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How to properly groom a dog
by Rachael Bentley

Unlike cats, that are basically maintenance-free pets, dogs need to be groomed on a regular basis not only for aesthetic reasons, but also for health reasons. The grooming needs vary by dog breed, whether they have long hair or short hair, or if they have any special skin or health conditions.

The most basic of dog grooming needs are bathing, hair brushing, nail trimming, haircutting and ear care. Let’s look at each of these in detail:

Step 1:

Bathing. Monthly is the best increment to wash your dogs, but if you did it more often, it wouldn’t hurt anything. It’s best to use a shampoo specially formulated for dogs and one that is soap-free. There are special types of shampoos for certain lengths of fur or any particular skin or coat needs such as flea and tick shampoo, etc. While some dogs get a kick out of being bathed, some will run and hide under bed at the mere mention of the word “bath.”

During the summer or in climates where it is warm most of the year, you may want to bathe your dog outside so that he can dry in the sun and fresh air and avoid getting wet paw prints all over your house. During the colder weather or if you live in a patio home or condo and are unable to give your dog a bath outdoors, there are dog washes where you can take your pet. Some dog washes are in conjunction with a car wash and have a special bay with a tub and hoses needed to put your dog on a table and bathe him without bending over. Many pet stores now have do-it-yourself dog wash bays where you can take your best friend for his bath.

Step 2:

Hair Brushing. Short-haired dogs don’t have to be brushed frequently and only require a monthly brushing, though you can brush them as often as you want. Medium-haired dogs need a weekly brushing and long-haired dogs should be brushed daily to stave off matting of their hair. If your dog likes being brushed, you can do it daily if you want to.

Brushing stimulates the skin and avoids build-up or hair which results in excess shedding. Use a hair brush made especially for dogs and if desired, you could purchase a brush that includes prongs to help prevent fur matting or helps scrape off excess shedded hair.

Step 3:

Nail Trimming. Let’s tell the truth, dogs hate having their nails trimmed, usually it’s a result of having their nails cut too short. Pet owners also hate trimming their dog’s nails because they’re afraid of hurting the dog or trimming too short. It’s important that you’re comfortable with and have thoroughly read and understand the instructions for how to trim your pet’s nails. Otherwise, leave it to a professional dog groomer or your veterinarian to handle. There are special tools for trimming your pooch’s nails and they should be trimmed approximately once a month.

Step 4:

Hair Cutting. Dogs need their hair cut about once a month, depending on the length of the dog’s hair and the growth rate. You can do this yourself using cordless clippers and a pair of scissors or you can take your pet to a professional dog groomer. There are plenty of resources available to teach you how to cut Fido’s hair.

Step 5:

Ear Care. Some dog breeds have chronic ear issues or disease and require daily ear cleanings, but most can get by with just cleaning their ears once a month when you give them a bath. Floppy-eared dogs need to have their ears cleaned more often, as do dogs with longer hair because their ears tend to get blocked from air and build up more crud in them. You can clean your dog’s ears with a wet rag or with Q-tips. As you’re cleaning our pet’s ears, be sure to check for ear mites.

Dog grooming is not only a basic need, but can also serve as a time for bonding between you and your best little furry friend.

About this Author:
Shelly is a contributor for Discount-Pet-Mall.com. Article sourced from http://www.howtodothings.com/pets-animals/how-to-properly-groom-your-dog

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