May 06 2009
What You Should Know About Dog Grooming
Dog grooming may not be on your list of favorite things to do with your dog but it is something that is essential to both you and your pet. Besides a very unsightly appearance, not grooming your dog can lead to a variety of problems. These problems can range from horribly smell to fleas and be a far greater trouble than just making your pet undergo dog grooming.
Dog books and experts agree that dog grooming is an excellent way to foster a bond between pet owner and pet. It allows consistent contact and it helps assure the pet that its needs are being met in a safe way. It keeps the pet’s appearance healthy and make sure that allergies in the home are kept to a minimum. Dog grooming starts with the basics. You do not have to have expensive equipment nor do you have to always turn to be an animal wiz.
Basic dog beauty treatments begin in much the same way that you, yourself, spruce up. Start with an adequate bathtub with a hose attachment to the shower. Pets Mart sells a variety of shampoos and conditioning agents to help the dog grooming along. Make sure the bathtub area is cleared of all clutter. If this is your puppy’s first bath then it might not be quite as calm as you would want.
Start the shower, making sure the water temperature is tepid to warm, and make sure that your supplies are very close. The best idea is to have a dog training collar attached to a short leash and have the leash held by someone else while you do the dirty, or rather clean, work. Dog grooming starts with the bath. After the bathing is done and the dog is dried off then the entertainment begins.
One of the funniest things to watch is a dog freshly out of the bath. You want to make sure that you do not allow him or her to run outside because they are going to roll around. After the show is completed, take a good dog brush and give your pet a thorough brushing. This will remove any remaining loose hair and dander that may be lingering the bath. This is also the time to clip the nails if you feel comfortable enough doing so.
Dog grooming can be trying to some people. If it seems like too much of a task, then take your pet to a professional such as those found at Pets Mart. They are trained to bathe, cut hair and trim nails. The expense is not great, may save you some time and definitely save you some hassle if you are dealing with a dog weighing over fifty pounds.
