Dog Grooming - Brushing and Bathing
Sandra Dinkins-Wilson
Dog grooming is the basis for preventive health care for your dog and puppy. It gives you a chance to see small changes in and on your dog's body that could lead to health concerns such as a lump or problems in his ears or with his teeth.
Dog grooming can be a time of further bonding with your dog. This is some serious one on one time when he gets loads of your attention.
So what do you do and when do you start grooming your dog and puppy? As with most things with your puppy, you need to introduce him to dog grooming slowly and help him be comfortable with it. Start with short sessions of about five minutes and work up to the whole routine as he adjusts.
Begin with brushing and combing. There are several different grooming tools used for brushing and which you use depends upon the breed of your dog and the type of coat he has. Ask the breeder you got your puppy from for the proper techniques.
Brushing should be done before you bathe your dog or puppy. Bathing your puppy should begin when he is about 14 weeks old or sooner if he is a very dirty dog. Most dogs should need bathing only once a month unless he gets dirty. Wherever you decide to bathe your dog, bathtub, sink or some type of tub, place a rubber mat within to give him something secure to stand on so he won't slip around.
Soak down his body but not his face. Keep water out of his ears. You may wish to block his ear canals with cotton balls to prevent the water from getting into his ears. Lather up your wet dog with a dog shampoo. Rinse well. Any leftover shampoo in his coat is likely to cause dryness or skin irritation. Wipe his face off with a damp cloth. Squeeze off the excess water and then towel dry your dog. Complete the drying process with either a hair dryer set on warm, not hot, or by leaving him in a warm room until dry.
Be aware that a dog will shake just as soon as you release him. This is why some people want to run their dog outside quickly after a bath on a leash to prevent him from rolling and getting dirty again. If this is not an option, such as in winter, you may wish to consider a professional groomer.
A professional groomer may be a consideration for some of the more difficult haircuts and dog grooming considerations such as the stripping required by some wire-haired breeds. This depends upon your ability to do the required tasks and your desire to do them as well.
copyright 2005. Sandra Dinkins-Wilson
About the author: Visit our Puppy Training website at http://ezpuppytraining.com/ for a free course on "Welcoming Your New Puppy Home and Puppy Training". Find more puppy training and care tips at our website ezpuppytraining.com.
The latest information and news on Dog Care Advice :
Fire officials were working to determine the cause of a house fire that killed more than 30 dogs and cats in Plano. The fire was reported about 9:20 p.m. Monday in the 1400 block of Amherst Drive less than half a mile west of Collin Creek Mall, police said. The owners were not at home.
100-plus dogs taken from Catawba home (The Charlotte Observer)
Catawba County animal control officials confiscated more than 100 dogs from a home southeast of Newton Monday, saying the animals were being kept in unsanitary conditions. An anonymous caller contacted authorities about the situation. Animal-control officials found 115 rat terriers and about a dozen Great Danes at the home on Bud Arndt Road, according to Animal Services Manager Jay Blatche. ...
More Than 100 Dogs Seized From Catawba County Home (WSOC-TV Charlotte)
CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. -- Catawba County officers have seized more than 100 dogs while investigating a possible puppy mill at a home southeast of Newton.
More than 100 dogs seized from alleged puppy mill (WCNC Charlotte)
NEWTON, N.C. -- Authorities in Catawba County busted an alleged puppy mill on Tuesday, removing more than 100 dogs from the property. Investigators said an anonymous tip on Monday led them to the home, which is located on the 2400 block of Bud Arndt Road, southeast of Newton.
Police kill 2 dogs that mauled man in Phoenix (East Valley Tribune)
PHOENIX - A city worker was mauled at a northwest Phoenix park by two large dogs, which ripped off the man's clothing and severely bit him as they dragged him through the grass.
Euthanizing N.W.T. man's 34 dogs 'saddest day of my life' for vet (CBC)
The veterinarian who had to euthanize 34 neglected sled dogs in Behchoko, N.W.T., late last week said he hopes something positive can come out of such a sad case.
Dogs attack city worker (12 News Phoenix)
2 American bull dogs attacked a city worker at Mariposa Park at 33rd Avenue and Northern in Phoenix. The man was being dragged across the park by the two dogs when police arrived.
Police shoot, kill dogs after they maul city worker in park (KTVK 3TV Phoenix)
PHOENIX -- Phoenix police say they were forced to shoot two dogs after they attacked a city worker in a park Tuesday morning.
Police shoot, kill dogs after they maul Phoenix city worker (ABC 15 Phoenix)
A Phoenix city worker is in serious condition after he was attacked by two dogs in a city park Tuesday morning, according to police. A passerby called 9-1-1 at about 9:30 a.m. as the 43-year-old man was attacked by the American pitbulls, according to a fire department spokesman.
Dogs attack man at Phoenix park (KTAR 92.3 Phoenix)
A man was taken to a hospital after he was attacked by two dogs at a Phoenix city park Tuesday morning, fire dispatchers said. The attack happened in Mariposa Park, near 33rd Avenue and Northern.