The Importance Of Dog Grooming

Grooming provides many health benefits, some of which not being immediately obvious to the pet dog owner. Aside from being a great bonding experience, brushing your dog ventilates their coat allowing it to grow healthy and strong ridding of dead, damaged undercoat and gives dog owners the opportunity to carry out a basic health check, checking for fleas, ticks, grass seeds, matting, lumps, bumps and the condition of the eyes and ears.

Being touched is not on every dogs wish list so it is important to make grooming and handling a pleasant experience. Choose a time when you are both relaxed, keep the sessions short for those sensitive to touch and when possible start the grooming process from an early age when positive associations are being made.

Whilst smooth coated breeds Boxer, Dobermann, Staffordshire Bull Terrier are the low-maintenance type in grooming terms requiring little more than the removal of dead coat, achieving a glossy finish. If you find yourself sharing your home with a Wool coated breed Bichon Frise, Poodle then it might be in your best interests to seek the support of a Professional Dog Groomer as these breeds require specific drying techniques and trimming styles. Believe me, the Bichon coat is not forgiving and sets aside the novice from the professional.

Nail Trimming, whilst many Professional Dog Groomers offer stand alone Pet Nail Trimming slots if you have a smooth coated breed requiring little in the way of Professional Dog Grooming I see no reason why you can not trim your pets nails at home with the correct education and desensitization, be sure to have some coagulant to hand and invest in a decent pair of nail clippers suited to your dogs size. Why do I recommend this? Well, from a clients perspective you will save a fair bit of money but from my perspective it is all about the welfare of your pet. Nail clinics are quick, the dog has little time to process the environment before they are summoned to the scary sight, sound and experience of the dreaded nail clippers so this is often paired with a negative experience. Comparing this to those dogs, pets visiting for a full groom and being with us for a substantial time longer and Nail Trimming only being a small snippet of the appointment, many more positive associations can be made away from the Nail Trimming experience. Of course, not every dog finds Nail Trimming stressful.

If bathing your dog at home, it is important to note that human skin and canine skin sit worlds apart. Canine skin is greatly influenced by illness and environment, should the ph become affected inflammation and infection can occur due to over-drying and eroding of the epidermis. Pet owners must refrain from using baby shampoo and invest in an approved puppy, dog shampoo when bathing at home.

Thanks for reading.

Emma

@waggytailsdoggrooming.co.uk