| The best time to begin proper grooming habits is as | | | | will be much more comfortable if you sit beside him |
| soon as you bring your puppy of adult dog home. | | | | on the edge of the tub and keep the water stream |
| The earlier you begin, the better adjusted to | | | | close to his body and away from his face. When |
| grooming your dog will be. If a puppy is young, baths | | | | shampooing your pooch, consider turning the water |
| might not be necessary; however, there are other | | | | off. The lack of water combined with the gentle |
| things you can do to begin conditioning your dog to | | | | massage of the shampoo through the coat should |
| future grooming. Dogs who are never handled or | | | | relax your dog. Rubber mats placed inside the tub |
| groomed at home will fight the process until they get | | | | might also alleviate stress in that they provide a |
| used to it. To get your dog adjusted try handling him | | | | more stable footing for your dog than the slippery |
| regularly. Rub his ears, move his gums to examine his | | | | bottom of the tub. When rinsing the face make sure |
| teeth, move his legs, hold his paws and engage in | | | | to avoid getting water in the ears. Water can |
| other activities that mimic a visit to the Vet or the | | | | accidentally enter the ear canal and cause an |
| groomer. The more you handle your dog in this way | | | | unpleasant reaction from your dog. If this concerns |
| the better off he will be when the time for grooming | | | | you, try placing a cotton ball in each ear before bath |
| has arrived. | | | | time. When the bath is finished reward your dog with |
| Grooming basics include brushing, baths and teeth | | | | a treat or a walk around the block to dry off. The |
| brushing. Try establishing a regular routine so you can | | | | more pleasant the bath experience, the less your dog |
| stay on top of your regimen. Brushing your dogs | | | | will fight them in the future. |
| coat is the most basic grooming step and its | | | | The most difficult grooming basic for some owners is |
| requirements vary widely depending on your dog. | | | | teeth brushing, but it is a necessity to avoid dental |
| Some short haired dogs require no brushing while | | | | problems. At home teeth brushings are also much |
| certain long haired toy breeds require almost daily | | | | less expensive than professional cleanings or dental |
| brushing. If you dog’s coat is really short you can | | | | treatments resulting from infection. |
| try a brush made entirely of soft rubber. This will | | | | Other grooming requirements include fur trims or |
| provide follicle stimulation and remove excess hair, | | | | shaves, ear cleanings an nail trimmings. These are |
| but will not hurt the skin. If your dog has a longer | | | | often best left to professionals unless you have built |
| coat, consider a bristled brush or a slicker brush with | | | | a grooming rapport with your dog and he is |
| curved metal teeth. This will ensure that the hair is | | | | comfortable with you doing so. In the long run, |
| detangled, as shorter rubber bristles will not comb | | | | grooming makes your dog look and feel his best |
| through this type of coat. | | | | while providing an opportunity for the two of you to |
| When you are ready for bath time, try using a | | | | bond and strengthen your relationship. |
| removable shower head to wet your pet. Your dog | | | | |