Bath time for Artie - his favorite day of the week!

Grooming Regular brushing, ear cleaning, dental care and bathing are essential to keeping your pet happy and healthy. No one but you touches, interacts, and KNOWS your dog as you do. You know your dog and you know when something is wrong. Groom, touch and handle your dog all over, you'll be more likely to catch minor things before they become serious and expensive. Was that lump there last time? Does your dog seem stiff or sore anywhere? Check for injuries, fleas, ticks, burrs and matts. How is your dog's weight? The best way to tell is by feel.

Teach your dog to enjoy handling and accept restraint from day one.

Go here to see the power of positive training and teaching handling with REAL SHARKS!

Gather all your supplies before you get started. The more you handle and massage your dog, the easier and more pleasant grooming sessions will be, for both of you! Make your grooming sessions a wonderful bonding time, not a wrestling match. Young pups should be introduced to grooming gently. Don't forget the treats! Reward cooperative behavior and you'll see more of it next time! Pair great rewards with the appearance of grooming supplies and you'll create a paired positive emotional response, instead of a dog shivering under the bed!

Brush well.
A daily once-over and a weekly thorough grooming for short to medium coats, more often for heavily coated dogs - especially during shedding season. Brushing stimulates the natural oils in the skin, removes dead hair, and soothes both the groomer and the groomee!

Groom first, bathe after - because mats tighten in water and become nearly impossible to get out. Rub a little cream conditioner into any lingering matts before you bathe your dog and work them loose with your fingers and comb. The thing most dogs hate most about bath time is the slippery footing in the tub. Make sure there is a rubber mat or towel on the floor of the tub to prevent slipping. Lather and rinse well. In warm weather your dog may air dry, in winter you will probably use the blow dryer. Accustom your dog to this device slowly, well in advance of bath day!

Choose the right type of brush for your breed. For double-coated breeds you may start with a matt rake or pin brush. For a short coated breed, a curry comb or hound glove. Work nose to tail, going along with the lay of the hair. This is the first step to remove tangles, mats, and yard debris. Check friction points (under elbows, between legs, behind ears) for matts and tangles. Next, remove loose fur. For long-coated dogs use a slicker brush; for short coated dogs, a stiff bristle brush or shedding blade. Work tail to nose, part the hair with your hand against the lay of the hair and brush it towards the tail, this removes dead hair.

Scissors - Trim hair growing between toes. Removing hair helps on slick surfaces like linoleum and keeps feet cleaner. Give lots of praise, most dogs take time and practice to become comfortable having their feet handled.

Baby wipes - Clean the ear with a baby wipe, wiping the entire inner ear surface, but don't poke objects down into the ear cavity. The cleaner the ears are (the more often you clean them) the less likely you will have for trouble. Look for redness or irritation. Smell the ears - if they smell like dirty gym socks, see your veterinarian.

Nail Clippers - Cut the toenails. Have Quik Stop, powdered alum or baking soda handy, or pay your vet or groomer to do it. Go here for a great article on how to trim your dog's toenails.

Tick Removal

Skunk wash! 1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, 1/2 cup of Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate), 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Mix together to make a shampoo. Rinse well to remove the shampoo from the fur after vigorously shampooing. You may need to double or triple this recipe depending on the weight of your dog.

A well-groomed dog is a happier, healthier dog!