 Hello everyone!
All dog guardians know that our pups need a beauty routine too. Dogs are more than just man’s best friend; these furry companions are members of our family. And what proud pet guardian wouldn’t want their family to look their best?  Grooming consists of several tasks. Rascal (my Maltipoo) needs regular grooming! I brush his coat daily, and at least two or three times a week, I need to clean his teeth and remove tear stains. He hates having his face touched, so this is a nightmare every time! Then, once a month, I bathe him, trim his nails, clean his ears and give him a haircut! Keep reading to see Rascal's before and after pictures...
Here are ten (10) tips to help with at-home grooming:
- Stay calm and give treats. Start with short sessions and reward your pet with praise or high-value treats.Â
- Brush your pet regularly. Just a few minutes of brushing helps remove dirt, excess hair, tangles and mats while distributing oils that help keep the skin and coat healthy. Use a dog hair detangler, if needed.
- Bathe regularly. You should bathe your dog about once a month unless it seems smelly or dirty.
- Do not skip the conditioner. If your dog has long hair, then a dog conditioner is a must. Long coats can quickly become tangled and prone to matting, so conditioning will make brushing easier.
- Remove tear stains. White dogs are more likely to have visible tear staining on their faces because the pigments in their tears can easily dye light-coloured fur. Also, dogs with long hair on their faces may be more prone to excessive tearing. I use a cotton disc to wipe Rascal's tear stains with Optrex Eye Wash. I tried tear stain remover wipes and pads but found that Optex is just as effective and less expensive. And it's perfectly safe to use on your dog.
- Trim nails regularly. Regular walks on cement roads and sidewalks can help wear down your dog’s nails. However, when you can hear your dog’s nail clicking on the floor, it’s time for a trim. Start by handling each paw and rewarding your pet with treats or praise when they remain calm. Then begin to touch the paw with the nail trimmer and follow with a reward. Work your way up to trimming a single nail. Then gradually trim more nails as your pet allows.Â
- Use a scratch board. A scratch board is like a giant nail file for your dog! It's a flat board with sandpaper glued to it. Most dogs are comfortable dragging their nails across 30-40 grit sandpaper, which files down nails fast. This can be an alternative for dogs who are afraid of nail clippers!
- Avoid the quick. You’ll want to avoid cutting the quick, it includes a blood vessel and nerve and is easier to see on light dog nails. If your pet has dark nails, trim the very tip of each nail and continue making small cuts until you see a black dot in the centre of the nail. If your dog is using a scratch board, keep the sessions short to keep the dog from accidentally quicking his nails.
- Use ear hair powder. Shih Tzus, Poodles, Maltipoos and Bichon Frises are just some of the breeds that grow thicker hair inside their ears. Unfortunately, hair growing inside the ear can impede the flow of air that is needed to keep the ear passages dry. It can also trap excess ear wax, dirt, and debris. All of these can increase your dog’s risk of infection. Dog ear powder is used to make the removal of excess hair easier, by making the hair inside a dog's ear easier to grip. It can also help control ear odour and keep ears dry, helping to prevent infection.
- Do not neglect oral hygiene.  Not all dogs will accept a toothbrush in their mouth. Rascal hates his dog toothbrush and toothpaste, he runs away as soon as he sees them. As an alternative to brushing, rubbing coconut oil on your dog’s teeth and gums can assist with reducing plaque-causing bacteria. I use a finger toothbrush for dogs to massage the coconut oil on Rascal's teeth. Do not use human toothpaste!
This is a photo of Rascal before grooming!
Talk to you soon!
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