There are over 200 breeds of dogs, with a huge variety of grooming needs. I have had the pleasure of living with some of them. From my Old English Sheepdog who had a long, thick double coat to my Jack Russell Terriers who have short single coats, I have found there are 6 essential tools that I have had to use regularly in order to maintain the health and appearance of my canine companions.
These 6 tools include:
· Nail clippers · Toothbrush · Toothpaste · Ear cleaner · Cotton balls · And a brush that is best for the specific fur length of the dog
Pedicure
Most dogs need their nails clipped every 6 weeks, some even more often. Not doing so can result in numerous problems from torn nails and scratched flooring to early onset of arthritis. As nail clippers are available in several styles and sizes, the one you use on your dog must depend on your dog’s size.
Some dog owners are reticent about giving their dogs pedicures due to the fact that they can accidentally nip them to close causing pain and excessive bleeding. This can occur especially if their dog will not sit still during the process or the dog has black nails, making it difficult to recognize where the nail capillaries begin. Should this be your situation you can have the pedicure done by a professional groomer or your veterinarian. You can save more money, however, by teaching your dog to accept the process through positive reinforcement and nipping only the very ends of the nails, then filing them a little shorter, insuring that you won’t injure your dog.
Don’t Ignore the Teeth
There is no way around it, you must tend to your dog’s teeth. This means regular brushing. While there are many products available that claim to do the work for you, they do not cover the project 100%. Dental sticks, chews and sprays help with the maintenance, but do not replace the act of actually brushing.
I have found that a triple sided brush expedites the process, scrubbing all surfaces at the same time. Also, using a yummy meat flavored pet toothpaste makes it more positive for your dog. My dogs actually look forward to getting their teeth done, believing it’s a treat. Not only do they get the meat flavored paste but also one-on-one attention from me; an important commodity in a multi-dog household.
Ears
One thing that many dog owners ignore is the fact that their dogs need to have their ears cleaned regularly. This is especially true of dogs with heavy ear flaps such as Labrador Retrievers, Bassett Hounds, and even Goldendoodles. Some breeds not only have heavy ear flaps closing off air circulation, but are also prone to ear infections due to food allergies.
Cleaning the ears with cotton balls, soaked in a good herbal cleanser will not only keep the dog’s ears clear of infection but also smelling good. I gauge the amount of weekly cleanings on the type of dog and past history of ear infections. For example, a retriever may require two to three cleanings each week, while a terrier just one cleaning each week.
Brushing
The amount of brushing also depends on the breed and the types of outdoor activities in which they engage. A dog with a short, single coat may not require brushing more than once each week, while a dog with a long double coat may require brushing twice daily. The brush used depends largely on the coat. I find that a curry brush is great for short hair breeds to loosen dead hair and stimulate the skin. Whereas a long coated breed will be easiest to brush with a comb or rake; sometimes both depending on the dog.
The marketplace is flooded with all sorts of pet products for grooming from shampoos and conditioners to ear cleaner and eye brightener. I have found these 6 items indispensible for keeping my own dogs healthy and shiny.