Dog Grooming Routine to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Clean

It's also important for dog owners to know how to manage simple grooming tasks. While grooming a dog does involve a bit of a learning curve, many of the best dog grooming tips have to do with what most dog owners and groomers already have lots of, a love for dogs.

One of the best tips for dog grooming is to make grooming as enjoyable an experience as possible for both the dog and you. Make sure your pet is relaxed then start with short sessions and gradually lengthen the time. Once your pet gets used to regular grooming, it will learn to expect and even look forward to it, making grooming sessions a great opportunity for bonding. For the owner, the obvious pay off is a dog that loves you more and the pleasure of knowing you have a healthy and happy pet.

Brushing and combing your dog's hair regularly will help remove dirt, pests and dead hair, untangle knots and spread natural oils through your pet's coat, making it healthier and shinier. How often you will need to brush your dog, as well as the kind of brush to use, usually depends on the length and type of its coat. It is best to consult the experts for this. But as a general rule, dogs with short, smooth coats or short, dense coats normally need to be brushed weekly, while those with luxurious coats will need daily attention.

Clipping and trimming nails is seldom enjoyable for a dog but is important since dirt and debris can accumulate between the paws and even injure your pet. Most dogs need their nails trimmed once a month. Your dog needs bathing too, of course. And once your pet gets used to it, it will actually enjoy bathing, although some pets think bath time is playtime and splash water all over your bathroom or take a nip at you if you try to hold it still. One of the best grooming tips when bathing your dog is to give it a toy to focus its attention on.

This involves grooming your pet regularly. While some people chose to turn to professionals for at least some of their grooming needs, doing basic grooming tasks at home can be a good way to bond with your dog and to make your dog more comfortable with the grooming process. If you are going to groom your dog at home, however, you will need to ensure you have the right dog grooming products.

Choosing Dog Grooming Products

When you buy dog grooming products, it is important always to choose things made especially for canines. Shampoos that are used for people can be drying to your dog's skin and can strip the skin of oils that provide your dog with important protection. Specially formulated dog shampoos are safer and better for your dog and you should always ensure that you use one whenever you bathe your pet.

Choosing the right shampoo to groom your dog is a matter of trial and error as you find a product that works well for you and that doesn't irritate your dog's skin. Some pets have more sensitive coats and skin than others, so be sure to pay attention to how your dog reacts after a bath. If your dog is licking or biting excessively at himself or itching a lot after the bath, the shampoo you have chosen may be the culprit. Opting for mild or organic shampoos is a good way to avoid your dog having an allergic reaction or other problems caused by a bath, so try to find products in this category when selecting your dog grooming products.

Some shampoos and grooming products offer special features that can help to make your dog safe. For instance, it is possible to get shampoos that contain natural materials to deter fleas and ticks. When used over time, your dog may become more resistant to these harmful pets.

Other Dog Grooming Products

While shampoo is the most basic of the dog grooming products that you will need to buy in order to groom your pet at home, there are a variety of other grooming tools that you may need as well. These include things such as a brush, nail clippers and even a doggy tooth brush to brush your canine's teeth and avoid plaque build-up.

No matter what the grooming product you are buying, you should choose the best product you can find and make sure that it is right for the breed and type of dog you have. For instance, dogs with thicker coats may require a different brush style than dogs with very thin fur and sensitive skin. Likewise, dogs that are afraid of having their nails cut may do better with a dremel than with traditional nail cutters.

There are many other great tips for grooming your pet and it isn't hard to find them. A click of the computer mouse, buying a book or talking to your veterinarian or groomer is all it takes to get the best grooming tips for keeping your pet - and you - happy.