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Three essentail steps to grooming your dog
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Wrigley, with morning hair.
If you are lucky enough to have a wash and wear puppy like a Labrador your grooming days will be much shorter than say, a Shih Tzu. Short haired breeds and especially water dogs, who naturally repel debris make grooming your buddy much easier. Most of us have a dog that is in between these extremes. There are three essentials to grooming your dog, brushing, bathing and the "extras." The extras are the cleaning of ears, clipping of nails and brushing of teeth. So really there is much more to taking care of your dog than just three steps, but our dogs are worth it!
All dogs require daily brushing. Some require two minutes, some two hours. Daily brushing removes hair that will otherwise end up on your floor, furniture and you. Although I tend to trust people with dog hair on their suits, some folks just do not appreciate that particular accessory. When you spend time brushing your dog you are able to look at your dog closely enough to discover any abnormal bumps, lumps or skin irritations. You are also bonding with your dog, spending time with him is just as important as the actual grooming. It also keeps that accident prone puppy occupied enough to cause too much damage, at least for a few minutes.
Bathing is something you do not want to do to often. If your dog likes to roll in horse manure than he might need more frequent bathing than a dog who likes only to roll in dirty laundry like mine. A dogs natural oil distribution that keeps his skin and coat healthy, can be disrupted do to over washing. Some dogs need special shampoos and conditioners to help with allergies and skin conditions, and unless you have one of these guys you only should wash as needed.
An extremely groomed dog
Those pesky extras are the most overlooked parts of a dogs health. Most people don't think about brushing their dogs teeth. There are over the counter bones, chews and toys that are marketed toward dental health, and many people think that they will suffice. The don't. These products only cover the dogs lower portion of the teeth, not the upper section and the gums which is where proper cleaning is most important. There are many products at pet stores and the Vet clinic that make cleaning your dogs teeth easier than using your own tooth brush, ask you Vet which is best for you dog and you. Clipping your dogs nails can be tricky. I recommend a Dremmel tool made especially for dogs or www.pedipaws.com . These grind the nail's instead of clipping them, helping insure you don't cut into the quick. There is nothing worse the cutting into the quick, making your dog bleed and scaring her into not letting you touch her feet again. Making sure that your dogs nails are properly trimmed helps prevent bone and joint damage. Damage is caused by a dog who has to alter her walking pattern or gait to accommodate long nails. Ears are even trickier. Never stick a Q-Tip or object into your dogs ear canal! Dogs love to squirm at the worst moment. There are several over the counter products available at pet stores and the Vets office. If you have any problems with grooming, especially the tricky "extras" visit a groomer. These folks are professionals and accomplish these tasks in a more efficient manner than most of can do at home. Dogs know what they can get away with when it comes to their humans, they usually are much better behaved with the groomer. Just like children.
How to find a Groomer in Anchorage www.examiner.com/x-9127-Anchorage-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m7d29-Dogs-101-How-to-find-a-Groomer-in-Anchorage
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