Regular bathing will keep your dog smelling sweet.
Always keep your grooming equipment clean and if using clippers have the blades sharpened regularly.
For dog’s who need a lot of grooming invest in a grooming table. The dog will learn to stand to be groomed and your back will thank you.
Small dogs can be bathed in the laundry tub, larger ones in the bathtub.
Always put a rubber mat in the bath so the dog can’t slip.
Always put cotton wool in the ears to prevent getting water into them.
Never use human shampoo, buy a good quality canine shampoo and conditioner and make sure that you rinse the coat thoroughly.
A large chamois leather works wonders removing excess water from the coat.
Small, long haired breeds can be dried with a hair dryer but for a large breed a dog dryer is a worthwhile investment.
Salt water and your dog
Never leave salt water to dry in a dog’s coat, after swimming the coat should be rinsed off with fresh water.
Regular care of your dog
Wipe your dog’s face daily with a wet face flannel to remove any particles of food adhering to the whiskers as they can become smelly.
Long eared dogs, such as Poodles and Basset Hounds, should wear a snood when eating to prevent their ears dangling in the food and being chewed.
Eyes should be checked for redness, soreness and discharge, the corners of the eyes can be gently wiped with a damp cotton wool ball to remove dust and dirt.
Dogs such as Pugs that have folds of skin around the eyes require daily cleaning to prevent dermatitis.
Check ears frequently, if your dog is shaking their head , scratching at their ears or have smelly ears then a trip to the vet is advisable.
Breeds with pendulous ears such as Poodles and Spaniels and dogs with excessive hair in the ear canal may require having the hair plucked from the ear canal.
Gently clean accumulated wax from the ears, a variety of ear cleaners are available however avoid using cotton buds as they can cause injury to the ear drum.
Exercise and play
Walking on hard surfaces, such as footpaths, keeps the nails short, others who mainly run on grass need regular nail trimming.
Dog nail care
Take care when using nail clippers, in light coloured nails you may be able to see the vein inside, dark nails are harder so only trim a tiny snip at a time as cutting the vein will cause it to bleed profusely.
Should the nail bleed don’t panic, applying pressure for two or three minutes usually stops the bleeding, alternatively pushing the nail into a cake of soap or applying styptic powder works.
Dew claws need trimming as left to grow they can arc around and eventually dig into the skin causing pain and problems.
Caring for your dog’s teeth
A dog’s teeth must be cleaned regularly to prevent the build up of tartar which leads to gum disease.
Dog toothpaste and applicators are available plus a variety of gels and water additives. Do not use human toothpaste.
Removing tartar will prevent gum disease and future tooth loss.
