Many people do not realise that brushing your dog comes with many responsibilities to help ensure that your dog looks his best and stays in peak condition. Grooming is just one of the maintenance tasks. Other things to keep your dog in good condition include a healthy diet, plenty of walks and mental stimulation.
Table of contents
The importance of dog grooming and brushing your dog
Excess hair
Most dog breeds shed in some form or other, and as a result, the fur can build up and stay within the coat. This causes the dog to become itchy and even overheat in the summer.
As well as being beneficial to the dog, removing excess loose hair is also beneficial to you. After all, it will stop the fur from going all over our clothes and furniture. So as you see soion for you and your dog, no matter f you have a short-haired or long-haired breed.
Natural oils
Brushing your dogs’ coat regularly helps the natural oils in the coat distribute more evening. These oils help keep the coat looking shiny and healthy and allow dirt to fall off the coat, reducing bathing.
Detangling the coat
This is particularly beneficial to log-haired coats that tangle easier. Regular brushing can prevent the coat from getting lots of mats and tangles. If this happens, you will have no option but to shave the coat, which is not good for the dog.
Health check
Brushing your dog regularly also provides the perfect chance to check your dog over for other health issues. While brushing, you can feel for any unusual bumps, minor cuts or abrasions, flea dust, ticks etc.
Grooming your dog regularly can often catch problems early.
Building a stronger bond
It is essential that brushing and grooming are positively introduced from day one so that dogs become used to them. As long as it is a positive and pleasant experience from day one, your bond grows.
How often should you brush your dog?
This is a very good question, and as a dog walker, I get asked all the time.
The answer has a lot to do with what type of coat your dog has. E.g. short, medium or long-haired or even double coated.
Short-haired breeds
Unlike their long-haired companions, dogs such as French Bulldogs, Boxers, and pugs need very little brushing.
However, it is a good idea to brush them anyway, remove loose hair, and conduct a health check.
With these types of dogs, you can use one of the many grooming gloves on the market that are nice and gentle. In fact, it will feel like you are simply stroking your dog.
Of course, consult your local dog groomer or vet for advice if you’re worried about anything you find when grooming your dog, whether it’s matted fur, ticks or fleas.
Long-haired breeds
Breeds with long hair include Wheaten Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier and the collie. These long-haired breeds need to be brushed at least once a week to get rid of loose hairs/
If you do not regularly brush them, the coat will get very matted
The best type of brush for long-haired breeds is the pin brush type or, better still, the double-sided one )pin brush one side and bristle the other) The pin brush will help remove fur from the undercoat
Wirey coats
This coat type can be found on breeds such as schnauzers and many terriers.
In the same way, long-haired coat dogs benefit from a weekly o even daily brushing, and so do the wiry coats. This will help prevent tangles and matted coats.
The best type of brush to use is the slicker brush,
For long-hair and wire-coated dogs, you may also consider investing in a metal comb that will help with knots and tangles. However, take care when using the metal comb as they can be very sharp and scrape the skin
Top brushing tips when grooming your dog,
Never brush against the dog’s coat. Always brush in the same direction as the fur.
As with your hair, when trying to get rid of knots, hold the bottom of the fur and gentle tease, so you avoid pulling.
Some detangling spray can help with the more stubborn tangles
If your dog’s coat is very matted, then it is advisable to seek professional help from a groomer
Take things slowly, so your dog does not get stressed out.
Our top dog grooming tip when brushing your dog’s coat is to try and make it an enjoyable experience. Consider getting someone to feed your dog treats whilst you are grooming.
Other dog grooming tips
Keep Nails Trimmed
A dog’s nails can be pretty painful for you and them if left unchecked. Trimming your dog’s nails with sharp clippers twice a month will mean that the nails will only need to be “tipped” – only the tops clipped – to ensure they remain short and healthy. If you are unsure how to cut your dog’s nails, seek professional guidance first from your dog groomer or vet.
Bath Time
You may only bathe your dog when it gets dirty or smelly after a muddy dog walk, which can be more frequent than you would like, but no matter how often you bathe your dog, you should always use products designed for dogs. Nowadays, there are all sorts of shampoos and conditions that suit all skin and coat types, so make sure you pick the appropriate one to leave your pooch’s coat glistening and avoid skin irritation.
Brushing Teeth
Brushing your dog’s teeth is basic hygiene and can reduce the build-up of bacteria in the mouth that can be harmful to the gums, kidneys and liver. There are a number of canine dental products available, from brushes and toothpaste to dental chews. You have to decide what is best for your dog. Don’t use human toothpaste, though, as it contains ingredients like fluoride that can make your dog sick.
A good dog grooming tip is to start using your finger when brushing your dog’s teeth and introduce small amounts of toothpaste. You can then slowly build up to a proper dog toothbrush.
Check the Ears
It is likely that your canine friend won’t need his ears cleaned that often, but make it part of your grooming routine to check for ticks, ear mites and wax build-up, which can be the causes of ear infections. If you need to clean the ears, make sure you use a veterinarian-recommended ear cleaning solution and cotton balls (not cotton buds).
Of course, if you’re worried about anything you find when grooming your dog, whether it’s matted fur, ticks or fleas, consult your local dog groomer or vet for advice. Why not consider a dog grooming diploma
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