I know people who feel some kind of guilt whenever they bring their dogs on a pet grooming shop because they feel that they’re losing a precious bonding moment with their beloved pets. It might sound like an exaggeration, but yes, some of my fellow dog lovers share the same kind of guilt, and how can I blame them?
Three of my friends were walking our dogs one Saturday morning when our conversation revolved around it. They shared how they’d tried to fully groom their own dogs, and if you expected that it became easy as “A-B-C”, well, think again. For dog owners with busy schedules, grooming their dogs could be a fulfilling (but tiring) task because, like me, they are not really used to it.
An ideal person to groom a dog should be a professional dog groomer, but owners can always do the grooming, but with a lot of “mess” involved, and what I mean about “mess” is not just those furs all over the floor, but the mistakes that one can make while grooming their dog!
If you are planning to get your hands on your dog’s overall grooming, take a look at these do’s and don’ts to know what to do and what not to do during the process.
WHAT ARE THE ‘DOs’ OF DOG GROOMING?
Brush Your Dog’s Hair
When you regularly brush your dog’s hair, you help your dog’s body to stimulate oil-producing glands that hang onto its hair, and as a result, it prevents your dog from too much shedding. Likewise, brushing their hair often prevents matting, which could lead to unsightly patches of thick tangles and knots that could be impossible to remove.
Brushing my dog has become my “routine” since I started it about 4 weeks ago, and whenever I arrive from work, I never fail to see my dog waiting on the sofa, waiting to be brushed. It became my activity to unload all the stress of the whole day’s work. Even my lil’ daughter knows that our “brushing time” turns our living room into a “scream-free” and “no-nagging” zone, and it just leans on my arm as I brush it.
Some dogs look at a brush as an enemy, but if you have formed a bond with your furry friend while doing this, they can see the brush as a friendly tool that will care for them. Thus, they will look forward to the moment when you’ll be available to spend time brushing their fur.
Trim Their Nails
One essential part of dog grooming is also the most anxiety-inducing for the dog and the owner—trimming the nails. It is important to remember that doing this when they are still young would be best so they can get accustomed to the idea and not fight it all the time. Besides, you cannot force it when they don’t want to, as it could lead to stress for both of you. To get your dog to abide, you may use reinforcement techniques and reward them for every good behavior as you go through the delicate process.
If you’re really serious about “taking charge” of your pet’s grooming at least twice a month, then you should know that trimming their nails can be one of the most delicate parts of grooming. It depends on you if you want to use a nail clipper or a nail file. It should be used on specific types of nails, but the ease of use really depends on its user.
Also, remember not to hit the delicate part of your dog’s nail, such as its “quick.” Hitting the “quick” part would cause a sudden burst of pain in its paws that can cause trauma to your dog.
Read more: The 5 Best Dog Nail Clippers For Clipping and Grooming At Home
Do a Regular Health Check
When something’s wrong with your dog, it would manifest in its body, which can be seen and noticed by its owner- except when he’s not really checking it. Lumps, rashes, or sores, can be easily noticed if the owner is paying attention to his dog’s body.
This could be one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent serious health problems from taking place and keeping you distant from high medical expenses. Whether you’re brushing your dog, trimming its nail or giving it a bath, intentionally search for the health red flags that might be manifesting somewhere in its body. Knowing it early means an early visit to your vet, which could result in early solutions.
WHAT ARE THE ‘DONTs’ OF DOG GROOMING?
Don’t Let Water Go Into Your Dog’s Ears
Few mistakes in DIY grooming can lead to severe problems, but you shouldn’t be afraid because it is very avoidable.
One thing you should really avoid is letting the water go into your dog’s ears. Both their eyes and ears are so sensitive, so don’t make a mistake of splashing their ears or eyes with shampoo or water. As they say, what you do is as important as you do not do, so keep in mind to avoid this simple yet major mistake.
Never Ever Blow The Dryer In Their Face
One thing that a dog owner should remember whenever he dries his dog after a bath is he should avoid blowing the dog’s face with a dryer. This common mistake is what causes it to be agitated, causes discomfort, and can lead to severe infection. By just using the good-old towel to dry your dog’s face, you can certainly avoid the consequences of blow drying it. When using the blow dryer, ensure it’s set at a low temperature to prevent burning.
Read more: Why Is Your Dog Acting Weird After Grooming? What You Need to Know
Never Leave Them Unattended
Whenever you groom your dog, always keep in mind to bask them with your attention and never ever leave them unattended. The moment of grooming is an opportunity to deepen your connection with each other, so never waste this opportunity and take advantage of this time to the fullest. Also, leaving them unattended might possibly cause accidents on them, like hitting or tripping on something, that can cause serious injuries or wounds.
Don’t Do Personal Grooming Regularly
Bonding moments with your dog through grooming is a great way to deepen your connection with each other, but professional grooming must be on a more regular basis than the DIY one. The reason for this is because your local dog groomers are professionally trained to attend to your dog’s overall needs. Not only your dog can get a professional service, but you too, can receive professional advice whenever you need help in your DIY grooming.
What’s best to do when you bring your dog to a professional groomer is to closely observe how they are so you can pick up techniques and use them with your dog when you do the same at home.
Having a professional do regular grooming ensures that your dog is having a thorough cleaning, massage, and medical check-ups to keep your dog in tip-top shape. We know how much you love your dogs, but letting the professionals handle the job more frequently shows how you really care for your dog.