The Do’s And Don’ts Of Grooming Your Dog At Home
As a dog owner, it is important that you regularly groom your dog in order to maintain their hygiene, happiness and well-being. Taking your dog to a dog grooming service routinely is recommended because they have the expertise and training to complete the task properly and efficiently. However, sometimes you may not have the time or you want to save your money for other things and if that’s the case, you must groom them during your own time at home. This is a great alternative for you and your dog, but you must be careful while taking care of your dog at home because there are certain things that you should and should not do. Here is a list of them to help you be more aware and cautious.
Things that you should do
Be patient
Dogs may feel your stress and anxiety, so you must ensure that you’re calm and relaxed, and that you’ve scheduled enough time for their grooming routine. It is best to take your time and pay special attention to what you’re doing and how your dog reacts. You must also take a pause if you notice symptoms of stress, such as shaking, whimpering, or panting that isn’t caused by heat. When using scissors or nail clippers, use extreme caution to avoid any potential injuries. If your dog panics and won’t sit still, it is recommended that you try grooming them more frequently, like once a week or so and only do a tiny amount at a time. If you need to clip your dog’s nails, do it a couple at a time. Also, provide lots of praise, stroking, and snacks to make it a pleasant experience for them as well.
Be selective where you groom them
You must be able to see what you’re doing, and you must also have a safe, non-slip surface to prevent your dog from slipping and injuring themselves. Grooming your dog in a well-lit place is recommended because you will then know what exactly you are taking care of and spot parts of their body that must be taken care of. Furthermore, tethering your pets while grooming might result in disastrous incidents so you must refrain from doing so. Of course, if they enjoy being brushed, comb them whenever and wherever you can because it may be a fantastic bonding experience. Brushing can also be used as a reward after a grooming treatment that they dislike.
Select appropriate equipment for the job
Before you comb your dog, you must ask yourself if you’re using the proper supplies for the job. A particular brush, for example, may be required based on your dog’s fur and skin type. That is why you should conduct your research online or ask your veterinarian what type of equipment is best for your dog’s body type. This applies to anything; you must ensure that the nail clippers, scissors, trimmer, and so on are of good quality and acceptable for your dog. If you’re unsure, don’t be afraid to approach your veterinarian or a dog grooming service employee for advice.
Extensive maintenance is required for specific dogs
Treating long hair like short hair does not relate to dogs. These dogs can easily develop mats on various regions of their bodies if they are not brushed on a regular basis, such as behind the ears, behind the front legs, and in front of the rear legs. With that being said, you must examine your dog’s coat on a regular basis. Moreover, dogs with lengthy fur on their paws may benefit from having it cut before having their nails trimmed.
Know when to stop
Despite your best attempts and good intentions to clean your dog, your dog may still fail to remain quiet and stand still while grooming. If this occurs, it would be beneficial to consider enlisting the assistance of a trustworthy friend while grooming, or consult your veterinarian about natural soothing remedies. If you are unable to perform it securely at home, you may always seek the assistance of your veterinarian.
Things you shouldn’t do
Don’t use human products
Using your own shampoo to bathe your dog may appear to be a more convenient and cost-effective option, but it may be quite detrimental to your pet. Dog shampoo contains the proper pH balance, which helps maintain their skin’s cleanliness and healthiness, with a lovely and lustrous coat. Human shampoo contains chemicals that can be detrimental to a dog’s coat and cause painful skin irritations, necessitating an emergency visit to the doctor. With that being said, you must use the proper equipment and products when grooming your dog to avoid any problems.
Don’t forget oral health
Because gum disease and foul breath can both be serious issues for dogs, you need to clean their teeth and gums on a regular basis. You should double-check that you’re just using toothpaste designed exclusively for pets because again, human toothpaste won’t be a good mix with dog’s mouths. There are also certain doggie dental treats available that you can give them on occasion to assist improve their breath and general tooth hygiene.
Don’t brush damp fur
The most inefficient time to comb your dog’s coat is immediately after a bath, when their hair is still damp. Grooming your dog’s hair when it’s damp can be uncomfortable, and it also causes extra tangles and knots. That is why you should always brush dogs before bathing them and then just let them air dry completely. You may use a brush to remove any knots or matted hair once it has dried completely, but just keep in mind that you must be kind with them.
There is a lot that you should and shouldn’t do when grooming your dog at home. When taking care of your dog at home, you must be patient, have the appropriate selection of equipment for the job, be careful about where you groom them, be aware of how much care your dog needs and know when to stop. Furthermore, it is recommended to not use human products for dogs, to not forget about their oral hygiene and to not brush their fur while it’s damp. By remembering these tips, you will be able to groom your dog efficiently and with extra care.
