A Perfect Guide To Groom Your Furry Friend

We all want our furry friends to look and feel their best, and grooming your dog plays a big part in this. Not only does it keep their fur healthy and glossy, but it also looks after their skin health and gives you the opportunity to check for things like parasites and signs of soreness or irritation. 

Lots of pet parents feel more comfortable taking their pup to a professional groomer, but it’s also possible to groom your dog at home with the right tools and techniques. 

Become a dog grooming guru with the best products and tips to make pet grooming a breeze. Not to mention, it’s a great way to bond with your pet.

Why Do I Need To Groom My Pet?

There’s more to grooming your dog than just keeping them looking and smelling good, it’s also necessary for their overall health. Regular grooming removes dead hair, tangles, mats, and dirt from their coats, which helps prevent skin irritation and inflammation. Brushing your dog also help distribute the natural oils in their fur, which keeps their coat healthy and shiny. As well as this, you can use grooming as an opportunity to check your pup for fleas and ticks, signs of ear infections, or any skin bumps, cuts, or lumps that may need vet attention.

There are various elements to dog grooming, including bathing, brushing, trimming fur, nail clipping, and ear and eye cleaning. 

When To Start Grooming?

Start grooming your pet as a puppy. Choose times when they are tired and less energetic. Limit your grooming sessions to a few minutes, as young pets have short attention spans. Talk in a reassuring manner and check their ears, teeth, paws, and nails. Over time, your pet will become used to the grooming ritual and enjoy being handled and inspected. Offer them a tasty treat as a reward afterwards.

Bathing 

When bathing your dog at home, make sure you always use special dog shampoo, as human shampoo can contain chemicals that may irritate their skin. Simply get them wet, work the shampoo into a lather for a few minutes, avoiding their face, and then rinse. How often your dog needs bathing will depend on their coat type and lifestyle, like if they go swimming or love a roll in the mud. Try not to over wash your dog though, as it removes essential oils from their coat.

Brushing

Depending on your dog’s fur, you should brush them at least a couple of times a week to remove loose fur and knots. As mentioned, you’ll want to use different brushing methods for different coat types. Using the wrong brush could damage your dog’s fur, and improper technique could cause mats or skin irritation. There are various types of dog brushes available to suit different coat lengths and textures, such as a soft bristle brush, rubber curry brush, grooming glove, slicker brush, pin brush, comb, or rake. 

Pro Tip No matter your dog’s coat type, always brush your dog’s fur in the direction that it grows.

Trimming And Clipping 

Give your pup a good brush first to remove any knots, and always enlist a second person to help, so they can hold your dog still. Haircuts are often best left to professional groomers, but if you’re confident in trimming your dog’s fur at home, you can use My Pet Buddy dog clippers or a pair of hair-cutting scissors.

Clipping nails, make sure you have a good set of sharp nail clippers. Find a quiet spot where your pet will feel relaxed, like their favourite spot on the couch. Walking on pavements can help keep your dog’s claws filed down, but sometimes they may need a trim. You have to be incredibly careful when clipping a dog’s claws, as it can be very painful if you cut the quick (a soft cuticle inside the claw that contains blood vessels and nerves).

Cleaning Ears And Eyes

Keeping dog ears clean can go a long way to preventing needless pain and suffering, but doing it incorrectly can create more problems. So how do you clean a dog’s ears? 

You probably already know that it’s unsafe to stick cotton swabs into your own ears. That rule applies to dog ears, too. Instead, have cotton balls or squares handy.

Before you know, to clean dog ears, it’s important to understand when you should clean them—and just as importantly, when it’s best to seek your vet’s advice instead. If your dog’s ears are infected or inflamed, cleaning them can make the problem worse. Contact your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

To clean your dog’s eyes, flush each eye several times with a properly formulated eye wash for Dogs in order to clear out any irritants or debris. If the irritation continues, bring your dog to the veterinarian for an examination. 

Dental Care

Introduce puppies to tooth brushing early on will promote good dental hygiene and get them used to having their teeth brushed and examined. Pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes are specifically designed for puppies. Educate pet owners about dental treats, toys, and regular dental check-ups to maintain their puppy's oral health.

How Long Does It Take It To Groom My Pet Buddy?

According to the experts we interviewed, a dog grooming session should take anywhere between 30 minutes to three hours depending on the breed of the dog, fur type, size, personality, last grooming session and other factors. A small dog with a short coat may only take 30 minutes to an hour to groom, while a larger breed with a thicker coat may take several hours. If you’re grooming your dog at home, it’s important to take your time, especially if your pup is new to the process and may be feeling anxious or unsure. Keep an eye on you dog's body language and stop for a break if they appear stressed.

How To Make Grooming A Positive Experience For your Pet Buddy?

It’s a process that requires patience, understanding, and consistency. If you’re getting your Pup groomed first time, they may find it overwhelming, so it's important to take things slowly and make it a positive experience. Begin by familiarising your pup with the grooming tools and procedures before getting started. Consider using positive reinforcement techniques like treats and praise to help encourage calm behaviours. Remember, patience is key, and with time and effort, grooming can become an enjoyable routine for both you and your pup. Start with short grooming sessions, gradually increasing the duration as your dog becomes more comfortable. Reward calm behaviour during grooming sessions to reinforce positive bonding. Always use a gentle touch. 

For All helpful products for Grooming your dog, check out www.mypetbuddy.au