Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Grooming your dog for the bath
• Part 2 of 3: Bathe your dog
• Part 3 of 3: Clipping your dog's coat
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Regularly grooming your dog's coat will keep your dog clean, healthy and comfortable. Many people prefer professional grooming salons because they can keep your dog looking great, using their professional knowledge to keep them safe. But if you don't have those in your area, or you just want to save money, you can give your dog a standard home care regimen.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Grooming your dog for the bath

1. Gather your grooming supplies. You don't want to have to search for your tools if you've already started grooming your dog. Make sure you have everything you need in one place before starting your task. Please refer to the section on Necessities below for a list of what you will need to groom your dog.
2. Brush your dog first. Brushing your dog's coat daily or every other day will keep any tangles from forming. A thorough brushing should always be the first step of the care process because any tangles can no longer be handled when wet. Start at the neck and continue down the body. Be careful under the belly, as this is a sensitive area, and don't forget to brush the tail.
   • You can brush short-haired dogs with simple tools such as rubber brushes and glove brushes.
   • Brush dogs with medium to long coats with more specialized brushes such as a slicker brush, a curry comb, or a pin brush.
   • Whatever you use, it should get rid of loose hair and distribute skin oil over the coat.
3. Praise your dog while you brush it. Reward calm behavior and standing still to encourage it. You could give a treat every now and then for his good behavior.
4. Give the dog breaks if necessary. You don't want the dog to feel overwhelmed, as any negative association can make grooming more difficult in the future. Make the experience fun by giving your pet a break from time to time, maybe even playing in between, petting it, giving it treats, and rewarding it.
   • This is especially important if you have a puppy who can be trained from an early age to properly accept this type of grooming.
5. Cut tangles that cannot be brushed out of the coat. Big tangles can pull on the skin with every movement the dog makes, making everyday life painful for your pet. If you can't brush out a burdock, you will either have to cut it or shave it off, depending on how close you are to the skin. Be very careful when using scissors to avoid injury to yourself and / or your pet.
   • If you think you can't safely remove the burdock without hurting your dog, take it to a grooming salon.
   • Sometimes tangles can get so tight and close to the skin that bacterial infections develop under the burdock. If you suspect inflammation, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
   • The visible symptoms of bacterial infections are redness and moisture, with advanced pus formation. Your dog may bite or scratch the area because it itches.
6. Clean the dog's eyes. Breeds with white hair, or with large eyes that are very tearing (Pekingese, pugs, etc.) may require more maintenance than others. Depending on your particular dog, this could be a matter of just wiping or pulling dirt away from the corner of the eye. Long-haired dogs or dogs with white coats may need special care to make sure all gunk is removed from the coat as they can get tear stains. You can buy products at the pet store tear stains out of a white coat.
   • A healthy eye should be clear and show no signs of irritation or unusual discharge.
   • Do not try to cut hair away from the eyes, as this could injure your pet. Ask your vet or groomer to do this for you.
7. Clean your dog's ears. It is normal for some wax to form in an otherwise clean ear, but there should not be any conspicuous air. To clean your dog's ears, put some cleaning solution (available at your pet store) on a cotton ball. Wipe away debris and wax from the inner ear, but do not wipe too hard as this can cause pain. Also, don't push it too far back into the ear.
   • Make sure the cleaning solution is at body temperature before using it in your dog's ear. Place it in a body temperature water bath, just like you would a baby bottle.
   • When you have finished wiping the ear with a damp cotton ball, dry it gently with a dry cloth.
   • Praise your dog! The ears are a sensitive part of the body and he could use some comfort.
8. In case of ear problems, contact the vet. Your dog needs medical attention if his ear looks swollen, red, irritated, or dark. Excretion or pain, or a bad smell also indicates a prompt to call the vet.
   • A lot of discharge, inflammation and bad smell are signs of an ear infection that needs medication.
9. Brush your dog's teeth. The best thing for healthy gums and teeth would be to brush your dog's teeth with dog toothpaste every day.Use dog toothpaste instead of human products or you will poison your dog with fluoride. If there is any risk that your dog will bite you, DO NOT attempt to brush your pet's teeth. If at any point the dog feels overwhelmed, give it room to relax.
   • Start by putting a small amount of dog toothpaste on your finger and brushing it over his teeth for a few seconds. Reward the dog for its cooperation.
   • Once the dog allows you to put your finger in his mouth for 20-30 seconds, you can gradually switch to gauze or finger toothbrushes from the pet store. Work that way through to a dog toothbrush.
   • Either way, reassure your dog during the procedures so that it is a pleasant experience for him.
10. Have the vet clean it thoroughly once if necessary. If your dog already has a significant build-up of tartar and plaque, brushing your teeth alone won't be enough. Just like in the human world, your dog will need professional treatment at the vet.
    • Look for red gums or brown material attached to the teeth - these are signs that brushing your teeth at home will be painful for your dog. Go to the vet before trying to brush his teeth.
11. Trim your dog's nails. If not kept up, dog nails can curl up in the toe pads or twist the toes in a way that causes joint damage. To keep your dog's nails short, you will need to trim them regularly depending on how fast they are growing. If you hear his nails tapping the ground when he walks, it means his nails are touching the ground and are too long.
    • Cut away a very small piece of nail (1.5 mm) with dog nail scissors. For a very young puppy, you can use human nail scissors.
    • If your dog has light-colored nails, you can see the pink part where life ends. Make sure you don't cut the pink part and only cut away the light, hard nail.
    • Take extra care with dogs with dark-colored nails so as not to cut in life. Take it slowly and take off small pieces at a time.
    • If you cut too far and hit the life, apply styptic powder or cornstarch with a little pressure to stop any bleeding.

