It is an important part of your dog’s well being but many of us leave it far too long between sessions. Whilst taking your dog to a parlour or having pro visit your home can be pricey, it is possible to groom the dog yourself!
Clipping dogs nails
You can start trimming the nails while your dog is still a puppy using basic clippers. Starting early will get him used to the process. Be careful not to cut up to the pink part of the nail, as this will be very painful for the dog.
Brushing
Brushing can prevent matting or tangling of hair. Frequency differs on the dogs hair type, for long-haired dogs, do this regularly as they are prone to matting. Medium-haired dogs seldom have tangled hair, so you can do it at least once a week, while short-haired dogs can be brushed every 2 weeks.
Bathing
Bathing can be a very messy and wet process for all involved. Some dogs just don’t like water and will run a mile as soon as they see you heading for the basin. Regularly bathing your pooch from puppyhood will also get them used to the process and will make bathing far easier in the long term. Remember to use a dog shampoo as many human shampoos are not PH balanced. Also, remember to remove the collar before she gets wet as this can cause sores if not removed prior. We recommend wearing a plastic apron too.
Ear Care
Put a small drop of ear cleaning solution on cotton wool and swipe from inner to outer ear. Don’t rub vigorously as this may cause sores. This can be done once a month depending on how much earwax has built up.
Haircut
Not all dogs need haircuts, but breeds like a Poodle or Shih Tzu need to be trimmed every 3-4 weeks. This is not for the faint hearted so we recommend you visit a professional groomer to do this for you.