The Basics of Dog Grooming

Are you new to dog grooming? If so, you may be a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of new things to learn about brushes, nail trimmers, motorized hair clippers, and other tools. While some may think that having such a large array of dog grooming tools at hand is excessive, the fact remains that you need more than just a brush and a flea collar to keep your dog’s coat and nails healthy.

The type of brush you need depends largely on what kind of dog you have. If your pet has only a thin layer of fur, you usually only need one type of brush for detangling fur and preventing matting. However, if your dog has thicker fur, it may be necessary to use an undercoat rake to remove dead fur. Some species, such as certain terriers, don’t shed at all. In cases such as these, the dead fur is removed with a stripping knife.

What about trimming? For many breeds, big and small, trimming the coat is only an occasional part of the grooming process. You may need scissors occasionally to cut away matted fur or simply touch up the facial fur, ears, whiskers, and paws. Other breeds, however, may require regular haircuts, especially if their coats are long and silky. Many dog owners enjoy shaving their dogs in the summertime to let them cool off during the hotter months. For bigger jobs such as these, a pair of dog grooming hair clippers is useful for cutting of large amounts of hair.

Nail trimming is another aspect of grooming that can sometimes be very difficult indeed. This is largely because many dogs are squeamish about having their paws handled, especially if their nails have been clipped too short before. This can sometimes cause bleeding and infection. For this reason, you should never use human nail clippers, as they are not designed for canine nails.

Additional dog grooming supplies include shampoos, conditioners, cream rinses, detanglers, and other fur treatments. If you’re interested in adding a new twist to your dog’s appearance, you may want to include nail polish, hair bows, and styling clippers as well.

Finally, many assume that hairless dog breeds do not require grooming. This simply isn’t true! Hairless breeds sometimes develop skin conditions and require sun block, moisturizer, and even clothing to help keep their skin soft and insulated.

In choosing to purse dog grooming seriously, you are doing more than simply taking good care of your dog. The more you groom your dog, the more your pet will learn to see it as a time for bonding and relaxation. Learn more today to see how dog grooming can benefit you!