Grooming a hairy dog? If your canine has a lot of fluff, you probably take him to the local dog-grooming salon often. Do you want to save all that time and money and do the job yourself?
The mount of hair your dog sheds depends on his breed. Grooming a hairy dog may seem like quite a task, but with the right tools and knowledge regarding the best practices, you can achieve your desired result.
Dogs require their coats to protect them from both hot and cold weather. They need to stay clean, matt-free, and well-brushed. Before you begin grooming, make sure you are well-equipped. Here are some basic tools that you would require:
The most important aspects of grooming a hairy dog include brushing, bathing, nail clipping, and cleaning the ears and the areas near the eyes, paws, and rear. Before you start, make sure you gather all the equipment so that you don’t have to spend time searching for the tools while handling your pet. Here is a step-by-step guide for grooming a fluffy dog:
If your dog’s coat is dirty, it may be a good idea to bathe him before you start grooming. Make sure you use a gentle shampoo that is especially designed for dogs. Before washing, check whether the water temperature is alright for your pet, as hot water can harm his skin.
If you have a large, fluffy dog, it may be better to bathe him outside. You may also spread towels on the floor to absorb the splashes. To prevent your furry friend from slipping, layer the bath tub with a non-slip mat or towel.
You may have to start with desensitizing your dog to the sound of the running water using his favorite treats. Make sure you completely rinse off the shampoo from your dog’s fur coat and allow him to dry before brushing.
It is best to brush your dog every day or every alternate day in order to prevent mats. If you have a hairy pet, it is best to use a brush rather than a comb as a brush can easily pass through areas where a comb may get stuck.
Make sure you keep removing the tangles as you brush. For a fluffy dog, you may need extra equipment such as a slicker, steel comb, pin brush, or undercoat rake. Brushing removes loose hair and distributes the skin’s natural oils within the coat thoroughly.
While brushing, praise you dog and reward him with treats to build a positive association. Long hair are likely to cause several mats in your pet’s coat. Some stubborn mats may not get brushed out, so you may have to cut or shave them off.
Be careful while using scissors and try to snip parallel to hair growth to prevent a choppy look. At times, mats close to the skin can cause bacterial infection. In this case, take your pet to a vet to resolve the issue.
Clippers are usually safer than scissors and can help you groom your pet much faster. Ensure that the blade is sharp so that it does not catch or pull at your dog’s hair.
Start clipping your dog since puppyhood to make him used to the procedure. Compare the sound of the various clippers available in the market and choose the quietest one so that the loud buzzing doesn’t scare your pooch.
Select the clipper blade that is best suited to your dog’s specific fur coat. Turn the clippers off from time to time to ensure they are not heating up. Use a clipper lubricant or coolant on the blades to avoid burning your pet. Wipe off the extra lubricant to prevent the coat from getting spoiled.
It is important to ensure that your pet’s hair is free of mats and tangles before you switch on your clippers. Start with tidying up areas where the fur is already trimmed yet a little untidy. This will help you figure out how much hair the blade takes off in one go. Clip hair down your pet’s body along the direction of growth.
It is recommended to lightly trim your canine’s hair for a neat look. Snip away near the dog’s legs, ears and face. Make sure that you only use the tips of the scissors so that you can swiftly pull away if your pet suddenly jerks.
For a trimming session, you would require a pin brush, comb, and a pair of scissors. Start at the top of your pet’s head by combing the fur towards the back so that it remains out of his eyes. It is recommended to use short blades scissors to trim near the eyes and beard.
Hold down your dog’s ears using your fingertips while trimming near the ears. You can either trim in a straight line or follow the shape of the ear. Make sure you snip extra hair underneath the ear as well. After you are done with the ears, advance to the neck and chest.
Make sure you brush hair in the area thoroughly before you start trimming. You may use thinning shears if you find the chest hair excessively thick in places. Following chest hair, trim along your pet’s legs, sides and tail to achieve overall neatness.
There are some precautions you need to keep in mind while grooming your fluffy friend. It is important to take your time and be patient with your pet. Just like you wouldn’t like it if your hair stylish were in a rush, your dog wouldn’t like it either if he senses hastiness at your end. Here are some safety tips to remember:
It is alright for your pet to take a while to get accustomed to a grooming routine. Grooming a hairy dog is much easier if you have all the required equipment and are aware of all the do’s and don’ts.
by Maria A Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ .
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