Dog Grooming Tips

Dog Grooming & Bathing Basics

Grooming your dog is not as difficult as you might think; rather, it is an important part of caring for your pet. Grass, dirt, and loose hair can get trapped in your dog’s coat and can contribute to matting and skin infections as well as provide safe harbor for parasites and other pests. To keep your dog in tip-top shape, commit to a regular grooming schedule that fits your dog’s needs.

Bathing Your Dog

Bathing your pooch can be an adventurous task. Your pet may love to be bathed or may not find it comfortable to soak its body in water. But bathing is a crucial part of your pet hygiene, and you want to make bath time fun and relaxing for your furry friend.

How do you choose the right shampoo for your dog?

When it comes to buying a shampoo or conditioner or any other care product for your pooch, try to find if there are any special issues or concerns unique to your pet. For a dog with sensitive skin, use a shampoo that contains tea tree oil and aloe vera. A dog with dry itchy skin for example, would do better with a natural shampoo that contains additional conditioners and moisturizers.

How Often Should YouGroom?

This depends upon your dog’s coat. A short-haired dog will not require brushing as often as a curly-haired pooch or those with longer, “drop-down” coats. Grooming also includes bathing and nail clipping, which should be done as needed. Obviously, a dog that spends a great amount of time outdoors will likely need to bathe more often than the dog that remains inside. Before you bathe, spend a few minutes brushing your dog to unsettle any dirt.

If your dog has any matted areas, remove those before the bath – they will be harder to remove once they are wet. ADematting Knife is a handy little tool that allows you to remove unsightly matts in a snap. We also recommend a Grooming Comb to help remove loose hair, dead undercoat, and excess fluffing.

It is a good idea to introduce your dog to grooming immediately and slowly increase the amount of time you spend per session. As your dog becomes accustomed to the routine, he will learn to enjoy the experience and look forward to the event. Using the right grooming tools can make the process more pleasurable so take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with different brushes and combs available today.

Dog Grooming Tools

Bristle Brushfor Dogs

Bristle brush is perfect for removing loose hair and small mats. Regular brushing helps minimize shedding and improves the overall look and health of your dog’s coat by stimulating the natural oils in the skin. Maximize your grooming sessions by using this time to bond with your pet.

Steel Comb for Dogs

A simple steel comb can work just as well as all the other fancy grooming combs, rakes and tools. It effectively removes tangles, mats, loose hair, and dirt.

Rubber Brush for Dogs

Dogs with short-haired coats are relatively easy to groom and aRubber Bathing Brush is the perfect tool. The softer brush is perfect for short, smooth coat dogs and work great as a skin massager on long haired breeds. The rubber bathing brush stimulates the natural oils in your dog’s coat and helps remove loose hair and stimulate the natural oils in the coat and skin for a healthy sheen. Get the most out of bath time with a Rubber Bathing Brush.

Shedding Blade for Dogs

Shedding blades are a great way to remove extreme amounts of shedding that cannot be controlled by regular brushing. Dogs that shed excessively and those that are losing their winter coat can benefit from the shedding blade. Removing loose hair can also help minimize the amount of hair left on your floor and furniture.

Slicker Brush for Dogs

A Slicker Brush features steel pins with coated tips for effective loose hair removal without irritating or scratching the skin. Slicker brush is a great tool for general grooming and detangling and it is useful in removing mats and loose hair to minimize shedding. Regular grooming with a slicker brush will help keep your dog’s coat looking healthier and smoother.

Steel Pin Brush for Dogs

Steel pin brush is the perfect solution for your general grooming needs. Steel pin brush removes dirt and debris as well as loose hair. This helps minimize shedding and improves the overall look and feel of your dog’s coat.

Undercoat Rakes & Dematting Tools

Undercoat rake helps control matting and tangles on the dog’s short undercoat. It is non-irritating yet effective in detangling your dog’s coat. Larger mats can be removed easily with adematting knife. A sharper alternative to the undercoat rake, thedematting knife cuts through the most stubborn of tangles.

Flea Comb for Dogs

A fine-tooth comb designed to be used on pets for removing fleas, flea eggs and flea pupae. Once pets have been bathed, fleas and flea eggs will be sufficiently loose so they can be combed out of fur.

Double Sided Nail File for Dogs

Double sided nail file. Soft, non-slip/durable handles provide cushion and control while absorbing pressure and reducing fatigue.

