For dog owners who treat their dogs as family, dog grooming is definitely a must. With a dog’s cheerful disposition and constant running, it is bound to catch unwanted dirt on its fur, paws, and nails. Even unkempt hair can be seen as unwanted by dog owners. To fix these problems, dog owners usually choose to go to professional dog grooming services that charge up to $60 per session. Given the rising costs of other basic goods and services, dog owners now prefer practice do it yourself dog grooming.
Grooming one’s pet by himself can strengthen the bond between owner and pet. This will also allow the owner to instantly detect things that are out of the ordinary about the dog. An example is a flea infestation which can grow uncontrollably if not controlled sooner.
To begin with, grooming requires the use of dog grooming kits which can be readily available from a number of stores. However, if these are unavailable, the dog owner can make use of household items that can do the same functions as the tools used in dog grooming kits. These include hair clippers, hair brushes and combs, scissors, a blow dryer, and dry towels. It is also recommended to have a broom and dustpan handy in the event that the fur and the nails need a lot of cutting. There are certain things to consider when beginning the practice of dog grooming.
Firstly, constant practice will allow the dog owner to be comfortable in grooming his pet. It may seem hard and awkward at first but once the dog owner gets the hang of it, it becomes natural and easier to do.
Second, the dog owner should know the parts of the dog that frequently need grooming. These include the nails, the ears, teeth, and of course, the hair.
Cutting the nails helps keep the dogs from experiencing nail ingrown. However, the nails should not be cut too near the paws as the nail may bleed. To avoid this problem, the dog must be constantly walked on cement to help wear down the nails.
Ears are easily inhabited by fleas. All it takes to clean the ears is through using cotton balls with water. Cotton swabs should never be used as this may damage your dog’s ears. Alcohol should also be avoided as this may lead to side effects with the animal.
The teeth can be brushed using a special toothpaste and toothbrush that are designed for use on dogs. Brushing is normally advised once a week.
Grooming the hair should be done after bathing the dog. Dog baths should be done at least once a month and should be used with a movable shower head. This will allow the dog owner to reach areas that cannot be reached with conventional showers. Shampoos for the dogs should be carefully selected according to the dog specie.
After the shower, it will now be the perfect time to wipe the dog with a towel and blow dry its hair. This should be done with the dog on a table. If the owner wishes, he can trim the hair at this point.
Do it yourself dog grooming is not only a hygienic activity for dogs, it is also a perfect way to strengthen the relationship between the dog and the owner.
By: Landon N. Wiggs About the Author:
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