We'll start our discussion on dog grooming by talking about the bath. Some people absolutely hate to bathe their pets. But contrary to popular belief most dogs actually enjoy it. They love the attention and they like being clean. Did you ever notice how playful they become when they get out of the tub? Oh, and for your benefit, a clean dog is a lot more fun to train than a dirty one.
When should you bathe him? Here's an obvious answer. When your dog smells like a dog, it's time for a bath.
Understand that bathing is only part of your dog grooming session and is not without challenges. First of all, keep all your supplies within reach. If you have to go in search of the shampoo while the dog is in the tub, all it takes is a jump and a shake, and you're left with a soaked bathroom and a wet dog running through the house.
The bath tub, by the way, is the easiest place to bathe him. You'll need the hot and cold water to get the shampoo out. A spray attachment is helpful as is a rubber mat to keep him from slipping. If you have a small dog, the sink might be easier on your back.
OK, we talked about a few supplies you'll need. But there are others you'll need for dog grooming. You don't need to have them all, but choose the ones that will make the experience more pleasant for you and your pet. Dog grooming supplies you should consider include shampoo, conditioner, sponge, scrub brush, a soft bristled nail brush for the face, a bath mat, and a hand held sprayer or a large plastic cup for rinsing. You also might want to consider clothes for you that can get wet, and a nylon collar and leash if you think your dog may try to bolt. These items will stop your dog grooming session from turning into a nightmare.
If you dog has gotten into something really unpleasant such as an encounter with a skunk or a foll in a dead animals remains, extra measures may be necessary. Many pet stores sell de-skunking shampoos. If you want to try an old fashioned remedy, pour a few cans of tomato juice over the coat and allow it to sit a few minutes before rinsing. Repeat as necessary. (You know the drill - lather, rinse, repeat).
A word of caution, the tomato juice remedy make make your pet's nice white coat turn pink.
And when the bath is done, your dog grooming is not. Think about it. Proper hygiene for you includes your ears, teeth and eyes. It's the same way for your pet. In the long run, you'll probably save a bundle on vet care is you keep these areas clean and free of infection
This of course means more dog grooming supplies. The list is lengthy so again, choose what you think you'll need.
The list for your monthly dog grooming session includes:
Your dog will also need his nails clipped. You can take him to the vet or groomer, or save yourself some money by doing it yourself. There are three types of nail clippers. The scissors type is recommended for small dogs. The guillotine type is best on medium sized dogs, and the heavy-duty pliers type is best for big dogs with strong hard nails.
Finally, you need a brush. The type of brush depends largely on the type of dog. Select the type you'll need for your specific breed.
The wide toothed comb is better for thick, dense coats, but they serve the same purpose to remove tangles after brushing.
The mat or rake comb is specifically designed to remove mats in long curly hair. They break up the mats with angled teeth and work best when used with a spray detangling product.
Again pick the tools to make your dog grooming easier and both you and your pet will be happier.
When should you bathe him? Here's an obvious answer. When your dog smells like a dog, it's time for a bath.
Understand that bathing is only part of your dog grooming session and is not without challenges. First of all, keep all your supplies within reach. If you have to go in search of the shampoo while the dog is in the tub, all it takes is a jump and a shake, and you're left with a soaked bathroom and a wet dog running through the house.
The bath tub, by the way, is the easiest place to bathe him. You'll need the hot and cold water to get the shampoo out. A spray attachment is helpful as is a rubber mat to keep him from slipping. If you have a small dog, the sink might be easier on your back.
OK, we talked about a few supplies you'll need. But there are others you'll need for dog grooming. You don't need to have them all, but choose the ones that will make the experience more pleasant for you and your pet. Dog grooming supplies you should consider include shampoo, conditioner, sponge, scrub brush, a soft bristled nail brush for the face, a bath mat, and a hand held sprayer or a large plastic cup for rinsing. You also might want to consider clothes for you that can get wet, and a nylon collar and leash if you think your dog may try to bolt. These items will stop your dog grooming session from turning into a nightmare.
If you dog has gotten into something really unpleasant such as an encounter with a skunk or a foll in a dead animals remains, extra measures may be necessary. Many pet stores sell de-skunking shampoos. If you want to try an old fashioned remedy, pour a few cans of tomato juice over the coat and allow it to sit a few minutes before rinsing. Repeat as necessary. (You know the drill - lather, rinse, repeat).
A word of caution, the tomato juice remedy make make your pet's nice white coat turn pink.
And when the bath is done, your dog grooming is not. Think about it. Proper hygiene for you includes your ears, teeth and eyes. It's the same way for your pet. In the long run, you'll probably save a bundle on vet care is you keep these areas clean and free of infection
This of course means more dog grooming supplies. The list is lengthy so again, choose what you think you'll need.
The list for your monthly dog grooming session includes:
- Moisturizing eye drops or eyewash
- Tear-stain remover if tear stains are a problem
- Ear hair tweezers
- Ear powder
- Ear wash or mineral oil
- Small spray bottle
- Heavy gauze for emptying anal glands if necessary (I know it's gross)
- Cotton balls or cotton swabs
Your dog will also need his nails clipped. You can take him to the vet or groomer, or save yourself some money by doing it yourself. There are three types of nail clippers. The scissors type is recommended for small dogs. The guillotine type is best on medium sized dogs, and the heavy-duty pliers type is best for big dogs with strong hard nails.
Finally, you need a brush. The type of brush depends largely on the type of dog. Select the type you'll need for your specific breed.
- The natural bristle brush has bristles that are softer and less likely to cause static electricity in a dog's coat than artificial bristles like those made from nylon. This is sort of an all-purpose brush that will smooth hair and distribute natural oils to the coat.
- The pin brush is generally used for long haired breeds like sht Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso. They help to detangle those long tangle prone coats and also work well on hard wire coats.
- The slicker brush has sensely set wire teeth. This brush is effective at removing mats and dead coat from long, wire, and curly coated dogs. They are ideal for grooming heavy shedders and effectively remove large amounts of dead hair. But they also can pull out some life hair, and for that reason are not ideal for grooming show dogs who want to maintain lush coats.
- The rubber curry brush is an oval shaped brush perfect for smooth coats. They polish the coat and remove dead hair to minimize shedding. Their rounded rubber bristles are gentle on the sensitive skin of most smooth coated breeds.
- The hound glove is actually a glove that slips over your hand and is covered with natural bristles on one side. Rub these gloves over your smooth-coated dog to remove dead hair and shine the coat.
The wide toothed comb is better for thick, dense coats, but they serve the same purpose to remove tangles after brushing.
The mat or rake comb is specifically designed to remove mats in long curly hair. They break up the mats with angled teeth and work best when used with a spray detangling product.
Again pick the tools to make your dog grooming easier and both you and your pet will be happier.