Nail Clipper for Dogs

Stainless steel blades and safety guard are chemically-treated to prevent rust. Their soft, non-slip/durable handles provide cushion and control while absorbing pressure and reducing fatigue. They can be sharpened.

Styptic Powder for Dogs

A safe, quick styptic powder aid, with antiseptic to stop bleeding caused by nail clipping.

How to Groom a Wire-Haired Dog

Most Terriers and Schnauzers fit this category of coat. Short and coarse, wire-haired dogs are prone to matting and trapping debris in their coats. To prevent this, regular grooming is necessary to keep the coats clean and healthy.

Steel Pin Brush works great on this type of coat, as does a general Bristle Brush. Use a Slicker brush to remove any loose hair and dirt. You can maximize your grooming sessions with a Combination Brush that combine the slicker or steel pin brush with a general bristle brush. We also recommend using a Flea Comb to keep your dog pest free.

How to Groom a Short-Haired Dog

Rottweilers and Dobermans are two good examples of a short-haired breed. This type of coat is generally easy to groom, and shedding is typically minimal.

Rubber Grooming Brushes are a great general tool to brush the coat and help stimulate the natural oils in the skin. Also, on the list are the Bristle Brush and Combo Brush. To control parasites and pests, use a Flea Comb on a regular basis. Shedding Blades would only be needed during peak shedding season.

How to Groom a Curly-Haired Dog

Curly-haired dogs include breeds, such as the Poodle, that present some serious grooming challenges. This type of coat is coarse and curly, making regular grooming sessions a must. In addition to brushing, you will want to consider regular clipping as well to keep the coat under control. We recommend one of our Steel Pin Brushes as well as a Slicker Brush to remove debris and loose hair while keeping the coat groomed and healthy. Another option is a Combination Brush that gives you the benefits of the steel pin or slicker brush plus our general use bristle brush. Shedding can often be a concern with curly haired coats, so a good Shedding Comb is a must. De-matting Tools keep the coat free from mats and serious tangles.

How to Groom a Double Coated Dog

Breeds, such as the Labrador Retriever and the Yorkshire Terrier, have what is known as a double coat; a short, smooth inner coat that helps protect against the elements and then an outer coat, which can come in a variety of textures. Dogs with shorter outer coats can be groomed effectively with a Slicker Brush or a Combination Brush. Dogs with longer, “drop-down” outer coats also need the benefits of regular grooming with a Grooming Comb. Shedding Comb and Undercoat Rake are suitable tools for both varieties to help keep the inner and outer coats free from debris and loose hair. A Flea Comb is a must-have, regardless of your breed, thedemattingtools are perfect for removing tangles and mats.

Nail Trimming Tips

Think you cannot trim your dog’s nails? Think again. Your dog’s regular grooming schedule should include nail trimming if necessary, to ensure they remain at a safe and comfortable length. Many dogs do not need regular pedicures as their nails wear down naturally. Use bath time to give your dog’s nails a quick makeover. If you notice long nails that have begun to curl downward, it is time to take out your clippers.

Clipping your dog’s nails is not as difficult as you might think. The nails are narrow and round, making them relatively easy to clip. Just above the nail is the quick – the portion of the nail that is “alive” with circulatory blood vessels. Cut too high and you risk cutting into the quick. To prevent this, choose a time when you are not rushed and can leisurely clip your dog’s nails. Start out slow. Trying to cut the entire nail in one clip is a no-no; instead, make smaller cuts until you reach the desired length.

There are several sizes and styles of Nail Clippers available. Choosing the right one will depend largely on personal preference and the size of your dog’s nails.

To start with, sit in a position where you can comfortably hold your dog’s paw. For smaller dogs, you may want to simply place your pet in your lap. Hold your dog’s paw gently but firmly and use your fingers to isolate a single nail. Dogs with lighter colored nails are easiest, as you can clearly spot the pink quick area you want to avoid. Dogs with darker nails do not have the visible pink quick, but if you begin cutting, you will notice that the end of the nail begins to get darker as you go. The dark area represents the quick and you want to make sure you leave that intact. As a guide, your dog’s nails should just touch the floor. Anything longer is too much. Anything shorter and you risk cutting into the quick.

To position the clippers, you will want to cut from the bottom up so that you can clearly see the blade against the nail. Once you have the clippers positioned, squeeze firmly to cut the nail. When you have reached the desired length, you can let your dog file down the rough edges naturally or use a Double-Sided Nail Files to smoothen out the nail.

Should you accidentally cut too much, simply apply some Styptic Powder for dog to stop the bleeding.