How to Groom a Dog?

Did you know that not grooming your pets properly can make them very sick? An ungroomed pet attracts fleas and ticks; it ruins their fur and, in the long run, can cause significant issues. Grooming is an essential task when taking care of your pet. So, read on further to understand how to groom a dog and tips to make your furry friend comfortable.

Grooming a Dog is not only healthy and relaxing for your furry friend, but it also acts as an way to increase your bond. Apart from keeping your pet clean, there are several other benefits associated with it, including-

Providing your pet with matt-free hair.
It helps to keep fleas and ticks at bay.
It improves oral hygiene and hence prevents digestive infections.
This allows you to do a rudimentary health check on them.
It helps you bond with them.

1. Bathing

It is essential to bathe your dog on a regular basis as part of overall pet care. There are several benefits to bathing your dog regularly, including

It removes dirt and cleans your dog.
It gives your dog a soft coat.
It reduces shedding.
It helps with not only the dog’s allergies but also yours.

To know how to bathe a dog properly, you should follow these simple tips:

Brush your dog before a bath in order to remove Matts and knots. Matted hair and knots hold water that can irritate your dog’s skin.
Dogs’ skin is more sensitive than our skin, so using hot water can burn your dog’s skin quickly. It is recommended to use lukewarm water for average and small-sized dogs, whereas you should use cold water for larger dogs as their bodies tend to overheat easily.
In the beginning, bathing your dog can be very uncomfortable for them and can feel like a punishment to them. Speak to them in a calm, reassuring tone of voice. Thank them for being calm and allowing you to handle the matter.
Use a dog-specific shampoo with moisturizing and pH-balancing properties. If you need clarification about shampoo, feel free to consult your vet.
Rinse well and rinse multiple times. Shampoo and soap residue can irritate your dog’s skin after drying.
Don’t use a human hair dryer. Either let it air-dry or use a dog hair dryer. A dog hair dryer has a lower temperature than a regular hair dryer and won’t cause itchiness or dandruff.
Remember to reward your dog. Pet and play with them instead of taking out your frustration over bath time on them.

A caution here: dogs do not require daily bathing as we do. It can be harmful to them. Daily bathing can deplete your dog’s natural oils, making his coat dry and more susceptible to dandruff, frizzies, and mats.

2. Dental Hygiene

How to clean dogs mouth? Most dog owners need to understand the importance of oral hygiene for their dogs. Periodontal diseases can show signs as early as three years of age. So, starting to brush your dog’s teeth at an early age is essential to-

Prevent tooth decay
Avoid having bad breath
Avoid gingivitis and infection of the gums.
Avoid the spread of any systemic infection.
By using this, you can keep your dog from feeling any pain.

To keep your canine companion healthy, all you need to do is follow these tips:

Brush your dog’s teeth on a routine basis with dog toothpaste and a best toothbrush for dogs designed specifically for dogs.
If your dog is hesitant to have his teeth cleaned, use your finger to massage his teeth and gums to get him acclimated to it.
Squeeze a tiny bit of toothpaste onto your finger and let your dog sniff and taste it; repeat with the toothbrush.
Make sure to provide him with chew toys to keep his teeth clean.
As your dog ages, he may develop tartar accumulation that necessitates professional cleaning by a veterinarian.

3. Cleaning Eyes

Many breeds of dogs do not require eye cleaning regularly; it is only necessary if they develop an eye infection. However, some dog breeds are more prone to ocular discharge than others. This discharge can irritate and make your dog annoyed and less friendly. Moreover, it can also have long-term adverse effects by making eyesight weak.

Here are some easy tips for washing dogs eyes and keeping them clean:

Look for any discharge or dryness in your dog’s eyes.
Use a sponge or a light, moist towel to clean dogs eyes.
Paper towels, napkins, and cotton buds should be avoided because they might irritate.
Shampoos, soaps, eye washes, and drops should only be used if the vet has recommended them.
Never wipe the eye itself. Only wipe the area around the eyes.
Use dog-specific eye sprays to eliminate mucus or tear stains.
Ask your vet for an eye drop that is suitable for your dog.

