Pet University
Grooming Your Dog
Hair Types
The five general categories of dog hair types are the following: Smooth Coat, Medium Coat, Long Coat, Wire Hair/Broken Coat, and Wavy Coat. Learn more about each type of coat and how to take care of it.
Bathing
Bathing is a huge part of keeping your dog clean and healthy. Find out how often dogs should be given a bath, what materials you'll need for the bath, and other general bathing information.
While making sure your dog gets the brushing and bathing he needs on a regular basis, there are also other necessary components to keeping your dog thoroughly groomed, and not all of them are connected to how he looks or smells. In some ways, grooming is directly related to health. All dog owners want their dog to have a clean, shiny coat, smell fresh, but they also want him to be free from disease and other medical problems. Making sure that every part of your dog’s body is clean and kempt can be one of the most efficient ways of maintaining his health.
Nail Trimming
Hearing your dog’s nails clicking on the floor is a good sign that it’s time for a clip. The nails should be even with the paw pad, and anything longer than that should be trimmed. Nails that are longer than this can cause some unwanted stress on your dog’s paw by forcing the weight onto the back of the pad. Long nails can also scratch skin, furniture, and other objects.
Most owners are afraid of clipping their own dog’s nails because they are afraid of harming him. To eliminate these fears, familiarize yourself with the anatomy of the nail and exactly how to complete a clipping before getting started for the first time. Inside a dogs nail is the “quick”, which is easily visible through clear, white nails. You definitely do not want to cut into the quick. Cut the nail below quick at a 45 degree angle. If you accidentally cut into the quick, it will bleed profusely, so be sure to have blood-clotting product on hand, such as silver nitrate. Once you get the hang of cutting your dog’s nails it should be as easy as cutting your own, so you should be able to do it quickly and easily without fear of hurting your dog.
Purchase a nail clipper specifically for dogs. To trim the nails on the front feet, be sure your dog is sitting, lift and hold one foot about 6 inches or so off the ground, and begin trimming. To trim the nails on the back feet, have your dog stand, lift the foot 6 inches again off the ground, and then trim.
Eye Cleaning
Your dogs eyes should be maintained on a regular basis, as dogs are susceptible to many of the same eye conditions that are common in humans, including sties, allergies, and of course infections. If a dog’s eye is healthy, a clear mucus secretion is normal and should be simply wiped away with a soft damp cloth. If the secretion is yellowish or bloody, your dog should be taken to the vet immediately.
Many light-coloured dogs can develop brown tearstains underneath their eyes, caused by excess eye fluid that wets the fur around the eyes and allows various yeasts to flourish. To try to avoid these stains, keep your dog clean and keep the hair out of his eyes. There are also a number of commercial products that can help remove any stains.
Ear Cleaning
Dogs with a lot of hair such as poodles tend to accumulate some hair growth in the ear canal which must be removed on a regular basis, preferably about once a week. Ear powder helps to stiffen the hair, which makes it easy to pull out. Once the hair is removed, use a cotton ball dipped in alcohol to remove any remaining dirt and wax. All dogs, long-haired or not should have their ears thoroughly cleaned regularly with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol.
If your dog develops an ear problem, he should exhibit certain symptoms. He may frequently shake his head, rub his ears on the floor, or even scratch his ear with his foot. If you recognize any of these symptoms, look inside his ears. If they seem to be red or have some sort of discharge, there is probably an inflammation or some form of infection. If so, you and your pup should make a visit to the vet as soon as possible.
Teeth Brushing
Taking good care of your dogs teeth is an essential process, as about 80 percent of dogs will develop some sort of gum disease by the age of three. These signs can vary from loose or discoloured teeth, bad breath, swollen gums, receding gum line, and gums that bleed easily. In addition to the regular check up by the veterinarian, a great and healthy way to keep your dog’s gum disease free is to brush his teeth regularly.
Most dogs will not be immediately used to the idea of getting their teeth brushed, so you will need to be patient and take a little time to get them used to it. Begin with your finger gently massaging his gums, getting him used to having your finger in his mouth. You should also let him lick a bit of the dog toothpaste so that he is familiar with the specific taste. Once he’s comfortable, gently lift his outer lips and begin massaging his bottom, top, and front gums in a circular motion.
After some soothing sessions of gum massaging, it’s time to start brushing. You will need a pet toothbrush or some gauze to wrap around a finger, and some toothpaste specially designed for dogs. Make sure your pet toothbrush is specifically designed for your dog’s mouth size. Start with the front teeth and gradually move on until all teeth have been brushed. Focus on things like removing food residue from the outsides of the teeth, because your dog’s tongue can clean the inside surfaces well enough. If at all feasible, your dogs’ teeth should be brushed daily.
