And finally, there's the pleasure you'll
derive from owning a dog that's a knockout to look at, and be with. Your
psychological
bonus.
Coat Types and Care.
Short/Smooth Coated breeds: Such as Boxers, Dobermanns, and
Greyhounds. This type of coat needs less attention than most, but are usually heavy
moulters. Brushing the coat every few days with a stiffish
brush will help smarten your pet up, and keep the dog
hairs under control.
Long Coated breeds: Such as Setters, Spaniels, and Afghans. These types require a daily brushing which gets rid of the dead hair, and enables
you to recognise and deal with any knots and tangles that are
prevalent in this coat type. Some types,
such as Old English Sheepdogs require a good deal of work, and
usually professional help.
Rough/ Wire Coated: Such as Airedales, various Terriers.
Some of these coat types "cast" their coat every 6
months or thereabouts. This involves hair shedding on a much grander
scale than just moulting. If not brushed regularly this type of coat
matts badly. Consequently, a stiff brush. and robust comb are
necessary tools. You need to get right in to the coat, not just
skim over the top.
Curly/Wooly coated: Such as the Bedlington terrier, Poodle, and Bichon Frise.
This coat variety sheds dead hair within it's coat,
rather than moults. Again a daily brushing is needed to stay on top
of this. Often, professional help is required with this
type of coat.
You too could be as smiley as Kyra-- Just become a dog
groomer!
Where and how to groom your dog.
Right from the start your puppy should come to
recognise that when you get out the grooming equipment, he/she is in for a
pleasant experience, that will always end with a treat. Get it right, and
grooming is hassle free. Get it wrong and even finding
your pet to groom will be a problem.
OK, so you've
visited the best pet shop in town, had a chat with the owner and made a
new friend, and finally left with a soft brush, a small, but
robust comb, a pair of small blunt ended scissors, and a gentle puppy
shampoo. That's all you need to start with. You can add to this later,
once you get to know more about your pups coat.
The best way to find out is to
beg, steal, buy, or borrow a good book, solely about your type of
dog--from a recognised authority on that Breed. If your dog is a cross,
then check out it's coat type from the list above, and get a book about a
breed with a similar coat...........OK--Let battle commence!
The
battleground needs to remain constant at first. Somewhere where you and
your pup are going to be comfortable. If it's a table put a towel or
slip-mat on it--your pup needs to feel secure. The first session should be short. Your just getting
your dog accustomed to the tools of the trade. Talk lovingly to your puppy
as you gently brush and then comb through the coat.
Do a little bit of
snipping with the scissors--nothing dramatic. Remember, to spray a
little conditioner over the coat prior to grooming, this will prevent
the ends of the hair from breaking.
As your puppy learns--so
will you. Which areas to be more gentle with. Where a more vigorous
brushing is welcomed. You'll learn how to be kind, considerate, and,
yes,when neccessary, firm.
Remember, your pet will not be
thoroughly groomed if all you have brushed is his back and upper body.
Roll him on to his side, and gently brush the belly, chest, under the
tail, and inside of the legs. This is important as these areas are
where the matts and tangles will begin to form later.
You won't have too many problems with matts and tangles
if your dog is short or smooth coated. If the tangle is too
far gone to brush out the simplest way to get rid of them is to cut them
out using blunt-ended scissors. You can spray a little water on it first
to make it more malleable. Then, gently pull it away from your pet's
body, and simply snip the hair from between the skin and the tangle.
Get you puppy accustomed to having his mouth opened
to examine the teeth. Also, the ears, and nails should be
inspected, so that in the future when they need attending to, these
early dress rehearsals will make the real job an easy task.
If your new to these tasks get a doggie friend, or the Vet
to help show you how to use a pair of nail clippers. Although
walking your dog over pavements, and rough ground usually wears
these down. Dew claws however need attention, as they do not wear
down naturally.
The commands, Stand, Sit and Stay, should be
introduced in to these sessions, as they are integral to the dog grooming
process.
Finally.......Praise her, stroke
her, give her a treat.
Repeat daily, gradually lengthening the
sessions as required by the nature of your dogs coat. Do this, and you and
your pet will enjoy your dog grooming/bonding/training sessions from day one.
Your going to need to bathe your dog. And for those of
you, who own dogs with difficult coats,your probably going to need
professional help. So click below to learn all you need to know about how
to choose the right dog groomer. And............
How to Bath your Dog.
