Planning to groom your pet in your home? Dog grooming is not an easy task especially if it is your first time trying it and if the dog doesn't like to be groomed. Patience is very important when grooming a dog.
If it is the first time of your dog to be groomed remember not to overwhelm him or her. Dogs most of the time get nervous when face with a situation they are not familiar with. Don't do everything in one sitting. Use a "little by little" strategy. Divide the dog grooming process into sessions. Be careful in every grooming task and observe your dog. Avoid overwhelming him at all costs and give him a break from time to time. There should never be negative associations with grooming so your dog will not avoid it the next time. For your dog to learn to be cooperative and calm when being groomed it is important to set a regular dog grooming routine early on in his life so he can be familiar with it.
When grooming your pet do not forget to prepare treats so he could enjoy grooming time.
Bathing
A dog needs regular bathing but how often is regular depends on several important factors that you should understand as a pet owner so you will not bathe your puppy often than really necessary and you won't unknowingly deprive him of it as well when he needs it already.
When bathing your pet, use a shampoo that is specially formulated for dogs. Do not use shampoos that are not designed for puppies. Choose a high-quality shampoo that is gentle for the skin.
Bathe your dog with warm water. Make sure to avoid the eyes, the insides of the ears, and the mouth.
Brushing
All pets whether the short-haired ones or the long-haired ones need regular brushing. Establish a regular brushing routine with your dog by brushing them a few times a week during the first times. Brushing helps remove dead hair and it brings out or distributes the pet's natural oils in their coat giving it a beautiful shine.
Brushing does wonders not just in giving a dog's coat a healthy shine but in keeping them clean. Brushing helps remove heavy dirt. Use a brush that is best for your dog's coat. There is a different type of brush for different coat types.
Haircut
If you want to give your dog a trim be mindful of the scissor and the equipment you will use for your dog. Prepare the area where you will do the trimming or haircut. Use the dog grooming table if you have one in the house and always start your trimming with your dog dry and clean.
Nail Clipping
Nail trimming is very important. When the nails of our pets are not trimmed regularly it can cause walking problems to our dogs and it can put them in so much pain and discomfort when walking. Don't cut your dog's nails too short because they have a vein in their nails that if cut too short will hurt and result in bleeding. Always trim your dog's nails when he settles down and don't do it when he is twisting and turning and moving because it can end up to them being hurt and not wanting to get their nails touched and trimmed again.
Teeth Brushing
The teeth and gums of our pets should never be neglected too. The majority of pets have dental problems by the time they reach the age of three. An important reminder when brushing the teeth of our pets is to never use human toothpaste.
Taking dog grooming tasks in your hand is always another way to bond with your pet. However, if you want sure and safe grooming for your canine, your best choice is to go to a professional groomer who has all the dog grooming tools needed for whatever type of dog. Using the right dog grooming tools is very important to ensure safety and effectiveness. If there are dog grooming tasks that you are unsure if you can do safely and without hurting your dog, take him to a pet groomer and let the professional do it.