Grooming

Taking care of your friend every day.

Being a responsible dog owner means staying on top of training and grooming needs. The bonds you'll build make it all worthwhile.

Doggy day of beauty

Coat, ears, teeth and nails! Regular grooming enhances your dog's skin and coat health and gets him used to human touch. Daily brushing helps remove dead hair, dirt and parasites. A nail trim every 2-3 weeks will keep him comfortable and help protect your furniture. And of course, he needs a bath - once a month is usually fine. (Some breeds can go even longer. Ask your vet.) When it's bath time, be sure to use specially formulated dog shampoo and conditioner products. Your dog's skin is sensitive, and the wrong products could dry it out or cause a rash.

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Bathing

Before bathing, spend about 10 minutes interacting with your pet. The more normal you act, the more at ease your pet will be. Gently massage all parts of your pet's body. Talk normally, so the massage is associated with positive attention from you. You can also use this opportunity to check for any changes in your pet's appearance that could signal problems.

Keep treats at hand to reward your pet, and maintain a firm and pleasant manner.
Be calm, even if your pet becomes rambunctious. Your pet will sense your anxiety.
Reassure your pet throughout the bathing process and offer praise.
Use the basic rules of training. Say "sit" or "stay" if your pet tries to escape the tub, and praise your pet when it stands still.
Try to give a bath in the same place every time. Your pet will become accustomed to the idea of bathing and that location.

Start bathing at a young age to get your pet used to bathing. You can bathe a puppy as young as six or eight weeks old - if you do so quickly and prevent chilling.

For large dogs, try connecting a hose to the tap used for the washer and dryer in the laundry room. This way you'll have hot and cold water, and probably a drain nearby.

If you have a small dog, use the kitchen sink. Pets are more familiar with the kitchen than the bathroom and will feel more at ease.

You also can use your bathtub or shower stall.

Bathing is a one-person task. But if you do need help, enlist someone your pet knows or recognizes.

Be sure to gather all bathing supplies before beginning the bath.

When bathing a dog, you may want to use a nylon slip leash for more control.

Put a mat, rug or towel in the bottom of the sink or tub. If your pet slips, or hears its toenails scratch the bottom of the tub, it may get frightened.

Always keep one hand on your pet and never leave it unattended in the middle of the tub. Your pet may slip around and get scared.

The water should be able to drain away, and not rise past your pet's ankles. Anything deeper can be frightening...and unsanitary.

Rinse the head back from the eyes so soap does not run into them. Shield the ear canal with your hand or thumb, or bend the ear over to block water when rinsing. Be careful not to direct water spray into it.

To protect your dog's eyes when you give it a bath, place a drop of mineral oil or artificial tear lubricating ointment (available over the counter in pharmacies) in the eyes prior to bathing.

Clean the inner-ear with a 100% cotton swab softened with alcohol, plain cider vinegar or a good-quality ear cleaner.

Remove the mucus from your pet's eyes with a 100% cotton ball.

Immediately remove excess water by drying with a white towel or chamois. If you use a white towel, you can inspect it for fleas afterward.

After washing your dog, keep your hand on top of its back, to keep your pet from shaking the water off before you have a chance to towel it partially dry. Then let your pet shake, and use the towel again.

You can use a regular hair dryer to speed the drying process if your dog is accustomed to the sound. Always hold the dryer at least 12 inches from your pet's coat to avoid skin burns.

A comb or soft finishing brush will help separate the pet's coat, which helps to dry the hair and prevent mats from forming.

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