Grooming a dog indeed is one of the most entertaining and joyful activities among dog caring duties, yet, maintaining their hygiene is also critical to avoid any health issues in the animal and pooch owner. So, negligence in such an important issue can lead to serious consequences later on. In case you are unfamiliar with the methods of bathing and cleaning your dog, some guidance and practice would be required on your part to get expertise in this job.
Importance of dog grooming
The appearance and health of your dog indicate how much time you spend over its care and hygiene. Many people take their pets to a veterinarian when later’s health worsens due to insufficient care. If you also neglect your dog’s cleaning or do not pay much attention to the matter due to any reason, the following points can help you to get aware of it:
A properly cleaned and groomed dog stays protected from skin infections such as itching, swelling and irritation, etc. Regular brushing helps save their teeth and gums from any disease. Daily trimming of hair does not give dust particles and filth any opportunity to settle over the pet’s body. Cleaning a dog's ears saves them from infections caused by the collection of dust or grime. Maintaining the proper length of nails protects the feet of your dog from infections and the wooden floor of your house from scratches. If you are willing to invest a little time over your pet’s care, you can save a good amount of energy and money over its grooming. At present, various types of appliances and techniques are available to make the process of dog grooming easy and effective. Experts at Hound Junkie say- keeping your dog well-groomed is important; as the different methods of grooming with various available tools can certainly help keep a hound look smart and healthy. Maintaining a dog’s good hygiene is not rocket science as a little practice and knowledge can make any dog owner efficient in this process. It is good to choose an area that can be cleaned easily after finishing the job. Wear a coverall to protect your dress from shaved hair and water. To convince the dog for the process, behave with it placidly, and stay calm throughout grooming.
Collect the necessary tools
To do the work faultlessly, collect all the necessary tools required for it. Gather the items such as a bathtub, faucet sprayer, shampoo, blow dryer, nail clippers, dry towels, cotton wads, ear solution, styptic powder, hair cutters, dog hair clippers, a strap, etc. Keep all these items in a reachable area to avoid confusion or bothering to search for them.
Trimming before a bath
If your dog has long hair, use the scissors made for dog-grooming and trim the extra hair around its belly, chest, hocks, and feet. Then, check the other areas and cut long hair step by step. While doing so, make sure you take extra care while using a sharp blade on the dog’s delicate body parts and maintain a proper length of its hair.
Combing
After trimming, comb your dog’s hair carefully and effectively. For a long-haired dog, use Furminator that helps remove dander, filth, and dirt from the deep ends of hair. If you have a dog with short hair, use a brush with soft-bristles which move softly on the skin and make it shiny. A rubber brush is better for dogs having sensitive skin. Protect the eyes and nose of the pooch while brushing and make sure you brush its entire body properly.
Bathing
Different dogs react differently to the touch and feel of water. Some love it while others do not. To convince the dog for a bath, introduce it to water slowly by offering affectionate rubs and inspirational talks. It may take some time, but gradually, the dog would learn to enjoy the bath. To avoid any mess inside the house, take your dog in the courtyard or balcony for the job. Use lukewarm water for bathing the hound as too cold or hot water can make it feel afraid. Control the animal carefully, and if required (in case of heavyweight dogs) use a ramp to take it into the bathtub.
Take care of the following things while doing so:
- Place a non-slip mat inside the tub.
- Use a hand-held shower instead of a faucet.
- Keep cotton balls inside their ear that can absorb water.
- Use shampoo only meant for dogs.
Rub and massage the pet's skin and apply shampoo on all its body parts. Avoid the contact of its eye and nose with the foam. Then, rinse its body without leaving any trace of suds. After a bath, dry the pooch's skin and hair properly. Use dry towels and a blow dryer for this purpose. Additionally, to make the ears of dogs free from wax, dirt, and bacteria, it is imperative to clean them after every bath. Trim its nails when they are wet and soft with the help of a nail grinder made for dogs. For a stress-free grooming session, it is crucial to create an environment in which they feel relaxed and calm. Making dogs accustomed to such an experience during their early stages of life can help them enjoy the process every time you take them into it.