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Prepping Your Pet and Your Home

Everyone loves when their dog smells and looks great. Grooming can be tricky, though, and can even be hazardous if you don’t know how to correctly preen your pooch. Groomers can be costly, although it is a good idea to use them once in a while. If you want to learn how to do it yourself, though, it is an easy process as long as you follow the standard safety tips. Here are the steps to properly keep your dog groomed.

Preparation

The first step in the grooming process should always be giving your dog’s coat a good brushing and detangling. Getting them ready this way will prevent any parts of their skin from not receiving a thorough washing due to mats that may be in the way. Different dog breeds have different types of fur, so pick the best brush or comb that will thoroughly but gently remove any tangles or dead hairs.

Washing

Next, you’ll be able to begin washing your dog. Avoid washing too frequently, because this could irritate your dog’s skin. Keep in mind that unless your pooch got into your garden or was on the receiving end of a skunk’s wrath, washing more than one a month is normally unnecessary. Also, remember to pick a quality shampoo that will not cause an allergic reaction. Specialty shampoos for fleas or ticks or even dry skin are other options as well, depending on your dog’s needs.

Drying

Towel drying is one of the easiest ways to get your dog dry, but may be time-consuming depending on the thickness of your pup’s fur, not to mention their attention span! Hand dryers can be used, but only on the lowest setting. If possible, use a dryer with a cool setting. This will help you from accidentally burning your dog’s skin or causing itching and flaking from drying it out.

Trimming

Trimming your dog will include their fur and quite importantly their nails. Does this aspect scare you? If so, you’re not alone. The thought of using a sharp object near your pup’s important parts is enough to frighten any dog owner. This can easily be done, though, especially with the help of the expertise of your dog sitting service. Special nail clippers made just for pets are available and come with safety features that will help you neatly trim the nails without risking hurting your pet by cutting too close.

Face, Ear, and Eye Care

Delicate areas such as the face, ears, and eyes should be carefully cleaned. With the face itself, you can wash it while you are shampooing, but be sure to avoid your dog’s eyes. These can be cleaned with a cloth to just wipe away any residue that may have accumulated. This same tip goes for your pup’s ears. In order to avoid infection, water shouldn’t be allowed to enter their ear canals. Instead, you can use a dry cloth to gently clean the outer edges without going inside the ear, which could cause damage.

As you can see, keeping your dog properly groomed doesn’t have to be a daunting task. You can achieve soft, silky fur and healthy skin on your own! As long as you are safe especially regarding heat and sharp instruments, you can make bath-time a pleasurable experience for you and your furry friend. Remember to use the help of those trained professionals for anything you may be uncertain about concerning your four-legged friend. Your dog walking service is there to help you maintain the help and happiness of your best friend!

For more tips on dog grooming practices that your dog professionals use, click here.