If you have a breed that requires extensive dog grooming, you can run up quite a bill with a professional dog groomer. To save money and increase your bond with your pet, you may want to consider doing your own grooming.
Grooming is the basic maintenance of your dog's coat and body. Some dogs need extensive brushing and bathing, while others require very little care. Grooming your dog is important for his mental and physical health. You should begin to groom your dog when he is a puppy.
Although the puppy may not need to be groomed to enhance appearance, it is important to accustom him to the groom process. This is especially important for breeds such as poodles. A standard poodle can require several hours of grooming every week and you do not want to groom your dog for the first time when he weighs fifty or sixty pounds.
To accustom your puppy, you will need a damp washcloth, pet safe nail clippers, and a soft brush. You can find these grooming productsicon in any pet store offline or online. Begin by showing your puppy the tools, but do not allow him to chew on them. Trying to brush a dog for the next ten or so years when he thinks the groom tools are toys can really get frustrating. If you will be using clippers to groom your dog when he is older, look for an inexpensive set of clippers with a quiet motor so that he can grow used to the sound.
Next, gently wipe under your puppy's eyes with the damp cloth to remove any matter or tear stains. Praise your puppy the entire time you are working and offer a favorite treat. Do not hold his muzzle tightly while you work. It is more important to show him that grooming is fun than to actually wipe away the matter.
After you are done using the damp cloth, it is time to use the brush. Stroke your puppy's back a few moments and then casually replace your hand with the brush. Once your puppy is accustomed to the feel of the brush, he should look forward to his daily grooming. When he is older, he will be willing to accept the brushes that are recommended for his breed.
Now, you will need to clip your dog's toenails when they grow too long. To get your puppy used to the procedure, hold his paw and praise him for allowing you to do so. Next, clip off the tip of the nail. Do not cut into the vein. If your puppy's nail begins to bleed, you will need to stop the bleeding with a styptic pencil. In an emergency, you can apply flour to slow the bleeding if you do not have a styptic pencil.
If you don't feel comfortable clipping your puppy's nails, don't do it. When you groom a puppy, it is important that you do not scare him. Your vet will be able to clip your puppy's nails when he goes for his six month checkup.
Finally, if your dog's coat will need to be clipped, start by getting him used to the clippers. Run them over his body without turning them on. Once your dog is used to feeling the clippers, you can turn them on. Be careful you do not nick the skin when you groom your dog. He will remember that the clippers hurt and will be upset the next time you turn them on.
Most importantly, as you groom your dog, don't forget to enjoy your time together. If you lay a good foundation it can be a fun event for both of you.
Grooming is the basic maintenance of your dog's coat and body. Some dogs need extensive brushing and bathing, while others require very little care. Grooming your dog is important for his mental and physical health. You should begin to groom your dog when he is a puppy.
Although the puppy may not need to be groomed to enhance appearance, it is important to accustom him to the groom process. This is especially important for breeds such as poodles. A standard poodle can require several hours of grooming every week and you do not want to groom your dog for the first time when he weighs fifty or sixty pounds.
To accustom your puppy, you will need a damp washcloth, pet safe nail clippers, and a soft brush. You can find these grooming productsicon in any pet store offline or online. Begin by showing your puppy the tools, but do not allow him to chew on them. Trying to brush a dog for the next ten or so years when he thinks the groom tools are toys can really get frustrating. If you will be using clippers to groom your dog when he is older, look for an inexpensive set of clippers with a quiet motor so that he can grow used to the sound.
Next, gently wipe under your puppy's eyes with the damp cloth to remove any matter or tear stains. Praise your puppy the entire time you are working and offer a favorite treat. Do not hold his muzzle tightly while you work. It is more important to show him that grooming is fun than to actually wipe away the matter.
After you are done using the damp cloth, it is time to use the brush. Stroke your puppy's back a few moments and then casually replace your hand with the brush. Once your puppy is accustomed to the feel of the brush, he should look forward to his daily grooming. When he is older, he will be willing to accept the brushes that are recommended for his breed.
Now, you will need to clip your dog's toenails when they grow too long. To get your puppy used to the procedure, hold his paw and praise him for allowing you to do so. Next, clip off the tip of the nail. Do not cut into the vein. If your puppy's nail begins to bleed, you will need to stop the bleeding with a styptic pencil. In an emergency, you can apply flour to slow the bleeding if you do not have a styptic pencil.
If you don't feel comfortable clipping your puppy's nails, don't do it. When you groom a puppy, it is important that you do not scare him. Your vet will be able to clip your puppy's nails when he goes for his six month checkup.
Finally, if your dog's coat will need to be clipped, start by getting him used to the clippers. Run them over his body without turning them on. Once your dog is used to feeling the clippers, you can turn them on. Be careful you do not nick the skin when you groom your dog. He will remember that the clippers hurt and will be upset the next time you turn them on.
Most importantly, as you groom your dog, don't forget to enjoy your time together. If you lay a good foundation it can be a fun event for both of you.