Giving Your Dog a Spa Day

Is your dog starting to look a little wild around the house these days? Although it is hard to get to a professional groomer these days, not all hope is lost for your dog! Professional pet groomers have various tips on how to go about at-home grooming that will make your life much easier, such as:

- The best way to maintain your dog’s beautiful fur

- How to trim a dog’s nails safely and hassle-free

- Teeth brushing techniques for your dog

Read these tips and tricks and make your dog look as beautiful as ever!

While your dog may not be going out on the town as much these days, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t look and feel their best every day. If your dog is starting to get a little shaggy around the edges, why not start a little pet salon right in your own living room? It’s no secret that at-home grooming can be a challenge in the beginning, but it can also be very rewarding in the end. For instance, dogs who are groomed more often will shed around the house less, as well as build a trusting bond with you. To get you started out, here are some tips from various professional dog groomers on how to make your pooch feel like the star of the house.

Taming Your Dog’s Coat 

First and foremost, groomers recommend having a strong brushing routine. In fact, brushing alone can improve the health of your pet dramatically. As mentioned before, brushing your dog daily can greatly reduce shedding, as well as promote healthy skin. In fact, brushing can alert you to any potential flea, tick or rash problems before they develop into a more serious condition.

To begin, check that you have the right brush for your dog’s fur type. For instance, pin brushes are used for long-haired dogs, while bristle brushes are better suited for short coats. Regardless of the type of fur your dog has, a slicker brush will always do the job right. To begin, brush your dog for a few minutes throughout the week to get them used to the sensation of the new brush. As time goes on, progressively lengthen the pampering to create a normal routine for them. If you plan to bathe your dog, make sure to brush beforehand so the bathwater is not full of dirt and the fur is already detangled.

In terms of bath time, it is recommended to wash your dog sparingly as to not dry out their coat, on average once every 1 to 3 months. As many pet owners realize, most dogs are never fond of bath time. Groomers have found that using bath mats inside the tub can make a dog tolerate a bath a little longer than usual. In addition, it is always important to only use shampoo made for dogs, since human shampoo is too harsh for a dog’s sensitive skin

After a nice cool bath and a quick dry-off, now might be a good time to give your friend a new haircut! Although it can be fun to give your friend a new look, it is important to stay safe when handling sharp object near your pet. In fact, using shears or clippers will make a safer environment for the two of you. While trimming, remember to only use the tips of shears when working around the face, paws, or tail areas. Another helpful suggestion is to hold on to the sensitive parts while cutting to ensure there is no injury.

Giving Your Mutt a Manicure

Maintaining a regular nail trimming routine is essential to good dog hygiene, as well as your carpets! Nail trimming may seem a bit intimidating at first, but it is a fairly simple process.

First, it is important that your dog becomes comfortable with you handling their paws at a young age. The best way to hold your dog while trimming is either in your lap or on a table, since it is more comfortable for them. Clippers are a fairly common tool to use, but nail grinders are a good alternative if you are nervous about accidents.

To begin, cut little by little while watching for the quick. For dogs with white nails, a pink dot on the nail is a sign to stop, while dogs with black nails have a solid black dot in the middle as a warning. If you happen to cut too far, make sure to have a type of styptic powder nearby to stop the bleeding. If you dogs is still too anxious to get through trimming, groomers have found that holding a spoon of peanut butter for them to lick while you work works wonders.

Keeping the Canines Clean

Finally, dogs need dental hygiene just as much as us, if not more. After all, dogs can’t floss by themselves! Groomers recommend aiming for brushing once a day, but it is just as important to introduce your dog to the process.

Some owners find brushing your teeth together at night works best for routine reasons. Make sure to pick up some doggy toothpaste for them as well. Never use human toothpaste for them to brush, as some brands have sweetener that is toxic to dogs. When starting out, let your dog taste a bit of the toothpaste. Try using a washcloth with some toothpaste to massage the outside of their teeth. With time, you can move to finger brushes which will allow you to work faster.

Above all, it is good to realize what your dog can tolerate at a time, such as loud hairdryers, baths, and clippers. The best way to accommodate them is to plan ahead on how to get them through the process, such as offering them a treat after grooming. In addition, always remain calm and confident while grooming your dog. Dogs can smell your anxiety, which in turn makes them more scared. Treat grooming like a relaxing spa for your dog, and they will be more likely to enjoy it. Despite all the work involved, it’ll be worth the time when you see your dog strut around the house like a genuine show dog!