Want to groom your dog but don’t know where to even begin?
While you could choose to take your dog to a dog groomer, these can be expensive and there is no reason why you can’t carry out this simple task yourself.
Read on to discover everything there is to know about dog grooming and how you can groom your dog in just 5 simple steps.
Step 1: Gather supplies
Before you learn how to groom your dog, you first need to make sure you have all the necessary supplies.
If you have not groomed your dog before, you will need to go out and get:
- A dog brush
- A dog comb
- Dog shampoo
- A grooming mitt
- A non-slip mat
- A towel
When it comes to dog shampoo, you should look for one that is hypoallergenic as these are less likely to cause irritation than other types of dog shampoo.
Step 2: Start brushing
Depending on the breed of dog that you have, you may be able to get away with only brushing your dog once a week or you may have to carry out this task several times over the course of 7 days.
Start by brushing all the way down to the skin, as this stimulates blood circulation and helps to keep their coat shiny and healthy.
When brushing, make sure that you check for any burrs or other plant material and look to work out any matted fur which is common behind the ears and under the legs.
Step 3: Get bathing
Again, depending on the breed of your dog, you need to make sure that you bathe them regularly but not too frequently as this can remove the natural oils and cause their coat to become dry and lackluster.
Always use a mild shampoo that is specially formulated for dogs such as one from christiesdirect.ie and take steps to protect their eyes and ears.
Make sure that you use warm water that is not too hot or too cold and lather thoroughly before rinsing. When it comes to drying your dog after a bath, you can choose to either towel dry them or use a hairdryer if you want to style their fur in a particular way.
Step 4: Trim their nails
To keep your dog’s feet healthy, you need to make sure that you keep their nails trimmed as long nails can cause a whole host of issues including gait abnormalities and pain when walking.
To ensure that you trim your dog’s nails safely and effectively, you need to use a nail trimmer that is designed for your breed of dog and one that features a safety guard which prevents you from cutting their nails too short.
Step 5: Clean their ears and eyes
You should clean your dog’s ears once a month to help prevent ear problems from developing. Use a damp cloth or cotton swab and never force anything directly into the ear.
To clean your dog’s eyes, use a moist cotton ball. You do not need to invest in any specific eye ointment unless advised by your vet.
Leave a Reply