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General dog grooming tips for dogs with different types of coats |
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General Dog Grooming Tips for dogs with different types of coatsGrooming is an important part of caring for your dog. It is a good idea to accustom your dog to being handled from the time that he/she is a puppy. This will make grooming easier as he/she grows and it will also make visits to the veterinarian less stressful for your dog. Play with your dog, rub behind his ears and lift his paws. Also, allowing your dog to sniff and investigate any grooming supplies, brushes and combs, will make your dog more comfortable and familiar with these tools. Dogs can have one of five types of coats: long, smooth, wiry, silky and non-shedding. Long coats require daily grooming and a large amount of care, whereas a smooth coat requires the least amount of care. A smooth coat dog will usually only require a grooming mitt. Wiry coats need a fair amount of care. The coat will need to be hand stripped about twice a year or it will need to be trimmed on a regular basis. Professional help is recommended as it can be a time consuming and difficult process. A dog with a silky coat will also need a lot of grooming care. The dead hair must be removed so that they coat doesn't matt and become uncomfortable for the dog. This means regular brushing with a comb that will reach into the undercoat. Trimming may also be required from time to time, especially around the face and paws. Non-shedding coats do not shed, but they need to be clipped on a regular basis, as often as every two months. They will also need any excess hair removed from their ears and brushing is still required to prevent matting. Before grooming your dog with a brush use your hands to loosen any dead hairs and stimulate the natural skin oils. Going through the coat with your hands in the opposite direction of hair growth is like a massage for your dog and he/she will love it. At this time you will also want to remove any large matts either by trimming or using a matt rake. After this proceed by grooming your dog with the proper tools for his coat type. Always brush in the direction of hair growth. If trimming is required or you need to cut off a particularly difficult matt always hold the point of the scissors away from your dog. This way if she jumps or moves you wont stab your dog with the scissors. Dogs which have hair growing over their eyes need to have the hair trimmed or tied up in a top knot, do not use an elastic band. As well, dogs with a lot of hair around their muzzle will need to be taken care of daily. The hair should be brushed to remove any food debris and lip folds should also be checked for food particles. Long hair around the muzzle can also be trimmed. Always be cautious when trimming hair around your dog's face. Your dogs paws are another area that should be checked regularly. The hair between the toes can become matted and collect debris. This can be rather uncomfortable for your dog and he will become reluctant to go for walks and play. Any debris should be removed from your dogs paws and in between the toes. As well, the hair should be trimmed to help prevent it from matting. Dogs should always be brushed and groomed before they are bathed. This will remove any dead hair or debris from your dog's coat. Removing matts before bathing is also important because they can prevent the shampoo from getting deep into the coat and they become more difficult to remove when the fur becomes wet. Matts can twist and become even more matted pinching the skin and irritating your dog. Regular grooming and handling of your dog is important for your dog's health. You can check the skin for fleas, ticks and other irritations. Grooming is also a good way of bonding and spending time with your dog. By making grooming an enjoyable experience for yourself, your dog will also be more relaxed and happy to stand still while you brush him. Now you know how to groom your dog, all you need is the right supplies, find them here.
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