Groom Your Dog at Home with These Tips
No matter how many times you wash your dog and try to prevent them from hanging out in mud puddles and other dirty places, they’ll just keep going back for more! If your dog has a particular knack for getting dirty, it can be expensive to keep visiting the groomer. That’s why we’ve come up with some tips for at-home grooming! Time to cut costs and get your hands dirty with these easy tips.
Brush Regularly
You may not think it, but brushing your dog’s fur regularly can make a world of difference in keeping them clean! Even just a few short minutes of brushing can remove dirt, excess hair, mats, and tangles. If your dog has particularly long hair, consider brushing them more often. This means there will be less hair for you to vacuum and you’ll need fewer lint rollers to keep your clothes clean!
Avoid Hair Mats
Matted hair is extremely irritating for your dog. As dogs get older, it can become more painful for them to groom their own hard-to-reach places. That’s where you come in! Using a metal comb, start on the outside of the mat and slowly pick it apart. Work your way to the center until it is completely worked out. If mats are extremely large, ask your groomer or vet to handle it instead!
Treats are Key
Grooming can be stressful for both you and your dog, so we recommend starting with short sessions and arming yourself with plenty of treats to reward your dog for their good behavior. If your dog still doesn’t seem to react well to grooming, try again another time! Treats can only go so for in reinforcing your dog’s positive behavior.
Bathe Regularly
Though they may resist, dogs need to be bathed quite regularly, especially if they have a history of skin issues. Always use a dog-friendly shampoo to scrub them. Human shampoos have a different pH level that can irritate skin and lead to further grooming issues. If your dog seems particularly itchy, greasy, or smelly, talk to your vet about switching to a therapeutic shampoo for your dog.
Trim Nails Regularly
Walking on cement roads and sidewalks can wear down your pup’s nails, but they’ll probably need some extra trimming on top of that. If you hear your dog’s nails clicking on the floors of your home, that’s a good sign that they need a trim! Start by simply holding their paws and then gradually work your way up to trimming as many nails as your dog allows. Use a dog nail clipper for best results. Reward your pet with extra treats for good behavior while you trim their nails.
Grooming your dog at home is a quick and easy way to keep your canine companion clean, fresh, and ready to take on the world! Follow these tips to ensure your grooming process goes smoothly. Your dog may seem to enjoy getting dirty, but we can assure you they’ll appreciate you working hard to keep them clean.