Simple Home Dog Grooming

Learning all that you can about home dog grooming will save you time and money. You’ll also enjoy your dog more, and if you have children, it’s a great way to teach them responsibility. Doing this job yourself will also present opportunities to learn more about your dog’s breed, health and temperament.

Coat and Skin Care

The most basic, and yet overlooked form of coat and skin care for dogs is bathing. It helps with issues related to dry skin, which minimizes dog shedding. Bathing will eliminate or reduce dandruff and rashes on your dogs. Find a mild shampoo to use, so that you don’t irritate the skin. Aloe based shampoos work well. Try an oatmeal shampoo for puppies or dogs with sensitive skins.

Ear Care

Cleaning your dog’s ears is just as important as coat and skin care when it comes to home dog grooming. Mites, bacteria spores and other living organisms like to nestle in the ears, and nowhere else on your dog’s body. It’s fruitless to prevent or control issues related to your dog’s body and neglect their ears. The way to clean them is to squirt a liquid solution in the ears. Cleansers are made for dog grooming purposes, and will reach the places in your dog’s ears that you cannot. Don’t be surprised if your dog doesn’t cooperate when you attempt to clean its ears. Try to get them as relaxed as possible prior to and during the ear cleaning.

Cuts and Trims

You may find it difficult to take care of this part of home dog grooming. Anyone would be able to see mistakes you make, such as scissor marks. There’s also the risk of cutting too much hair, leaving your dog exposed to possible sunburns. Trimming is the best way to keep your dog’s hair healthy and neat, and your dog will have no problem regulating its own temperature. The best way to trim your dog’s hair is to cut the top coat in the direction of the hair growth.

Nail Care

Clipping a dog’s nails is one of the more stressful aspects of home dog grooming. They don’t want you do it, and often fidget as you try to be careful not to clip their toes off. First, you need dog nail clippers, and you can find them at any pet supplies store. Then, position the dog firmly in your lap, and make him as comfortable as possible. Hold the nail itself, so that you can see what you’re cutting, and you’ll avoid cutting a nearby toe by accident.

Brushing and Combing

No home dog grooming is complete without regularly brushing and combing your dog’s hair. It’s challenging when your dog has long hair. The best approach for long haired dogs is to separate the hair into sections, comb it and follow with brushing. Your dog’s skin will appear shiny as you work to remove dead skin.

When you’re stuck indoors during winter storms and snow conditions, you’ll be happy that you know all about home dog grooming. You won’t have to worry about transporting your dog to a professional dog grooming service.