When it comes to knowing how to groom a dog, you have many different options. Brushing and shampooing are perfectly normal at-home tasks. But there are inherent dangers associated with properly brushing and bathing a dog, particularly if you’re not trained.
If you’ve never owned a pet before, you’re probably thinking, “What the heck are these strange looking clippers?” Some pet owners use clippers like professional hair stylists. The tools are very similar to those used by veterinarians. The main difference is that clippers don’t have sharp blades. Many people who have owned pets that were clipper savvy will tell you that they often had very close, personal relationships with their dogs.
Most dogs enjoy a full bath or grooming session once or twice a week, but some dogs may require more. In order to determine how often your dog needs a bath or grooming session, you will need to evaluate how dirty they are and how long you plan to keep them in the bathroom. For example, if your dog has just urinated in the water you use for the bathtub, you probably don’t need to continue the session. However, if your dog urinates in the running water, it’s probably time to get out your clippers. Cleaning the fur around your dog’s ears and tail is also a good time to groom.
It is important to be gentle when brushing your pet’s teeth. Your dog will likely resist strong brushing because dogs are naturally afraid of teeth and painful cuts. Gentle brushing promotes a sense of security and confidence in your pet. When you brush their teeth, pay special attention to the area between the gum line and the back teeth.
One tip that most experts recommend is bathing your dog on a schedule. For example, most experts recommend bathing dogs every other day during the summer. This allows your dog to “breath” and dry out between baths. Some experts recommend bathing dogs every single day, while others only recommend bathing them once per week.
Your dog’s ears should be washed thoroughly each time you bathe them. The ear mites that live in your dog’s ear can cause foul odors to linger around the ear canal if they are not removed. When you bathe your dog’s ears, it’s recommended that you use warm water to rinse them out, but never use soap or shampoo. Dry your dog with a towel so you can remove any mites or excessive earwax that may have gathered in the ear canal.
How to groom a dog depends entirely on how large your dog is. Grooming small dogs such as Chihuahuas or toy dogs takes less time than grooming large dogs like Great Danes or German Shepherds. Small dogs with long, smooth coats can be bathed by the owner using a small brush in the same manner that you would brush your own fur. If you have a large, bushy coat on your dog, you may want to consider getting professional grooming services. Grooming your pet will keep their coats shiny and healthy looking. A pet groomer will make sure that your dog has an adequate amount of hair to lather and will trim hair on a regular basis.
If you are interested in learning more about grooming your dogs yourself, you can visit your local pet store and browse through the pages of books devoted to the subject. Many pet stores have books available specifically for pet groomers and dog owners. If you have access to the Internet, you can also find a number of Schwab guides, as well as videos, online that allow you to easily groom your dog yourself. Some of the tools used by professional groomers include oscillating brushes, hair dryers and hair trimmers. These tools make it easy for the professional dog groomer to give your dog a professional haircut.