Part 2 of 3: Bathe your dog

1. Gather your supplies. You don't want to have to run around looking for something while you have a wet dog in the tub, so make sure you have everything in one place before you start. Also, make sure you are wearing clothes that you don't mind getting dirty because you will getting wet. At least you need:
   • Dog shampoo
   • Sweets
   • Multiple clean towels
   • Place a towel on the corner of the tub to keep water from splashing over the tub rim. The rest is to dry off.
2. Place a non-slip mat on the bottom of the bath. You know from experience that the bath can be slippery when there is soap. To prevent your dog from slipping, put a towel or non-slip mat in the tub.
3. Fill the bath in advance with warm water. Hot water can damage your dog's skin, especially if you have a short-haired dog. Do not run the water in the tub while the dog is in it as this will cause unnecessary stress. You may need to spend some time getting your dog used to the sound of running water using his favorite treats. Always take it easy to avoid overwhelming your dog and making it worse for both your dog and yourself.
4. Secure the dog in the bath. Some dogs run off when it's bath time. If your dog is like that, buy a bath leash for your dog from the pet store. This is a leash that you can attach to the wall in the bathroom with a suction cup and that keeps your dog in place while bathing.
   • Replace your dog's normal collar with one that will not stain the coat and can withstand water.
5. Soak your dog. Make sure your dog's coat is completely wet before applying shampoo. If your dog is not scared, you can buy a hose with a tap connector and use it. This is especially helpful if you have a large dog or one with a double coat. However, if your dog is afraid of running water, use a glass or bucket to pour water from the tub over the dog.
6. Soap the dog. Start at the neck and work your way down towards the back and legs, using your fingers to spread the shampoo and work it into the skin. Save the head for last, and don't use soap around the ears and eyes. Instead, use a wet towel or washcloth to clean the head.
   • Diluting the shampoo may make it easier to apply and rinse.
7. Rinse your dog thoroughly. As long as you can still see dirt or soap bubbles in the water that runs off, keep rinsing. You can use the same method you used to wet your dog's coat for the shampoo. Remember not to use running water if your dog is afraid of the noise. Simply pour water over him with a cup to rinse the shampoo from his coat.
8. Dry your dog. Dry it as best you can with the towel while it is still in the bath so you don't get a mess. Place the towel over your dog's back and give him permission to shake. Many dogs will learn the “bath rules” and wait with shaking until you put the towel over them so that it can catch the water droplets. If your dog is short-haired or if you prefer to let the coat air dry, you're done now.
   • If you have a double coat or a long haired dog, you may need to blow dry the coat.
9. Dry the dog with the hair dryer if necessary. If the towel doesn't make it, you can blow dry the coat with the hair dryer without overheating or drying your dog. If you have a dog with particularly long hair, you may need to dry and brush the coat at the same time.
   • Make sure the hair dryer is on the cold setting! It may take longer than usual because of that, but it's worth it because you are less likely to dry out your dog's hair and skin.
   • If your dog is afraid of the sound or feel of the hair dryer, don't force it. Use the towel to dry it as much as possible and let it air dry somewhere in an area where it won't hurt. But watch out for drafts.

