It is very important to groom your dog regularly, to maintain healthy skin and hair.
Moreover, it is a perfect opportunity to establish trust and a strong bond with your dog. Here are a few tips, on how you can make the grooming easier.
How often you brush your dog depends on the breed and hair type.
Short hair: Every 1-2 weeks
Short, thick hair: Once a week
Long hair: Twice a week
Make sure, that you use the right tools to brush your dog:
Short hair: rubber brush, bristle brush
Short, thick hair: gentle slicker brush (wire pin – good for detangling), bristle brush
Long hair: slicker brush, undercoat brush, bristle brush
Check for ticks while brushing and remember to check the ears for odours and debris.
See your vet if you notice anything unusual.
You can bathe your dog every 2-4 weeks, depending on the weather conditions.
Bathing dogs too often results in dry skin and removes important oils from the skin.
If you want to bathe your dog more than once a month, use a gentle, moisturising pet shampoo. This will prevent the skin from drying out. In any case, always use a shampoo that is formulated for dogs and, if you observe your dog scratching after bathing or that the skin is very dry, make sure you talk to your vet.
To make bathing easier and more effective, go for a long walk so your dog can release excess energy and then brush your dog thoroughly before the bath.
Be positive, calm and relaxed and your body language will automatically show your dog that bathing is not a big thing.
Use a bath matt to prevent your dog from slipping and protect the ears with a cotton ball to make sure no water can get into the ears. Use lukewarm water and work from the paws to the legs upwards and from the neck always downwards. Using treats to make your dog look up whilst washing the head really helps.
Ensure that the coat is wet before you apply shampoo and rinse very well to avoid skin irritation. You can dry your dog with absorbent towels or if necessary, with a blow dryer on the lowest heat setting.
If you are having difficulties bathing your dog, start feeding the regular meals in the bath tub. He/she will soon associate the bath with a positive experience. After your dog gets more comfortable eating in the bath tub, you can slowly start running the water while he or she is eating and then progress.
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