When you own a dog, you are responsible for more than making sure they are fed and have water to drink. You are responsible for caring for them in every way that they are unable to care for themselves. This includes taking them to the veterinarian when necessary and even caring for their grooming needs.
If you plan on grooming your dog regularly or if you are even going to have them groomed by an outside service, it’s important to do so properly. When you take the proper steps, it can make your dog more comfortable with the process and both of you will benefit from the effort.
Here are 10 things you can do to keep your dog happy in this regard:
1. Start early – It may be that your dog doesn’t appreciate getting groomed, and that is not out of the ordinary. It often stems from any handling that takes place when they were a puppy. If you touch their paws and take them to the groomer when they are young, they will grow accustomed to it.
2. Regular brushing – Don’t wait until it is too late to brush your dog’s hair. Brush it on a regular basis and it will be a much more pleasant experience.
3. Thorough checking – be sure that you are regularly checking out-of-the-way areas, such as the armpits, ears and feet. Try to avoid anything getting stuck in those areas, as it might be uncomfortable.
4. Be cool – If you are experiencing a lot of stress, your dog will pick up on it. While grooming the dog, try to stay as calm as possible.
5. Bathing – It isn’t enough to clip the toenails and brush the dog, you need to bathe them regularly as well. Just don’t overdo it, as you could remove natural oils from the skin.
6. Understand the breed – There are significant differences in how each dog should be groomed, and it often has to do with their breed.
7. Pay attention to the quick – When clipping the toenails, be sure that you don’t overdo it. If you clip into the quick, you are snipping a nerve ending. It is painful to the animal and could cause bleeding. Cornstarch or styptic powder should be kept on hand in case of bleeding.
8. No human toothpaste – Take good care of your dog’s oral health, including brushing their teeth regularly. Don’t use human toothpaste, however, because it is toxic to dogs.
9. Get the good stuff – If you are going to do your own grooming, buy high-quality tools and have everything you need on hand.
10. Make it fun – During grooming, be sure that your Pooch gets lots of positive reinforcement, treats and even a special toy.
Via: Little Things
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