Part 3 of 3: Clipping your dog's coat

1. Decide if you need to trim your dog's coat. Many breeds have short hair and do not need a regular haircut. However, if you have a rougher breed of dog, you may need to trim it regularly as part of its health routine. Breeds that require regular coat clipping include Cocker Spaniels, Bobtails, Poodles, Collies, Shih Tzu's, Pekingese and Chow Chows.
2. Trim your dog's hair once it has dried. If you plan to trim your dog's coat, make sure you read the clipper manual. Get an information book or DVD, or ask a groomer for advice on the correct use of your clippers. Make sure the cutting blades are sharp and the blades well oiled.
   • Before you start cutting you should have a good idea of ​​the look you are trying to create. Read, ask questions and watch videos to get an idea of ​​how to achieve the desired result. Then you can start.
3. Restrain the dog in a friendly manner. You don't want it moving around a lot, so secure it with a strap. While trimming, you can place your free hand under your dog's belly to encourage him to stay standing, rather than moving around restlessly.
4. Use dog clippers. It's worth spending a little extra money on a good dog clipper. A small upfront investment will save you money later, as you don't have to pay professionals to take care of your pet.
   • Make sure to use an attachment that gives your dog the coat length you want.
   • Scissors probably won't give you a nice even coat, and if your dog moves suddenly you could hurt him. Clippers are more recommended than scissors.
5. Trim the dog's coat methodically. You can safely bump the blade as long as you don't press the blade hard into the skin. Move the clippers slowly over the dog's body to remove the fur - moving too quickly can create uneven lines. Always move the blade with the hair growth. Start in the neck, then move to the shoulders, under the ears and towards the chin, throat and chest area. Then trim the back and sides of the dog. Finally, cut the hair on the dog's paws.
   • Be careful when cutting around the dog's paws, tail, and face. These areas can be sensitive.
   • Check the clippers regularly to make sure they don't get so hot that they burn your dog's skin.
   • If the clipper blades do get hot, stop and let them cool down and / or use a product like “Clipper Lube” spray.
6. Reward your dog. Standing still can be hard work! If he looks like he is being overwhelmed by all of these activities, give your dog a break every few minutes. Praise him in the process and give treats during breaks. If there is a chance that he will get dirty, don't play with the dog.
7. Be patient. You may have to go over your dog's coat a few times to get a smooth, even appearance. Don't rush it! Give your dog as many breaks as necessary, and make sure to move your clippers slowly.

