Basic Grooming Tips For Dogs

When grooming your dog, there are some basic things to remember to ensure everything goes smoothly and you keep your dog safe. 

Choose the right time – Just because you’re in the mood to groom your dog doesn’t mean your dog is in the mood to be groomed. Pick a good time to go to work and it will be a more pleasant experience for both you and your pet. Make her feel calm and relaxed by getting some exercise in beforehand and showing her some love throughout the grooming process.

Pay attention to her reaction – Though dogs can be notoriously difficult when getting a bath, try not to completely ignore the fussiness of your pet. Maybe the water is too hot or cold. Maybe your dog is nervous about her footing and needs a rubber bath mat. Keeping calm throughout the bath can have a positive effect as well. Remember to keep your dog inside and dry her completely. Otherwise, you’ll have dirty water shaken all over your home.

Check out this cute video, from America’s Funniest Home Videos, of a dog refusing to take a bath…

Don’t overdo it – Giving a dog too many baths can actually be bad for its health, leading to dried out skin and coat. Two to four times a month is a good start, with slightly higher frequency during times of higher activity. Be careful when applying shampoo and other cleansing products.

Brush, brush, brush – Brush your dog’s coat regularly, even with short-haired breeds. However, the longer the hair, the more frequent you should brush. In addition to improving a dog’s appearance, brushing her coat helps distribute natural, beneficial oils, controls fleas and other unwanted critters.

Talk to a vet – A vet can tell you specific problems to keep an eye out for based on the breed and age of your dog. They can also teach you how to deal with a breed’s specific behavior. Most valuable, however, is a nail clipping demonstration. Dreaded by dog owners, nail clipping can be painless when done correctly.

At Pauley’s Pups small dog breed pet store in Ashland, Virginia, we are available to answer any questions you may have about various breeds, as well as grooming tips specific to the breed.