Bringing your dogs to the vet on a regular basis and keeping their shots up to date is critical to making sure that they are healthy and feeling their best. But one area of care that you may not think of as often is grooming. Proper canine grooming not only lets your pet look his best, but it removes dirt, helps to reduce insect infestations, and maintains your dog’s overall cleanliness.
When you adopt a new dog, don’t forget to bring home canine grooming tools along with their toys, leash and bowl.
Canine Grooming Basics Every Dog Owner Should Have
Combs and Brushes: While some dogs need these tools more than others, every dog should be brushed on occasion to remove any debris, bugs, matted fur or knows. The type of brush you use will depend upon the breed of dog, the length of its fur, and its daily routine. (Dogs kept primary indoors and walked on sidewalks are less likely to need a good brushing than the dog who plays in the woods.) Slicker brushes are great for dogs with long hair and undercoats, such as golden retrievers. They use fine wires to remove small matted clumps. A dematting comb takes on larger matted knots, clumps and snarls. A glove brush is a hand glove outfitted with nubs for brushing your dogs hair. These are great for dogs who are nervous, or who need minimal brushing. To them, it feels that they are simply being petted while getting a massage. Bristle brushes, rake combs, and shedding blades are other types of grooming tools – be sure to ask a professional which tool is right for your dog’s coat.
Dog Shampoo: Your dog may need to be shampooed on a fairly infrequent basis, maybe once per month depending on their lifestyle. Still, for such a minor chore, it is the source of controversy between dog owners, vets and groomers. Can you use human shampoo on your dog? The question lies in the pH balance both of the shampoo and your dog’s skin. We could go into all of the pros and cons, but for the sake of expediency, we recommend shampoo specially formulated for canines. For a relatively small cost, you can ensure that your pooch won’t suffer from the skin irritation that human shampoo can cause.
Nail Clippers: Nail trimming is undoubtedly an important part of the canine grooming regimen. It is also the most dreaded, and can be the most difficult. Many dogs absolutely abhor this particular aspect of grooming, and will do everything in their power to avoid it. Maybe they don’t like people holding them still, or perhaps they are uncomfortable with their paws being touched. However, the most common reason dogs seem to resist this process is the remembrance of a painful experience in the past. Many dog owners choose to bring dogs to a groomer for regular nail trims, but if you choose to do this job yourself, you’ll need the right tool. Scissors are perhaps best for small dogs, as they are easy for most to control and provide a clean cut as long as blades are sharp. Guillotine clippers are best for medium-sized dogs. These clippers require that the entire nail tip be inserted and aligned properly between the blades. Plier-style clippers are good for big dogs, and those with talons. New products (such as nail grinders) may be a good alternative for you and your dog – ask your groomer for advice.
At Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training, we understand that there are many facets to creating a happy, safe and healthy environment for your dog. One of the most important things you can do is to make sure that they are properly trained, as this will set boundaries and make them feel comfortable and safe in their own space. This can also help them to overcome any fear or anxiety in dealing with other dogs and humans.
