Much like humans, dogs need proper grooming and hygiene to look and feel their best. While all dogs have the same basic needs in this regard, your specific pet may require more – or less – dog grooming to maintain optimum results. Some grooming regimens also help to strengthen the bond between you and your best friend, and can be as good for their emotional health as their physical well-being.
Here are some dog grooming basics for you to incorporate into your routine.
Dog Grooming Essentials
- Hair Brushing: Not only will brushing your dog’s hair result in a smooth, sleek coat – your dog will love you for it! It is a rare dog who does not enjoy having their coat brushed, and this is a great bonding activity for every day. Long haired dogs require daily brushing to keep their coat from matting and tangling, but short haired dogs require far less brushing (every few weeks or so). Another benefit of regular brushing? It keeps shedding to a minimum, which can help you to keep air conditioning filters clear and your furniture free of excessive dog hair.
- Bathing: We don’t have to tell you that bathing is not as popular with most dogs as brushing! Still, if you start a bathing routine with your dog early on, and associate rewards for good behavior, you should be able to have a peaceful bath time. Monthly baths are commonplace (unless your dog is dirty or showing signs of itching), but more frequent baths are fine as long as you use a soap-free dog shampoo. If your pet has a skin condition or you have any concerns about bathing him, call your veterinarian for any specific dog grooming tips.
- Nail Clipping: Just as virtually every dog loves being brushed, a hatred for nail clipping seems just as universal. Generally dogs do not like having their paws handled, and if they experience pain from their nails being cut too short, they will not forget it. Dog owners are often skittish about this grooming necessity as well, because no one wants to hurt their dog. The best recommendation is to have a professional groomer or nail technician teach you how to properly cut their nails – r simply have them do it every time. On average a dog’s nails should be clipped once per month, but your dog’s needs may be more or less. If you absolutely cannot bring yourself to cut their nails, you may wish to consider a rotary nail filing tool.
- Haircuts: The required frequency of this dog grooming essential will vary widely from dog to dog. Some dogs will almost never need a haircut, while some – like a poodle – will need a haircut every month or so. Most people tend to leave regular haircuts to a professional dog groomer (with the added bonus of cutting their nails!). But if you would like to handle these jobs at home, look into dog grooming school. You’ll save money on all future grooming, and can feel confident that your dog is being well taken care of.
Sometimes dogs react badly to dog grooming chores because they associate the event with a scary experience in the past. If you need to train your dog to behave during bath-time, or to sit still for a haircut – call the experts at Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training. Our obedience classes and wealth of knowledge about dog behavior can help you to train your dog proper reactions to common tasks and experiences. No matter your dog’s behavioral challenge, we are here to help. If you live in the Sarasota or Bradenton area, call our expert dog trainers today.