4. Cleaning Ears

Ear cleaning is an essential aspect of pet grooming that is usually disregarded. Cleaning dogs ears has a variety of short- and long-term advantages, including:

Improves hearing
It prevents ear infections
Remove mites, ticks, and other creatures
Avoid itchiness and other annoyances
Keep a Healthy Bacterial Balance

Assemble your dog and supplies, and follow these simple tips to clean dog’s ears:

Find the most suitable ear cleanser and dog ear wipes. You can consult your vet about the same.
Gradually introduce ear cleaning. Positive reinforcement should be applied.
Clean your dog’s ears only when they are calm.
Firstly, make space for cleaning your dog’s ears, as cleaning your dog’s ears can get messy sometimes.
Now, squeeze the best dog ear cleaning solution recommended by your vet into the ear canal.
Next, massage the earlobe towards the skull.
Gently remove wax from the external ear canal with a cotton ball.
Allow your dog to gently shake their head and clean the outside ear with a cotton ball or a tissue.
Finally, to distract your dog, give him/her toys or treats during the cleaning session.

5. Trimming Nails

The struggle of cutting dogs nails while knowing how to groom a dog and keeping them short is a never-ending battle. But trimming dogs nails comes with a few wins-

More comfort while walking
Experience less pain.
No injuries to your dog’s skin or your skin
Better body posture
It protects your bedding, sofa, or rug.

Even with all these benefits, getting dog nails clipped is an unpleasant experience for many dogs. To make this a better experience, you can follow the following tips:

As a general rule, only clip the nails when they begin to reach the ground.
Trim the nails with a specially designed clipper for dogs.
Only the hook-like section of the nail which turns down should be clipped.
You must avoid cutting beyond the quick nail, a blood artery inside the nail.
Keep the styptic powder in hand for the times you cut the quick part, which forms a clot, prevents bleeding, and prevents bacterial entry.

6. Cutting Hair

How to cut dog hair? Long hair is the source of a slew of irritations and skin problems. Hair hanging over your pet’s eyes can obstruct their eyesight, affecting their abilities and behavior. As a result, the ideal technique for grooming your dog is to clip his or her hair. Trimming dogs hair has other benefits, which are:

Better hygiene and smell
Check for and treat fleas and ticks.
Prevent overheating caused by excessive hair.
Early detection of any skin-related condition.

The following tips can be useful for a hassle-free trimming session:

Using a non-slip table or mat to groom your dog is better.
Always start by cleaning and drying your dog.
While restraining your dog, be confident and firm but gentle at the same time.
Prioritize your dog’s comfort.
Use professional shears or top rated nail clippers.
While cutting dog’s hair with clippers, only use the tips of sharp shears to prevent from cutting your dog on any sudden movements by him or her.

Dog Grooming Tips at Home

Use a brush designed exclusively for your dog’s coat for dog grooming tips at home.
Brush your dog every other day using a suitable dog hair brush.
During the tick season, check your dog for ticks every day or multiple times a day.
Brush away any dirt, mud, and other outdoor debris from your dog’s coat as necessary using a damp towel.
Regularly inspect your dog’s pads. Not only to keep them clean but also to make sure they aren’t dry, cracked, or harmed in any way.
Trim your dog’s nails regularly.
Clean your dog’s ears once a week.
Brushing your dog’s teeth daily is ideal, but you should brush them at least twice weekly.
Only use vet-approved hygiene products on your dog.

Dog Grooming Instructions

Do’s-

Be Patient: Dogs can sense your anxiety, so make sure you’re calm and relaxed and have allotted enough time for the grooming session.
Choose a Safe, Well-lit Place: You should be able to see what you’re doing and have a non-slip surface for your dog. In the process of how to groom a dog do not harm your pet as it will become a traumatic expereince to it.
Avoid Tethering your Dog During Grooming: Tethering your dog during grooming can lead to disastrous incidents.
Use Dog-safe Products: Use shampoos and trimmers designed specifically for dogs and avoid using shampoos and trimmers designed for your hair and skin.

Don’ts-

Don’t Rush: While learning how to groom a dog?Don’t be in a hurry to get the job done since it can be stressful for you and your dog. It will only lead you to make mistakes that can harm your beloved pet.
Don’t Become a Veterinarian: If your dog has health issues, do not administer eye drops or ear drops on your own. Take them to the vet right away and get them examined. To avoid skin and fur coat complications, visit a vet when needed.

Conclusion

Taking care of a dog is like taking care of a child. Most of the time, they don’t know what they are doing, and their grooming and health needs fall entirely on you. Brushing, cleaning, and regular skin and ear checks keep your dog healthy and show your love for your pet and offer you quality time with them. Hence, learning how to groom a dog at home properly can be a valuable skill to have.