The ultimate guide to dog grooming

Whether it is a puppy or an adult dog, male or female, large or small, from the village or the city, your pet will always require regular care and your commitment. First of all, learn that good hygiene is a synonym for good health and longevity for your dog. This way you will enjoy many happy moments in a joint game.

HYGIENE

As a guarantee of good health, strict maintenance of your dog's hygiene, in the countryside, but especially in the city, can prevent many problems (inflammation, secretion from the eyes, and ears). Regular or daily care also provides moments of closeness that strengthen the dog's confidence in his master.

BRUSHING

To preserve its beauty and shine, you must maintain your dog's hair cover regularly. City dogs lose their hair more often and they should be brushed more often than the ones which live in the countryside. For a short coat, one brush a week is sufficient, and for animals, with long hair, this must be done every day. Do not hesitate to repeat the brushing several times a day during the molting period. Hair loss occurs in the spring and fall when the animal lives outside, and four or five times a year if it lives in the city. Place the dog at a decent height, on some table; if he has short hair, use a coarse brush and run it carefully all over his body, in the direction of hair growth: from head to tail, from back to belly, not forgetting paws. Maintaining long hair requires more complex equipment: comb, brush, and combing cream. Brush the dog to remove dust and dirt, untangle the knots by hand, and cut with scissors most persistently. Don’t forget to lubricate the hair with any combing product, for a final touch.

BATHING

The frequency of bathing depends on the lifestyle of the dog: if he lives in the fresh air, it is enough to bathe him two to three times a year. On the other hand, if he lives in an apartment, you can bathe it every two months. Use dog shampoo, since those that are intended for us humans can cause allergies to them. To avoid the tightness of the hair cover, smear it before wetting the dog; protect the inside of the ears with cotton plugs. Place a non-slip mat on the bottom of the tub put the dog on that mat and shower it with water. Start from the head and make sure that the water completely permeates the hair cover. Shampoo the head, protecting his eyes, then continue to other body parts; rub until foam appears, and rinse thoroughly. Puppies should enjoy bathing once they are three months old, not before that.

EYES

Once a week, clean the eye around the circumference with cotton wool soaked in lukewarm water or chamomile. If your dog narrows his eyes, which is often the case with dwarf breeds, this should be done every day. If the dog narrows a lot, and the coat color changes, consult a veterinarian.

EARS

They should be monitored regularly, especially loose ears, more sensitive to parasites and infections. Once a week, remove the hair that closes the ear canal with rounded scissors. Put cotton wool soaked in the product intended for this purpose and crushed in the ear. Also, inject a small amount to the bottom of the duct and massage the base of the ear. Shaking his head, the dog will remove excess secretion.

TEETH

Brush his teeth regularly with a mix of baking soda or some abrasive dog paste. You can also brush the outside and inside of his teeth with half a lemon. If, despite your care, the limescale continues to catch and cause bad breath, visit a veterinarian to remove the limescale.

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