Pet Care
Your dog and.....Grooming
Grooming your dogDogs by nature do tend to groom themselves and in pack situations, groom each other. However, as a result of selective breeding many dogs depend on humans for a little helping hand!
Why groom your dog?
Grooming your dog is an important way to “bond” with your pet, and should be a pleasurable experience for you and your dog. Grooming your dog will highlight any unwanted visitors such as fleas, ticks and skin conditions.
Dog grooming – The basic grooming kit
You will need a selection of grooming items suitable for the breed of your dog. Different brushes and equipment are required for the varying types of coat thickness and length. Short hair dogs such as Boxer’s, Pointers, Bloodhounds, and Pugs etc. Dogs with short, close coats need just an occasional brushing with a rubber brush. A chamois leather will “buff” the coat up and will help produce a lovely shine. These breeds, although low maintenance, do have a habit of shedding hairs throughout the year. Medium length dogs such as Chihuahuas, Spaniels, Setters etc. It is advisable to invest in a soft slicker brush for these breeds. This soft metal brush really gets into the coat and is ideal removing small mats and tangles. Remember to be very gentle and not tug, as this brush can irritate if used too enthusiastically. A pin brush can also be used, but will not remove any knots or tangles. A bristle brush is good for adding a finishing shine to the coat. Specialist breed dogs such as poodles, Bichon Frises, West Highland terriers and coarse hair breeds. There are many breeds, which require regular visits to the grrmming parlour, if they are to look their best. Poodles need to be clipped around every 6-8 weeks, as they do not shed hair. West Highland Terriers look best in their traditional “westie trims” which is best left to a professional groomer. Bichon Frises need very skilful scissoring to achieve the powder puff look. Coarse hair breeds need plucking by hand! This sounds painful, but is actually not! If you are interested in a dog with special grooming needs, check out their profiles in the Dog Breed Directory section of Pet Care for in depth information. Tail-end inspection Check around your dog’s bottom for any accumulated poo and inflammation. Gently trimming around the bottom will prevent unnecessary soiling. If your dog is rubbing his bottom along the ground or “scooting”, he may have worms or it could be that his anal glands are full and need emptying. Check with your vet, as there is often a reason why dogs have problem with their glands. Matted dogs If your dog is very matted, it is unadvisable to try and cut out the knots yourself. It is very easy to cut a dog with scissors, especially if they wriggle as you try to groom him. Also, tugging at knots will only make your pet anxious about being groomed in the next time. It is not advisable to bath matted dogs, as knots tend to become worse when they become wet. Take your dog to a professional groomer. They will be able to clip off the necessary poor coat and will be able to advise you on proper coat care to prevent the problem reoccurring. Clipping the nails Many dogs that exercise on grass do not wear down their nails as well as dogs that exercise on firm surfaces. It is also important to check your dogs nails if he has dew claws, as these do not wear down as they do not come into contact with the ground. In these cases nails need to be trimmed regularly. Your vet will show you how to trim the nails. If your pet has clear nails, you will be able to see the living tissue or “quick”, which is the red blood vessel running through the middle of the nail. It is important not to cut through this vessel, as it will cause discomfort and bleeding. There are many nerve endings at the end of the quick and you should be careful not to trim close to this. Use a nail-trimmer with a safety bar and always have a coagulant, to stop the bleeding to apply to nails if you do accidentally cut through the quick. If your dog has black claws, it is advisable to have his nails professionally trimmed by a vet or dog groomer. Facial hygiene Inspect your dog’s eyes every day. Gently clean away any mucus with a damp ball of cotton wall. If your dog has creases and wrinkles on his face, check for any build up of debris and any sign of odour. Bathing your dog Your dog should not require bathing more than 3 or 4 times a year. Insert a ball of cotton wall into each ear to prevent water running into the ear canal. Always choose a shampoo especially designed for dogs and not products designed for humans. Washing up liquid and soap powder are NOT suitable for your pet’s delicate skin. Be sure to rinse all traces of shampoo from the coat to avoid irritation. Looking after teeth and gums Have a lock inside your dog’s mouth everyday. Lock for any signs of inflammation and debris. Train your dog to allow you to brush gently with a soft toothbrush and special doggy toothpaste. Make sure your pet has his own toothbrush! Use special dog toothpaste. Human toothpaste tastes horrible to a dog and they do not like the foaming sensation. Ear care Check your dog’s ears at least once a week. Gently clean with a cotton wall ball moistened with a special dog ear cleaner to remove any build up of debris and wax. Be careful not to push the cotton wall ball into the ear. Consult your vet if the inside of ear is inflamed or if you notice black specks, which could be a sign of ear mites.
Clipping and scissoring
Clipping your dog is a skill that is best left to a professional groomer. Mistakes with clippers and scissors can cause serious injuries to your pet. You can locate a groomer in your area in the Pet Services section of the site. A good groomer will take the time to ask you about the lokk you want to achieve with your dog. A creative groomer will also “hide” any minor breed faults and bring out the best features of your Pet! Expect to pay from £20 for a clip and wash. If you are interested in clipping your own dog, there are grooming training schools that offer this service.