5 Tips for Grooming Your Dog at Home

It is important to keep your dog well groomed to keep him healthy and happy. Many people use groomers for this purpose, however, taking your dog to the groomer can costly over time. There is a way to save money and keep your dog well groomed as well. Groom your dog at home! It is easier then you may think. With a few tips to help get you started, you will be well on your way to a well-groomed dog and saving money too.

Tip One

You need to have a comfortable place set up in advance to groom your dog. Grooming can be a traumatic experience for a dog if they are not used to it. It is important that you do all that you can to help alleviate any stress that your dog may feel. It is important to have the grooming station set up in a well lit area. Make sure that you have set aside your grooming instruments. It is best to pay a few extra dollars for well made dog grooming items to make the process easier on you and the dog.

 Tip Two

Grooming your dog on a consistent basis can help their health. Many dogs shed with the change of season. This is a process that they go through to help keep them healthy through the warmer months. By grooming your dog on a regular basis, you can speed along the shedding process, as well as help keep your dog socialized with the grooming process.

 Tip Three

When grooming your dog make sure that you get every inch of their coat. It is often tempting to forget about the hair legs, eyes, and ears. These are very important areas to make sure the hair is trimmed around. One reason for this is that hair can get into the eyes of your dog and cause them not to be able to see. They can also getting a discharge from their eyes because of excess hair around them.

Tip Four

You should only need to clip your dog’s nails about once a month. This will be enough to keep them at a healthy length for you and your dog. With a quality pair of dog nail clippers, you want to cut off the tip of your dog’s nails. A good idea is to not go past where the nail begins to curve to make sure that you do not hurt him. 

Tip Five

Grooming of your dog should also include dental care. You dog needs to have his teeth brushed just like you do. You can use an old human toothbrush and dog toothpaste. It is important that you use dog toothpaste because most dogs will not like the taste of the toothpaste that you use.

Taking care of your dog entails more then just feeding and playing with him. You need to make sure that you take care of his outward appearance. By following these tips and grooming your dog at home, you will always be sure that your dog is putting his best paw forward.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 21:07:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Grooming Tips for the Family Dog

Just as proper grooming is important for humans, so too ensuring that your dog remains healthy is part of the grooming experience.  Here are some grooming tips for the family dog.

1. Depending upon the breed of the dog, that is, long-haired or short-haired, regular brushing should be part of the grooming routine.  This prevents the hairs from matting and ensures a continuous healthy coat. 
2. Bathing a dog is usually performed on a monthly basis.  However, if you have a dog that lives outdoors, you may wish to bathe him more frequently. 
3. Be sure to use either soap or shampoo specifically made for dogs. 
   While blow drying may be recommended for specific breeds, natural drying outdoors in spring and summer months is preferable. 
4. Be sure to wash from front to back and not to apply any soap on the dog’s face.  Use water instead.  A dog can easily lose his scent if soap is applied to the nose.  
5. While bathing the dog, you can also check to determine if there are any lumps or bumps under the dog’s coat. 
6. Try not to get any water into his ears.  Clean the ears with a cotton ball.
7. Nail trimming is also a component of good grooming.  However, one has to use the proper implement and be careful not to cut the nails so much so that it begins to bleed.  The rule of thumb is to just cut the tip of the nail.
8. Check the dog’s eyes to ensure they are clear.  If you notice anything out of the ordinary such as mucus or swelling, take the dog to a vet.  He may have developed conjunctivitis.
9. Brushing a dog’s teeth is also important.  This can be done once a week to ensure the dog doesn’t develop any dental problems.  Use toothpaste designed for dogs.
10. Another grooming tip which is essential in preventing fleas or ticks is to purchase a flea brush and use it on a daily basis, especially for dogs that spend most of their time outdoors.
11. Check the pads under the dog’s feet to ensure there are no stones or thorns that may have become embedded there.  If you notice your dog seems to be holding up one leg, there maybe something that is irritating the paw.

Finally, a regular check-up at the veterinarian is essential in maintaining your dog’s health.  While grooming will help keep him free of germs, mites, ticks, and fleas, these check-ups will ensure he is in good condition and if a case arises wherein he does develop any of the aforementioned problems, a vet can easily help you to attend to your beloved dog’s every need.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 15:15:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter