How to Groom Your Dog

Contents [Hide] 1 Dog Grooming Supplies 2 Bath Time 3 Nails 4 Doggy Dental Hygiene 5 Related Guides

Dog grooming is important for your pet's health and appearance. Many people take their dog to a professional groomer, but doing so on a regular basis would be quite costly. It's nice to take your dog to a professional at least once a year (like taking a long haired dog right before summer starts), but trips twice a month are out of the question for most households. Grooming your dog yourself is relatively easy and can even develop into an opportunity to bond with your pooch. Most dogs actually enjoy the majority of the grooming process, although they are likely to be nervous the first few times.

Dog Grooming Supplies

The first step to grooming your dog is gathering the right supplies . The supplies you'll need depend on the breed of dog you own. An American Eskimo dog and a beagle call for two totally different toolboxes . Below you'll find a chart describing the basics of supplies needed for short haired dogs versus long haired dogs. In the external links section you'll find links to sites dissecting grooming by individual breeds. It is common to find grooming kits  sold by coat type. 

Dog Brushes
Pin Brushes  Great for medium and short-haired dogs.	Slicker Brushes  Long-haired dogs should have a soft wire slicker brush  in their grooming kit . Can be used on short haired dogs as well.	Comb  Long-haired dogs should be groomed with a comb that has both fine and coarse teeth . Short-haired dogs with feathery hairs on their legs, ears, or tail can also use a comb.	Mat Combs  The long, powerful teeth will undo all those mats and knots on your long or medium-haired dog. Insert the mat comb into the mat and rock back and forth in a sawing motion.	Shedding Blades  Long-haired dogs will sometimes need a shedding blade to get out those really troublesome knots and mats. Short-haired dogs don't need shedding blades, but a nubby glove  or coarse rag  can be used.

Dog Scissors and Clippers
Scissors  Most dogs don't need their fur cut or trimmed. If fur has overgrown the feet or is excessive in some spots, try snipping some off.	Thinning Shears  If your dog doesn't readily shed and has constantly growing hair, you may need a pair of thinning shears. These serve as a medium between scissors  and electric clippers .	Electric Clippers  Only breeds with constantly growing hair need to by clipped. Ask your local groomer or veterinarian if your dog needs a pair of electric clippers.

Bath Time

Most of the time, dogs only need baths once a month. It can actually dry out the skin and coat of your dog to bathe him or her too often. Obviously if you've received the splendid gift of having a dog who loves nothing more than rolling in mud puddles, you may need to increase how often bath time rolls around. Most dogs don't mind their baths too much (especially compared to their feline counterparts), and some actually love it! The most important part of bath time, especially if you are just beginning to groom your pup, is to make it fun! Incorporating treats  and praise into all aspects of the grooming process is important. Brush out all mats before the bath, block ears with cotton balls , and keep shampoo  suds out of their eyes. Dogs can be washed in the sink (if they are small enough) or in the bathtub. Investing in a hose  if you don't have one already is a good idea. If your shower has doors rather than a curtain , your pooch could get nervous and claustrophobic. In pleasant weather, it's fun and less clean up to bathe your dog outside with a garden hose  or in a plastic tub  or kiddy pool .

Make sure you only use shampoo  and conditioner  designed for dogs. Human products  are not recommended for dogs and could harm their eyes and coats. Conditioner is a good way to prevent coats and skin from drying out. Use an aloe-based shampoo  for dogs that are bathed more than once a month or have sensitive, dry skin or hair.

Bath Supplies for Dogs
Get a shampoo  and conditioner  that matches all the needs of your dog. Have a puppy? Buy puppy shampoo . Allergies? Try a hypoallergenic shampoo . You may want to try a water-free shampoo  for dogs nervous around water.	Cotton Balls  should be used to block ears from getting water inside during the bathing process. Swabbing ears after the bath is a good idea to keep them free of harmful or pesky foreign bodies.	Bathtime Restraints  are perfect for the rowdy or water-phobic dog.	Washcloths  are a great way to fully lather your pooch.	Bath Tubs  are the best way to bath a dog too big to fit in the sink. Look for one with a hose attachment  for added convenience.

Nails

This is the trickiest and usually most unpleasant part of the grooming process. Dogs should have their nails clipped every two to three weeks. It is important to train your pooch to sit still and offer his or her paw to you rather than to wiggle around. Dogs that wiggle too much are likely to have the quick cut, and after that happens Fido will run for the hill at the sight of scissors . The quick has a nerve and blood supply, so cutting into the quick will cause excessive bleeding and a lot of pain for your dog. Keep styptic powder , often called "Quick stop " or "Quick relief ", on hand at all times to stop the bleeding. The quick appears as a darkening of light nails, but it is invisible on dogs with darker nails. It may be a good idea to get nails trimmed at a professional groomer or veterinarian. Most places will be happy to just do a nail trimming, and will do so for a reasonable price. If you do decide to cut Fido's nails yourself, use nail clippers  designed for dogs. 

Nail Care for Dogs
Doggy nail clippers  are perfect for most dogs. Larger dogs may need guillotine clippers , which require the entire blade  to be replaced if it is dull.	Keep Styptic Powder  on hand to stop bleeding if you do clip the quick.

Doggy Dental Hygiene

Caring for your dog's choppers are an aspect of dog grooming that is all too neglected. Dogs can get serious infections from lack of dental care, and surgery to remove teeth (sometimes even all the teeth!) and fix gums may be required. Prevent the pain and hefty vet bill by simply brushing your dog's teeth at least twice a week. Brushing more often is recommended for dogs that eat wet or canned food . Start out by giving your dog a dental exam at home. Look for signs of any issues, such as bad breath, bleeding of the gums when touched, broken or missing teeth, discoloration of the gums or teeth, red or swollen gums, and a yellow-brown crust of tartar around the gumline. Make sure to take your dog to the veterinarian if you notice anything abnormal. Brushing your dog's teeth every day is ideal. Use a pet toothpaste , not human Crest or Colgate. Human toothpaste  can upset your dog's stomach. Use a toothbrush  designed for pets as well. The bristles are softer and the shape is designed to clean the shape of a pet's mouth. 

Dental Care for Dogs
Toothpaste  Make sure you get toothpaste designed for pets! Get a yummy flavoured toothpaste  to make Fido even happier.	Toothbrush  There are a variety of types of pet toothbrushes on the market. They are designed to fit the shape of your dog's mouth and make the process a bit more pleasant for your pooch.	Freshening Chew Toys  Toys designed to prevent and attack plague are awesome to have around. Rope toys  chip away at plague build up and brighten your dog's smile!

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