially if he is the excitable type. Until your pet is comfortable being groomed, keep the sessions short—just 5 to 10 minutes. Gradually lengthen the time until it becomes routine for your dog. You can help him get comfortable being touched and handled by making a habit of petting every single part of your dog, including such potentially sensitive areas as the ears, tail, belly, back and feet. Most importantly of all–pile on the praise and offer your pooch a treat when the session is finished!

Trimming Nails
Your dog’s nails should just barely touch the ground when he walks. If your dog’s nails are clicking on the floor or getting snagged in the carpet, it’s time to trim his nails. Your vet or groomer should show you how to trim your dog’s nails the first time. They can also help you decide which type of trimmer would work best for your dog. You should always use trimmers designed for pets that are very sharp. When trimming, start at the tip of the nail and snip a little. Look at the cut edge of the nail. When you start to see pale pink tissue near the top of the cut edge, stop. Avoid cutting into the quick, which contains nerves and blood vessels. It is painful and will bleed easily. On white nails, the quick is the pink section. Be extra careful when cutting dark nails, because the quick is difficult to see. If the tip of the nail begins to bleed, apply pressure using styptic powder or a substitute such as baby powder, flour, or cotton. Avoid wiping the blood clot off the tip of the nail once the bleeding has stopped. Remember to trim the dewclaw nail, on the inside of the leg. Since it doesn’t touch the ground, it wears down less rapidly than the others. Trim nails once or twice a month. The quick will lengthen if you don’t trim the nail regularly, and long nails can cause traction problems or become ingrown.

Brushing
Regular grooming with a brush or comb will help keep your pet’s hair in good condition by removing dirt, spreading natural oils throughout her coat, preventing tangles and keeping his skin clean and irritant-free. Also, grooming time is a great time to check for fleas and flea dirt – those little black specks that indicate your pet is playing host to a flea family. Different brushes and brushing techniques are used for different breeds. Check with your vet to see what type of brush you should use, how often you should brush your dog, and what process you should use for brushing your dog.

Bathing
You should bath your dog every 3 months or so. Always use a mild, dog formula shampoo (never human shampoo). Before you bath your dog, give him a good brushing to remove all dead hair and mats. Then, place a rubber bath mat in the bathtub to provide secure footing, and fill the tub with about 3 to 4 inches of lukewarm water. Use a spray hose, pitcher, or cup to thoroughly wet your pet, taking care not to spray directly in his ears, eyes or nose. Next, gently massage in the label’s recommended amount of shampoo, working from head to tail. Finally, thoroughly rinse out all the shampoo, again, avoiding the ears, eyes and nose. Dry your pet with a large towel; don’t use a hair dryer on your pet as it will dry out his skin and can cause irritation.

Dental Hygiene
Home dental care is the first line of defense against periodontal disease in dogs, and the biggest weapon is the toothbrush. The brushing action of the toothbrush removes plaque. Ideally, brushing should be done daily, but a minimum of 3 to 5 times weekly is recommended. You should use a soft bristled toothbrush and veterinary approved dog formula toothpaste, not human toothpaste. Beef or chicken flavored toothpastes work well. You should make brushing your pet’s teeth a positive experience. Start early with your puppy if possible. The first step in the process is to have your pet get used to having you handle him around his mouth. When first touching the mouth you could put a tasty treat on your finger to make the experience positive for your pet. Once your pet is comfortable with this, begin rubbing the gums. Then gradually increase the time you spend playing with the mouth. Adult teeth start to come through when the puppy is between 4 and 7 months of age (you will find your dog’s puppy teeth on your floor if you look closely.) Some dogs, especially adult dogs that were not socialized to the toothbrushing process as a puppy, won’t allow their owners to brush their teeth.

Other than tooth brushing, several other approaches are available which may also help prevent dental disease. These include gels and rinses that are rubbed on the gums and treats, such as rawhides. There are also diets formulated to help reduce plaque; ideally these should be used along with brushing your dog’s teeth, not instead of.

Ear Cleaning
Caring for your pets’ ears is an important way to reduce the chance of ear infections and excess wax build up. Routine cleaning and at home examinations let you detect any infections or other problems early. Prompt treatment offers a better prognosis, reduces the potential for chronic disease or hearing loss, and gives earlier relief for any discomfort your dog may have. Ear cleaning starts with good general grooming. Excess, dirty, or matted hair should be removed from around the ear canal and the ear flap. To clean the inside of your dog’s ears, start by using a dog formulated ear cleaner. Soak a cotton ball thoroughly in the ear wash. Squeeze out excess ear wash. Place the cotton ball in your dog’s ear and gently rub up and down. Allow your dog to shake off excess moisture. This is important for preventing ear infections. If the ear canal looks abnormal, clean only the outside and consult a vet. How often you will need to clean depends on your dog’s breed, hair coat, activities, age, and the amount of ear wax he produces. Most dogs with normal ears should have a cleaning at least once a month. Others may need more frequent cleanings, especially those that swim or get their ears wet regularly.