Home grooming tips

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Wash, cut, brush and dry. You can keep your dog well-groomed!

If you have seen your dog rub or roll on the rug, or chew and lick at her fur, you have witnessed her attempt at self-grooming. Have you ever tried to give yourself a haircut? Then you know we can all use a little help sometimes, even Fido.

Grooming should be a pleasure

A grooming session could be a challenge for you and your dog, especially if she is excitable or not used to you touching her. Here are some methods to help pave the way for an enjoyable experience for both of you:

• Only groom your dog when she is calm, perhaps after a walk or a play period.
• Keep your first grooming session short (maybe 5 to 10 minutes) until your dog becomes used to being handled this way. Slowly add more time to the sessions until there is enough time for you to do a proper grooming.
• You can get a head start on making her at ease by petting all over her body, including touchy areas like tails, paws, stomach and ears.
• Praise your pup all throughout the grooming and be sure to offer a tasty treat when you are through. She'll soon come to think of it as a pleasant experience.

Combing and brushing

Dogs naturally gather dirt, grass, weeds, and other irritants in their fur. Brushing or combing regularly will help keep your dog's coat and skin clean and healthy. Different coats require different tools and procedures.

Smooth, short-coat dogs like Chihuahuas, Beagles, or Doberman Pinschers only need a weekly grooming:

• First, loosen dead skin and dirt by using a soft bristle brush (like those made for puppies) made of rubber or plastic.
• Next, use a stiffer bristle brush to take out dead hair.
• Lastly, rub a chamois cloth over her body to give it a nice sheen, and your easy-grooming dog is ready to go.

Short and/or thick--coated dogs like retrievers and huskies can be prone to matting. Here is a weekly routine to help control those irritating mats:

• Use a slicker-style brush to remove tangles.
• Pick up dead hair with a bristle brush.
• Don't forget to pull a comb though her tail.

For a long, luxurious coat, such as that of a Cocker Spaniel, you need to perform some grooming  [Continued]

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