Tips

• If you don't have time to bathe your dog, he will still need grooming to stay clean, healthy and acceptable. Consider paying a groomer to clean your dog if you can't.
• Raised nursing tables and bathtubs ensure that you are not constantly bent over and hurt yourself. Any table or solid surface can serve as a temporary nursing table, but always place a non-slip mat on top for the dog to stand on. That means no twists on the table. Hardware stores often sell rubber mats by the meter, which you can cut to the size you need.
• If you need to blow dry your dog, consider a professional quality blow dryer like the Double K Airmax. Double-coated dogs like Bernese Mountain Dogs can take so long to dry with a human hair dryer that they can burn. For smaller dogs, consider a small dog dryer, such as the Crazy Dog Dryer, to minimize the risk of your pet getting burned.
• You may have to pluck your ears from time to time. Ask a vet or groomer to show you how to safely and correctly pluck the hair from your dog's ears. Ear powder makes work easier and faster by giving more grip on the smooth ear hairs.
• If you want to use it at all, use a small amount of dog conditioner to keep your dog from looking and feeling greasy.
• Be careful not to let water get into the dog's nose, as this will prevent him from breathing and it will elicit a "fight or flight" response.
• Find out what routine grooming is needed for your dog breed or coat type. There may be specific requirements for each breed that are required to keep the coat clean and / or in a certain condition. The coat of, for example, a Komondor needs special attention to allow the wires to form separately.
• If you can't afford expensive grooming supplies, consider a self-service dog wash room. They offer the use of these tools at a lower cost than if someone is going to bathe your dog for you, and best of all, they clean up the mess!
• If you have a wolf dog, or a large breed of dog that has been bred to resemble a wolf, never ever cut his coat short, he WILL definitely get aggressive, and, wolf dogs are pretty wild. Wash and brush the dog on your own.

Warnings

• Do not use human shampoo on your pet as it is not formulated for dogs. This can give your dog a rash.
• It is a reflex movement for many dogs to pull their back leg away when it is lifted. Do not lift the paw to the side, this is very uncomfortable for most dogs. Instead, lift the leg and gently pull it forward or backward. Don't be angry or punish the dog, just struggle through it and praise your dog if he or she stands still. If you have a medium or large dog, you can try clipping the nails off the back legs without having to lift the leg.
• Never use human toothpaste when brushing your pet's teeth. Pets can swallow the toothpaste and can get sick from the fluoride. Use toothpaste recommended by your vet.
• If you are shy about touching certain parts of your dog, get over that. If you want to clean your dog, you have to clean your dog's entire body. If your dog has fleas or ticks, the water will likely drown them. When the pests are dead, make sure to wash them all off. If they are left on them, it can make your dog sick. This may mean scrubbing your dog's entire body, including areas you'd rather not touch. Be especially careful and avoid hot water or medicated shampoos on the genitals. This area is sensitive.
• Don't wash too often. Once every two or even four weeks is usually enough. For long-haired breeds, a visit to the grooming salon is recommended every four or six weeks. Washing too often can dry out the skin as the natural oils disappear. Dry shampoos can be used between washes to clean legs and other parts. Spray it directly on the areas and sponge it off with a damp sponge. For normal washing, use a mild oatmeal shampoo for dogs. If your pet has a specific skin condition, a medicated shampoo from your pet may be in order. Seek advice from your vet if there are any concerns about your pet's skin.
• Avoid getting water in the ears and eyes. If water does get into the ears, use a small cotton ball or pad (not a cotton swab, it goes in too deep) and wipe or pat the inside of your dog's ear dry. Your dog will also likely shake his head to remove the water (such as after swimming). If your dog seems to constantly scratch his ear after bathing, take him to the vet to address the problem.
• Try to avoid getting shampoo in your dog's eyes. This can seriously irritate him. Apply shampoo to your hands before spreading it on your dog's coat, instead of pouring it directly from the bottle onto the coat. Don't let foam get into your dog's eyes when rinsing, and gently squeeze his eyes to keep the water out while you are there. You can put cotton balls in his ears to prevent water from entering the ear canals. Just make sure you take the cotton balls out when you're done.
• If your dog has skin problems, see a vet.

Necessities

Short-haired dogs:

• Rubber brush or glove
• Ear cleaner
• Cleaning alcohol.
• Cotton balls / cloth
• Dog toothbrush
• Nail scissors for dogs
• Collar
• Dog shampoo
• Hair dryer / towel

Medium and long-haired dogs:

• slicker brush, curry comb or pen brush
• Ear cleaner
• Cleaning alcohol.
• Cotton balls / cloth
• Dog toothbrush
• Nail scissors for dogs
• Collar
• Dog shampoo
• Hair dryer / towel