Dog Care - Grooming and Nail Clipping

Brushing and Grooming

If you have a dog that has short hair like a Boxer or Dalmatian, it is still necessary to groom your pet regularly. Start grooming your canine when it's a puppy, this will help you down the road as your dog becomes accustomed to brushing and grooming.

Even if it doesn't want to be brushed, it is important to get your dog used to the process. After a while it won't even care if it is being groomed.

You can put your puppy on a table and start brushing it with a soft tooth brush. Don't leave your pup unattended, it could jump off and injure itself. Grooming professionals advise to run an electric shaver near your dog to get it used to the noise. This will help in case you take your dog to the dog groomers and it won't bite or try to get away.

As your puppy keeps growing, you can increase the length of your grooming time. For dogs that have long or heavy, dense fur, it is important to use a rake brush and a pin type brush. For dogs that have smooth coats, it's recommended to use a grooming mitt. You can find many different types of grooming tools made specifically for your dog's breed.

Clipping Nails

You should clip your dog's nails before giving it a bath. Don't worry if you feel like you are going to hurt your pet. It's actually rather easy once you get the hang of it. Begin with clipping the rear paws. Lift one paw at a time and try to clip just the tip of the nail.

Don't go too far and clip the quick, which is a vein. If you accidentally cut into the quick, your pup will let you know by crying in pain. Use a dab of styptic powder to stop any bleeding. Once you are done with the hind paws, move your way to the front ones.

If Your dog happens to have dark or even black nails, it can be difficult to see where the nail tip and quick are. In this case, use a nail grinder, a helpful veterinarian or groomer can show you how.

Bathing

It's important to bathe your canine around every 6 weeks. Make sure to brush its coat thoroughly before giving it a bath. You should wipe away any dirt from your dog's ears with cotton swabs. Never use shampoo for human hair, your dog's skin can get irritated because it is a different ph Balance.

After bathing your dog, blow dry or use a towel to wipe off the water. Your pet will help you out by doing its little shake. Once they are dry, you should brush their hair one more time. You'll need some help if you have a big dog breed.