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It is
important to start these activities as
early as possible - preferably in
puppyhood - to get your dog accustomed
to and comfortable with these
activities.
Coat, Ears and Eyes
Dogs don't need frequent bathing. Once a
month should usually suffice, unless he
is truly filthy or smelly. An outdoor
bath with the hose will suffice when
weather allows. The following are some
basic tips for a good bath.
-
Whether indoor or outdoor, it's good
to use a basin or tub of some kind.
When in a bathtub, put down a rubber
mat to help your dog keep his
footing.
-
Soak
your dog thoroughly except for the
head. Massage in a special dog
shampoo - human shampoos will dry a
dog's coat and skin - let him stand
for five minutes and rinse.
-
Wipe
the ears with a damp cloth. Only
clean the visible areas and never
insert anything into the ear. This
is a good time to apply a liquid ear
mite treatment.
-
Examine the eyes and wipe away any
discharge. Look for irritation or
anything suspicious and contact your
vet if you find anything unusual.
-
Dry
your dog thoroughly, preferably
while still in the tub. This will
keep the rest of your house from
getting sprayed.
Even
though baths can be infrequent, brushing
is needed almost every day for some
breeds. Buy the right kind of brush and
comb for your dog's type and length of
coat. Make sure you don't irritate the
skin when brushing.
Teeth
Some people tend to ignore their dogs'
dental needs or rely on dog biscuits to
deal with plaque. While it is true that
softer foods are worse for your dog's
teeth, we strongly encourage you to go a
step further to in caring for your dog's
teeth and actually brush them as often
as you can; every day is ideal.
Use a
child's soft-bristled brush and either
special dog toothpaste or baking soda.
Human toothpaste is not meant to be
swallowed, which is what will happen to
whatever you put in your dog's mouth.
Canine toothpaste is often meat
flavored, making it a more pleasant
experience for the dog. Use the brush to
gently clean the surfaces of the teeth.
There is generally no need to rinse.
While it
takes effort and time, this reduces the
risk of rotten teeth and bleeding gums
later in life, making it easier to eat
and chew as your dog ages. Neglected
teeth often require expensive
veterinarian care which can be as
unpleasant for the dog as a dentist's
trip can be for people.
Nails
To avoid splayed toes and curved-under
nails, trim your dog's nails when they
touch the floor. A sharp, pliers-style
nail clipper is best as it allows the
best control. Hold the paw firmly in one
hand and use the other to trim the thick
part of the nail until it ends just
above the floor when placed flat on the
ground. DO NOT trim up too high as this
can break the skin and result in an
infection.
Supplies
If you are going to care for your dog
yourself, you will need a few basic
supplies. Buy supplies designed for your
dog's specific needs, such as coat
length for brushes and combs or tinted
shampoos if you want to bring out your
dog's coloring.
The
following is a list of basic supplies:
-
Book
detailing grooming for your dog (if
purebred, buy a book for that
specific breed)
-
Brush
-
Comb
-
Shampoo
-
Rubber
Mat
-
Nail
Clippers
-
Towel
-
Scissors (for nose or ear hair)
-
Ear
treatment
-
Lint
roller (to clean up hair after a
trim or brushing)
You may
also want to consider these optional
supplies:
-
Hair
dryer
-
Vacuum
attachments (to gently remove loose
hair; check your pet store)
-
Sponge
glove (for washing)
-
Dog
tub (often has a hook for the collar
to hold the dog in place)
-
Electric clipper (get instruction on
trimming your dog first)
-
Grooming table
Some
people prefer to take their dogs to a
professional groomer once a month. This
will cost more, but will ease your
duties. Be sure to select a reputable
groomer familiar with your breed of dog. |
