Dog Care: Dog Grooming

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As dog owners and people who care deeply for animals and wildlife, we wanted our Dog Encyclopedia to be a website that could empower pet owners to create the most positive, loving environment for their dogs. Dog Encyclopedia realizes that owning a dog is like adding a new member to your family.

Dog grooming is one of your dog's basic needs and an important part of dog ownership. Just like people, dogs need physical maintenance to look and feel their best.
Most dogs enjoy being brushed, and sessions will strengthen the bond with your dog while maintaining a healthy coat. A dog’s minimum brushing needs depend on hair type. Long-haired dogs usually require daily brushing to prevent matting and tangling of hair. Medium-haired dogs may be prone to matting and tangles and should be brushed at least weekly. Short-haired dogs can typically go up to a month in-between brushing. Regardless of hair type, you can brush your dog daily - especially if he enjoys it. More frequent brushing during shedding season can help prevent hair build-up and excess shedding. Mats are nasty entanglements of hair that may involve the topcoat, undercoat, dirt, burrs, loose hair hanging around and just about anything your dog may have gotten into. They can be quite damaging and even painful for your dog, so it is important to remove them before they become more serious matters! Keeping your dog free of hair mats is, unfortunately, an ongoing task that begins by establishing a foundation of regular grooming habits. Dead hair is a breeding ground for mats. A coat that is brushed and clean stays in better condition and is less likely to develop them. Dogs with continuously growing hair, such as the Poodle or Shih Tzu, typically need their hair cut every 2-4 weeks depending on the breed of the dog and the style of the cut. This task is often best left to professional groomers, though many dog owners are able to learn some basic maintenance haircuts.


Nail Trimming

Most dogs do not like having their claws trimmed. Start trimming claws in young animals so that they get used to the process. Some dogs will happily sit in your lap or on a table while you trim their claws but many require some form of restraint.  Most dogs dislike even having their paws handled. Dog owners are often uncomfortable with the process for fear of hurting their dogs. Dogs will develop an aversion to nail trimming once they experience pain from it. The best way to avoid this is to learn how to trim nails correctly and exercise caution. Ideally, a veterinary technician, vet, or groomer should teach you how to trim your dog’s nails. Most dogs need monthly nail trims, but your dog may need more or less depending on the rate of growth. The claws on the rear feet are often shorter and require less frequent trimming than those on the front feet. Always remember to trim the dew claws that are located on the inner surface of the paw unless they were removed as a puppy.  Some breeds of dogs such as the St. Bernard have 2 sets of dew claws on the rear feet. Light colored claws are easier to cut than dark claws as the blood vessels and nerves that supply the toenail, called the quick, is easier to see.  An alternative to nail trimming is the use of a rotary tool to file down nails.

Bathing
Bath time does not mean fun to most dogs and owners. It may bring forth an image of a wet dog running from the tub, dripping all over the house. Bathing does not have to be this way if your dog can get used to it.  Most dogs should be bathed monthly, but bathing as often as once a week is not considered harmful. Always use a soap-free shampoo that is intended for dogs. Depending on the condition of your dog’s skin and coat, your veterinarian may recommend a specific shampoo. A tub is usually the easiest place to bathe your dog, though very small dogs may be bathed in a sink. If you will be using your tub at home, it might take a toll on your back and knees. Many pet supply stores offer self-service dog wash tub you can use for a small fee. It's less expensive than paying for a groomer, and you can avoid a mess in your house. If you choose to bathe your dog outside, remember that cold water is no fun for most dogs. You may want to hook up the hot water so your dog can get a nice warm bath. Brush your dog out before the bath begins. Be sure to remove any tangles or mats, as these are harder to deal with once your dog is wet. Soak your dog from head to toe with warm water using a hand-held sprayer. Always test the temperature on your arm before spraying your dog. Be sure to avoid the eyes and inside of the ears. Many dogs have water-resistant coats, so a thorough soaking is usually necessary to penetrate the hair coat. Apply shampoo to your dog's coat. Avoid the eyes, face, and genital area. Use enough shampoo to create a lather. Apply small amounts of shampoo at a time to avoid using too much. Be sure to thoroughly rinse out the shampoo from your dog's coat.


Ear Care

Your dog’s ears can be a haven for bacteria and yeast if not kept clean. Some dogs can go their whole lives without ear problems, and the only routine ear cleaning needed is during the monthly bath. Other dogs have chronic ear disease and require multiple cleanings a day. Dogs have many more ear problems than cats. Dogs with heavy floppy ears have the most problems with ear infections. Some breeds have lots of hair in and around the ear canal which causes them to develop ear infections. Dogs that spend lots of time in the water also are prone to developing ear infections.  If your dog has excess debris or foul odor in his ears, your veterinarian will likely prescribe special ear cleaners and medications. Ear cleaning and medicating can be messy so cover good clothes and work on a surface that is easy to clean. Most dogs do not like having their ears cleaned.  Some dogs will happily sit in your lap or on a table while you clean or medicate their ears but many require some form of restraint.  Ear cleaning solutions contain various chemicals and may contain drying agents. Check with your veterinarian regarding which product to use and how often to use it. Excessive ear cleaning can be damaging to the ear. The ear wash solution is squeezed into the ear canal. A few drops of ear wash should be applied to the inside of the ear flap and then the tip of the ear wash bottle should be inserted a few millimeters into the ear canal, to place some of the wash solution down the ear canal. Be careful not to tightly force the tip of the bottle into the ear canal as forceful squeezing of  the bottle with the bottle wedged into the ear canal could rupture the ear drum. The dog will usually shake its head as soon as the wash is inserted into the ear, shaking out much of the solution. Massage the base of the ear to distribute the wash solution throughout the ear canal. Dogs usually like this part. Use cotton balls to remove discharge from the inner side of the ear flap.

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