*Always Remember to groom AFTER your dog is exercised so they will be more calm and not so hard to groom.
*If they are afraid or just simply dread to be groomed (bathed, brushed, nail trimming, toothbrushing, etc) NEVER call them over to you to do these things, they will think of it as punishment in a sense and never want to come when called again they will be expecting the thing that's dreaded most so always remember if they don't like it or it's punishment don't call them over to you, go collect them yourself. Coming when called is a very valueable command and you ALWAYS want to REWARD that and be sure they never recieve any bad experiences from coming when called, it could save their life one day.
Bathing
The Problem:
You put your dog in the tub/sink pull out the shampoo and she runs! She splashes, She flings out of control! What to do?! First of all did you leave your pup unattended even just to grab a towel form the side? That second is enough time for the dog to make a run for it!
The Tips:
*When taking them a bath, it's best to have a rubber mat on the bottom of the tub or sink so they won't slip or be so scared of the slipperyness of the bottom, Most of us don't have a rubber mat so a good tip is to use a large towel. (That's What I do with Molly)
*Always have all of your supplies ready BEFORE you put your dog in the tub or sink and always make it a good experience.
*Is your dog a large dog or a small dog? Don't make the same mistake I did and bathe a small dog in a large tub, they will try to escape or hop out of it!
Only medium to large dogs should be bathed in a large tub and it's a good idea to have an assistant helping out with any size dog. Be sure to "measure" your dog in the sink BEFORE you give them a bath in the sink, make sure they're going to fit.
*If your dog dreads baths, make the tub a fun place to be. Pick a day at the beginning of the week before any baths to teach them not to be afraid, playfully run to the tub or sink and play a little in front of it, then on the next day do the same but turn the water on low DO NOT put the dog in there! On the next day, put your dog in the tub, no water and play a little, on the next day, put them in there with the water on just a little and play, then on the next day turn the water on what you'd usually have it on and play a little, reassure them the WHOLE way and by next week they should accept the bath just a little more easier!
*And Remember, use a special dog shampoo not your own, human and baby shampoos were made for humans not animals, our ph balances are different, it will damage their hair and skin.
Nail Trimming
Tips:
*SLOWLY get them use to trimming their nails, it's best to have the vet do this the first time and be sure you watch what their doing, don't try it yourself until about 5-9 days after they come home so you don't scare the living daylights out of them and go quickly but not too quickly, once you have the trimmers around the nail and are sure you don't have the "quick" (the little pink vein in every dog's nails, you can only see them in white-nailed dogs but if you have a black-nailed dogs look beneith the nail and you'll see a little line, it's safe no matter what color nails just to trim the tips) and cut don't wait there and doubt yourself you'll only be scaring your dog, if you do cut the quick, don't panic, your dog will run a muck scared out of their wits with blood flying everywhere! Now if the quick gets cut, it will bleed, you just struck a vein, so be as calm as you can, it's best to trim their nails on a towel just in case so you can quickly apply pressure to the nail, keep a good hold on the dog and their nail if you have stypic powder quickly apply a small amount to the tip of the nail, this will stop the bleeding, if not just hold the towel against the nail with a good amount of pressure for a minute or two (or until the nail stops bleeding) and reassure your dog (and yourself) that it's going to be alright because it is. You can stop if you accidentaly cut the quick and pick up tommorrow if you feel more comfortable doing that but you can also finish reassuring the whole way. Don't be afraid to trim them again but you can do a nail or two a day, whatever works for you and your dog.
Hair Brushing
Now this may seem as simple as petting your dog; unless you own a bundle of energy like me, it's a little more difficult than that.
The Problem
Once you sit down with the brush and your dog, she runs off, and if you catch her, she bites at the brush! How annoying!
The Tips
But there is some tips that will get you both through the process a little easier. As with any sort of grooming, have all your supplies, not just your brush, get a towel for them to stand on so all the hair goes on it rather than the floor, you, table, etc. and an assistant to distract them, Now an "assistant" doesn't have to be a person, it can be your dog's best friend, food, like peanut butter or easy cheese smeared on a special plate for them or something like that. Then get your most important specimen, your dog, get a good (not too firm) grip on them so they don't run, and always, the whole time, talk sweetly to them, reassuring them it's nothing to be afraid of, then start brushing and there you go! Happy Brushing!
