How to Groom Your Dog
It has to be done but sometimes it’s not the easiest thing in the world to do. Rover is scared of water. Muffy won’t hold still and ends up getting soap all over you and all over the bathroom floor. Tiger splashes so much that the neighbors downstairs called your landlord because your floor leaked on them.
When you have a pet, proper care and cleaning is important for the health and well being of the animal. Stinky pets are just… stinky. If you can’t afford to have your dog professionally groomed as frequently as you need to, here are a few tips to make grooming as painless as possible, for you and your pet.
1) Make it FUN!
When you groom your pet, make the experience a fun one. If you’re constantly yelling, swearing, pulling and losing patience with your pet, the animal will only react in fear. If you’re grooming your pet for the first time, keep the session short. Increase the duration with each session and eventually your pet will become accustomed to a longer, fuller grooming. Reward your pet with praise, petting and treats. When your pet knows that a grooming session is one ripe with positive reinforcement, the animal will be more cooperative and less prone to snappish behavior during the grooming.
2) All About Brushing
Brushing your pet’s coat is one of the most important steps in the grooming regime. Think about how uncomfortable a tangle can get in your own hair, it’s the same for a long haired dog or cat. (Although most cats do self-groom, there are times when a brushing will be needed.) Brushing also removes dirt and spreads the animal’s natural oils through the coat, this helps prevent tangles and keeps the skin clean.
If your pet has long hair, you’ll need to brush daily. Start with a brush that has firm (metal, wood or plastic) bristles, called a slicker brush. Use this to break up tangles and mats. (If your pet is seriously matted, you may opt for a hair cut or shave. Do NOT attempt to break up large mats with a brush as it will only cause your pet pain and disn and uy multifamily housing.comfort, see #1). Next use a brush with soft bristles to create a shiny coat. Don’t forget your pet’s tail too!
If your pet has short hair, you’ll only need to brush once a week. Use a rubber bristle brush to loosen dead skin and dirt, a softer bristle brush to remove dead hair and then a chamois cloth (yes the same thing you use on your car) to polish your pup. The chamois will remove any left over hair as well as providing a shine to your pet’s coat.
When you brush your pet, try to do it outside, as the hair will be flying! If you can’t do it outside, do it in the bathroom with the door shut and vacuum when you are done. As a pet owner, you know that there’s really no escape for pet hair but brushing your dog in the kitchen or on your couch is just not the greatest idea.
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