How Well Is Your Dog Groomed?
There are several reasons why you should groom your dog. First, your dog’s physical condition influences the way he feels. Next, your dog can sense your approval when he looks good! In addition, how well your dog behaves is affected by his care, cleaning and grooming.
Proper grooming not only infuses a healthy glow to your dog’s appearance, it also helps develop his self-esteem. It makes you a very proud parent, when you show off your dog to others.
The type of coat your dog has will definitely affect how often he/she needs to be groomed. It will also affect how much time and effort you will spend grooming.
Your dog’s breed will also be an indicator of the type of grooming you can expect. Mixed breeds may have combined characteristics.
For example, dogs bred to handle cold water, many retrievers, Newfoundlands, etc. will tend to have coats that easily mat and snarl. These type of coats keep dogs warm while in water.
Other breeds have long and short coat versions which will affect their grooming (i.e. German Shepherds).
The first step involved in dog grooming is: Brushing!
Brushing has been universally acknowledged by expert dog groomers as the single most important step in grooming.
The benefits of brushing are many. To name a few:
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Better blood circulation
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Shinier and healthier coat
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Better bonding
We know how crucial brushing is for a dog’s health and well-being. Now we know that there is a right way and a wrong way of brushing. Without doubt, you would like to do everything the RIGHT way when it comes to your dog.
Using a variety of brushes and combs will make your grooming easier and more effective.
Here are FIVE steps to successfully brushing your Dog that will prove to be extremely useful:
- Brush against the growth of the hair first with a slicker brush and then with a medium or wide-toothed comb.
- The slicker brush removes all the loose hair and the comb takes care of the tangles.
- Brush your dog along the hair growth and make sure you reach the skin as you brush his way.
- Then use a flea comb over the coat to get the fleas and remove any remaining tangles. Part the coat and start from the root and then comb through.
- If your dog’s paw pads are hairy, then clip them using electric clippers. Do not clip the hair in between the pads. Clip only the excess hair.
Brush your dog’s hairs to prevent it from matting. Matting can be a very painful experience.
Regular brushing untangles the matted hairs on your dog’s coat. Since this is a risky job to do, the best way out is to prevent them from forming in the first place. And doing this is simple: just brush and comb your dog regularly. If and when you see any mats or tangles, use a detangle solution and a medium-toothed comb.
Don’t wait until your dog is dirty or matted to introduce him to grooming. That would make him associate the experience with unpleasantness. Moreover, many dogs learn to see their routine brushing as an alternate form of petting, i.e. another source of affection and attention.
Brushing Her Dog