Tooth Brushing
Is fairly difficult especially if your dog is not use to this sort of handling. Most dogs get very uncomfortable when someone touches their mouths and some may even snap or bite. Tooth Brushing is a MUST for everything with teeth, it prevents tarter buildup, bad breath, and makes teeth strong and healthy by preventing gum disease and even kidney disease from tarter build up.
If you've ever tried to brush a dog's teeth that has never had their mouth handled, you are most likely to get bitten by even the friendliest dog, so the first thing you need to do is
1. Before you start to brush with a toothbrush, start handling the mouth: When they are going to sleep start petting them on the head and work your way to the mouth, start lifting the lips and massaging the gums gently with your fingers, do this a few times.
2. Buy a Dog toothbrush and Dog Toothpaste. Do NOT use human toothbrushes, they are far too hard for their gums, and NEVER use human toothpaste on an animal, it contains flouride which not even a human can swallow and since dogs can't swish and spit, they definently can't use our toothpaste, so buy dog products for this situation. Dog toothpaste can be swallowed by a dog.
3. Start by having your dog in front of you, it's usually a good idea to have their back facing you so you have complete control, most dogs like to "back-up" when you're coming at them. Then put a little smear of the toothpaste on your finger, let them lick it off, then put a smear on their toothbrush (you can use a dog finger toothbrush as well) and let them lick it off so they can accept the brush. Now, you can SLOWLY start to brush. Pull their lips back on one side, and start SLOWLY and GENTLY stroking, if your dog starts jumping or getting scared, stop. Always speak softly and reassuring to them when grooming. If your dog accepts this, try to do the other side of the mouth, don't open the whole mouth and try to get the whole mouth at once, this will most certainly frighten your dog, just start slowly, now you can try to lift the center of the lips and get the front but most dogs don't really accept this, but give it a shot, and reassure the whole time.
After your dog is use to it, you can start going farther back and get the whole mouth. It's best to start handling the mouth the day your pup comes home and remember to brush your dog's teeth EVERYDAY to prevent tarter buildup and have your dog's teeth scraped and cleaned by a veterinarian at least once a year for good dental health. Smile Pretty!
Ear Cleaning
Now most of the time, this presents a real problem. Most dogs don't like having their ears cleaned, or even handled for that matter. Ear handling should take place when your dog enters your home but it is easy to forget. Just like toothbrushing, you must get your dog used to having their ears handled BEFORE you even try to clean them. When your pet is napping or just laying around, sit beside them, start petting their head then work your way down to the ears, and just massage them all the way to the bottom of the ear. Some dogs may shake their head but move slow, then flip the ear back (for floppy eared dogs) and massage them back; or put your finger on the inside of the ear flap and massage (for dogs with erect ears) NEVER, NEVER poke inside your dog's ears just handle them on the flaps. Once your dog is used to this, purchase a DOG ear cleaning solution (sold at pet supply stores and catalogs and your vet). To Clean:
*Gather all your supplies first
Your dog ear cleaning sloution, cotton balls (about 5) and finally your dog
*How to
Have your dog sitting in front of you, get a hold on them and put their ear flap back if they have floppy ears, always praise and encourage them speaking in a soft tone the whole time. Then gently squeeze a drop in the ear, your dog may shake their head, and some solution will come with it, but that's okay, don't put too much solution, then massage the ear to bring up the debri and ear wax then get a cotton ball and wipe out the ear, it's best NOT to use a q-tip since you don't know how far down the ear goes and you may damage the ear and if your dog shakes their head the q-tip could get stuck so leave that to your vet (they usually have VERY long cotton swabs and they know how far down the ear goes.) Ask your vet or groomer to show you how if you are not quite sure.
If your dog's ears are red or smell really stinky, take them to your vet asap,
they might have an ear infection.
