Grooming a Dog

Man’s best friend, the dog. They are such wonderful companions. You want them to look good and be not only healthy, but also happy.

In order to keep your dog looking his or her best, some grooming will probably be necessary. Depending on the breed of your dog, you may only have to do minimal grooming or you may have to do a considerable amount of grooming.

If your dog has a short coat like a dachshund, unless it is a long coat dachshund, haircuts aren’t necessary. Occasional bathing and brushing should be performed to help reduce shedding. Long haired breeds require regular brushing and bathing to keep hair mats away.

Breeds such as schnauzers, poodles and cocker spaniels need regular haircuts to show off their breed qualities at their best. Overgrown coats are unattractive and can be detrimental to the health on the skin.

Dog breeds that have long hair around their eyes need to have this area trimmed not only to provide them with clear vision but also to prevent eye infections.

Summer Cuts for Dogs

A lot of dog owners that have long haired breeds, pure bred or mixed, like the “summer cut“. Each spring, the coats on these dogs are shaved down which makes it less difficult to bathe and control fleas according to the owners.

This may be true, but some owners will have their dogs shaved year round because their dogs are uncooperative when it comes to regular grooming.

It is important to not shave your dog’s coat too short. The coat isn’t just there for looks, it also protects the dog’s skin from the sun and the cold. If the hair is shaved too short, you may put your dog at risk for sunburns which is definitely not a good thing.

Another point to consider with year round shaving is your dog’s tolerance to cold weather. It may be necessary to provide your dog with one of those adorable sweaters or coats during those colder days.

Dog Grooming Tasks

Grooming a dog means more than just getting your dog’s hair trimmed. It also includes bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and anal gland expression. As funny as it may sound, it is also beneficial to brush your dog’s teeth occasionally.

Some dogs like Poodles and Shih Tzus usually need their hair plucked from the inner ear area. If the hair in the ear is very thick, it results in a smelly ear that is more prone to ear infections.

Grooming a dog can be a pleasant task or it can be a nightmare. If you start basic grooming and handling when your dog is young, any grooming task as your dog gets older will be very well tolerated.

Grooming Puppies

Several pet salons offer puppy cuts which are a modified version of an adult cut that is specific for the breed. If a groomer is very patient and skilled, your puppy will have a good experience and not mind the grooming process.

You can help your puppy adjust to grooming by calmly massaging their paws and handling their nails gently at home. Many of the smaller dogs don’t like anyone messing with their paws, so the earlier you start, the better.

It’s the same thing with brushing their coats. Be patient and brush only a little each day.

Remember, puppies have a very short attention span so just brush their coat for only a few minutes each time. Starting simple grooming and handling at a young age will make future grooming easier on you and your dog.

Dogs like consistency, so if you didn’t start grooming them when they were pups, they’re not going to be happy when you start when they’re much older. This sudden change will probably even cause them some unnecessary stress.

Getting Older Dogs to Tolerate Grooming

Oh gee, what happens if your dog is older and hasn’t had regular grooming. Is even the simplest grooming tasks going to be a nightmare?

Or maybe you’ve adopted an older dog from a shelter. What can you do to make the grooming an enjoyable or at least tolerated task?

Of course, there’s always hope and with a lot of patience and consistency, even these older dogs can be easier to groom.

First, and probably most important, your dog must trust you. If that trust is there, it will be easier to get your dog accustomed to grooming. Start doing short grooming sessions on a regular basis. Always be calm during these sessions and be very patient.

As you continue the short grooming sessions, you’ll start noticing that your dog is more relaxed and accepting of the grooming process. Gradually increase the time spent on grooming and praise your dog. It may take a while, but consistency and patience will pay off.

Soon both you and your dog will enjoy the grooming process. Well, your dog may not enjoy all of the grooming tasks, but he or she will be very tolerant during the process.

In the end, dogs love the attention that you give them and most mellow with age, so keep trying to give your dog the necessary grooming. At the very least, get your dog used to being handled. This will not only be appreciated by a professional groomer but also your vet. It will also help your dog by making it less stressful during handling.