Dog Grooming and Bathing Examined
Dog grooming is a key component of dog care. Dog grooming consists of a number of different tasks. Regular brushing and combing to take out dead hair, skin and general rubbish. Bathing and nail trimming, as well as maintaining your dog’s ears, eyes and mouth.
For good dog health you should groom daily, it is also a great moment for quality time and bonding with your dog. Your pooch will see it as another form of attention. Dog grooming should be started early in the puppies life, build a daily routine, do at the same time, same location and how. When starting dog grooming, be gentle, but decisive, that way he will be relaxed, but knows that he has to do it.
The combing and brushing will care for your dog’s coat, removing all sorts of potential skin irritant and pests, giving a shinier and better coat. The exact type of grooming required depends on the type of dog, the below is generic and ideal for most dogs, but either check with the dog breeder, or research it on the net, or your dog sitter should be able to help.
Bathing
Bathing is a vital part of dog grooming. You will see many different views on how often a given dog or breed must be bathed. The different aspects centring around natural self grooming maintains natural body oils. Whilst bathing, even with specific dog shampoos will wash the natural essential oils away. So many people wait until the dog becomes dirty prior to washing. There could be a female / male bias, with the ladies generally preferring to wash regularly and more frequently. Normally bathing about every couple of months or so should be allowed for.
It is easier to introduce them to bathing whilst a puppy, so it comes naturally, and even enjoy it. So prior to a planned bathing of the dog it is a good idea to brush the dog well.
It is a good idea to plan the dog bath well, get everything you need at hand prior to getting the pooch. This is especially stressful for those in large towns, with lack of space and without the delights of shower rooms and utility rooms by the back door. For us town dwellers, we often have to carry the dog up to the shower room.
Avoid you and the pooch loosing footing, so place the rubber mat in your shower. To avoid ear problems, protect the ears by using cotton wool in the dog’s ears to prevent water entering into the ears. Some dogs with open ears such as Labradors can be particularly susceptible to ear problems.
To avoid shocking your pooch use warm water to bath your dog. It is easier to use a shower or spray hose. Keep the nozzle head close to the animal and do not spray onto the dog’s face, as this could shock him.
There are specially formulated dog shampoos which are specially formulated to meet their special needs. Do not use too much and commence with the head and top and work downward and in the direction of the tail. Obviously avoid and be careful around the eyes. Crucial parts to spend time on washing well are under the chin, particularly if he is messy with food, behind the ears, around the toes and the rectum.
Finish by rinsing with warm water, removing all the shampoo.
Do not forget the natural way for a dog to remove water is to shake, so let him and stand clear, after this you can rub him down. You may like to use a hair dryer, mainly women again! This is not really needed unless you must take him out. Let him finish drying off naturally inside.
The other parts of dog grooming and dog care will be covered later, including coat care, ear and teeth care and nail trimming
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Tags: dog bathing, Dog Care, dog grooming, dog walking, dog washing